SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant x
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ¨
Check the appropriate box:
¨ Preliminary Proxy Statement
¨ Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only
(as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
x Definitive Proxy Statement
¨ Definitive Additional Materials
¨ Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12
eGain Communications Corporation
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
x | No fee required. |
¨ | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
1) | Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
2) | Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
3) | Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): |
4) | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
5) | Total fee paid: |
¨ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
¨ | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
1) | Amount Previously Paid: |
2) | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
3) | Filing Party: |
4) | Date Filed: |
eGAIN COMMUNICATIONS
CORPORATION
345 East Middlefield Road
Mountain View, CA 94043
(650) 230-7500
November 10, 2004
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of eGain Communications Corporation that will be held on December 15, 2004, at 10:00 A.M., at 345 East Middlefield Road, Mountain View, California.
The formal notice of the Annual Meeting and the Proxy Statement have been made a part of this invitation.
After reading the Proxy Statement, please mark, date, sign and return, at an early date, the enclosed proxy in the enclosed prepaid envelope, to ensure that your shares will be represented. YOUR SHARES CANNOT BE VOTED UNLESS YOU SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY OR ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING IN PERSON.
A copy of eGains 2004 Annual Report to Stockholders on Form 10-K is also enclosed.
The Board of Directors and management look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
Sincerely yours,
Ashutosh Roy
Chief Executive Officer
eGAIN COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
to be held December 15, 2004
To the Stockholders of eGain Communications Corporation:
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of eGain Communications Corporation, a Delaware corporation (eGain), will be held at 345 East Middlefield Road, Mountain View, California, on December 15, 2004, at 10:00 A.M., Pacific Time, for the following purposes:
1. | To elect directors to serve until the 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and thereafter until their successors are elected and qualified; |
2. | Proposal to amend the Companys Certificate of Incorporation resulting in the conversion of Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock into a specified number of shares of Common Stock; |
3. | Proposal to amend the Companys Certificate of Incorporation to decrease the number of authorized shares of Common Stock; |
4. | To ratify the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as eGains independent auditors; and |
5. | To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any adjournment of the Annual Meeting. |
Stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 8, 2004 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournment thereof. A complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available at eGains offices, 345 E. Middlefield Road, Mountain View, California 94043 ten days prior to the meeting.
It is important that your shares are represented at this meeting. Even if you plan to attend the meeting, we hope that you will promptly mark, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy. This will not limit your right to attend or vote at the meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors, |
Stanley F. Pierson Secretary |
Mountain View, California
November 10, 2004
eGAIN COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
345 East Middlefield Road
Mountain View, CA 94043
PROXY STATEMENT
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of eGain Communications Corporation, a Delaware corporation (eGain or the Company), of proxies in the accompanying form to be used at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of eGain to be held at 345 East Middlefield Road, Mountain View, California on December 15, 2004, 10:00 A.M., Pacific Time, and any postponement or adjournment thereof (the Annual Meeting). The shares represented by the proxies received in response to this solicitation and not properly revoked will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions therein. A stockholder who has given a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is exercised by filing with the Secretary of eGain a written revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date or by voting in person at the Annual Meeting. On the matters coming before the Annual Meeting for which a choice has been specified by a stockholder by means of the ballot on the proxy, the shares will be voted accordingly. If no choice is specified, the shares will be voted FOR the election of the five nominees for director listed in this Proxy Statement and FOR approval of the proposals referred to in Items 2, 3 and 4 in the Notice of Annual Meeting and described in this Proxy Statement.
Stockholders of record at the close of business on November 8, 2004 (the Record Date), are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of the close of business on that date, eGain had 3,697,606 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value (the common stock), outstanding. The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of eGains outstanding shares of common stock constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held as of the Record Date.
Directors are elected by a plurality vote. The five nominees for director who receive the most votes cast in their favor will be elected to serve as a director. Other proposals submitted for stockholder approval at the Annual Meeting will be decided by the affirmative vote of the majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on such proposal. Abstentions with respect to any proposal are treated as shares present or represented and entitled to vote on that proposal and thus have the same effect as negative votes. If a broker which is the record holder of shares indicates on a proxy that it does not have discretionary authority to vote on a particular proposal as to such shares, or if shares are not voted in other circumstances in which proxy authority is defective or has been withheld with respect to a particular proposal, these non-voted shares will be counted for quorum purposes but are not deemed to be present or represented for purposes of determining whether stockholder approval of that proposal has been obtained.
The expense of printing, mailing proxy materials and solicitation of proxies will be borne by eGain. eGain will reimburse brokerage firms and others for their reasonable expenses in forwarding solicitation materials to beneficial owners of the common stock. No additional compensation will be paid to such persons for such solicitation.
This Proxy Statement, the accompanying form of proxy and the Annual Report to Stockholders on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, including financial statements, are being mailed to stockholders on or about November 12, 2004.
IMPORTANT
Please mark, sign and date the enclosed proxy and return it at your earliest convenience in the enclosed postage-prepaid return envelope so that, whether you intend to be present at the Annual Meeting or not, your shares can be voted. This will not limit your rights to attend or vote at the Annual Meeting.
1
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Nominees
The Board of Directors proposes the election of five directors of eGain to serve until the 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and thereafter until their successors are elected and qualified. If any nominee is unable or declines to serve as director at the time of the Annual Meeting, an event not now anticipated, proxies will be voted for any nominee designated by the Board of Directors to fill the vacancy.
Names of the nominees and certain biographical information about them are set forth below:
Ashutosh Roy, age 38, co-founded eGain and has served as Chief Executive Officer and a Director of eGain since September 1997 and as President and Chief Executive Officer since October 1, 2003. From May 1995 through April 1997, Mr. Roy served as Chairman of WhoWhere? Inc., an Internet-services company co-founded by Mr. Roy. From June 1994 to April 1995, Mr. Roy co-founded Parsec Technologies, a call center company based in New Delhi, India. From August 1988 to August 1992, Mr. Roy worked as software engineer at Digital Equipment Corp. Mr. Roy holds a B.S. in Computer Science from the Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, a Masters degree in Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University and an MBA from Stanford University.
Gunjan Sinha, age 37, co-founded eGain and has served as a Director of eGain since inception in September 1997 and as President of eGain from January 1, 1998 until September 30, 2003. From May 1995 through April 1997, Mr. Sinha served as President of WhoWhere? Inc. an Internet-services company co-founded by Mr. Sinha. Prior to co-founding WhoWhere? Inc., Mr. Sinha was a hardware developer of multiprocessor servers at Olivetti Advanced Technology Center. In June 1994, Mr. Sinha co-founded Parsec Technologies. Mr. Sinha holds a degree in Computer Science from the Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, a Masters degree in Computer Science from UC Santa Cruz, and a Masters degree in Engineering Management from Stanford University.
Mark A. Wolfson, age 52, has served as a Director of eGain since June 1998. Dr. Wolfson has served as a managing partner of Oak Hill Capital Management, Inc. since 1998, a Principal of Oak Hill Venture Partners, since 1999 and a Vice-President of Keystone, Inc. since 1995. Since 2001, Dr. Wolfson has held the title of Consulting Professor at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, where he has been a faculty member since 1977, including a three-year term as Associate Dean, and formerly held the title of Dean Witter Professor. Dr. Wolfson serves on the board of directors of 230 Park Investors, Accretive Healthcare, Financial Engines and Investment Technology Group. Dr. Wolfson holds a Ph.D. from the University of Texas, Austin and a B.S. and Masters degree from the University of Illinois.
David G. Brown, age 47, has served as a director of eGain since August 2000. Since August 1999, Mr. Brown has served as the managing partner of Oak Hill Venture Partners. Prior to August 1999, Mr. Brown was Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Keystone, Inc. Prior to May 1998, Mr. Brown served as a principal of Arbor Investors, LLC (since August 1995), as well as a Vice President of Keystone, Inc. (since August of 1993). Mr. Brown serves on the board of directors of ProQuest and several privately held companies. Mr. Brown holds a B.A. degree from Bowdoin College and an M.B.A. from the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration.
Phiroz P. Darukhanavala, age 56, has served as a member of eGains Board of Directors since September 2000. Dr. Darukhanavala has served in various capacities with BP Amoco p.l.c. and The British Petroleum Company since 1975, most recently as Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for Group Digital business. Before assuming his current position, Dr. Darukhanavala was Director of Global IT Services for the BP Group responsible for the rollout of the Common Operating Environment project worldwide and IT Functional Chief for BP-Exploration. Dr. Darukhanavala has also served as CIO of BP-Alaska and Director of BP-Exploration Business Systems. Dr. Darukhanavala holds a Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Operations Research from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
2
Board Meetings and Committees
The Board of Directors held 6 meetings during fiscal 2004. All directors, with the exception of Dr. Darukhanavala, attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board of Directors and of the committees on which such directors serve.
The Board of Directors has appointed a Compensation Committee, a Stock Option Committee, a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and an Audit Committee.
The members of the Compensation Committee are three non-employee directors, David G. Brown, Phiroz P. Darukhanavala and Mark A. Wolfson. The Compensation Committee held one meeting during fiscal 2004. The Compensation Committees functions are to assist in the implementation of, and provide recommendations with respect to, general and specific compensation policies and practices of eGain.
The members of the Stock Option Committee are Ashutosh Roy and Dr. Wolfson. The Stock Option Committee held one meeting in fiscal 2004 and took certain actions by written consent. The Stock Option Committees functions are to grant options to eGains employees and other service providers, consistent with eGains compensation policies and practices.
