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kneat.com, inc. — Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement 2026
Apr 21, 2026
47195_rns_2026-04-21_d80e9243-e4fe-41f1-8e24-a841e55d3278.pdf
Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement
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Kneat
KNEAT.COM, INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
and
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR
Office of Fogler, Rubinoff LLP
40 King Street West,
Suite 2400
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5H 3Y2
May 27, 2026
10:00 a.m. EST
Circular dated April 13, 2026
KNEAT.COM, INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
NOTICE is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting (the "Meeting") of the shareholders (the "Shareholders") of kneat.com, inc. (the "Company") will be held at the office of Fogler, Rubinoff LLP, 40 King Street West, Suite 2400, in the city of Toronto, in the Province of Ontario, on Wednesday May 27, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) for the following purposes:
(i) to receive and consider the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year-ended December 31, 2025, together with the report of the auditor thereon;
(ii) to re-elect directors of the Company for the forthcoming year;
(iii) to re-appoint KPMG LLP as auditors for the forthcoming year, at a remuneration to be fixed by the directors; and
(iv) to transact other business as may be brought before the Meeting or adjournment thereof.
The Company's board of directors has fixed the close of business on April 13, 2026, as the record date for determining Shareholders entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting and any postponement or adjournment of the Meeting. A form of proxy solicited by management of the Company in respect of the Meeting has been mailed to shareholders.
Shareholders who are unable to be present at the Meeting are requested to sign the form of proxy and return it in the envelope provided for that purpose. To be effective, the form of proxy must be received at the offices of Computershare, 320 Bay Street, 14th Floor, Toronto, ON M5H 4A6, by not later than 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) on May 25, 2026, or if the Meeting is adjourned, not later than 48 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays or holidays, preceding the time of such adjourned Meeting, or in either case by such later date and time as the board of directors of the Company may determine in its sole discretion. The accompanying Circular provides additional information relating to the matters to be dealt with at the Meeting.
DATED at the City of Toronto, in the Province of Ontario, this 13th day of April, 2026.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
Signed: "Ian Ainsworth"
Ian Ainsworth, Chairman of the Board of Directors
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KNEAT.COM, INC.
Office of Fogler, Rubinoff LLP
40 King Street West,
Suite 2400
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5H 3Y2
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR
as at April 13, 2026 unless otherwise noted
GENERAL VOTING AND PROXY INFORMATION
Solicitation of Proxies
This management information circular (the "Circular") is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the management of kneat.com, inc. ("kneat.com", "Kneat" or the "Company") of proxies to be used at the annual general meeting (the "Meeting") of shareholders of the Company (the "Shareholders"), and any adjournment thereof, to be held at the time and place and for the purposes set forth in the accompanying notice of meeting (the "Notice of Meeting"). The solicitation of proxies is intended to be primarily by mail but may also be made by telephone, fax, email, or other electronic means of communication or in person by the directors and officers of the Company. The Company does not reimburse Shareholders, nominees or agents for their costs of obtaining authorization from their principals to sign forms of proxy. All costs of solicitation by management will be borne by the Company.
Appointment and Revocation of Proxies
General
Shareholders may be "Registered Shareholders" or "Non-Registered Shareholders". If common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares") are registered in the name of an intermediary and not registered in the Shareholder's name, they are said to be owned by a "Non-Registered Shareholder". An intermediary is usually a bank, trust company, securities dealer or broker, or a clearing agency in which an intermediary participates. The instructions provided below set forth the different procedures for voting Common Shares at the Meeting to be followed by Registered Shareholders and Non-Registered Shareholders.
The persons named in the enclosed form of proxy are officers and/or directors of the Company. Each Shareholder has the right to appoint a person or company (who need not be a Shareholder) to attend and act for him/her at the Meeting other than the persons designated in the enclosed form of proxy. Shareholders who have given a proxy also have the right to revoke it insofar as it has not been exercised. The right to appoint an alternate proxyholder and the right to revoke a proxy may be exercised by following the procedures set out below under "Registered Shareholders" or "Non-Registered Shareholders", as applicable.
If any Shareholder receives more than one proxy or voting instruction form, it is because that Shareholder's Common Shares are registered in more than one form. In such cases, Shareholders should sign and submit all proxies or voting instruction forms received by them in accordance with the instructions provided.
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Registered Shareholders
Registered Shareholders have two methods by which they can vote their Common Shares at the Meeting, namely in person or by proxy. To assure representation at the Meeting, Registered Shareholders are encouraged to return the proxy card that has been mailed to them. Voting by proxy will not prevent a Registered Shareholder from voting in person if they attend the Meeting and duly revoke their previously granted proxy but will ensure that their vote is counted if they are unable to attend the Meeting. Registered Shareholders who do not plan to attend the Meeting or do not wish to vote in person can vote by proxy.
Completed forms of proxy must be deposited at the office of the Company's registrar and transfer agent, Computershare Investor Services Inc. ("Computershare"), 320 Bay Street, 14th Floor, Toronto, ON M5H 4A6 not later than forty-eight (48) hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, prior to the time of the Meeting, unless the chairman of the Meeting elects to exercise his discretion to accept proxies received subsequently.
Any Registered Shareholder who has returned a proxy may revoke it at any time before it has been exercised. In addition to revocation in any other manner permitted by law, a Registered Shareholder, his attorney authorized in writing or, if the Registered Shareholder is a corporation, a corporation under its corporate seal or by an officer or attorney thereof duly authorized, may revoke a proxy by instrument in writing, including a proxy bearing a later date. The instrument revoking the proxy must be deposited at the registered office of the Company, at any time up to and including the last business day preceding the date of the Meeting, or any adjournment thereof, or with the chairman of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting or an adjournment thereof.
Non-Registered Shareholders
Non-Registered Shareholders who have not objected to their intermediary disclosing certain ownership information about themselves to the Company are referred to as "NOBOs". Non-Registered Shareholders who have objected to their intermediary disclosing the ownership information about themselves to the Company are referred to as "OBOs".
Pursuant to National Instrument 54-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators ("NI 54-101"), the Company has utilized notice and access for the delivery of proxy materials to Registered Shareholders, NOBOs, and OBOs. Notice and access enables a more concise package of materials to be mailed to shareholders, including a notification instructing shareholders on how to access the Circular online and containing information on how to request a paper copy of the Circular, together with a voting document (proxy form or voting instruction form), collectively, the N&A package. This method of delivery is more environmentally friendly and reduces the costs associated with printing and mailing.
The Company will not be paying for intermediaries to deliver to OBOs (who have not otherwise waived their right to receive proxy-related materials) copies of the proxy-related materials and related documents. Accordingly, an OBO will not receive copies of the proxy-related materials and related documents unless the OBO's intermediary assumes the costs of delivery.
Meeting Materials Received by OBOs from Intermediaries
OBOs who receive the N&A package will typically be given the ability to provide voting instructions in one of two ways:
(i) Usually, an OBO will be given a Voting Instruction Form ("VIF"), which must be completed
and signed by the OBO in accordance with the instructions provided by the intermediary. In this case, the mechanisms described above for Registered Shareholders cannot be used and the instructions provided by the intermediary must be followed.
(ii) Occasionally, an OBO may be given a proxy that has already been signed by the intermediary. This form of proxy is restricted to the number of Common Shares owned by the OBO but is otherwise not completed. This form of proxy does not need to be signed by the OBO but must be completed by the OBO and returned to Computershare in the manner described above for Registered Shareholders.
The purpose of these procedures is to allow OBOs to direct the proxy voting of the Common Shares that they own but that are not registered in their name. Should an OBO who receives either a form of proxy or a VIF wish to attend and vote at the Meeting in person (or have another person attend and vote on their behalf), the OBO should strike out the names of the persons designated on the enclosed form of proxy and insert the OBO's name (or the name of his or her alternate appointee) in the blank space provided for that purpose or, in the case of a VIF, follow the corresponding instructions provided by the intermediary. In either case, OBOs who received the N&A package from their intermediary should carefully follow the instructions provided by the intermediary. To exercise the right to revoke a proxy, an OBO who has completed a proxy (or a VIF, as applicable) should carefully follow the instructions provided by the intermediary.
Proxies returned by intermediaries as "non-votes" because the intermediary has not received instructions from the OBO with respect to the voting of certain Common Shares or, under applicable stock exchange or other rules, the intermediary does not have the discretion to vote those Common Shares on one or more of the matters that come before the Meeting, will be treated as not entitled to vote on any such matter and will not be counted as having been voted in respect of any such matter. Common Shares represented by such "non-votes" will, however, be counted in determining whether there is a quorum.
Meeting Materials Received by NOBOs from the Company
As permitted under NI 54-101, the Company has used a NOBO list to send the N&A package directly to the NOBOs whose names appear on that list. If you are a NOBO and the Company's transfer agent, Computershare, has sent these materials directly to you, your name and address and information about your holdings of Common Shares have been obtained from the intermediary holding such Common Shares on your behalf in accordance with applicable securities regulatory requirements.
As a result, any NOBO of the Company can expect to receive a scannable VIF from Computershare. Please complete and return the VIF to Computershare in the envelope provided. In addition, telephone voting and internet voting are available as further described in the VIF. Instructions in respect of the procedure for telephone and internet voting can be found in the VIF. Computershare will tabulate the results of the VIFs received from the Company's NOBOs and will provide appropriate instructions at the Meeting with respect to the Common Shares represented by the VIFs received by Computershare.
By choosing to send the N&A package to you directly, the Company (and not the intermediary holding Common Shares on your behalf) has assumed responsibility for (i) delivering these materials to you; and (ii) executing your proper voting instructions. The intermediary holding Common Shares on your behalf has appointed you as the proxyholder of such Common Shares and therefore you can provide your voting instructions by completing the proxy mailed to you in the same way as a Registered
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Shareholder. Please refer to the information under the heading "Registered Shareholders" for a description of the procedure to return a proxy, your right to appoint another person or company to attend the meeting and your right to revoke the proxy.
Although a Non-Registered Shareholder may not be recognized directly at the Meeting for the purposes of voting Common Shares registered in the name of his or her broker, a Non-Registered Shareholder may attend the Meeting as proxyholder for the Registered Shareholder and vote the Common Shares in that capacity. Non-Registered Shareholders who wish to attend the Meeting and indirectly vote their Common Shares as proxyholder for the Registered Shareholder should enter their own names in the blank space on the form of proxy provided to them and return the same in accordance with the instructions provided.
Exercise of Proxies
Where a choice is specified, the Common Shares represented by proxy will be voted for, withheld from voting or voted against, as directed by the Shareholders, on any poll or ballot that may be called. Where no choice is specified, the proxy will confer discretionary authority and will be voted in favour of all matters referred to on the form of proxy. The proxy also confers discretionary authority on the persons designated in the proxy to vote for, withhold from voting, or vote against amendments or variations to the matters identified in the Notice of Meeting and with respect to other matters not specifically mentioned in the Notice of Meeting but which may properly come before the Meeting.
