Form 4: Kopin CFO Granted 400,000 Restricted Shares

Kopin Corporation's Chief Financial Officer, Erich Manz, was granted 400,000 restricted shares of common stock, vesting over four years.

Summary

• Erich Manz, Chief Financial Officer of Kopin Corporation, acquired 400,000 shares of common stock.
• The transaction date for this acquisition was September 2, 2025.
• The shares were acquired at a price of $0.00, indicating a grant of restricted stock.
• Following this transaction, Mr. Manz beneficially owns 400,000 shares directly.
• The restricted shares will vest in four equal annual installments of 25% each, beginning on December 10, 2026.
• Vesting is contingent upon Mr. Manz's continued employment with Kopin Corporation on each applicable vesting date.
• The filing of this Form 4 was delayed due to an administrative issue in obtaining the reporting person's EDGAR codes, not due to an error by Mr. Manz.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: Slightly positive. The grant of restricted stock is a positive for executive retention and alignment of interests, though the administrative delay in filing is a minor negative. Overall, it's a standard compensation event.

Positives

• The grant of 400,000 restricted shares to the CFO aligns his interests with long-term shareholder value.
• The vesting schedule over four years promotes executive retention and commitment.

Negatives

• The administrative delay in filing the Form 4, although explained, indicates a minor procedural inefficiency.

Risks

• For the reporting person, Erich Manz, the risk is forfeiture of unvested shares if employment with Kopin Corporation ceases before vesting dates.

Future Outlook

The restricted shares granted to the CFO are subject to a future vesting schedule, with 25% vesting annually starting December 10, 2026, contingent on continued employment.

Management Comments

• This Form 4 is being filed late due to an administrative delay in obtaining the reporting person's EDGAR codes.
• This late filing is not due to any error of the reporting person.

Industry Context

Granting restricted stock to key executives is a common practice in publicly traded companies to incentivize long-term performance, align management interests with shareholders, and promote executive retention. This filing reflects a standard compensation mechanism.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The grant of restricted stock to a Chief Financial Officer is a standard executive compensation practice across various industries, including technology and manufacturing, similar to companies like Intel, AMD, or other publicly traded firms that use equity incentives for key personnel retention and performance alignment.
• A four-year vesting schedule with annual installments is typical for such grants, comparable to practices seen in many S&P 500 companies.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Potential minor dilution from the issuance of new shares upon vesting, but also benefits from enhanced executive retention and alignment of management interests with long-term company performance.
• Employees: May signal stability in executive leadership and a commitment to retaining key talent.

Next Steps

• Continued employment of Erich Manz with Kopin Corporation.
• Annual vesting of 25% of the restricted shares on December 10, starting in 2026.

Key Dates

Keywords

Kopin Corporation, KOPN, Erich Manz, CFO, Restricted Stock, Stock Grant, Insider Transaction, Form 4, Executive Compensation, Vesting