The members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are David G. Brown, Phiroz P. Darukhanavala and Mark A. Wolfson, each of whom has been determined to be independent in accordance with the rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market and the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee was established in October 2004 and has had one meeting. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees primary functions are to seek and recommend to the Board qualified candidates for election to the Board and to oversee matters of corporate governance, including the evaluation of the Boards performance and processes, and assignment and rotation of members of the committees established by the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee operates under the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter adopted by the Board in October 2004. The Charter is available at the Companys website at: http://www.egain.com/IR.
The members of the Audit Committee are three non-employee directors, Mr. Brown, Dr. Darukhanavala and Dr. Wolfson, each of whom has been determined to be independent in accordance with the rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Messrs. Wolfson and Brown are the financial experts, as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, on the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee held five meetings during fiscal 2004. The Audit Committees functions are to review the scope of the annual audit, monitor the independent auditors relationship with eGain, advise and assist the Board of Directors in evaluating the independent auditors examination, supervise eGains financial and accounting organization and financial reporting, and nominate, for approval of the Board of Directors, a firm of certified public accountants whose duty it is to audit the financial records of eGain for the fiscal year for which it is appointed.
Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors
If you wish to communicate with the Board of Directors, you may send your communications in writing to: Secretary, eGain Communications Corporation, 345 East Middlefield Road, Mountain View, California 94043. You must include your name and address in the written communication and indicate whether you are a stockholder of the Company. The Secretary will review any communications received from a stockholder, and all material communications from stockholders will be forwarded to the appropriate director or directors or committee of the Board based on the subject matter.
Code of Ethics
In October of 2004, the Board approved a code of ethics applicable to the Board, senior management including financial officers, and all other employees. The Code of Ethics and Business Conduct (Code of
3
Ethics) includes standards to deter wrongdoing and promote honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission; compliance with laws; prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code of Ethics, and accountability for the adherence to the Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics is available on the Companys website at: http://www.egain.com/IR. Copies of the Code of Ethics are also available in print upon written request to Secretary, eGain Communications Corporation, 345 East Middlefield Road, Mountain View, California 94043.
Director Qualifications
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee periodically reviews with the Board the appropriate skills and characteristics required of Board members given the current Board composition. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that the Board should be comprised of individuals who have leadership qualities and a record of success in their arena of activity and who can make substantial contributions to Board operations. The assessment of Board candidates includes, but is not limited to, consideration of relevant industry experience, relevant financial experience, general business experience and compliance with independence and other qualifications necessary to comply with any applicable corporate and securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. Specific consideration shall also be given to: (i) contributions valuable to the business community, (ii) personal qualities of leadership, character, judgment and whether the candidate possesses and maintains throughout service on the Board a reputation in the community at large of integrity, competence and adherence to the highest ethical standards, (iii) relevant knowledge and diversity of background and experience in such things as business, software development, manufacturing, technology, finance and accounting, marketing, international business, government and the like; or (iv) whether the candidate is free of conflicts and has the time required for preparation, participation and attendance at all meetings. Other than the foregoing, there are no stated minimum criteria for director nominees. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does, however, believe it is appropriate for at least one, and preferably, multiple, members of the Board to meet the criteria for an audit committee financial expert as defined by Securities and Exchange Commission rules, and that a majority of the members of the Board meet the definition of independent director under the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market, although eGain is currently not subject to Nasdaq listing requirements. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also believes it is appropriate for certain members of management to serve on the Board. When evaluating a candidate for the Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not assign specific weight to any of these factors nor does it believe that all of the criteria necessarily apply to every candidate. A directors qualifications in light of the above-mentioned criteria is considered at least each time the director is nominated or re-nominated for Board membership.
Identifying and Evaluating Director Nominees
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers candidates for Board membership suggested by Board members and management of the Company. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider persons recommended by the Companys stockholders in the same manner as a nominee recommended by Board members, management, or a third-party executive search firm. A stockholder who wishes to suggest a prospective nominee for the Board should notify eGains Secretary or any member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in writing with any supporting material the stockholder considers appropriate. After completing the evaluation and review, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee makes a recommendation to the full Board as to the person who should be nominated to the Board, and the Board considers the nominees after evaluating the recommendation and report of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
4
Compensation of Directors
Directors of eGain do not currently receive any fees for service on the Board of Directors. Directors are reimbursed for their expenses for each meeting attended. Pursuant to eGains 1998 Stock Plan, each non- employee director will receive, if re-elected as a director at the Annual Meeting, an option to purchase 500 shares of common stock at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. Such options will vest on the first anniversary of the grant.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
Messrs. Brown, Darukhanavala and Wolfson, all of whom are non-employee directors, serve as members of the Compensation Committee. None of eGains executive officers serves as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more of its executive officers serving as a member of eGains Board of Directors or Compensation Committee.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR election as director of the nominees set forth above.
5
PROPOSAL 2
PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE COMPANYS CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
RESULTING IN THE CONVERSION OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK INTO A SPECIFIED NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
Background
Our Board of Directors proposes the approval of the filing of a restated certificate of incorporation (the Certificate) which would automatically convert each outstanding share of the Companys 6.75% Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (the Series A Preferred) along with all accrued dividends thereon into 13,097 shares of Common Stock. This conversion (Conversion) would result in the issuance of approximately 11.6 million shares of Common Stock upon the filing of the Certificate.
Series A Preferred Stock
On August 8, 2000, we issued 35.11 shares of non-voting Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, $100,000 stated value per share, and 849.89 shares of non-voting Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, $100,000 stated value per share (Series B Preferred), in a private placement to certain investors. All shares of Series B Preferred automatically converted into shares of Series A Preferred upon stockholder approval at the November 20, 2000 annual stockholders meeting, as a result of which there are currently issued and outstanding 885 shares of Series A Preferred. In addition, investors received warrants to purchase an aggregate of 383,000 shares of our common stock with a current warrant exercise price of $56.875 per share. The Series A shares have a liquidation preference of $100,000 per share, or an aggregate liquidation preference of $88.5 million, which increases at an annual rate of 6.75% from August 8, 2000, compounded on a semi-annual basis (the Liquidation Value). The Liquidation Value as of September 30, 2004 was $116.6 million. Prior to August 8, 2005, the Series A shares are convertible into common stock (including all amounts accreted from August 8, 2000) at the option of the holder at a conversion price of $56.875 per share.
In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of Series A Preferred would be entitled to receive, prior to distribution of any proceeds to holders of common stock, proceeds equal to the greater of (i) $88.5 million (plus increases in such liquidation preference at an annual rate of 6.75% from August 8, 2000) or (ii) the amount the holders of the Series A shares would have received had they converted their shares into common stock immediately prior to such liquidation, dissolution or winding up. If we enter into a transaction through which we sell or transfer all or substantially all of our assets or we enter into a merger with another company, then at the option of the holder of Series A Preferred, (A) each share of Series A Preferred may be converted into convertible equity securities of the entity acquiring us, or (B) each Series A Preferred share may convert into shares of common stock based on the current Liquidation Value.
If not sooner converted, on August 8, 2005 we must either, at our option, (i) redeem each outstanding share of Series A Preferred, at a redemption price equal to the Liquidation Value plus any declared but unpaid dividends or (ii) convert the Series A shares into common stock at a price per share equal to 95% of the average closing bid price per share of the common stock on the 20 consecutive trading days immediately prior to the redemption date. The aggregate Liquidation Value as of August 8, 2005 would be $123.36 million.
Reasons for Amendment to Series A Preferred Stock Conversion Ratio
As described above, if not sooner converted, on August 8, 2005 we must either, at our option, (i) redeem all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred, at a total redemption price equal to $123.36 million plus any declared but unpaid dividends or (ii) convert the Series A shares into common stock at a price per share equal to 95% of the average closing bid price per share of the common stock on the 20 consecutive trading days immediately prior to the redemption date. The average closing bid price per share of our common stock over the 20 consecutive trading days ending October 14, 2004 as quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board was $1.00. Assuming
6
the price of our Common Stock over the 20 trading days ending August 8, 2005 remained constant, the Series A Preferred would be converted, pursuant to this option, into an aggregate of approximately 129.85 million shares of Common Stock. We do not believe that we would have sufficient funds to redeem the shares of Series A Preferred for cash and thus would need to rely on the conversion option in the event that the Series A Preferred remains outstanding on August 8, 2005.
Conversion of the Series A Preferred at this time would eliminate the Liquidation Value and would address the existing uncertainty as to the total shares of our Common Stock that would be issued to Series A Preferred holders in August 2005. We believe that elimination of this uncertainty as to the extent of dilution that our shareholders are likely to incur in August 2005 may be beneficial to current and potential new investors in our securities. We also believe that the Liquidation Value of the Series A Preferred represents a substantial impediment to consideration of any merger or sale transaction prior to the August 8, 2005 redemption date, because we expect that potential buyers would be unwilling to assume or pay the Liquidation Value. However, eGain is not in discussions with any potential investors or acquirers, and there is no assurance that the proposed conversion of the Series A Preferred would result in any such discussions or transactions to occur.
In February 2004 eGains Common Stock was delisted from the Nasdaq SmallCap Market due to noncompliance with Marketplace Rule 4310(c)(2)(B), which requires companies listed to have a minimum of $2,500,000 in stockholders equity or $35,000,000 market value of listed securities or $500,000 of net income from continuing operations for the most recently completed fiscal year or two of the three most recently completed fiscal years. Our common stock now trades in the over-the-counter market on the OTC Bulletin Board owned by The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., which was established for securities that do not meet the listing requirements of the Nasdaq National Market or the Nasdaq SmallCap Market. eGain intends to seek to regain compliance and begin trading once again on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The Company believes that the anticipated positive effects resulting from the Conversion, including possible greater investor interest in eGains Common Stock, could assist eGain in achieving that goal.