Management has no present knowledge of any amendments or variations to matters identified in the Notice of Meeting or any business that will be presented at the Meeting other than that referred to in the Notice of Meeting. However, if any other matters properly come before the Meeting, it is the intention of the person named in the enclosed instrument appointing proxy to vote in accordance with the recommendations of the management of the Company.
Voting Shares and Principal Holders Thereof
The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Common Shares without nominal or par value. As at the date of this Circular, there are 96,132,077 Common Shares issued and outstanding, each of which carries the right to one vote at meetings of the Shareholders. Persons who are Registered Shareholders at the close of business on April 13, 2026 (the "Record Date") are entitled to receive notice of and vote at the Meeting and will be entitled to one vote for each Common Share held.
As at the Record Date, to the knowledge of directors and officers of the Company, the following person beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, or exercised control or direction over, more than 10% of the voting Common Shares of the Company.
| Name and place of business | Number of Common Shares held | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Beek Investments Ltd. (1) | 12,536,023 | 13.04% |
1) Beek Investments Ltd. is controlled by certain officers of the Company.
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Quorum
The by-laws of the Company provide that two persons present in person or represented by proxy holding or representing in the aggregate not less than 10% of the Common Shares and entitled to vote at the meeting constitute a quorum for the meeting.
Interest of Certain Persons or Companies in Matters to Be Acted Upon
No director or executive officer of the Company, nor any person who has held such a position since incorporation, nor any nominee for election as a director of the Company, nor any associate or affiliate of the foregoing persons, has any substantial or material interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise, in any matter to be acted on at the Meeting other than the election of directors.
PARTICULARS OF MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
Audited Financial Statements
The audited financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year-ended December 31, 2025, and the report of the auditor thereon will be submitted to the Meeting. Receipt at such Meeting of the auditor's report and the Company's financial statements for the above noted fiscal period will not constitute approval or disapproval of any matters referred to therein.
Re-Election of Directors
Directors of the Company are elected annually by the Shareholders and will hold office until the next annual meeting of Shareholders, or until his/her successor is duly elected or appointed, unless: (i) his/her office is earlier vacated in accordance with the articles and by-laws of kneat.com; or (ii) he/she becomes disqualified to act as a director. The constating documents of the Company provide that the number of directors to be elected shall be a minimum of one (1) and a maximum of ten (10). A board of five (5) directors is to be elected at the Meeting.
The term of office of all present directors of the Company expires at the Meeting. Management has been informed by each nominee that he/she is willing to stand for re-election and serve as a director. Each of the directors will be re-elected on an individual basis.
The Company's board of directors (the "Board of Directors" or the "Board") has unanimously adopted a majority voting policy in director elections that will apply at any meeting of Shareholders where an uncontested election of directors is held. Pursuant to this policy, if the number of proxy votes withheld for a particular director nominee is greater than the votes for such director, the director nominee will be required to submit his or her resignation to the Chairman of the Board promptly following the applicable Shareholders' meeting.
Following receipt of the resignation, the Board will consider whether or not to accept the offer of resignation. In considering whether or not to accept the resignation, the Board will consider all factors deemed relevant by its members.
The Board will be expected to accept the resignation except in situations where the considerations would warrant the applicable director to continue to serve on the Board. The Board will publicly disclose its final
decision within 90 days following the Meeting. A director who tenders his or her resignation pursuant to this policy will not participate in any meeting of the Board at which the resignation is considered.
In the absence of instructions to the contrary, the Common Shares represented by a properly executed form of proxy in favour of the persons designated by management of the Company will be voted FOR the re-election as directors of the nominees whose names are set forth below.
| Name and Municipality of Residence and Date First Became a Director | Present Principal Occupation | Common Shares Beneficially Owned, or Controlled or Directed, Directly or Indirectly (1) at the date of this Circular | Percentage of Total Outstanding Common Shares at the date of this Circular |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Ainsworth^{(2)(3)} | |||
| Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |||
| June 27, 2016 | Chairman of the Company and General Partner of Extreme Venture Partners Inc. | 1,936,728^{(6)} | 2.0% |
| Wade Dawe^{(3)} | |||
| Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | |||
| January 14, 2014 | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Numus Financial Inc. and President of Brigus Capital Inc. | 5,762,615^{(7)} | 6.0% |
| Edmund Ryan | |||
| Cork, Republic of Ireland | |||
| June 27, 2016 | Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Company | 3,830,091^{(8)} | 3.9% |
| Nutan Behki^{(2)(5)} | |||
| Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | |||
| May 20, 2021 | Shared Services Canada, Government of Canada | Nil | Nil |
| Carol Leaman^{(4)} | |||
| Kitchener, Ontario, Canada | |||
| January 31, 2022 | Entrepreneur and Investor | Nil | Nil |
1) The information as to Common Shares beneficially owned or over which control or direction is exercised, not being within the knowledge of the Company, has been furnished by the respective parties.
2) Member of the Audit Committee.
3) Member of the Nominations and Compensation Committee.
4) Chairman of the Audit Committee.
5) Chairman of the Nominations and Compensation Committee.
6) 500 Common Shares are owned by Mr. Ainsworth directly; 1,936,228 Common Shares are owned indirectly.
7) 1,873,587 Common Shares are owned by Mr. Dawe directly; 3,889,028 Common Shares are owned indirectly.
8) Mr. Ryan directly owns 121,146 shares and indirectly owns 3,708,945 shares through Beek Investments Ltd. Beek Investments Ltd. holds a total of 12,536,023 shares or approximately 13.04% of the voting Common Shares of the Company.
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As at the date hereof, the directors and executive officers of the Company as a group owned beneficially, directly or indirectly, controlled or exercised direction over 19,656,315 Common Shares representing approximately 20.4% of the outstanding Common Shares.
The following are brief profiles of the directors of the Company, including a brief description of each individual's principal occupation within the past five years.
Mr. Ian Ainsworth – Chairman
Mr. Ainsworth has over thirty years of experience building and managing large investment teams, operating in both public and private markets in Europe and North America. He has managed large funds on behalf of private and institutional clients with a keen interest in healthcare and information technology. As former managing director and Chief Investment Officer of one of Canada's leading mutual fund companies, he won several awards for investment performance. Mr. Ainsworth has a Master of Business Administration in Finance and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
Mr. Wade Dawe — Director
Mr. Dawe is an accomplished entrepreneur, financier and investor based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. During his career, he has completed transactions valued in excess of $2 billion. As a founder or partner, he has successfully grown and sold companies in technology, medical services, mining, and oil & gas. He is currently the Chairman and CEO of Numus Financial Inc., and serves on corporate boards, public and private. He believes in giving back to his community and generously supports charitable causes each year. Mr. Dawe is originally from Newfoundland, holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Memorial University ("MUN") where he sits on the President's Advisory Council, and he is also a fellow of the Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Mr. Edmund Ryan – Director and Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Ryan is a co-founder of the Company and currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer. He has over fifteen years of experience in design, production and project management within pharmaceutical manufacturing and more than fifteen years of experience in regulated information technology development and sales to the life sciences industry. Mr. Ryan has managed multidisciplinary pharmaceutical projects on behalf of blue-chip companies. He also headed Irish sales for multi-national manufacturers of capital and consumable pharmaceutical equipment. Mr. Ryan holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) from the University of Limerick, Post Graduate Diploma in International Sales and Marketing from the Dublin Institute of Technology and a Diploma in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors.
Mrs. Nutan Behki – Director
Mrs. Behki has managed global technology teams for more than 25 years, in companies ranging from small startups to large multinational corporations. She is experienced in developing, deploying and supporting cloud software products at scale, using modern quality processes and agile development methods. In her current position, Mrs. Behki is responsible for managing large infrastructure and cybersecurity projects for the Government of Canada. She held previous roles leading research and development, pre-sales, professional services, and as the general manager of a $1 billion global wireless business. Mrs. Behki holds a Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering from the University of Waterloo, and a Master's degree in Engineering from Queen's University.
Ms. Carol Leaman – Director
Ms. Leaman is the recently retired Founder and CEO of Axonify, a SaaS-based training and communications platform for the frontline used in over 150 countries. Over her career, Ms. Leaman built a track record of
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successfully leading emerging technology companies and now supports early-stage technology growth in Canada through direct investment and as a Limited Partner in a number of venture capital funds. Prior to Axonify, she was the CEO of PostRank Inc., a social engagement analytics platform that she sold to Google. She was also the CEO at a number of other technology firms, including RSS Solutions and Fakespace Systems. Ms. Leaman is a celebrated entrepreneur and award-winning thought leader whose articles appear in leading learning, business, and technology publications. Ms Leaman sits on the Boards of several Canadian high-tech organizations. Ms. Leaman holds a BA, a Masters of Accounting (MAcc) and a Fellow of Chartered Professional Accountants (FCPA) designation.
Orders, Penalties and Bankruptcies
To the knowledge of the Company, no director to be nominated for election at the Meeting:
(a) is at the date of this Circular, or has been, within 10 years before the date hereof, a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of any company (including the Company) that:
(i) was subject to an order that was issued while the proposed director was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer; or
(ii) was subject to an order that was issued after the proposed director ceased to be a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer and which resulted from an event that occurred while that person was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer;
(b) is at the date of this Circular, or has been, within 10 years before the date hereof, a director or executive officer of any company (including the Company) that, while such nominee was acting in that capacity, or within a year of such nominee ceasing to act in that capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets; or
(c) has, within 10 years before the date hereof, become bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or become subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors, or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold the assets of such nominee.
For the purposes of the above section, the term "order" means:
(i) a cease trade order;
(ii) an order similar to a cease trade order; or
(iii) an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under securities legislation that was in effect for a period of more than 30 consecutive days.
To the knowledge of the Company, as of the date hereof, no director nominated for election at the Meeting has been subject to:
(a) any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court relating to securities legislation or by a securities regulatory authority or has entered into a settlement agreement with a securities regulatory
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authority; or
(b) any other penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body.
Re-Appointment of Auditors
Management recommends the re-appointment of KPMG LLP as auditors of the Company to hold office until the close of the next annual meeting of the Shareholders and to authorize the Board to fix the remuneration of the auditors. KPMG LLP were first appointed as auditors of the Company on October 1, 2020. This resolution requires the approval of a simple majority of the votes cast at the Meeting, in person or by proxy, in order to be approved.
In the absence of instructions to the contrary, the Common Shares represented by a properly executed form of proxy in favour of the persons designated by management of the Company will be voted FOR the re-appointment of KPMG LLP as auditors of the Company.
ANY OTHER MATTERS
Management of the Company knows of no matters to come before the Meeting other than those referred to in the Notice of Meeting accompanying this Circular. However, if any other matters properly come before the Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the form of proxy accompanying this Circular to vote the same in accordance with their best judgment of such matters.
INTEREST OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
Other than as set forth in this Circular, no director, executive officer, shareholder who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, or exercises control or direction over, more than 10% of the outstanding Common Shares, or any known associate or affiliate of any such person, has or had any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction since the previous fiscal year of the Company or in any proposed transaction, that has materially affected or will materially affect the Company or a subsidiary of the Company.
STATEMENT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES
The Canadian Securities Administrators have published National Instrument 58-101 – Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices ("NI 58-101"), National Policy 58-201 – Corporate Governance Guidelines ("NP 58-201") and National Instrument 52-110 – Audit Committees ("NI 52-110"). These instruments set out a series of guidelines and requirements for effective corporate governance (collectively, the "Guidelines"). The Guidelines address matters such as the constitution and independence of corporate boards, the functions to be performed by boards and their committees and the effectiveness and education of board members. NI 58-101 requires disclosure by each listed corporation of its approach to corporate governance with reference to the Guidelines. Set out below is a description of the Company's approach to corporate governance in relation to the Guidelines.
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Board of Directors
NI 52-110 sets out the standard for director independence. Under NI 52-110, a director is independent if he or she has no direct or indirect material relationship with the Company. Under NI 52-110, a material relationship is a relationship which could, in the view of the Board, be reasonably expected to interfere with the exercise of a director's independent judgment. NI 52-110 also sets out certain situations where a director will automatically be considered to have a material relationship with the Company.
The Board currently consists of five members, namely Ian Ainsworth, Wade Dawe, Edmund Ryan, Nutan Behki and Carol Leaman. Four of the directors are independent directors, namely Ian Ainsworth, Wade Dawe, Nutan Behki and Carol Leaman. They are considered independent directors since none of them, in the view of the Board, has a direct or indirect material relationship with the Company, which could reasonably be expected to interfere with the exercise of such director's independent judgment. Mr. Ryan is considered to be a non-independent director as he is Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
The Board relies on senior outside legal counsel to provide advice and consultation on current and anticipated matters of corporate governance. The independent directors may meet in-camera, from time to time, with the Company's outside legal counsel participating by invitation, when deemed appropriate by the independent directors. At the present time, the Board believes that the knowledge, experience and qualifications of its independent directors are sufficient to ensure that the Board can function independently of management and discharge its responsibilities.
Currently, the following director serves on the board of directors of other public companies, as listed below:
| Director | Public Company Board Member |
|---|---|
| Wade Dawe | Torrent Capital Ltd. (TSX-V) |
| Fortune Bay Corp. (TSX-V) |
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Board and Committee Attendance
For the year ended December 31, 2025, the following table sets out: (i) the number of Board meetings attended by each person who was a director during the year; and (ii) the number of Board committee meetings attended by each member of the respective Board committees.
| Name | Independent Director | Board Meetings Attended/Scheduled | Audit Committee Attended/Scheduled | Nominations and Compensation Committee Attended/Scheduled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carol Leaman | Yes | 4/4 | 4/4 | N/A |
| Nutan Behki | Yes | 3/4 | 3/4 | 3/4 |
| Ian Ainsworth | Yes | 4/4 | 4/4 | 4/4 |
| Wade Dawe | Yes | 4/4 | N/A | 4/4 |
| Edmund Ryan | No | 4/4 | N/A | N/A |
| Kevin Fitzgerald^{(1)} | No | 2/2 | N/A | N/A |
1) Mr. Fitzgerald stepped down from the Board of Directors on May 28, 2025.
Board Mandate
The Charter of the Company's Board of Directors outlines the mandate of the Board. The Board has the following duties and responsibilities, which may be initially reviewed by the applicable committees of the Board before being recommended to the full Board for approval:
(a) Strategic Planning:
(i) Ensuring that a company-wide strategic planning process is in place and approving the resulting business plan on at least an annual basis. This business plan should take into account, at a minimum the short and long-term opportunities and risks of the business;
(ii) Approving the Company's annual operating and capital budgets; and
(iii) Reviewing performance results in relation to the business plan and budgets.
(b) Risk Management and Internal Controls:
(i) Identifying and assessing the principal risks of the Company's business and ensuring the implementation of systems to mitigate these risks;
(ii) Ensuring the integrity of the Company's internal control and management information
systems and the safeguarding of the Company's assets;
(iii) Reviewing, approving, and as required, overseeing compliance with the Company's Disclosure Policy by directors, officers, senior management and other employees;
(iv) Reviewing, approving and overseeing the Company's disclosures, controls, and procedures; and
(v) Reviewing and approving the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of kneat.com with the purpose of promoting integrity and deterring wrongdoing, and encouraging and promoting a culture of ethical business conduct, and as required, overseeing compliance with the Company's Code of Business Conduct and Ethics by directors, officers, senior management and other employees.
(c) Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and Senior Management:
(i) Appointing the CEO of kneat.com and determining the terms and conditions of his appointment;
(ii) Developing, along with the CEO, a written position description for the role of the CEO;
(iii) Satisfying itself as to the integrity of the CEO; and
(iv) Providing attention to succession planning, including the appointment, training, monitoring and continuing education of the CEO, officers and senior management.
(d) Governance:
(i) Developing the Company's approach to governance practices, including expectations and responsibilities of individual directors, such as expectations for attendance at meetings and the level of engagement that is expected of members of the Board;
(ii) Approving the nomination of directors to the Board, as well as:
(I) determining which directors, in the reasonable opinion of the Board, are independent pursuant to applicable legislation and regulatory requirements;
(II) developing qualifications and criteria for the selection of directors;
(III) appointing the Board Chairman, lead independent director, if applicable, and the Chair and members of each Committee of the Board in consultation with the relevant Committee; and
(IV) Determining that Audit Committee members meet all applicable legislative, regulatory and listing qualifications, including financial literacy and independence.
(iii) Providing an orientation program for new directors and continuing education opportunities for all directors;
(iv) Assessing annually the effectiveness of the Board Chairman and/or lead independent
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director, each Committee of the Board and their respective Chairs, as well as individual Directors;
(v) Developing position descriptions for the Chairman, the lead independent director and for each Committee Chair so that they may be evaluated objectively; and
(vi) Appointing and removing the Company's corporate secretary.
(e) Financial Reporting, Auditors and Transactions:
(i) Reviewing and approving, as required, the Company's financial statements and related financial information;
(ii) Appointing, subject to the approval of shareholders, and removing the external auditor;
(iii) Appointing and removing of the Company's Chief Financial Officer; and
(iv) Delegating, to the extent permitted by law, to the CEO, other officers and senior management appropriate powers to manage the business affairs of the Company.
(f) Legal Requirements and Communication:
(i) Overseeing the adequacy of the Company's processes to ensure compliance by the Company with applicable legal and regulatory requirements;
(ii) Developing and implementing measures through which the Board can receive feedback from security holders; and
(iii) Performing any other function that is prescribed by law that has not been delegated by the Board to a Committee of the Board or to management.
(g) Oversight of the Company's Environmental Risks:
(i) Review and monitor the environment policy and environmental management system.
Position Descriptions
The position description for the Company's Board Chairman is outlined in the Charter of the Board of Directors. The Board Chairman and/or lead independent director shall lead the Board in all aspects of its work and are responsible to effectively manage the affairs of the Board and ensuring that the Board is properly organized and functions efficiently. As appropriate, the Chairman and/or the lead independent director will advise the CEO in matters concerning the Board, including the relationship between management and the Board. Specifically, the Board Chairman shall:
(a) Provide the leadership necessary to enable the Board to carry out its duties and responsibilities described in the Board Charter;
(b) Work with the CEO, other officers and senior management to monitor progress on the business plan, annual budgets, policy implementation and succession planning;
(c) Provide advice, counsel and mentorship to the CEO and fellow members of the Board;
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(d) Foster an effective working relationship between the Board and management;
(e) Chair the Board meetings;
(f) Determine, in consultation with the CEO, the Secretary, the Chairs of Committees, the frequency, dates and location of meetings of the Board, the Committees of the Board and the shareholders;
(g) Review the meeting agendas to ensure that all required business comes before the Board so that it may effectively and efficiently carry out its duties and responsibilities;
(h) Ensure that all items requiring Board and Committee approval are tabled as appropriate;
(i) Ensure the proper flow of information to the Board;
(j) Review, with the corporate secretary and CEO, the adequacy and timing of information and materials in support of management proposals to the Board;
(k) In conjunction with the relevant Committee of the Board and its Chair, review and assess individual director's meeting attendance records and the effectiveness and performance of the Board, its Committees, Committee Chairs and individual directors;
(l) Act for the CEO and exercise his/her authority in the event that the CEO is absent and is unable to act where action by the CEO is necessary to protect the interests of the Company;
(m) Attend Committee meetings in a non-voting capacity as deemed appropriate;
(n) Ensure that an opportunity exists at each regular meeting for the independent directors to meet separately without non-independent directors and management personnel present; and
(o) Carry out other functions or assignments as requested by the Board.
Orientation and Continuing Education
The Board does not currently provide a formal orientation or education program for Board members, as it believes that informal discussions and review of policies, plans and financial information is most appropriate based on the Company's size and complexity. The Company's Board members have considerable industry and public company experience and rely on this experience and their backgrounds in business to best determine how to maintain and enhance their skills.
Ethical Business Conduct
The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the "Code") to which all directors, officers and employees of the Company must adhere. The Code is a comprehensive set of expectations, obligations and responsibilities relating to ethical conduct, corporate reporting, conflicts of interests and compliance with legal and regulatory obligations and with the Company's policies, including its environmental, health and safety, non-discrimination and other policies. A copy of the Code may be examined by accessing the Company's website at www.kneat.com. Under the Code, directors, officers and employees are required to promptly report any problems or concerns and any actual or potential violation of the Code to the chair of the Audit Committee. The Board monitors compliance with the Code by requiring the chair of Audit Committee to advise it of any reports received regarding violations of the
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Code.
The Company also has a Whistleblower Policy which sets out the procedures for the receipt and treatment of complaints or concerns received by the Company regarding any impropriety or inaccuracy in respect of its financial statement disclosure or regarding its accounting procedures or practices, internal accounting controls, auditing matters or any violations of the Code. The policy includes provision for the submission or reporting by employees (including officers) of the Company or others, on a confidential and anonymous basis, of any such complaints or concerns to the Audit Committee or the CEO. Complaints or concerns are investigated by the Audit Committee or by persons designated by the Audit Committee.
In respect of any transactions or agreements involving the Company and in respect of which a director of the Company has a material interest or a conflict or potential conflict of interest, that director, in order that the members of the Board exercise independent judgment in respect thereto, is required to disclose such to the Board prior to any such transaction or agreement being considered by the Board and is not permitted to vote on any Board resolution with respect thereto. Should any officer similarly have any such material interest or conflict or potential conflict of interest, such officer must similarly disclose such to the Board.