Discussions with holders of Series A Preferred Stock
In early 2004, eGain began informal discussions with major holders of its Series A Preferred regarding the possibility of conversion of the Series A Preferred. In March 2004, eGain formed a committee (the Conversion Committee) consisting of directors Ashutosh Roy and Phiroz Darukhanavala. The Conversion Committee was charged with, among other things, (i) providing guidance to eGains management with respect to process and evaluation of proposals received or prepared by eGain relating to a possible conversion, recapitalization or other action with respect to the Series A Preferred; (ii) considering and making recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the selection and retention of financial advisors to eGain in connection with a possible recapitalization event; (iii) considering and making recommendations to the Board regarding proposals received by eGain in connection with a possible recapitalization event; and (iv) conducting such investigations and inquiries as the Conversion Committee considered appropriate and necessary in the exercise of its duties. By mid May, eGain and certain of the large holders of Series A Preferred (the Major Holders) had tentatively reached consensus as to the basic terms of a proposed conversion of the Series A Preferred into Common Stock. In May 2004, the Conversion Committee hired Financial Strategies Consulting Group, LLC (FSCG) to evaluate and analyze certain scenarios whereby the Series A Preferred would convert into Common Stock, including terms under discussion by eGain and the Major Holders. FSCGs analysis was for advisory purposes; it was not engaged by the Conversion Committee to deliver a fairness opinion regarding a potential conversion. However, its report did conclude that the proposed conversion appeared to be beneficial to the holders of the Companys Common Stock given the current stock price, valuations in eGains industry, and the possibility that the Common Stock price could increase in the event of a conversion of the Series A Preferred.
Having reached a preliminary consensus with certain Major Holders, in June 2004, eGain began discussions with other holders of Series A Preferred regarding the conversion of the Series A Preferred into Common Stock. eGain prepared a Restructuring Agreement and a Voting Agreement seeking to commit the requisite percentage
7
of holders of Series A Preferred to support the Conversion. Under the Companys charter, the proposed change would require the approval of 66 2/3% of the holders of Series A Preferred, as well as a majority of the holders of Series A Preferred not affiliated with the largest holder of Series A Preferred. As part of the Companys agreement with the holders of Series A Preferred, in connection with the Conversion, the Series A Preferred holders would receive one additional demand registration right with respect to the shares of Common Stock issued in the Conversion, and the Series A Preferred holders agreed not to sell any shares of Common Stock issued in the Conversion for a period of time following the Conversion. Several holders of Series A Preferred refused to accept the conversion formula as initially proposed by certain Major Holders and the Company. Intermittent discussions ensued over the course of several weeks. During this time, three officers of the Company, Ashutosh Roy, Eric Smit and Promod Narang, purchased an aggregate of 50 shares of Series A Preferred from one of the prior holders. After further discussion, in an effort to reach agreement with holders of a sufficient number of shares of Series A Preferred to effect the conversion, the Company agreed to a conversion formula that would result in each share of Series A Preferred converting into approximately 13,097 shares of Common Stock. As part of the agreement the period of time for which the Series A Preferred holders agreed not to sell any shares issued in the Conversion was extended to 120 days. Effective September 28, 2004, holders of approximately 79% of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred, on behalf of all holders of Series A Preferred, executed the Restructuring Agreement and the Voting Agreement supporting the Conversion on the terms described herein, copies of which were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 8-K on September 30, 2004. A copy will be furnished without charge to beneficial stockholders or stockholders of record upon request to Chief Financial Officer, eGain Communications, 345 E. Middlefield Road, Mountain View, California 94043.
Summary of Conversion
Holders of approximately 79% of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred, on behalf of all holders of Series A Preferred, have entered into an agreement consenting to vote in favor of the conversion of the Series A Preferred into Common Stock on the terms described herein. The Company is required to obtain the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a majority of the outstanding Common Stock in order to approve the Conversion. In addition, the Company is seeking the approval of the Conversion by holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Companys Common Stock held by stockholders who do not hold any Series A Preferred.
Effective upon the filing of the Certificate, each issued and outstanding share of Series A Preferred, along with all accrued dividends thereon, shall automatically be converted and reclassified into 13,097 shares of Common Stock. This will immediately increase the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Based upon the approximately 3.7 million shares of Common Stock outstanding on October 20, 2004, without accounting for fractional shares, which will be cancelled and paid for in cash, the Conversion would result in our current holders of Common Stock holding only approximately 24% of our outstanding Common Stock following the Conversion.
The following table illustrates the number of shares of Common Stock that would be issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred (a) upon a voluntary conversion by the holders as of October 20, 2004; (b) at August 8, 2005, assuming the current stock price; and (c) as a result of the proposed Conversion.
Voluntary Conversion as of October 20, 2004 (1) |
Conversion as of August 8, 2005 (automatic) (2) |
Conversion in accordance with Proposal #2 (2) | ||||
Each share of Series A Preferred (1 share) |
2,322 | 146,727 | 13,097 | |||
All shares of Series A Preferred (885 shares) |
2,054,970 | 129,853,395 | 11,590,845 |
(1) | Assuming a voluntary conversion at the current Series A Preferred conversion price of $56.875 per share of Common Stock. |
(2) | Based upon a 20 day closing average as of October 14, 2004 equal to $1.00 per share. |
8
The closing price of the Companys Common Stock on the trading day immediately preceding the announcement of the proposed conversion set forth in this Proposal 2 was $0.61 per share. Assuming that this price were to remain constant through August 8, 2005 in the absence of the announcement of the Conversion and assuming the Company converted the Series A Preferred at that time in accordance with its terms, the Series A Preferred would receive approximately 18 times as many shares of Common Stock as the number of shares proposed to be issued as a result of this Proposal 2. Based upon the price of $1.20 per share one week following the announcement of the proposed conversion, the Series A Preferred would still receive approximately 9 times as many shares of Common Stock if the Series A Preferred were converted by its terms on August 8, 2005 in accordance with its terms.
The following table sets forth the information concerning the beneficial ownership of Common Stock of eGain as of October 20, 2004 for (i) each person or entity who is know by eGain to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of eGains common stock; (ii) each of eGains directors; eGains chief officer and four other most highly compensated executive officers during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004; and all directors and executive officers of eGain as a group, after giving effect to the Conversion as contemplated in this Proposal 2:
Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned |
Percentage of Common Stock Beneficially Owned |
||||
5% Stockholders: |
|||||
OHCP GenPar, L.P. (1) 201 Main Street, Suite 2415 Ft. Worth, TX 76102 |
4,397,063 | 22.3 | % | ||
J. Taylor Crandall (2) 201 Main Street, Suite 3100 Ft. Worth, TX 76102 |
1,424,631 | 9.3 | |||
Elliott Associates, L.P. (3) 712 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10019 |
1,352,943 | 8.8 | |||
Granite Private Equity III, LLC (4) One Cablevision Center Liberty, NY 12754 |
1,150,001 | 7.5 | |||
Deutsche Bank A. G. (5) 60 Wall Street New York, NY 10005 |
1,014,707 | 6.6 | |||
Oak Hill Venture Fund I, L.P. (6) 201 Main Street, Suite 3100 Ft. Worth, TX 76102 |
811,765 | 5.3 | |||
Directors and Executive Officers: |
|||||
Ashutosh Roy (7) |
1,221,237 | 7.8 | |||
Gunjan Sinha (8) |
1,137,164 | 7.4 | |||
Promod Narang (9) |
191,093 | 1.3 | |||
Eric Smit (10) |
155,966 | 1.0 | |||
Mark A. Wolfson (11) |
18,166 | * | |||
David G. Brown (12) |
17,666 | * | |||
Phiroz P. Darukhanavala (13) |
11,000 | * | |||
Anand Subramaniam (14) |
7,300 | * | |||
Arnold Adriaanse |
| * | |||
All executive officers and directors as a group (9 persons) (15) |
2,759,593 | 17.5 |
* | Indicates less than one percent. |
(1) | Includes 4,150,134 shares of converted preferred stock and 137,002 shares subject to an immediately exercisable warrant held by Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. and 106,414 shares of common stock and 3,513 shares subject to an immediately exercisable warrant held by Oak Hill Capital Management Partners, L.P. |
9
OHCP MGP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, is the general partner of OHCP GenPar, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, which is the general partner of Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. and consequently has voting control and investment discretion over securities held by Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. OHCP MGP, LLC disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. OHCP MGP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, is the general partner of OHCP GenPar, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, which is the general partner of Oak Hill Capital Management Partners, L.P and consequently has voting control and investment discretion over securities held by Oak Hill Capital Management Partners, L.P. OHCP MGP, LLC disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by Oak Hill Capital Management Partners, L.P. Mark Wolfson, a director of eGain, is a vice president of Oak Hill Capital Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation which provides management and consulting services to Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. and Oak Hill Capital Management Partners, L.P. and is a principal of Oak Hill Venture Partners, a related entity of the above-referenced entities. David Brown, a director of eGain, is the managing partner of Oak Hill Venture Partners, a related entity of the above-referenced entities. |
(2) | Includes 1,375,192 shares of converted preferred stock and 45,397 shares subject to an immediately exercisable warrant held by FW Investors V, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and 4,041 shares held by Group III 31, LLC. FW Management II, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company is the general partner of FW Investors V, L.P. and consequently has voting control and investment discretion over securities held by FW Investors V, L.P. FW Management II, L.L.C. disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by FW Investors V, L.P. J. Taylor Crandall is the sole member of FW Management II, L.L.C. and Group III 31, LLC. |
(3) | Represents 1,309,706 shares of converted preferred stock and 42,235 shares subject to an immediately exercisable warrant held by Elliott International, L.P. Paul E. Singer is the general partner of Elliott Associates, L.P. and consequently has voting control and investment discretion over securities held by Elliott Associates, L.P. Elliott International Capital Advisors, Inc., is attorney-in-fact for Elliott International, L.P. (formerly known as Westgate International, L.P.) and consequently has voting control and investment discretion over securities held by Elliott International, L.P. Mr. Singer is the President of Elliott International Capital Advisors, Inc. |