Nomination of Directors
Prior to their standing for election, new nominees to the Board will be reviewed by the entire Board. The Nominations and Compensation Committee will have the responsibility of making recommendations to the Board with respect to the new nominees and for assessing directors on an on-going basis. The Company considers it important to retain directors with significant business experience in the industry, and therefore the Company's practice is to not set term limits for its directors. Individual directors are invited to propose new nominees to the Board having regard to the Company's business strategy and the current composition of the Board.
Board Committees
The Board currently has two committees: (i) the Audit Committee; and (ii) the Nominations and Compensation Committee. All such committees report directly to the Board. From time-to-time, based on need, ad hoc committees of the Board may also be appointed.
The Audit Committee
The Audit Committee is currently composed of three directors, Carol Leaman (Chair), Nutan Behki and Ian Ainsworth. All of the Company's Audit Committee members are considered independent directors. The relevant education and experience of each member of the Audit Committee is described as part of his/her respective biography. See biographies under "Re-Election of Directors". Each member of the Audit Committee possesses: (i) an understanding of the accounting principles used by the Company to prepare its financial statements; (ii) the ability to assess the general application of such accounting principles in connection with the accounting for estimates, accruals and reserves; (iii) experience preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Company's financial statements, or experience actively supervising one or more individuals engaged in such activities; and (iv) an understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter which is attached as Appendix "A" to this Circular.
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The Audit Committee meets with the Company's Chief Financial Officer and financial management personnel and/or its independent auditors at least four times a year, and at least once every quarter, to review and assist, as part of its Audit Committee Charter, the Board in its oversight responsibilities relating to, among other matters, the quality and integrity of the Company's financial statements and MD&A, the accounting and financial reporting principles and procedures of the Company and the adequacy of the Company's system of internal controls. The Audit Committee meets with the Company's independent auditors at least once per year without the presence of management and as well communicates directly with such auditors as circumstances warrant. The Audit Committee reviews, among other things, the Company's financial reporting practices and procedures, the Company's annual and quarterly financial statements and MD&A prior to their issuance to shareholders and filing with regulatory agencies, actual and prospective changes in significant accounting policies and their effect, the planned scope of examinations by the Company's independent auditors and their findings and recommendations and the scope of audit and non-audit services provided by the independent auditors.
It also recommends to the Board the independent auditors to be proposed to the Shareholders for appointment at the Company's annual general meeting and approves the remuneration of such auditors.
In response to regulatory initiatives in Canada, the Audit Committee has also reviewed the Company's use of its independent auditors for non-audit services.
The aggregate fees incurred for audit and non-audit services provided by KPMG LLP for the financial years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, are as follows:
| Nature of Services | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Audit fees^{(1)} | $399,885 | $425,650 |
| Audit related fees | - | - |
| Tax fees^{(2)} | $382,136 | $271,580 |
| Other | - | - |
| Total | $782,021 | $697,230 |
1) Audit fees relate to professional services rendered for the audit of the annual financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, for the reviews of quarterly reporting, and for services normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
2) KPMG provided assistance services to the Company relating to the preparation of the R&D tax credit claims for 2025 and 2024.
The Audit Committee believes that the extent to which the Company uses its independent auditors for non-audit services is not significant and accordingly does not affect their independence.
The Nominations and Compensation Committee
The Nominations and Compensation Committee is currently composed of the following three independent directors: Nutan Behki (Chair), Ian Ainsworth and Wade Dawe. The Board has adopted a Nominations and Compensation Committee Charter, which, among other responsibilities, requires the Nominations and Compensation Committee to identify individuals qualified to become board members, recommend to the Board proposed nominees for membership on the Board, and to establish, administer and evaluate the compensation philosophy, policies and plans for non-executive directors and executive officers; make recommendations to the Board regarding director and executive compensation; and review the performance and determine the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, based on criteria
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including the Company's performance and accomplishment of long-term strategic objectives.
Assessments
Board effectiveness is assessed by the Board as a whole, considering the operation of the Board committees, the adequacy of information provided to directors, the quality of communication between the Board and management and the historic growth and performance of the Company. The Board believes that this informal assessment has permitted the Board to operate effectively.
Director Term Limits
The Company has not adopted director term limits for directors. However, the Chairman and/or lead independent director and the Board regularly assess the effectiveness and contribution of directors. The Company feels that its current governance system is sufficient to ensure that the Board, from year to year, is composed of directors with the appropriate knowledge and skills necessary to enhance the long-term performance of the Company. Furthermore, the Company recognizes the significant value that can be offered by long-serving directors, including the breadth of experience and familiarity with the Company and its industry of those members that have joined the Board. As such, the Company believes that it would not be best suited to the needs of the Company to adopt director terms limits or any formal board renewal mechanisms other than those already in place and discussed in this Circular.
Policies Regarding the Representation of Members of Designated Groups
The Company currently does not have a formal policy related to the representation of women, indigenous people, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities ("Designated Groups") on the Board or the management team. However, the Board is aware of the benefit of diversity on the Board and within the management team of the Company. The Nominations and Compensation Committee takes diversity into consideration during the recruitment and selection process of Board and management positions.
The Company ensures there is a diverse Board, with a sufficient number of directors, to encourage a variety of opinions and insights on matters which come before the Board, while at the same time limiting its membership to a number of directors that facilitates effective and efficient decision-making. Recommendations concerning director appointments are based on merit and performance, with diversity taken into consideration. Diversity is considered advantageous as it relates to qualifications, insights and experiences.
The Board has not adopted targets regarding the representation of Designated Groups on the Board and in executive officer positions due to the small size of the Company and the need to consider a balance of criteria in each individual appointment. It is important that each appointment to the Board or in executive officer positions be made based on the merits of the individual and the need of the Company at that point in time. In addition, targets could limit the Board's ability to ensure that the overall composition of the Board or management of the Company meets the needs of the Company.
As at the date of this Circular, the current diversity representation on the Board and among senior management is set out in the table below. The following disclosure is derived from information provided by the directors and senior management. Such information was collected on a voluntary basis, and therefore may not be entirely representative of the Designated Groups at the Board or in senior management.
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| Designated Groups | Number (Board) | Percentage of Board | Number (Senior Management) | Percentage of Senior Management |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 2 | 40% | 1 | 12.5% |
| Indigenous People | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
| Members of Visible Minorities | 1 | 20% | 0 | 0% |
| Persons with Disabilities | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
The following discussion and analysis sets out the Company's philosophy and objectives in determining executive compensation and explains how its policies and practices implement that philosophy. All dollar amounts in this Circular are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated. For purposes of this section, the term "Named Executive Officers" refers to the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Product Officer, Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President of Global Sales of the Company.
Overview
The Company's approach to executive compensation is to provide suitable compensation for executives that is internally equitable, externally competitive and reflects individual achievement. The Company will attempt to maintain compensation arrangements that will attract and retain highly qualified individuals who are able and capable of carrying out the objectives of the Company. The Company's compensation arrangements for the Named Executive Officers, in addition to salary, include compensation in the form of bonuses and, over a longer term, benefits arising from the grant of Options and RSUs under the Company's omnibus equity incentive plan (the "Omnibus Plan" or the "Plan"). Given the stage of development of kneat.com, compensation of the Named Executive Officers includes the granting of Options and RSUs, to attract and retain management and, to a certain extent, to conserve cash. This policy may be re-evaluated in the future to instead emphasize increased base salaries, cash bonuses and Options with a reduced reliance on RSU awards, depending upon the future development of the Company and other factors which may be considered relevant by the Board of Directors from time to time.
The Nominations and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors consists of three directors appointed to review the compensation of the Company's officers and to make recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding base salary, bonuses, Options and RSUs, and other benefits of Named Executive Officers, as well as negotiating services and employment agreements on behalf of the Company. Information on the Company's Nominations and Compensation Committee and the skills and experience of its members in making decisions with respect to compensation policies and practices of the Company can be found in the "Statement of Corporate Governance Practices" – "Board Committees" – "The Nominations and Compensation Committee" sections in this Circular.
The Company's executive compensation program is designed to recognize the fundamental value added to the Company by having a motivated and committed management team whose short, medium and long-term objectives are aligned with those of Shareholders. In determining executive compensation, the
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Company's Nominations and Compensation Committee bears in mind the relatively small size of the Company, the financial resources of the Company and the size of the executive team.
The Company's Nominations and Compensation Committee relies on general discussion and informal comparisons to similar development stage companies, while giving consideration to the experience, qualifications and performance of the executive, in determining executive compensation. The Company's executive compensation is typically comprised of three primary components:
(a) base salary;
(b) a short-term incentive plan, which may include the potential for cash bonuses; and
(c) a medium and long-term incentive plan, which may include grants of Options, grants of RSUs, and/or participation in a pension plan.
The base salary of each executive is reviewed and evaluated by the Company's Nominations and Compensation Committee annually based on the philosophy, objectives and criteria outlined above. A short-term incentive award, if any, in the form of a cash bonus, may be awarded to an executive, as determined by the Company's Nominations and Compensation Committee, based on the philosophy, objectives and criteria outlined above, with some use of formal objectives.
With respect to medium and long-term incentives, an executive may be granted Options or RSUs, or the Company may contribute to a pension plan for the benefit of the executive. The amount of the medium/long-term incentive shall be determined by the Nominations and Compensation Committee and recommended to the Board of Directors, based on the philosophy, objectives and criteria outlined above, considering previous Option/RSU grants.
The Nominations and Compensation Committee has discretion in determining both short-term, medium-term and long-term incentive awards. The Company has not engaged compensation advisors.
Approach to Risk
The Board is aware that compensation practices can have unintended risk consequences. The Nominations and Compensation Committee reviews the Company's compensation policies to identify any practice that might encourage an employee to expose the Company to unacceptable risk. At the present time, the Nominations and Compensation Committee is satisfied that the current executive compensation program does not encourage the executives to expose the business to inappropriate risk. The Board takes a conservative approach to executive compensation rewarding individuals for the success of the Company once that success has been demonstrated and incentivizing them to continue that success through the grant of long-term incentive awards.
Hedging Policy
No Named Executive Officer or director has purchased any financial instruments, including, for greater certainty, prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars, or units of exchange funds, that are designed to hedge or offset a decrease in market value of equity securities granted as compensation or held, directly or indirectly, by the Named Executive Officer or director, notwithstanding that there is no policy prohibiting such purchase as of the date of this Circular.
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Performance Graph
The below graph and table compares the 5-year total cumulative shareholder return for each fiscal year-end from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2025, with the cumulative total return, including dividend reinvestment, of the S&P/TSX Composite Index for the annual periods from January 1, 2021 through to and including December 31, 2025.

| January 1, 2021 ($) | December 31, 2021 ($) | December 31, 2022 ($) | December 31, 2023 ($) | December 31, 2024 ($) | December 31, 2025 ($) | Average Annual Return (%)^{(1)} | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| kneat.com, inc. | $100 | $140 | $95 | $108 | $208 | $174 | 19.6% |
| S&P/TSX Composite Total Return Index | $100 | $125 | $118 | $132 | $169 | $160 | 16.9% |
1) Calculated by adding the annual rate of returns (ending value – beginning / beginning value x 100) from each year and dividing this cumulative figure by the 5-year period.
Summary of Omnibus Plan
All directors, officers, employees and "Consultants" (as defined in the Omnibus Plan) of the Company and/or its affiliates ("Eligible Participants") are eligible to receive awards of Common Share purchase options ("Options"), restricted share units ("RSUs"), and deferred share units ("DSUs" and collectively with Options and RSUs, "Awards").
The Omnibus Plan provides the Board with the flexibility to make broader and different forms of equity awards for the Eligible Participants and thereby maintain a competitive compensation structure. Further, the use of a wider range of equity-based compensation as part of a total compensation package gives the Board more flexibility in setting the base salaries of the various Eligible Participants. This gives the
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Company greater control over the management of its fixed cash expenses in the area of employee compensation.
Under the amended Omnibus Plan, the total number of Common Shares reserved and available for grant and issuance pursuant to the granting of Options shall not exceed 6% of the total issued and outstanding Common Shares from time to time.
Under the amended Omnibus Plan, the total number of Common Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to the settlement of RSUs and DSUs shall not exceed 9% of the total issued and outstanding Common Shares from time to time.
The aggregate number of Common Shares for which Awards may be issued to any one participant in any 12-month period shall not exceed 5% of the outstanding Common Shares, unless the Company obtains disinterested shareholder approval as required by the policies of the TSX. The aggregate number of Common Shares for which Awards may be issued to any one Consultant within any 12-month period shall not exceed 2% of the outstanding Common Shares, calculated on the date an Award is granted to the Consultant. The aggregate number of Common Shares for which Options may be issued to any persons retained to provide investor relation activities within any 12-month period shall not exceed 2% of the outstanding Common Shares, calculated on the date an Option is granted to such persons. Subject to adjustment, the aggregate number of Common Shares: (i) issued to "Insiders" (as defined in the Omnibus Plan) under the Omnibus Plan or any other form of plan within any 12-month period; and (ii) issuable to Insiders at any time under the Plan or any other plan, shall in each case not exceed 10% of the total issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Corporation (on a non-diluted basis) from time to time.
The Board may provide the circumstances in which Awards shall be exercised, vested, paid or forfeited in the event a participant ceases to provide service to the Company or any affiliate of the Company prior to the end of a performance period or exercise or settlement of such Award. Upon a participant ceasing to be an Eligible Participant for cause, all unexercised, vested or unvested Awards granted to such participant shall terminate on the effective date of the termination as specified in the notice of termination, and in the case of a participant ceasing to be an Eligible Participant for any reason (other than for cause, resignation or death), the number of Awards that may vest is subject to pro ration over the applicable vesting or performance period and shall expire on the earlier of 90 days after the effective date of the "Termination Date" (as defined in the Omnibus Plan), or the expiry date of the Awards. If a participant ceases to be an Eligible Participant due to their resignation, subject to any later expiration dates determined by the Board, all Awards shall expire on the earlier of 90 days after the effective date of such resignation, or the expiry date of the Award, to the extent such Awards were vested and exercisable by the participant on the effective date of such resignation and all unexercised unvested Awards granted to such participant shall terminate on the effective date of such resignation. If a participant dies while in his or her capacity as an Eligible Participant, all unvested Awards will immediately vest and all Awards will expire 180 days after the death of such participant. On the occurrence of a Change in Control (as such term is defined in the Omnibus Plan) and unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement (as such term is defined in the Omnibus Plan) or a written employment contract between the Company and a participant and except as otherwise set out as follows, the Board, may provide that: (1) the successor corporation or entity will assume each Award or replace it with a substitute Award on terms substantially similar to the existing Award; (2) the Awards will be surrendered for a cash payment made by the successor corporation or entity equal to the fair market value thereof; or (3) any combination of the foregoing will occur, provided that the replacement of any Option with a substitute Option shall comply with the provisions of subsection 7(1.4) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the replacement of any Award with a substitute Option, DSU or RSU shall be such that the substitute Award shall continuously be governed by section 7
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of the Income Tax Act (Canada).
If within 12 months following a Change of Control (unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement or a written employment contract between the Company and a participant), a participant or a participant's service, consulting relationship, or employment with the Company, or continuing entity is terminated without cause, or the participant resigns from his or her employment as a result of either (i) the Corporation requiring the participant to be based at a location in excess of one hundred (100) kilometers from the location of the participant's principal job location or office immediately prior to a Change of Control; or (ii) a reduction in the participant's base salary, or a substantial reduction in the participant's target compensation under any incentive compensation plan, as in effect as of the date of a Change of Control, then all Awards then held by such participant (and, if applicable, the time during which such Awards may be exercised) shall immediately vest. In the event that an Award is subject to vesting upon the attainment of "Performance Criteria" (as defined in the Omnibus Plan), then the number of Options or RSUs that shall immediately vest will be determined by multiplying the Award Agreement by the pro rata Performance Criteria achieved by the Termination Date.
The Board may amend the Omnibus Plan or any Award at any time without the consent of a participant provided that such amendment shall (i) not adversely alter or impair any Award previously granted except as permitted by the terms of the Omnibus Plan, (ii) be in compliance with applicable law and subject to any regulatory approvals including, where required, the approval of the TSX, and (iii) be subject to shareholder approval, where required by law, the requirements of the TSX or the Omnibus Plan, provided however that shareholder approval shall not be required for the following amendments and the Board may make any changes which may include but are not limited to: (A) amendments of a general housekeeping or clerical nature that, among others, clarify, correct or rectify any ambiguity, defective provision, error or omission in the Omnibus Plan; and (B) changes that alter, extend or accelerate the terms of vesting or settlement applicable to any Award provided that for Options it does not entail an extension beyond the original expiry date.
As described in the Omnibus Plan, the following amendments require the approval of Shareholders: (i) a change to the maximum number of Common Shares that may be made the subject of Awards under the Omnibus Plan; (ii) any amendment which reduces the exercise price of any Award, as applicable, after such Awards have been granted or any cancellation of an Award and the substitution of that Award by a new Award with a reduced price; (iii) any amendment which extends the expiry date of any Award, or the restriction period of any RSU beyond the original expiry date; (iv) any amendment which would have the potential of broadening or increasing participation by insiders; (v) any amendment which would permit any Award granted under the Omnibus Plan to be transferable or assignable by any participant other than for normal estate settlement purposes; (vi) any amendment which increases the maximum number of Common Shares that may be (a) issuable to insiders, associates of such insiders, consultants or persons retained to provide investor relation activities at any time; or (b) issued to insiders, associates of such insiders, consultants or persons retained to provide investor relations activities under the Omnibus Plan and any other proposed or established share compensation arrangement in a one-year period; (vii) increase limits imposed on the participation of non-employee directors that are not officers or employees of the Company; (viii) otherwise cause the Omnibus Plan to cease to comply with any tax or regulatory requirement, including for these purposes any approval or other requirement; or (ix) any amendment to the amendment provisions of the Omnibus Plan. Common Shares held directly or indirectly by insiders benefiting from the amendments in sections (ii) and (iii) above shall be excluded when obtaining such shareholder approval.
The Board may, subject to regulatory approval, discontinue the Omnibus Plan at any time without the
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consent of the participants provided that such discontinuance shall not materially and adversely affect any Awards previously granted to a Participant under the Omnibus Plan.
The Board (or the designate committee of the Board) may, by resolution, but subject to applicable regulatory approvals, decide that any of the provisions of the Omnibus Plan concerning the effect of termination of the participant's employment shall not apply for any reason acceptable to the Board (or a committee thereof).
All Awards granted under the Omnibus Plan are non-transferable in any manner, including assignment, except as may be permitted by the Board (or the designate committee of the Board), or upon an Eligible Participants' death, or as specifically provided in the agreement for an Award granted under the Omnibus Plan.
Options
The Board shall determine, at the time of granting the particular Option, the period during which the Option is exercisable, commencing on the date such Option is granted to the participant and ending as specified in the Omnibus Plan or in the underlying option agreement, but in no event shall an Option expire on a date which is later than ten (10) years from the date the Option is granted. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, all unexercised Options shall be cancelled at the expiry of such Options. The exercise price for Common Shares that are the subject of any Option shall be fixed by the Board when such Option is granted, but shall not be less than the "Market Price" (as defined in the Omnibus Plan and as per TSX policies) of such Common Shares at the time of the grant. Unless otherwise set forth in the option agreement or outlined in the Omnibus Plan, the vesting of Options will not commence before the 1st anniversary from when they are granted.
In addition to exercising Options by delivering an exercise notice, Participants also have the right (but not obligation) to exercise a "Cashless Exercise Right" (as defined in the Omnibus Plan) to surrender all or a part of their Option to the Company in consideration of a payment of the "In-The-Money Amount" (as defined in the Omnibus Plan). The Participant may elect to have the Company satisfy the payment of the In-The-Money Amount by delivering the "Net Number of Shares" (as defined in the Omnibus Plan) and calculated as such:
$$
\text{Net Number of Shares} = \frac{\text{In-The-Money Amount}}{\text{MP}}
$$
Where:
In-The-Money Amount
is equal to $(A \times \text{MP}) - (A \times \text{EP})$
A
is the total number of Common Shares in respect of which the Participant has surrendered Options pursuant to the Cashless Exercise Right
MP
is the Market Price
EP
is the exercise price of the Options surrendered
Should the expiration date for an Option fall within a "Black-Out Period" (as defined in the Omnibus Plan) or within ten (10) business days following the expiration of a Black-Out Period, such expiration date shall
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be automatically extended without any further act or formality to that date which is the tenth business day after the end of the Black-Out Period, such tenth business day to be considered the expiration date for such Option for all purposes under the Omnibus Plan. The ten (10) business day period may not be extended by the Board.
DSUs
The Omnibus Plan also provides the Board with the authority to grant DSUs to participants. DSUs represent a contractual right to receive a payment in cash or in Common Shares, that is only made after the termination, retirement, or death of the holder of the DSU. Under the Omnibus Plan, DSUs may only be granted to an "Eligible Director", defined as any Board member who, at the time of execution of a grant agreement, and at all times thereafter while they continue to serve as a member of the Board, are not officers, senior executives or other employees of the Company or consultants or service providers providing ongoing services to the Company and its affiliates. Each Eligible Director may receive all or a portion of his or her annual retainer fee in the form of a grant of DSUs in each fiscal year. The number of DSUs shall be calculated as the applicable portion of the Eligible Director's annual retainer fee divided by the Market Price. At the discretion of the Board, fractional DSUs will not be issued and any fractional entitlements will be rounded down to the nearest whole number.