(4) | Represents 1,113,251 shares of converted preferred stock and 36,750 shares subject to an immediately exercisable warrant held by Granite Private Equity III, LLC. Alan Gerry is the managing member of Gerry Holding Co. II, LLC, which is the managing member of Granite Private Equity III, LLC and consequently has voting control and investment discretion over securities held by Granite Private Equity III, LLC. |
(5) | Includes 982,280 shares of converted preferred stock and 32,427 shares subject to an immediately exercisable warrant as estimated by eGain. |
(6) | Includes 785,824 shares of converted preferred stock and 25,941 shares subject to an immediately exercisable warrant. OHVF GenPar I, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership is the general partner of Oak Hill Venture Fund I, L.P. OHVF MGP I, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company is the general partner of Oak Hill Venture Fund I, L.P. FW Group GP, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company is the sole member of OHVF MGP I, L.L.C. and consequently has voting control and investment discretion over securities held by Oak Hill Venture Fund I, L.P. FW Group GP, L.L.C. disclaims beneficial ownership of securities held by Oak Hill Venture Fund I, L.P. |
(7) | Includes 392,912 shares of converted preferred stock, 365,508 shares subject to an immediately exercisable warrant held by Mr. Roy and 3,124 shares subject to immediately exercisable options. |
(8) | Includes 654,853 shares of converted preferred stock, 21,617 shares subject to an immediately exercisable warrant and 1,000 shares that would be beneficially owned upon exercise of director options. |
(9) | Includes 47,567 shares subject to immediately exercisable options and 130,970 shares of converted preferred stock. |
(10) | Includes 11,018 shares subject to immediately exercisable options and 130,970 shares of converted preferred stock. |
(11) | Represents 16,166 shares that are beneficially owned as a result of the distribution by FW Ventures I, L.P. and 2,000 shares that would be beneficially owned upon exercise of director options held by Mr. Wolfson. Mark Wolfson, a director of eGain, is a vice president of Oak Hill Capital Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation which provides management and consulting services to Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. and Oak Hill Capital Management Partners, L.P. and is a principal of Oak Hill Venture Partners, a related entity of the above-referenced entities. Mr. Wolfson disclaims beneficial ownership as to the shares owned by OHCP GenPar, L.P. and related entities. |
10
(12) | Represents 16,166 shares that are beneficially owned as a result of the distribution by FW Ventures I, L.P. and 1,500 shares that would be beneficially owned upon exercise of director options held by Mr. Brown. David Brown, a director of eGain, is the managing partner of Oak Hill Venture Partners, a related entity of the above-referenced entities. Mr. Brown disclaims beneficial ownership as to the shares owned by OHCP GenPar, L.P. and related entities. |
(13) | Represents 11,000 shares that would be beneficially owned upon exercise of director options held by Mr. Darukhanavala. |
(14) | Represents options exercisable within 60 days of October 20, 2004. |
(15) | Includes 84,509 shares subject to currently exercisable options or options exercisable within 60 days of October 20, 2004. Also includes 1,309,707 shares of converted preferred stock and 387,125 shares subject to an immediately exercisable warrant. |
The effect of the Conversion on the market price of our Common Stock cannot be predicted. While the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock will increase significantly as a result of the Conversion, the shares Series A Preferred will no longer remain outstanding and the Company will not be subject to the Liquidation Value or other rights, preferences and privileges associated with such shares. The market price of our Common Stock may change due to a variety of other factors, including our operating results, factors relating to our business and general market conditions.
The Conversion will not effect the rights associated with our outstanding shares of Common Stock, warrants, options or other grants entitling the holders to purchase shares of our Common Stock, or the share reserves associated with the our 1998 Stock Plan and 2000 Non-Management Plan. In addition, the Conversion will not effect the par value of the shares of Common Stock.
No fractional shares will be issued as a result of the Conversion. In lieu of issuing fractional shares, eGain will pay to any holder of Series A Preferred whose shares are converting into Common Stock who otherwise would have been entitled to receive a fractional share as a result of the Conversion, cash at the market price for such fractional share of Common Stock, determined by reference to the average closing price of our Common Stock on the OTC Bulletin Board for the 20 business days prior to the day on which the Conversion is effected.
Procedure for Effecting Conversion
If the Conversion is approved by the holders of Common Stock, eGain will file a Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of Delaware. The Conversion will become effective at the effective time of the filing of the Certificate. Beginning at the effective time of the Conversion, each certificate representing the Companys Series A Preferred will be deemed for all corporate purposes to evidence Common Stock ownership. The Company expects that its transfer agent will act as exchange agent for purposes of implementing the exchange of Series A Preferred certificates. Holders of shares of Series A Preferred will be asked to surrender to the exchange agent certificates representing shares of Series A Preferred in exchange for certificates representing Common Stock in accordance with the procedures to be set forth in a letter of transmittal to be sent by the exchange agent. No new certificates will be issued or cash in lieu of fractional share be paid to a stockholder until the stockholder has surrendered his or her outstanding Series A Preferred certificate(s) together with the properly completed and executed letter of transmittal to the transfer agent.
Material Federal Income Tax Consequences
The Conversion should have no tax effect on the holders of our Common Stock.
Committee and Board of Directors Recommendation
In June 2004, the Conversion Committee formally advised eGains Board of Directors that it believed the terms of the proposed Conversion were fair and in the best interests of the eGain stockholders. At this time, the Board discussed the Conversion Committees recommendation at length, reviewed the analysis prepared by
11
FSCG which was previously provided to the Board and asked various questions of our management. Our Board of Directors also reviewed the interests of certain of its directors in the proposed Conversion, including:
· | the fact that directors Wolfson and Brown are affiliates of and hold beneficial interests in entities affiliated with Oak Hill Capital, which collectively hold 489.99 shares of Series A Preferred and 215,894 shares subject to an immediately exercisable warrant; and |
· | the ownership of director Gunjan Sinha of 50 shares of Series A Preferred, 21,617 shares subject to an immediately exercisable warrant to purchase Common Stock and 459,693 shares of Common Stock. |
In September 2004 the Conversion Committee again reviewed the terms of the proposed Conversion in light of additional changes that had been incorporated as a result of negotiations with holders of Series A Preferred. After further analysis and discussion, the Committee advised our Board of Directors that it believed the terms to be fair and in the best interests of our stockholders. The Board of Directors then reviewed the proposal in detail, reviewed the foregoing interests of certain directors, and also discussed the interests of our chairman and chief executive, Ashutosh Roy, who, in addition to holding 459,693 shares of Common Stock and immediately exercisable warrants to purchase an additional 365,508 shares of Common Stock, had purchased 30 shares of Series A Preferred from a stockholder earlier that month. Thereafter, our Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve the proposed Conversion and recommends a vote FOR this Proposal 2.
Required Vote
The restatement of the Certificate of Incorporation to effect the Conversion will require the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock present and voting at the meeting in person or by proxy. NASDAQ Stock Market rules, to which eGain is currently not subject, also require the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock with regard to transactions resulting in the issuance of in excess of 20% of the voting power of the Company. In accordance with our desire to become re-listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market, we determined it would be advisable to seek the approval of the holders of our Common Stock to the Conversion. By casting a FOR vote in favor of the Conversion, a holder of Common Stock will also be casting a vote in favor of the proposed restatement of the Companys Certificate of Incorporation to effect such Conversion.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the approval of the Conversion and the adoption of a restated Certificate converting the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock into Common Stock as set forth above.
12
PROPOSAL 3
PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE COMPANYS CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
TO DECREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
The Board of Directors has approved the amendment of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the Certificate of Incorporation) to decrease the number of authorized shares of Common Stock from 100,000,000 to 50,000,000. The Board of Directors recommends that eGains stockholders approve this amendment.
As of October 20, 2004, eGain had 3.7 million shares of Common Stock outstanding. An additional 2,001,499 shares were reserved for future issuance, of which 404,956 shares were covered by outstanding options, 535,902 shares were available for future grant or purchase and 1,060,641 were reserved for outstanding warrants. In addition, approximately 11.6 million shares would be issued upon conversion of Series A Preferred (subject to stockholder approval pursuant to Proposal 2 which is described above).
The Board of Directors believes that, following eGains reverse 1 share for 10 shares split, the authorized Common Stock remaining available is greater than the amount eGain currently anticipates to be required. The larger the number of authorized shares of Common Stock results in a larger assessed Delaware franchise tax. The reduction of this tax is the primary reason the Company wishes to reduce the number of authorized shares of its Common Stock. Accordingly, the Board of Directors believes that it is in the Companys best interests to decrease the number of authorized shares of Common Stock as described above.
The authorized shares of Common Stock in excess of those issued will be available for issuance at such times and for such corporate purposes as the Board of Directors may deem advisable without further action by eGains stockholders, except as may be required by applicable laws or the rules of any stock exchange or national securities association trading system on which the securities may be listed or traded. Upon issuance, such shares will have the same rights as the outstanding shares of Common Stock. Holders of Common Stock do not have preemptive rights. The Board of Directors does not intend to issue any Common Stock except on terms which the Board deems to be in the best interests of the Company and its then-existing stockholders.
The approval of the amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of eGain.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR amendment to the Companys Certificate of Incorporation decreasing the authorized number of shares of Common Stock to 50,000,000.
13
PROPOSAL 4
RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Board of Directors has appointed the firm of BDO Seidman, LLP as eGains independent auditors for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, subject to ratification by the stockholders. BDO Seidman, LLP audited eGains financial statements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2004. Representatives of BDO Seidman, LLP are expected to be present at eGains Annual Meeting. They will have an opportunity to make a statement, if they desire to do so, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Ratification will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present and voting at the meeting in person or by proxy. In the event ratification is not provided, the Board of Directors will review its future selection of eGains independent auditors.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR ratification of BDO Seidman LLP as eGains independent auditors.
14
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information concerning the beneficial ownership of Common Stock of eGain as of October 20, 2004 for the following:
· | each person or entity who is known by eGain to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of eGains common stock; |
· | each of eGains current directors; |
· | eGains chief executive officer and four other most highly compensated executive officers during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004; and |
· | all directors and executive officers of eGain as a group. |
Unless otherwise noted, the address of each named beneficial owner is that of eGain.
The percentage ownership is based on 3,695,739 shares of eGain common stock outstanding as of October 20, 2004. All shares subject to the conversion of Series A Preferred Stock and options and warrants exercisable within 60 days after October 20, 2004 are deemed to be beneficially owned by the person or entity holding such preferred stock, options and warrants. The following table does not give effect to the Conversion which is the subject of Proposal 2. A table set forth in Proposal 2 provides the information regarding the beneficial ownership of eGain on a pro forma basis giving effect to the Conversion as of October 20, 2004. In computing the percentage ownership of any person, the amount of shares is deemed to include the amount of shares beneficially owned by such person (and only such person) by reason of such acquisition rights. Unless otherwise indicated below, the persons and entities named in the table have sole voting and sole investment power with respect to all shares beneficially owned, subject to community property laws where applicable.
Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned |
Percentage of Common Stock Beneficially Owned |
||||
5% Stockholders: |
|||||
OHCP GenPar, L.P. (1) 201 Main Street, Suite 2415 Ft. Worth, TX 76102 |
904,353 | 19.7 | % | ||
Elliott Associates, L.P. (2) 712 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10019 |
298,561 | 7.5 | |||
J. Taylor Crandall (3) 201 Main Street, Suite 3100 Ft. Worth, TX 76102 |
296,217 | 7.4 | |||
Robert M. Bass (4) 201 Main Street, Suite 3100 Ft. Worth, TX 76102 |
284,931 | 7.2 | |||
Granite Private Equity III, LLC (5) One Cablevision Center Liberty, NY 12754 |
236,523 | 6.0 | |||
Deutsche Bank A. G. (6) 60 Wall Street New York, NY 10005 |
208,697 | 5.4 | |||
Directors and Executive Officers: |
|||||
Ashutosh Roy (7) |
898,833 | 21.7 | |||
Gunjan Sinha (8) |
599,824 | 15.6 | |||
Promod Narang (9) |
83,625 | 2.2 | |||
Eric Smit (10) |
48,498 | 1.3 |
15
Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned |
Percentage of Common Stock Beneficially Owned | |||
Mark A. Wolfson (11) |
18,166 | * | ||
David G. Brown (12) |
17,666 | * | ||
Phiroz P. Darukhanavala (13) |
11,000 | * | ||
Anand Subramaniam (14) |
7,300 | * | ||
Arnold Adriaanse |
| * | ||
All executive officers and directors as a group (9 persons) (15) |
1,684,912 | 31.3 |
* | Indicates less than one percent. |
(1) | Includes 744,742 shares subject to the conversion of preferred stock and 137,002 shares subject to an immediately exercisable warrant held by Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. and 19,096 shares subject to the conversion of preferred stock and 3,513 shares subject to an immediately exercisable warrant held by Oak Hill Capital Management Partners, L.P. OHCP MGP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, is the general partner of OHCP GenPar, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, which is the general partner of Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. and consequently has voting control and investment discretion over securities held by Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. OHCP MGP, LLC disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. OHCP MGP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, is the general partner of OHCP GenPar, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, which is the general partner of Oak Hill Capital Management Partners, L.P and consequently has voting control and investment discretion over securities held by Oak Hill Capital Management Partners, L.P. OHCP MGP, LLC disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by Oak Hill Capital Management Partners, L.P. Mark Wolfson, a director of eGain, is a vice president of Oak Hill Capital Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation which provides management and consulting services to Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. and Oak Hill Capital Management Partners, L.P. and is a principal of Oak Hill Venture Partners, a related entity of the above-referenced entities. David Brown, a director of eGain, is the managing partner of Oak Hill Venture Partners, a related entity of the above-referenced entities. |
(2) | As reported on Schedule 13G, filed by Elliott Associates, L.P. on February 13, 2003. Includes shares held by Elliott International, L.P. Paul E. Singer is the general partner of Elliott Associates, L.P. and consequently has voting control and investment discretion over securities held by Elliott Associates, L.P. Elliott International Capital Advisors, Inc., is attorney-in-fact for Elliott International, L.P. (formerly known as Westgate International, L.P.) and consequently has voting control and investment discretion over securities held by Elliott International, L.P. Mr. Singer is the President of Elliott International Capital Advisors, Inc. |
(3) | Includes 246,778 shares subject to the conversion of preferred stock and 45,397 shares subject to an immediately exercisable warrant held by FW Investors V, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and 4,041 shares held by Group III 31, LLC. FW Management II, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company is the general partner of FW Investors V, L.P. and consequently has voting control and investment discretion over securities held by FW Investors V, L.P. FW Management II, L.L.C. disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by FW Investors V, L.P. J. Taylor Crandall is the sole member of FW Management II, L.L.C. and Group III 31, LLC. |
(4) | Represents shares that are beneficially owned as a result of the distribution by FW Ventures I, L.P, as reported on Schedule 13D filed on March 31, 2004 and amended on October 1, 2004. |
(5) | Represents 199,773 shares subject to the conversion of preferred stock and 36,750 shares subject to an immediately exercisable warrant. Alan Gerry is the managing member of Gerry Holding Co. II, LLC, which is the managing member of Granite Private Equity III, LLC and consequently has voting control and investment discretion over securities held by Granite Private Equity III, LLC. |
(6) | Includes 176,270 shares subject to the conversion of preferred stock and 32,427 shares subject to an immediately exercisable warrant as estimated by eGain. |
(7) | Includes 365,508 shares subject to an immediately exercisable warrant, 70,508 shares subject to the conversion of preferred stock and 3,124 shares subject to immediately exercisable options. |
16
(8) | Includes 117,513 shares subject to the conversion of preferred stock, 21,617 shares subject to an immediately exercisable warrant and 1,000 shares that would be beneficially owned upon exercise of director options. |
(9) | Includes 47,567 shares subject to immediately exercisable options and 23,503 shares subject to the conversion of preferred stock. |
(10) | Includes 11,018 shares subject to immediately exercisable options and 23,503 shares subject to the conversion of preferred stock. |
(11) | Represents 16,166 shares that are beneficially owned as a result of the distribution by FW Ventures I, L.P. and 2,000 shares that would be beneficially owned upon exercise of director options held by Mr. Wolfson. Mark Wolfson, a director of eGain, is a vice president of Oak Hill Capital Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation which provides management and consulting services to Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. and Oak Hill Capital Management Partners, L.P. and is a principal of Oak Hill Venture Partners, a related entity of the above-referenced entities. Mr. Wolfson disclaims beneficial ownership as to the shares owned by OHCP GenPar, L.P. and related entities. |
(12) | Represents 16,166 shares that are beneficially owned as a result of the distribution by FW Ventures I, L.P. and 1500 shares that would be beneficially owned upon exercise of director options held by Mr. Brown. David Brown, a director of eGain, is the managing partner of Oak Hill Venture Partners, a related entity of the above-referenced entities. Mr. Brown disclaims beneficial ownership as to the shares owned by OHCP GenPar, L.P. and related entities. |
(13) | Represents 11,000 shares that would be beneficially owned upon exercise of director options held by Mr. Darukhanavala. |
(14) | Represents options exercisable within 60 days of October 20, 2004. |
(15) | Includes 84,509 shares subject to currently exercisable options or options exercisable within 60 days of October 20, 2004. Also includes 235,027 shares subject to the conversion of preferred stock and 387,125 shares subject to an immediately exercisable warrant. |
17
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
The following table summarizes information concerning compensation paid to eGains Chief Executive Officer and each of eGains other four most highly compensated executive officers whose total annual salary and bonus exceeded $100,000, for services rendered in all capacities to eGain during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2004, 2003 and 2002. These individuals are referred to as the named executive officers.