Subject to the vesting and other conditions and provisions set forth in the Omnibus Plan and in the "DSU Agreement" (as defined in the Omnibus Plan), the Board shall determine whether each DSU awarded to a participant shall entitle the participant: (i) to receive one Common Share issued from treasury; (ii) to receive the cash equivalent of one Common Share; or (iii) to elect to receive either one Common Share from treasury, the cash equivalent of one Common Share or a combination of cash and Common Shares.
Each Eligible Director shall be entitled to redeem his or her DSUs during the period commencing on the business day immediately following the Termination Date and ending on the date that is two years following such termination date, or a shorter such redemption period set out in the relevant DSU Agreement, by providing a written notice of settlement to the Company setting out the number of DSUs to be settled and the particulars regarding the registration of the Common Shares issuable upon settlement (the "DSU Redemption Notice").
If a DSU Redemption Notice is not received by the Company on or before the 90th day following the Termination Date, the Eligible Director shall be deemed to have delivered a DSU Redemption Notice and the Company shall redeem all of the Eligible Director's DSUs in exchange for Common Shares to be delivered to the Eligible Director, administrator or liquidator of the estate of the Eligible Director or the cash equivalent of the shares, as applicable.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Omnibus Plan, in the event that (i) a DSU Redemption Notice is received during a Black-Out Period or other trading restriction imposed by the Company; or (ii) the Eligible Director has not delivered a DSU Redemption Notice and the 90th day following the Termination Date falls during a Black-Out Period or other trading restriction imposed by the Company, then settlement of the applicable DSUs shall be automatically extended to the tenth (10th) business day following the date that such Black-Out Period or other trading restriction is lifted, terminated or removed.
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RSUs
The Omnibus Plan also authorizes the Board to grant RSUs, which provide a contractual right to receive Common Shares, vesting over a three-year period. RSUs add a medium-term incentive option to the Company's compensation program. RSUs are considered "medium-term" incentives because they vest from one to three years from the date of grant. The RSUs are granted at such price determined by the Board and are subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Board may determine at the time of grant.
Conditions may be based on continuing employment (or other service relationship) and/or achievement of pre-established performance goals and objectives.
For each award of RSUs, the Board shall establish the period in which any Performance Criteria and other vesting conditions must be met in order for a participant to be entitled to receive Common Shares in exchange for all or a portion of the RSUs held by such participant (the "Performance Period"), provided that such Performance Period may be no longer than three (3) years after the calendar year in which the Award was granted.
Unless otherwise set forth in an underlying "RSU Agreement" (as defined in the Omnibus Plan) or Article 6.2 of the Omnibus Plan, the vesting of RSUs will not commence before the 1st anniversary of the date of grant. Subject to the vesting and other conditions and provisions set forth in the Omnibus Plan and in an underlying RSU Agreement, the Board shall determine whether each RSU awarded to a Participant shall entitle the Participant: (i) to receive one Common Share issued from treasury; (ii) to receive the "Cash Equivalent" of one Common Share; or (iii) to elect to receive either one Common Share from treasury, the Cash Equivalent of one Common Share or a combination of cash and Common Shares.
The vesting determination date means the date on which the Board determines if the Performance Criteria and/or other vesting conditions with respect to a RSU have been met (the "RSU Vesting Determination Date"), and as a result, establishes the number of RSUs that become vested, if any.
Except as otherwise provided in an underlying RSU Agreement, all of the vested RSUs covered by a particular grant shall be settled as soon as practicable and in any event within ten (10) Business Days following their RSU Vesting Determination Date and, subject to Article 5.2 of the Omnibus Plan, no later than the end of the restriction period determined by the Board (the "RSU Settlement Date"). Settlement of RSUs shall take place promptly following the RSU Settlement Date and take the form set out in an RSU settlement notice through: (a) in the case of settlement of RSUs for their Cash Equivalent, delivery of a cheque to the Participant representing the Cash Equivalent; (b) in the case of settlement of RSUs for Common Shares, delivery of a share certificate to the Participant or the entry of the Participant's name on the share register for the Common Shares; or (c) in the case of settlement of the RSUs for a combination of Common Shares and the Cash Equivalent, a combination of (a) and (b).
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Omnibus Plan, in the event that an RSU Settlement Date falls during a Black-Out Period or other trading restriction imposed by the Company and the Participant has not delivered an RSU settlement notice, then such RSU Settlement Date shall be automatically extended to the tenth (10th) business day following the date that such Black-Out Period or other trading restriction is lifted, terminated or removed.
For purposes of determining the "Cash Equivalent" (as defined in the Omnibus Plan) of RSUs to be made pursuant to Section 5.6 of the Omnibus Plan, such calculation shall equal the Market Price on the RSU Settlement Date multiplied by the number of vested RSUs in the Participant's account which the Participant desires to settle in cash pursuant to the "RSU Settlement Notice" (as defined in the Omnibus
25
Plan). For the purposes of determining the number of Common Shares from treasury to be issued and delivered to a Participant upon settlement of RSUs pursuant to Section 5.6 of the Omnibus Plan, such calculation will be made on the RSU Settlement Date and be the whole number of Common Shares equal to the whole number of vested RSUs then recorded in the Participant's account which the Participant desires to settle pursuant to the RSU Settlement Notice. Common Shares issued from treasury will be issued in consideration for the past services of the Participant to the Company and the entitlement of the Participant under the Omnibus Plan shall be satisfied in full by such issuance of Common Shares.
Conclusion
The main components of the compensation program, including under the Omnibus Plan are:
- the fixed base salary;
- short-term incentives – the annual discretionary cash bonus; and
- medium and long-term incentives, which may include grants of Options, grants of RSUs, and/or participation in a pension plan.
The Omnibus Plan serves several purposes for the Company. One purpose is to develop the interests of Eligible Participants in the growth and development of the Company by providing such persons with the opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company. All Eligible Participants are considered eligible to be selected to receive an Award under the Omnibus Plan. Another purpose is to attract and retain key talent and valuable Eligible Participants, who are necessary to the Company's success and reputation, with a competitive compensation mechanism. Finally, the Omnibus Plan will align the interests of the participants with those of the Company's shareholders by devising a compensation mechanism which encourages the prudent maximization of distributions to shareholders and long-term growth.
Summary Compensation Table
Securities legislation requires the disclosure of compensation received by each "Named Executive Officer" of the Company for the three most recently completed financial years. "Named Executive Officer" is defined by the legislation to mean (i) each of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company; (ii) each of the Company's three most highly compensated executive officers, or the three most highly compensated individuals acting in a similar capacity, other than the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, at the end of the most recently completed financial year and whose total compensation exceeds $150,000; and (iii) any additional individual for whom disclosure would have been provided under (ii) but for the fact that the individual was not serving as an executive officer of the Company at the end of the most recently completed financial year-end of the Company.
For purposes of this Circular, Named Executive Officers of the Company means the following individuals:
(a) the Company's Chief Executive Officer, or an individual who acted in a similar capacity, for any part of the most recently completed financial year ("CEO");
(b) the Company's Chief Financial Officer or an individual who acted in a similar capacity, for any part of the most recently completed financial year ("CFO");
(c) the Company's Chief Product Officer or an individual who acted in a similar capacity, for any part of the most recently completed financial year ("CPO");
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(d) the Company's Chief Technology Officer, or an individual who acted in a similar capacity, for any part of the most recently completed financial year ("CTO"); and
(e) the Company's Senior Vice President of Global Sales, or an individual who acted in a similar capacity, for any part of the most recently completed financial year ("SVP Global Sales").
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The following table sets forth a summary of all compensation for each of the Named Executive Officers as of December 31:
| Name and principal position | Year | Salary ($) | Share-based awards ($)(2) | Option-based awards | Non-equity incentive plan compensation ($) | All other compensation | Total compensation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual incentive plans | Long-term incentive plans | |||||||
| Edmund Ryan(1)CEO | 2025 | 445,173 | 351,166 | - | 165,430 | - | 25,625 | 986,394 |
| 2024 | 320,207 | 254,183 | - | 134,424 | - | 19,213 | 728,027 | |
| 2023 | 315,970 | 262,019 | - | 133,605 | - | 18,807 | 730,401 | |
| Hugh Kavanagh(1)(3)(4)CFO | 2025 | 190,922 | 186,403 | - | 56,257 | - | 717,881 | 1,151,463 |
| 2024 | 241,167 | 143,580 | - | 75,932 | - | 14,470 | 475,149 | |
| 2023 | 237,976 | 148,007 | - | 75,469 | - | 14,165 | 475,617 | |
| Dave O'Reilly(1)(3)CFO | 2025 | 174,188 | 1,450,000 | - | 15,807 | - | 10,451 | 1,650,446 |
| 2024 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 2023 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Donal O'Sullivan(1)(5)CPO | 2025 | 186,406 | 623,968 | - | - | - | 11,184 | 821,558 |
| 2024 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 2023 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Keith Holmes(1)CTO | 2025 | 347,752 | 204,026 | - | 95,538 | - | 19,961 | 667,277 |
| 2024 | 241,197 | 143,599 | - | 79,271 | - | 14,472 | 478,539 | |
| 2023 | 238,005 | - | - | 75,479 | - | 14,167 | 327,651 | |
| Jacob Hahn Michelsen(1)SVP Global Sales | 2025 | 391,937 | 287,535 | - | 222,248 | - | - | 901,720 |
| 2024 | 367,903 | 277,601 | - | 208,009 | - | - | 853,513 | |
| 2023 | 332,918 | 282,829 | - | 207,046 | - | - | 822,793 |
1) Compensation for all Named Executive Officers is accounted for in Euro. The amounts included in the table above are translated to the Canadian dollar equivalent using a rate of 1.5807 for the year ended December 31, 2025 (December 31, 2024 – 1.4815, December 31, 2023 – 1.4619).
2) This value reflects the grant date fair value of RSUs issued to Named Executive Officers.
3) Hugh Kavanagh retired as CFO in August 2025. Dave O'Reilly began his role as CFO in July 2025.
4) As part of Mr. Kavanagh's retirement package he received monetary compensation of $706,566 which is contained within "All Other Compensation".
5) Donal O'Sullivan joined the Company as Chief Product Officer in June 2025.