Fiscal Year |
Annual Compensation |
Long-Term Compensation | ||||||||
Security Underlying Options (#) | ||||||||||
Name and Principal Position |
Salary($) |
Bonus($) |
Other($) |
|||||||
Ashutosh Roy (1) President and Chairman |
2004 2003 2002 |
29,183 50,012 31,268 |
|
|
625 2,499 | |||||
Arnold Adriaanse (2) Sr. Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Services |
2004 2003 2002 |
143,971 138,633 95,192 |
73,378 30,797 |
50,000 |
10,000 1,790 30,833 | |||||
Eric Smit (3) Chief Financial Officer |
2004 2003 2002 |
143,500 128,212 136,442 |
15,000 20,644 |
|
10,000 9,000 600 | |||||
Anand Subramaniam (4) Vice President of Marketing |
2004 2003 2002 |
126,037 112,799 35,311 |
6,923 |
|
8,500 2,400 | |||||
Promod Narang (5) Vice President of Products & Technology |
2004 2003 2002 |
121,600 93,461 108,981 |
2,772 4,327 4,725 |
|
35,000 1,080 39,999 |
(1) | Mr. Roys grant of an option to purchase 2,499 shares and Mr. Sinhas grant of an option to purchase 2,499 shares in fiscal 2002 were immediately vested in full. Mr. Roys grant of an option to purchase 625 shares was immediately vested in full. |
(2) | Mr. Adriaanses grant of an option to purchase 30,000 shares in fiscal 2002 vests as to 1/48 of shares each full month. Mr. Adriaanses grant of an option to purchase 833 shares in fiscal 2002 vested equally over three months. Mr. Adriaanses grant of an option to purchase 1,790 shares in fiscal 2003 was immediately vested in full. Mr. Adriaanses grant of an option to purchase 10,000 shares in fiscal 2004 vests as to 1/48 of the shares each full month. Mr. Adriaanse resigned in August 2004. |
(3) | Mr. Smits grant of an option to purchase 600 shares in fiscal 2002 vests as to 50% immediately and 1/12 of the remaining shares each full month thereafter. Mr. Smits grant of an option to purchase 1,500 shares in fiscal 2003 was immediately vested in full. Mr. Smits grant of an option to purchase 7,500 shares in fiscal 2003 vests as to 1/48 of the shares each full month. Mr. Smits grant of an option to purchase 10,000 shares in fiscal 2004 vests as to 1/48 of the shares each full month. |
(4) | Mr. Subramaniams grant of an option to purchase 2,400 shares in fiscal 2002 vests as to 25% of the shares on the first anniversary of such options grant date and 1/36 of the remaining shares each full month thereafter. Mr. Subramaniams grant of an option to purchase 1,300 shares in fiscal 2003 was immediately vested in full. Mr. Subramaniams grant of an option to purchase 7,200 shares in fiscal 2003 vests as to 1/48 of the shares each full month. |
(5) | Mr. Narangs grant of an option to purchase 10,499 shares in fiscal 2002 vests as to 33% of the shares on the first anniversary of such options grant date and 1/24 of the remaining shares each full month thereafter. Mr. Narangs grant of an option to purchase 7,000 shares in fiscal 2002 was immediately vested in full. Mr. Narangs grant of an option to purchase 16,875 shares in fiscal 2002 vests as to 1/36 of the shares each full month. Mr. Narangs grant of an option to purchase 5,625 shares in fiscal 2002 vests as to 10% of the shares |
18
on the first anniversary of such options grant date and 1/108 of the remaining shares each full month thereafter. Mr. Narangs grant of an option to purchase 1,080 shares in fiscal 2003 was immediately vested in full. Mr. Narangs grant of an option to purchase 35,000 shares in fiscal 2004 vests as to 1/48 of the shares each full month. |
Recent Option Grants
The following tables set forth certain information as of June 30, 2004 and for the fiscal year then ended with respect to stock options granted to and exercised by the individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table above.
Name |
Number of Securities Underlying Options |
Percentage of Total Options Granted to Employees in Fiscal 2004 |
Exercise or Base Price ($/Share) |
Expiration Date |
Potential Realizable Value at Assumed Annual Rates of Stock Price Appreciation for Option Term (1) | |||||||
5%($) |
10%($) | |||||||||||
Ashutosh Roy |
0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
Arnold Adriaanse |
10,000 | 5.4 | 2.40 | 12/08/13 | 15,096 | 38,256 | ||||||
Eric Smit |
10,000 | 5.4 | 2.40 | 12/08/13 | 15,096 | 38,256 | ||||||
Anand Subramaniam |
0 | 0.0 | 12/08/13 | 0 | 0 | |||||||
Promod Narang |
35,000 | 18.9 | 2.40 | 12/08/13 | 52,836 | 133,896 |
(1) | Potential realizable value assumes that the stock price increases from the exercise price from the date of grant until the end of the option term (10 years) at the annual rate specified (5% and 10%). Annual compounding results in total appreciation of approximately 62.9% (at 5% per year) and 159.4% (at 10% per year). The assumed annual rates of appreciation are specified in SEC rules and do not represent eGains estimate or projection of future stock price growth. |
Aggregate Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year-End Option Values
Name |
Shares Acquired on Exercise |
Value ($) |
Number of Unexercised Options at June 30, 2004 |
Value of Unexercised at June 30, 2004 (1) | |||||||||
Exercisable/Unexercisable |
Exercisable/Unexercisable | ||||||||||||
Ashutosh Roy |
| $ | | 3,124 | | | | ||||||
Arnold Adriaanse |
| | 20,748 | 21,875 | | | |||||||
Eric Smit |
| | 7,581 | 14,219 | | | |||||||
Anand Subramaniam |
| | 4,750 | 4,800 | | | |||||||
Promod Narang |
| | 32,789 | 44,628 | | |
(1) | Calculated on the basis of the fair market value of the underlying securities at June 30, 2004 ($1.05 per share) minus the exercise price. Some options listed in the table have an exercise price that is greater than the fair market value therefore there are no in-the-money options. |
19
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following report on executive compensation is provided by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the Compensation Committee) to assist stockholders in understanding the committees objectives and procedures in establishing the compensation of eGains executive officers and describes the basis on which it made fiscal 2004 compensation determinations. The Compensation Committee is currently comprised of three non-employee directors. In making its determinations, the Compensation Committee relied, in part, on independent surveys and public disclosures of compensation of management of companies in the ecommerce software industry.
Compensation Objectives
The Compensation Committee believes that compensation of eGains executive officers should:
· | encourage creation of stockholder value and achievement of strategic corporate objectives by providing management with longer term incentives through equity ownership by management; |
· | provide a competitive total compensation package that enables eGain to attract and retain, on a long-term basis, high caliber personnel; |
· | provide total compensation opportunity that is competitive with companies in eGains industry, taking into account relative company size, performance and geographic location as well as individual responsibilities and performance; and |
· | provide fair compensation consistent with internal compensation programs. |
Key Elements of Executive Compensation
The compensation of executive officers is based upon eGains financial performance as well as an evaluation of eGains progress in the achievement of certain business objectives, including the execution of corporate and collaborative agreements, the expansion of eGains business and the attainment of certain operational and research and development milestones in eGains technology development programs, as well as the achievement of individual business objectives by each executive officer. eGains existing compensation structure for executive officers generally includes a combination of salary and stock options and may include cash bonuses for performance determined to be deserving of such bonuses by the Compensation Committee.
Salary. Salary levels are largely determined through comparisons with companies of similar headcount and market capitalizations or complexity in the ecommerce software industry. Actual salaries are based on individual performance contributions within a competitive salary range for each position that is established through job evaluation of responsibilities and market comparisons. The Compensation Committee, on the basis of its knowledge of executive compensation in the industry, believes that eGains salary levels for the executive officers are at a level that the Compensation Committee, at the time such salary determinations were made, considered to be reasonable and necessary given eGains financial resources and the stage of its development. The Compensation Committee reviews salaries on an annual basis. At such time, the Compensation Committee may change each executive officers salary based on the individuals contributions and responsibilities over the prior 12 months and changes in median comparable company pay levels.
Stock Options. The Compensation Committee believes that by providing those persons who have substantial responsibility for the management and growth of eGain with an opportunity to increase their ownership of eGain stock through stock option grants, the interests of stockholders and executive officers will be closely aligned. Therefore, executive officers are eligible to receive stock options when the Compensation Committee performs its annual salary review; although the Stock Option Committee, at its discretion, may grant options at other times in recognition of exceptional achievements. The number of shares underlying stock options
20
granted to executive officers is based on competitive practices in the industry as determined by independent surveys and the Compensation Committees knowledge of industry practice.
Chief Executive Officer Compensation
Ashutosh Roy is eGains Chief Executive Officer. From the beginning of fiscal year 2004 through October 15, 2003, Mr. Roys salary was $100,000 per annum. In October 2003 at the request of Mr. Roy, the Compensation Committee reduced Mr. Roys salary to $24.00 per annum. Mr. Roy made this request in light of the continued difficult economic environment surrounding eGains industry and as part of eGains commitment to reduce its expense and pursue profitability.
eGains policy is generally to qualify compensation paid to executive officers for deductibility under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. However, eGain reserves the discretion to pay compensation to its executive officers that may not be deductible.
Mr. Roy is a member of the Board of Directors, but did not participate in matters involving the evaluation of his own performance or the setting of his own compensation.
Compensation Committee
Mark A. Wolfson
David G. Brown
Phiroz P. Darukhanavala
21
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (the Audit Committee) operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors on April 24, 2001, a copy of which is attached as Annex 1. The current members of the Audit Committee are Mark A. Wolfson, David G. Brown and Phiroz P. Darukhanavala, each of whom meets the independence standards established by The Nasdaq Stock Market.
The Audit Committee performs the following activities:
· | overseeing eGains financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors; and |
· | providing independent, objective oversight of eGains accounting functions and internal controls. |
The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements contained in the 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K with eGains management and its independent auditors. Management is responsible for the financial statements and the reporting process, including the system of internal controls. The independent auditors are responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of those financial statements with accounting principles generally acceptable in the United States.
The Audit Committee met privately with the independent auditors, and discussed issues deemed significant by the auditors, including those required by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 (Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards), as amended. In addition, the Audit Committee discussed with the independent auditors their independence from eGain and its management, including the matters in the written disclosures required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with the Audit Committees). The Audit Committee also considered BDOs provision of non-audit services to eGain and determined that such provision of such services was compatible with maintaining the independence of BDO.
In reliance on the reviews and discussions outlined above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in eGains Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Audit Committee
Mark A. Wolfson
David G. Brown
Phiroz P. Darukhanavala
22
INFORMATION CONCERNING INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
On March 25, 2004, the Company terminated the firm of Ernst & Young LLP (E&Y) as the Companys independent accountant.
The reports of E&Y on the financial statements of the Company for the last two fiscal years contained no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principle, except that E&Ys reports on the Companys financial statements for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2003 and June 30, 2002, each contained an explanatory paragraph related to the Companys ability to continue as a going concern.