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Outstanding Option-based and Share-based Awards – Named Executive Officers
The following table sets forth the details in respect of outstanding Options and RSUs granted to each Named Executive Officer as of December 31, 2025. The value shown for unexercised in-the-money options is calculated based on the closing price of a Common Share on the TSX on the last day of the year-ended December 31, 2025, less the respective exercise price of the options, multiplied by the number of options exercisable.
| Option-based awards | Share-based awards | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name and principal position | Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) | % of class (%)^{(1)} | Option exercise price ($) | Option expiration date | Value of unexercised in-the-money options ($)^{(2)} | Number of shares or units of shares that have not vested (#) | Market or payout value of share-based awards that have not vested ($)^{(2)} | Market or payout value of vested share-based awards not paid out or distributed ($) |
| Edmund Ryan, CEO | 0 | 0% | 0 | - | 0 | 96,342 | 474,001 | - |
| Hugh Kavanagh, CFO | 0 | 0% | 0 | - | 0 | 17,374 | 85,482 | - |
| Dave O’Reilly, CFO | 0 | 0% | 0 | - | 0 | 250,000 | 1,230,00 | |
| Donal O’Sullivan, CPO | 0 | 0% | 0 | - | 0 | 95,995 | 472,295 | - |
| Keith Holmes, CTO | 0 | 0% | 0 | - | 0 | 50,734 | 249,610 | - |
| Jacob Hahn Michelsen, SVP Global Sales | 0 | 0% | 0 | - | 0 | 90,253 | 444,046 | - |
1) As a percentage of the 648,010 Options outstanding at December 31, 2025.
2) Based on December 31, 2025, closing share price on the TSX of $4.92 per share.
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Incentive Plan Awards – Value Vested or Earned during the Most Recently Completed Financial Year
The following table sets forth the value of the option-based and share-based awards that vested for each Named Executive Officer in 2025, as well as the non-equity incentive plan compensation earned during the financial year-ended December 31, 2025.
| Name and principal position | Option-based awards – value vested during the year ($)^{(1)} | Share-based awards – Value vested during the year ($)^{(2)} | Non-equity incentive plan compensation – value earned during the year ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edmund Ryan, CEO | 0 | 503,762 | 165,430 |
| Hugh Kavanagh, CFO | 0 | 284,541 | 56,257 |
| Dave O’Reilly, CFO | 0 | 0 | 15,807 |
| Donal O’Sullivan, CPO | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Keith Holmes, CTO | 0 | 298,505 | 95,538 |
| Jacob Hahn Michelsen, SVP Global Sales | 0 | 640,545 | 222,248 |
1) Value vested is calculated as the dollar value that would have been realized had the option been exercised on the date that it vested less the related exercise price multiplied by the number of vested options.
2) Value vested is calculated as the number of RSUs vested multiplied by the dollar value per share on day of vesting.
Options Re-pricings
The Company did not re-price any options during the financial year-ended December 31, 2025.
Pension Plans
The Company operates a defined matched contribution pension plan (the "Pension Plan") whereby the Company matches up to 6% to the Pension Plan of the Named Executive Officers. During the fiscal year-ended December 31, 2025, the Company did not have any other long-term incentive plans for directors or executive officers, other than those described in this Circular.
The following table displays the Company's contributions to the Pension Plan for each NEO during the financial year-ended December 31, 2025.
| Name and principal position | Compensatory ($)1) |
|---|---|
| Edmund Ryan, CEO | 25,625 |
| Hugh Kavanagh, CFO | 11,315 |
| Dave O’Reilly, CFO | 10,451 |
| Donal O’Sullivan, CPO | 11,184 |
| Keith Holmes, CTO | 19,961 |
| Jacob Hahn Michelsen, SVP Global Sales | 0 |
1) Indicates the contributions of the Company made during the year.
Termination and Change of Control Benefits
Effective June 27, 2016, Mr. Edmund Ryan was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Pursuant to his employment contract, should a "change of control" event, as defined in the related employment contract, occur for the Company, Mr. Ryan will receive a lump sum payment equal to 24 months of his then-current base salary.
The following table shows the amount payable for executives on December 31, 2025 had a "change of control" event occurred.
| Name and principal position | Change of Control Benefit |
|---|---|
| Edmund Ryan, CEO | $888,346 |
Non-executive Director Compensation
For the fiscal year-ended December 31, 2025, non-executive directors were compensated with directors' fees and by the issuance of DSUs. The Company may grant Options and/or RSUs to directors under the Omnibus Plan, however no Options or RSUs were granted to non-executive directors during the year-ended December 31, 2025.
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The following chart provides an overview of the total number of DSUs granted to non-executive directors during 2025:
| Name | DSUs granted 2025 |
|---|---|
| Ian Ainsworth | 27,584 |
| Wade Dawe | 15,312 |
| Nutan Behki | 15,312 |
| Carol Leaman | 15,312 |
As of December 31, 2025, non-executive directors of the Company held the following Options and DSUs:
| Name | Number of Options held 2025 | Number of DSUs held 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Ian Ainsworth | nil | 340,546 |
| Wade Dawe | nil | 214,406 |
| Nutan Behki | nil | 95,456 |
| Carol Leaman | nil | 77,704 |
The directors are indemnified by the Company against all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by such director in respect of any action or proceeding to which such director is made a party by reason of being a director of the Company, subject to the limitations in respect thereof contained in the Canada Business Corporations Act. Directors are reimbursed for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending directors' and committee meetings.
The following table summarizes the compensation granted to each of the non-executive directors of the Company for the year-ended December 31, 2025:
| Name | Fees earned ($) | Share-based awards ($)^{(1)} | Option-based awards ($) | Pension value ($) | Non-equity incentive plan compensation ($) | All other compensation ($) | Total ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Ainsworth | 50,000 | 135,713 | - | - | - | - | 185,713 |
| Wade Dawe | 50,000 | 75,335 | - | - | - | - | 125,335 |
| Nutan Behki | 50,000 | 75,335 | - | - | - | - | 125,335 |
| Carol Leaman | 50,000 | 75,335 | - | - | - | - | 125,335 |
(1) The value of DSU awards were determined utilizing the closing price of the Company's Common Shares on December 31, 2025, being $4.92.
Outstanding Stock Option Awards – Non-executive Directors
There were no outstanding Options granted to the non-executive directors as of December 31, 2025.
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Outstanding DSU Awards – Non-executive Directors
The following table provides information relating to each non-executive Directors' outstanding DSUs as at December 31, 2025.
| Name | Number of DSUs Held | Market or payout value of DSUs not paid out or distributed (1) |
|---|---|---|
| Ian Ainsworth | 340,546 | 1,675,486 |
| Wade Dawe | 214,406 | 1,054,878 |
| Nutan Behki | 95,456 | 469,644 |
| Carol Leaman | 77,704 | 382,304 |
(1) This amount represents the aggregate value of each non-executive Director's DSUs as at December 31, 2025, which amount is based on the closing price of the Company's Common Shares at December 31, 2025, being $4.92.
Incentive Plan Awards – Value Vested or Earned During the Year – Non-executive Directors
There were no outstanding stock option based awards that vested to the non-executive directors or non-equity incentive plan compensation earned during the financial year-ended December 31, 2025.
SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
As at the Record Date, 644,322 Options, being 0.7% of the 96,132,077 currently issued Common Shares of the Company, were issued and outstanding. As at the Record Date, 753,627 DSUs, being 0.8% of the 96,132,077 currently issued Common Shares of the Company, were issued and outstanding with none of them being exercisable or vested. As at the Record Date, 2,281,188 RSUs, being 2.4% of the 96,132,077 currently issued Common Shares of the Company, were issued and outstanding with none of them being exercisable or vested. The Company has no equity compensation plan not approved by Shareholders.
The following table sets forth the aggregate number of securities authorized for issuance under the Omnibus Plan (and any former stock option and DSU plans, as applicable) as of December 31, 2025:
| Plan Category | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding Options, DSUs and RSUs | Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding Options ($)(1) | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in the first column) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | 3,064,331 | 3.44 | 11,292,715 |
| Total | 3,064,331 | 3.44 | 11,292,715 |
1) The DSUs and RSUs do not have an exercise or conversion price.
The following table sets out information related to the applicable annual "burn rate" in each of the three most recently completed financial years for Options, DSUs and RSUs granted under the Omnibus Plan, and previous Option, RSUs and DSUs plans of the Company, as applicable. The annual "burn rate" is the number of securities granted under the Omnibus Plan (or prior Option, RSUs and DSU plans) during the applicable fiscal year divided by the weighted average number of Common Shares outstanding for the applicable fiscal year.
| Number of Options Granted | Number of DSUs Granted | Number of RSUs Granted | Weighted average number of securities outstanding for the applicable fiscal year | Annual Burn Rate (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | nil | 73,520 | 1,110,644 | 94,914,957 | 1.25% |
| December 31, 2024 | nil | 55,042 | 950,461 | 86,545,119 | 1.16% |
| December 31, 2023 | nil | 86,999 | 1,729,921 | 77,833,268 | 2.33% |
INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND SENIOR OFFICERS TO THE COMPANY
As at the date of this Circular and during the financial year ended December 31, 2025, no director, executive officer or employee of the Company, former director, executive officer or employee of the Company or proposed management nominee for election as a director of the Company (and each of their associates and/or affiliates) was indebted, including under any securities purchase or other program but excluding routine indebtedness, to (i) the Company or its subsidiaries, or (ii) any other entity which is, or was at any time during the financial year ended December 31, 2025, the subject of a guarantee, support agreement, letter of credit or other similar arrangement or understanding provided by the Company or its subsidiaries.
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The registrar and transfer agent for the Company is Computershare Investor Services, 320 Bay Street, 14th Floor, Toronto, ON M5H 4A6.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information regarding the Company is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and on the Company's website at www.kneat.com. Financial information regarding the Company is provided in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements and MD&A, mailed to those Shareholders who requested such information. The Company's Consolidated Financial Statements and MD&A for the year-ended December 31, 2025, together with the auditor's report thereon, and this Circular may be obtained from the Secretary of the Company upon request or on the Company's website at www.kneat.com.
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DIRECTORS' APPROVAL
The Board of Directors has approved the contents of this Circular and has authorized it to be sent to shareholders.
DATED at Toronto this 13th day of April, 2026.
Signed "Ian Ainsworth"
Ian Ainsworth, Chairman of the Board of Directors
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APPENDIX A
KNEAT.COM, INC.
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
- INTRODUCTION
The Audit Committee (the "Committee" or the "Audit Committee") of kneat.com, inc. (the "Corporation") is a committee of the Board of Directors (the "Board"). The Committee shall oversee the accounting and financial reporting practices of the Corporation and the audits of the Corporation's financial statements and exercise the responsibilities and duties set out in this Mandate.
- MEMBERSHIP
Number of Members
The Committee shall be composed of three or more members of the Board.
Independence of Members
The Committee shall have a sufficient number of independent directors to comply with National Instrument 52-110 Audit Committees. "Independent" shall have the meaning, as the context requires, given to it in National Instrument 52-110 Audit Committees, as may be amended from time to time, subject to any exemptions or relief that may be granted from such requirements.
Chair
At the time of the annual appointment of the members of the Audit Committee, the Board shall appoint a Chair of the Audit Committee. The Chair shall be a member of the Audit Committee, preside over all Audit Committee meetings, coordinate the Audit Committee's compliance with this Mandate, work with management to develop the Audit Committee's annual work-plan and provide reports of the Audit Committee to the Board.
Financial Literacy of Members
At the time of his or her appointment to the Committee, each member of the Committee shall have, or shall acquire within a reasonable time following appointment to the Committee, the ability to read and understand a set of financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of the issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Corporation's financial statements.
Term of Members
The members of the Committee shall be appointed annually by the Board. Each member of the Committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Board until the member resigns, is removed, or ceases to be a member of the Board. Unless a Chair is elected by the Board, the members of the Committee may designate a Chair by majority vote of the full Committee membership.
- MEETINGS
Number of Meetings
The Committee may meet as many times per year as necessary to carry out its responsibilities.
Quorum
No business may be transacted by the Committee at a meeting unless a quorum of the Committee is present. A majority of members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum.
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Calling of Meetings
The Chair, any member of the Audit Committee, the external auditors, the Chairman of the Board, or the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer may call a meeting of the Audit Committee by notifying the Corporation's Corporate Secretary who will notify the members of the Audit Committee. The Chair shall chair all Audit Committee meetings that he or she attends, and in the absence of the Chair, the members of the Audit Committee present may appoint a chair from their number for a meeting.
Minutes; Reporting to the Board
The Committee shall maintain minutes or other records of meetings and activities of the Committee in sufficient detail to convey the substance of all discussions held. Upon approval of the minutes by the Committee, the minutes shall be circulated to the members of the Board. However, the Chair may report orally to the Board on any matter in his or her view requiring the immediate attention of the Board.
Attendance of Non-Members
The external auditors are entitled to attend and be heard at each Audit Committee meeting. In addition, the Committee may invite to a meeting any officers or employees of the Corporation, legal counsel, advisors and other persons whose attendance it considers necessary or desirable in order to carry out its responsibilities.
Meetings without Management
The Committee shall hold unscheduled or regularly scheduled meetings, or portions of meetings, at which management is not present.
Procedure
The procedures for calling, holding, conducting and adjourning meetings of the Committee shall be the same as those applicable to meetings of the Board.
Access to Management
The Committee shall have unrestricted access to the Corporation's management and employees and the books and records of the Corporation.
4. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Committee shall have the functions and responsibilities set out below as well as any other functions that are specifically delegated to the Committee by the Board and that the Board is authorized to delegate by applicable laws and regulations. In addition to these functions and responsibilities, the Committee shall perform the duties required of an audit committee by any exchange upon which securities of the Corporation are traded, or any governmental or regulatory body exercising authority over the Corporation, as are in effect from time to time (collectively, the "Applicable Requirements").
Financial Reports
(a) General
The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing the Corporation's financial statements and financial disclosures. Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of the Corporation's financial statements and financial disclosures and for the appropriateness of the accounting principles and the reporting policies used by the Corporation. The auditors are responsible for auditing the Corporation's annual consolidated financial statements and for reviewing the Corporation's unaudited interim financial statements.
(b) Review of Annual Financial Reports
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The Audit Committee shall review the annual consolidated audited financial statements of the Corporation, the auditors' report thereon and the related management's discussion and analysis of the Corporation's financial condition and results of operation ("MD&A"). After completing its review, if advisable, the Audit Committee shall approve and recommend for Board approval the annual financial statements and the related MD&A.
(c) Review of Interim Financial Reports
The Audit Committee shall review the interim consolidated financial statements of the Corporation, the auditors' review report thereon and the related MD&A. After completing its review, if advisable, the Audit Committee shall approve and recommend for Board approval the interim financial statements and the related MD&A.
(d) Review Considerations
In conducting its review of the annual financial statements or the interim financial statements, the Audit Committee shall:
(i) meet with management and the auditors to discuss the financial statements and MD&A
(ii) review the disclosures in the financial statements;
(iii) review the audit report or review report prepared by the auditors;
(iv) discuss with management, the auditors and internal legal counsel, as requested, any litigation claim or other contingency that could have a material effect on the financial statements;
(v) review the accounting policies followed and critical accounting and other significant estimates and judgments underlying the financial statements as presented by management;
(vi) review any material effects of regulatory accounting initiatives or off-balance sheet structures on the financial statements as presented by management, including requirements relating to complex or unusual transactions, significant changes to accounting principles and alternative treatments under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS");
(vii) review any material changes in accounting policies and any significant changes in accounting practices and their impact on the financial statements as presented by management;
(viii) review management's report on the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting;
(ix) review the factors identified by management as factors that may affect future financial results; and
(x) review any other matters, related to the financial statements, that are brought forward by the auditors, management or which are required to be communicated to the Audit Committee under accounting policies, auditing standards or Applicable Requirements.
(e) Approval of Other Financial Disclosures
The Audit Committee shall review and, if advisable, approve and recommend for Board approval financial disclosure in a prospectus or other securities offering document of the Corporation, press releases disclosing, or based upon, financial results of the Corporation and any other material financial disclosure, including financial guidance provided to analysts, rating agencies or otherwise publicly disseminated.
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Auditors
(a) General
The Audit Committee shall be responsible for oversight of the work of the auditors, including the auditors' work in preparing or issuing an audit report, performing other audit, review or attest services or any other related work.
(b) Nomination and Compensation
The Audit Committee shall review and, if advisable, select and recommend for Board approval the external auditors to be nominated and the compensation of such external auditor. The Audit Committee shall have ultimate authority to approve all audit engagement terms and fees, including the auditors' audit plan.
(c) Resolution of Disagreements
The Audit Committee shall resolve any disagreements between management and the auditors as to financial reporting matters brought to its attention.
(d) Discussions with Auditors
At least annually, the Audit Committee shall discuss with the auditors such matters as are required by applicable auditing standards to be discussed by the auditors with the Audit Committee.
(e) Audit Plan
At least annually, the Audit Committee shall review a summary of the auditors' annual audit plan. The Audit Committee shall consider and review with the auditors any material changes to the scope of the plan.
(f) Quarterly Review Report
The Audit Committee shall review a report prepared by the auditors in respect of each of the interim financial statements of the Corporation.
(g) Independence of Auditors
At least annually, and before the auditors issue their report on the annual financial statements, the Audit Committee shall obtain from the auditors a formal written statement describing all relationships between the auditors and the Corporation; discuss with the auditors any disclosed relationships or services that may affect the objectivity and independence of the auditors; and obtain written confirmation from the auditors that they are objective and independent within the meaning of the applicable Rules of Professional Conduct/Code of Ethics adopted by the provincial institute or order of chartered accountants to which the auditors belong and other Applicable Requirements. The Audit Committee shall take appropriate action to oversee the independence of the auditors.
(h) Evaluation and Rotation of Lead Partner
At least annually, the Audit Committee shall review the qualifications and performance of the lead partner(s) of the auditors and determine whether it is appropriate to adopt or continue a policy of rotating lead partners of the external auditors.
(i) Requirement for Pre-Approval of Non-Audit Services
The Audit Committee shall approve in advance any retainer of the auditors to perform any non-audit service to the Corporation that it deems advisable in accordance with Applicable Requirements and Board approved policies and procedures. The Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to a member of the Audit Committee. The decisions of any member of the Audit Committee to whom this authority has been delegated must be presented to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled Audit Committee meeting.
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(j) Approval of Hiring Policies
The Audit Committee shall review and approve the Corporation's hiring policies regarding partners, employees and former partners and employees of the present and former external auditors of the Corporation.
(k) Financial Executives
The Committee shall review and discuss with management the appointment of key financial executives and recommend qualified candidates to the Board, as appropriate.
Internal Controls
(a) General
The Audit Committee shall review the Corporation's system of internal controls.
(b) Establishment, Review and Approval
The Audit Committee shall require management to implement and maintain appropriate systems of internal controls in accordance with Applicable Requirements, including internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure and to review, evaluate and approve these procedures. At least annually, the Audit Committee shall consider and review with management and the auditors:
(i) the effectiveness of, or weaknesses or deficiencies in, the design or operation of the Corporation's internal controls (including computerized information system controls and security); the overall control environment for managing business risks; and accounting, financial and disclosure controls (including, without limitation, controls over financial reporting), non-financial controls, and legal and regulatory controls and the impact of any identified weaknesses in internal controls on management's conclusions;
(ii) any significant changes in internal controls over financial reporting that are disclosed, or considered for disclosure, including those in the Corporation's periodic regulatory filings;
(iii) any material issues raised by any inquiry or investigation by the Corporation's regulators;
(iv) the Corporation's fraud prevention and detection program, including deficiencies in internal controls that may impact the integrity of financial information, or may expose the Corporation to other significant internal or external fraud losses and the extent of those losses and any disciplinary action in respect of fraud taken against management or other employees who have a significant role in financial reporting; and
(v) any related significant issues and recommendations of the auditors together with management's responses thereto, including the timetable for implementation of recommendations to correct weaknesses in internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls.
Compliance with Legal and Regulatory Requirements
The Audit Committee shall review reports from the Corporation's Corporate Secretary and other management members on: legal or compliance matters that may have a material impact on the Corporation; the effectiveness of the Corporation's compliance policies; and any material communications received from regulators. The Audit Committee shall review management's evaluation of and representations relating to compliance with specific applicable law and guidance, and management's plans to remediate any deficiencies identified.
Audit Committee Hotline Whistleblower Procedures
The Audit Committee shall establish procedures for (a) the receipt, retention, and treatment of complaints received by the Corporation regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters; and
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(b) the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Corporation of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. Any such complaints or concerns that are received shall be reviewed by the Audit Committee and, if the Audit Committee determines that the matter requires further investigation, it will direct the Chair of the Audit Committee to engage outside advisors, as necessary or appropriate, to investigate the matter and will work with management and the general counsel to reach a satisfactory conclusion.
Audit Committee Disclosure
The Audit Committee shall prepare, review and approve any audit committee disclosures required by Applicable Requirements in the Corporation's disclosure documents.
Delegation
The Audit Committee may, to the extent permissible by Applicable Requirements, designate a subcommittee to review any matter within this mandate as the Audit Committee deems appropriate.
5. NO RIGHTS CREATED
This Mandate is a statement of broad policies and is intended as a component of the flexible governance framework within which the Audit Committee, functions. While it should be interpreted in the context of all applicable laws, regulations and listing requirements, as well as in the context of the Corporation's By-laws, it is not intended to establish any legally binding obligations.
6. MANDATE REVIEW
The Committee shall review and update this Mandate annually and present it to the Board for approval.
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