In connection with its audits for fiscal 2002 and fiscal 2003 and through March 25, 2004, there had been no disagreements with E&Y on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedures, which if not resolved to the satisfaction of E&Y would have caused E&Y to make reference thereto in their report on the financial statements for such years.
On March 31, 2004, the Company appointed and engaged BDO Seidman, LLP (New Accountant) as the Companys principal independent accountant to audit its financial statements. This change of independent accountants and the appointment and engagement of the New Accountant was approved by the Audit Committee of the Companys Board of Directors at a meeting on March 25, 2004.
Neither the Company nor anyone engaged on its behalf has consulted with the New Accountant during its two most recent fiscal years nor during any subsequent interim period prior to the appointment of the New Accountant as auditor for the remainder of the fiscal year 2004 audit regarding (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Companys financial statements, or (ii) any other matters or reportable events as set forth in Items 304(a)(2)(i) and 304(a)(2)(ii) of Regulation S-K.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The aggregate fees for professional services by the Companys independent auditors and certain of their international affiliates in fiscal 2004 and fiscal 2003 for these various services to the Company and its subsidiaries were:
Audit Fees
The aggregate audit fees billed or to be billed by BDO Seidman, LLP for professional services rendered for the audit of the Companys annual financial statements, review of financial statements included in the Companys quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and services that were provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements was approximately $125,200 for fiscal 2004.
The aggregate audit fees billed or to be billed by Ernst & Young LLP for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered for the audit of the Companys annual financial statements, review of financial statements included in the Companys quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and services that were provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements were approximately $100,000 for fiscal 2004 and $301,000 for fiscal 2003.
Audit-Related Fees
The aggregate fees billed or to be billed by BDO Seidman, LLP or certain of its international affiliates for services delivered in the U.K., Europe and India related to the ability to render a U.S. GAAP opinion on the Companys or its subsidiaries financial statements or regulatory compliance reasonable related to the performance of review of Companys or its subsidiaries financial statements was approximately $46,000 for fiscal 2004.
23
The aggregate fees billed or to be billed by Ernst & Young LLP or certain of its international affiliates for each of the last two fiscal years for services delivered in the U.K., Europe and India related to the ability to render a U.S. GAAP opinion on the Companys or its subsidiaries financial statements or regulatory compliance reasonable related to the performance of review of Companys or its subsidiaries financial statements were approximately $12,500 for fiscal 2004 and approximately $62,000 for fiscal 2003.
Tax Fees
The aggregate fees billed or to be billed by BDO Seidman, LLP for professional services related to tax advice, tax compliance, tax auditing, tax planning and foreign tax matters were approximately $21,165 for fiscal 2004.
The aggregate fees billed or to be billed by Ernst & Young LLP in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services related to tax advice, tax compliance, tax auditing, tax planning and foreign tax matters were approximately $20,000 for fiscal 2004 and $57,000 for fiscal 2003.
All Other Fees
There were no fees billed to the Company by BDO Seidman, LLP for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004 for services and products to the Company and its subsidiaries other than those reported in the categories above. The aggregate fees billed or to be billed by Ernst & Young LLP and certain of its international affiliates in each of the last two fiscal years for services and products to the Company and its subsidiaries other than those reported in the categories above were $11,000 for fiscal 2004 and $24,480 for fiscal 2003. The nature of the other services included real estate and other miscellaneous services.
Policy on Pre-Approval of Retention of Independent Auditors
The engagement of BDO Seidman, LLP and certain of its international affiliates for non-audit accounting and tax services performed for the Company is limited to those circumstances where these services are considered integral to the audit services that it provides or in which there is another compelling rationale for using its services. Pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, all audit and permitted non-audit services for which the Company engages BDO Seidman, LLP and certain of its international affiliates require pre-approval by the Audit Committee. The percentage of Statutory Audit Fees, Tax Fees and All Other Fees, out of all fees paid to BDO Seidman, LLP and certain of its international affiliates, and all as approved by the Audit Committee in accordance with these procedures, was 35% for fiscal 2004. The percentage of Statutory Audit Fees, Tax Fees and All Other Fees, out of all fees paid to Ernst & Young, LLP and certain of its international affiliates, and all as approved by the Audit Committee in accordance with these procedures, was 32% for fiscal 2003.
As noted in the report of the Audit Committee at page 22 of this proxy statement, the Audit Committee considered the provision by BDO Seidman, LLP and certain of its international affiliates of non-audit services to the Company and determined that the provision of these services was compatible with maintaining the independence of BDO Seidman, LLP.
24
STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph illustrates a comparison of the cumulative total stockholder return (change in stock price plus reinvested dividends) of eGains common stock with a Self-Determined Peer Group (the Peer Group) and the CRSP Total Return Index for the Nasdaq U.S. and Foreign Stocks (the Nasdaq Composite Index), assuming an investment of $100 in each on September 23, 1999. eGains common stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market. The comparisons in the table are required by the Securities and Exchange Commission and are not intended to forecast or be indicative of possible future performance of eGains common stock.
Companies in the Self-Determined Peer Group:
eGain Communications Corp.
Kana Software Inc.
Primus Knowledge Solutions
Onyx Software Corporation
25
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Since July 1, 2003, there has not been any transaction or series of transactions to which eGain was or is a party in which the amount involved exceeded or exceeds $60,000 and in which any director, executive officer, holder of more than 5% of any class of eGains voting securities or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than the transactions described below.
Transactions with Management, Directors and Others
Effective September 29, 2004, eGain and certain holders of Series A Preferred entered into a restructuring agreement and a voting agreement whereby such Series A Preferred holders agreed to vote in favor of an amendment to the Companys certificate of incorporation providing for the conversion of all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred. The terms and conditions of this transaction, along with the interests of eGains management, directors and certain other parties, are discussed extensively in Proposal 2.
On March 31, 2004, we entered into a note and warrant purchase agreement with Ashutosh Roy, our Chief Executive Officer, Oak Hill Capital Partners L.P., Oak Hill Capital Management Partners L.P., and FW Investors L.P. (the lenders) pursuant to which the lenders loaned to us $2.5 million evidenced by secured promissory notes and received warrants to purchase shares of our common stock in connection with such loan. The secured promissory notes have a term of five years and bear interest at an effective annual rate of 12% due and payable upon the maturity of such notes. We have the option to prepay the notes at any time subject to the prepayment penalties set forth in such notes. The warrants allow the lenders to purchase up to 312,500 shares at an exercise price of $2.00 per share. The warrants become exercisable as to fifty percent (50%) of the warrant shares nine months after issuance of the warrants and as to one hundred percent (100%) of the warrant shares on the first anniversary of the issuance of the warrants. We recorded $2.28 million in related party notes payable and $223,000 of discount on the notes related to the relative value of the warrants issued in the transaction that will be amortized to interest expense over the five year life of the notes. The fair value of these warrants was determined using the Black-Scholes valuation method with the following assumptions: an expected life of 3 years, an expected stock price volatility of 75%, a risk free interest rate of 1.93%, and a dividend yield of 0%.
In the past, eGain has granted options to purchase common stock to its directors and executive officers. eGain intends to grant such options to its directors and executive officers in the future. See Proposal OneCompensation of Directors and EXECUTIVE COMPENSATIONRecent Option Grants.
Business Relationships
eGain has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers. Such agreements require eGain to indemnify such individuals to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law.
It is eGains current policy that all transactions between eGain and its officers, directors, 5% stockholders and eGains affiliates will be entered into only if these transactions are approved by a majority of the disinterested directors, are on terms no less favorable to eGain than could be obtained from unaffiliated parties and are reasonably expected to benefit eGain.
26
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2005 ANNUAL MEETING
Proposals of stockholders of eGain that are intended to be presented by such stockholders at eGains 2005 Annual Meeting must be received by the Secretary of eGain no later than June 17, 2005 in order that they may be included in eGains proxy statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting.
A stockholder proposal not included in the eGain proxy statement for the 2005 Annual Meeting will be ineligible for presentation at the meeting unless the stockholder gives timely notice of the proposal in writing to the Secretary of eGain at the principal executive offices of eGain and otherwise complies with the provisions of its Bylaws. To be timely, eGains Bylaws provide that eGain must have received the stockholders notice not less than 50 days nor more than 75 days prior to the scheduled date of such meeting. However, if notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting is given or made to stockholders less than 65 days prior to the meeting date, eGain must receive the stockholders notice by the close of business on the 15th day after the earlier of the day eGain mailed notice of the annual meeting date or provided such public disclosure of the meeting date.
OTHER MATTERS
eGain knows of no other business that will be presented at the Annual Meeting. If any other business is properly brought before the Annual Meeting, it is intended that proxies in the enclosed form will be voted in accordance with the judgment of the persons voting the proxies.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Under the securities laws of the United States, eGains directors, executive officers and any persons holding more than 10% of eGains common stock are required to report their initial ownership of eGains common stock and any subsequent changes in that ownership to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Specific due dates for these reports have been established and eGain is required to identify in this Proxy Statement those persons who failed to timely file these reports. All of the filing requirements were satisfied for fiscal 2004 except that in June 2004, due solely to administrative error that was corrected as soon as it was determined, the Company made late Form 5 filings with respect to options grants to executives Eric Smit, Promod Narang and Arnold Adriaanse.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
A copy of eGains combined annual report to stockholders and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004 accompanies this proxy statement. An additional copy will be furnished without charge to beneficial stockholders or stockholders of record upon request to Chief Financial Officer, eGain Communications Corporation, 345 E. Middlefield Road, Mountain View, California 94043.
27
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
eGains Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004 was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 28, 2004. The following portions of the Annual Report are incorporated in this proxy statement by reference:
· | Report of Independent Auditors |
· | Consolidated Balance Sheets |
· | Consolidated Statements of Operations |
· | Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Equity |
· | Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow |
· | Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
· | Selected Consolidated Financial Data |
· | Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation |
· | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure |
· | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk |
In addition the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 30, 2004 is incorporated in this Proxy Statement by reference.
Whether you intend to be present at the Annual Meeting or not, we urge you to return your signed proxy promptly.
By order of the Board of Directors,
Ashutosh Roy
Chief Executive Officer
November 10, 2004
28
Annex 1
eGAIN COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
Organization
This charter governs the operations of the audit committee. The committee shall review and reassess the charter at least annually and obtain the approval of the board of directors. The committee shall be appointed by the board of directors and shall comprise at least three directors, each of whom are independent of management and the Company. If an audit committee chair is not designated or present the members of the committee may designate a chair by majority vote of the committee membership. Members of the committee shall be considered independent if they have no relationship that may interfere with the exercise of their independence from management and the Company. All committee members shall be financially literate, and at least one member shall have accounting or related financial management expertise.
Statement of Policy
The audit committee shall provide assistance to the board of directors in fulfilling their oversight responsibility to the shareholders, potential shareholders, the investment community, and others relating to the Companys financial statements and the financial reporting process, the systems of internal accounting and financial controls, the internal audit function, the annual independent audit of the Companys financial statements, and the legal compliance and ethics programs as established by management and the board. In so doing, it is the responsibility of the committee to maintain free and open communication between the committee, independent auditors, the internal auditors, and management of the Company. In discharging its oversight role, the committee is empowered to investigate any matter brought to its attention with full access to all books, records, facilities, and personnel of the Company and the power to retain outside counsel, or other experts, for this purpose.
Responsibilities and Processes
The primary responsibility of the audit committee is to oversee the Companys financial reporting process on behalf of the board and report the results of their activities to the board. Management is responsible for preparing the Companys financial statements, and the independent auditors are responsible for auditing those financial statements. The committee in carrying out its responsibilities believes its policies and procedures should remain flexible, in order to best react to changing conditions and circumstances. The committee should take the appropriate actions to set the overall corporate tone for quality financial reporting, sound business risk practices, and ethical behavior.
The following shall be the principal recurring processes of the audit committee in carrying out its oversight responsibilities. The processes are set forth as a guide with the understanding that the committee may supplement them as appropriate.
| The committee shall have a clear understanding with management and the independent auditors that the independent auditors are ultimately accountable to the board and the audit committee, as representatives of the Companys shareholders. The committee shall have the ultimate authority and responsibility to evaluate and, where appropriate, recommend the replacement of the independent auditors. The committee shall discuss with the auditors their independence from management and the Company and the matters included in the written disclosures required by the Independence Standards Board. Annually, the committee shall review and recommend to the board the selection of the Companys independent auditors, subject to shareholders approval. |
A-1
| The committee shall discuss with the internal auditors and the independent auditors the overall scope and plans for their respective audits including the adequacy of staffing and compensation. Also, the committee shall discuss with management, the internal auditors, and the independent auditors the adequacy and effectiveness of the accounting and financial controls, including the Companys system to monitor and manage business risk, and legal and ethical compliance programs. Further, the committee shall meet separately with the internal auditors and the independent auditors, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations. |
| The committee shall review the internal financial statements with management and the independent auditors prior to the filing of the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Also, the committee shall discuss the results of the quarterly review and any other matters required to be communicated to the committee by the independent auditors under generally accepted auditing standards. The chair of the committee may represent the entire committee for the purposes of this review. |
| The committee shall review with management and the independent auditors the financial statements to be included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K (or the annual report to shareholders if distributed prior to the filing of Form 10-K), including their judgment about the quality, not just acceptability, of accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments, and the clarity of the disclosures in the financial statements. Also, the committee shall discuss the results of the annual audit and any other matters required to be communicated to the committee by the independent auditors under generally accepted auditing standards. |
A-2
AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETING PLANNER
A =Annually; Q =Quarterly; AN =As Necessary Timing | Frequency | Planned Timing (fiscal) | ||||||||||||
Financial Management |
A | Q | AN | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | |||||||
Annual Report on Form 10-K and proxy statement |
X | X | ||||||||||||
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q* |
X | X | X | X | X | |||||||||
Assessment of internal control environment and systems of internal controls |
X | X | ||||||||||||
New accounting and financial reporting requirements |
X | X | ||||||||||||
Status of significant accounting estimates and judgments (e.g., reserves) and special issues (e.g., major transactions, accounting changes, etc.) |
X | |||||||||||||
Other matters (adequacy of staffing, succession planning, etc.) |
X | |||||||||||||
Executive session with management |
X | |||||||||||||
Independent Auditors |
||||||||||||||
Results of annual audit, (including required communications) SAS 61 report |
X | X | ||||||||||||
Results of timely quarterly reviews (including required communications)* |
X | X | X | X | X | |||||||||
Report on internal control weaknesses and other recommendations and management response |
X | X | ||||||||||||
Scope of interim reviews and annual audit and fees |
X | X | ||||||||||||
Required written communication and discussion of independence |
X | X | ||||||||||||
Other matters (adequacy of financial staff, succession planning, etc.) |
X | |||||||||||||
Executive session with independent auditors |
X | X | X | X | X | |||||||||
Internal Auditor |
||||||||||||||
Scope of internal auditing plan for upcoming year |
X | X | ||||||||||||
Internal auditing costs (budget/actual) |
X | X | ||||||||||||
Coordination with independent auditors |
X | X | ||||||||||||
Defalcations and irregularities |
X | |||||||||||||
Compliance review: Business conduct policy |
X | |||||||||||||
Compliance review: Director and executive officer perquisites and expenses |
X | X | ||||||||||||
Summary of significant audit findings and status update relative to annual plan |
X | X | X | X | X | |||||||||
Executive session with Director of Internal Auditing |
X |
A-3
AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETING PLANNER (CONTINUED)
A =Annually; Q =Quarterly; AN =As Necessary Timing | Frequency | Planned Timing (fiscal) | ||||||||||||
Other Members of Management |
A | Q | AN | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | |||||||
Legal Matters (General Counsel) |
||||||||||||||
Conflict of interest and ethics policies |
X | X | ||||||||||||
Litigation status/regulatory matters |
X | |||||||||||||
Information systems matters (IT Director) |
X | |||||||||||||
Risk management processes and assessment (Vice President Finance and Administration) |
X | |||||||||||||
Tax matters (Controller) |
X | |||||||||||||
Others |
X | |||||||||||||
Audit Committee |
||||||||||||||
Report results of annual independent audit to the board |
X | X | ||||||||||||
Recommend to the board the appointment of independent auditors |
X | X | ||||||||||||
Review annual proxy statement audit committee report and charter |
X | X | ||||||||||||
Evaluate audit committee effectiveness (i.e., self-assessment) |
X | X | ||||||||||||
Reassess the adequacy of the audit committee charter and obtain board approval |
X | X | ||||||||||||
Approve audit committee meeting planner for the upcoming year and confirm mutual expectations with management and the auditors |
X | X | ||||||||||||
Evaluate Internal Auditings performance |
X | X | ||||||||||||
Approve minutes of previous meeting |
X | X | X | X | X | |||||||||
Report significant matters to the board |
X | |||||||||||||
Executive session of committee members |
X | |||||||||||||
Orientation of new members and continuing education (e.g., accounting and financial topics) |
X | |||||||||||||
Other matters |
X |
The committee meeting planner contemplates committee chairperson leadership (with input from management and the auditors) in:
| Developing a detailed agenda for each meeting |
| Keeping lines of communication open among the board, auditors and the committee members |
* | Note the chair of the audit committee may represent the entire committee in order to facilitate conducting these reviews timely |
A-4
é FOLD AND DETACH HERE é
PROXY
eGain Communications Corporation
Proxy Solicited by the Board of Directors
for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, December 15, 2004
(see Proxy Statement for discussion of items)
The undersigned hereby appoints Ashutosh Roy and Eric Smit as proxy, with power of substitution, to vote all shares of eGain Communications Corporation Common Stock which the undersigned is entitled to vote on all matters which may properly come before the 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of eGain Communications Corporation, or any adjournment thereof.
SEE REVERSE SIDE
|
CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE |
SEE REVERSE SIDE
|
eGain Communications Corporation
c/o EquiServe
P.O. Box 9398
Boston, MA 02205-9398
é FOLD AND DETACH HERE é
x
Please mark your
votes as in this
example.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ITEMS 1, 2, 3 and 4.
FOR | AGAINST | ABSTAIN | ||||||||||
1. Re-election of five directors to serve for the ensuing year until their successors are duly elected and qualified or until earlier death or resignation. |
2. |
The restatement of the Companys Certificate of Incorporation resulting in the Conversion of the Series A Preferred into Common Stock and the terms thereof. | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ | |||||||
Nominees: | (01) Ashutosh Roy, (02) Gunjan Sinha, (03) Mark A. Wolfson, (04) David G. Brown and (05) Phiroz P. Darukhanavala |
3. | The amendment of the Companys Certificate of Incorporation decreasing the number of authorized shares of Common Stock. | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ | ||||||
4. | The Appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as Independent Auditors. | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ |
¨ FOR THE NOMINEES |
¨ WITHHELD FROM THE NOMINEES |
|||||||
¨ For all nominees except as noted above |
The shares represented by this Proxy Card will be voted as specified above, but if no specification is made they will be voted FOR Items 1 2, 3 and 4 and at the discretion of the proxies on any other matter that may properly come before the meeting. | |||||||
MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS CHANGE AND NOTE AT LEFT ¨ |
MARK HERE IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING ¨ | |||||||
NOTE: Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, give full name and title as such.
Please sign, date and return promptly in the accompanying envelope. | ||||||||
Signature: |
Date: |