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Form S-1 Interactive Drafting Guide

Description Of Capital Stock

Section summary: This section provides the description of capital stock being registered, including voting rights, dividend rights, liquidation rights, etc., as well as descriptions of provisions of the company’s post-IPO certificate of incorporation and bylaws. This disclosure is driven by the requirements of Item 9 in Form S-1 and Item 202 of Regulation S-K.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

General

The following description of our capital stock and certain provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws are summaries and are qualified by reference to the amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the amended and restated bylaws that will be in effect on the completion of this offering. For a complete description of the matters set forth in this section, you should refer to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, copies of which have been or will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The descriptions of the common stock and preferred stock reflect changes to our capital structure that will be in effect on the completion of this offering.

On the completion of this offering, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide for two classes of common stock: Class A common stock and Class B common stock. In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will authorize shares of undesignated preferred stock, the rights, preferences, and privileges of which may be designated from time to time by our board of directors.46

Upon the filing of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the completion of this offering, our authorized capital stock will consist of                  shares, consisting of:

  • shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share;
  • shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share; and
  • shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

As of December 31, 2024, there were              million shares of common stock and               shares of redeemable convertible preferred stock outstanding. After giving effect to the Reclassification and Exchange immediately prior to the completion of this offering, as of December 31, 2024, there would have been               shares of Class A common stock outstanding,               shares of Class B common stock outstanding and no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

Our outstanding capital stock was held by approximately              stockholders of record as of December 31, 2024. Our board of directors is authorized, without stockholder approval, except as required by the listing standards of the                    , to issue additional shares of our capital stock.

Common Stock

Upon the completion of this offering, we will have two classes of authorized common stock, Class A common stock and Class B common stock. Immediately prior to the completion of this offering, all outstanding shares of common stock will be reclassified into an equivalent number of shares of Class A common stock. An aggregate of        shares of Class A common stock held by          will subsequently be exchanged into an equivalent number of shares of Class B common stock in connection with the completion of this offering pursuant to the terms of an exchange agreement entered into with us. In addition, any options to purchase shares of our capital stock outstanding prior to the completion of this offering will become eligible to be settled in or exercisable for shares of our Class A common stock

Voting Rights

Holders of Class A common stock will be entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted upon by the stockholders. Holders of Class B common stock will be entitled to 10 votes per share on all matters to be voted upon by the stockholders. The holders of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock will generally vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders (including the election of directors), unless otherwise required by Delaware law or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Delaware law 47 could require either holders of our Class A common stock or Class B common stock to vote separately as a single class in the following circumstances:

  • if we were to seek to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to increase or decrease the par value of a class of our capital stock, then that class would be required to vote separately to approve the proposed amendment; and

if we were to seek to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation in a manner that alters or changes the powers, preferences or special rights of a class of our capital stock in a manner that affected its holders adversely, then that class would be required to vote separately to approve the proposed amendment; provided that if the amendment adversely affects one or more series of the class but does not adversely affect

47

Notes

46 This sentence should be included if the bylaws allow for “blank check” preferred stock, which is preferred stock that can be authorized by the board of directors without further stockholder action. This is used by companies to simplify the process of creating new classes of preferred stock to raise additional capital without obtaining shareholder approval and could also be used as a takeover defense in the event of a hostile bid for the company.

47 Discussion of Delaware law-related disclosure is included for illustrative purposes and should be reviewed to reflect the latest developments in Delaware law.

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  • all of the series of the class, then the only holders of the series that are adversely affected, voting together as a class, would be required to separately approve the amendment.

Immediately following the completion of this offering, all outstanding shares of our Class B common stock will be beneficially owned by our founder,                             , who will collectively represent approximately             % of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares, and will have the ability to control the outcome of matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, including the election of our directors and the approval of any change in control transaction. Accordingly, our founder will, for the foreseeable future, have significant influence over our corporate management and affairs. This concentrated control will limit the ability of holders of our Class A common stock to influence corporate matters for the foreseeable future.

Under Delaware law, holders of our Class A common stock or Class B common stock would be entitled to vote as a separate class if a proposed amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation would increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of such class, increase or decrease the par value of the shares of such class, or alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the shares of such class so as to affect them adversely. As a result, in these limited instances, the holders of a majority of the Class A common stock could defeat any amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. For example, if a proposed amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provided for the Class A common stock to rank junior to the Class B common stock with respect to (1) any dividend or distribution, (2) the distribution of proceeds were we to be acquired or (3) any other right, Delaware law would require the vote of the Class A common stock as a separate class. In this instance, the holders of a majority of Class A common stock could defeat that amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that will be in effect upon the completion of this offering will not provide for cumulative voting for the election of directors.

Economic Rights

Except as otherwise expressly provided in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that will be in effect upon the completion of this offering or as required by applicable law, all shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock will have the same rights and privileges and rank equally, share ratably, and be identical in all respects for all matters, including those described below.

Dividends and Distributions. Subject to preferences that may apply to any shares of convertible preferred stock outstanding at the time, the holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock will be entitled to share equally, identically and ratably, on a per share basis, with respect to any dividend or distribution of cash or property paid or distributed by us, unless different treatment of the shares of the affected class is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each class, voting separately as a class. See the section titled “Dividend Policy” for additional information.

 Liquidation Rights. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock would be entitled to share equally, identically and ratably in all assets remaining after the payment of any liabilities, liquidation preferences and accrued or declared but unpaid dividends, if any, with respect to any outstanding convertible preferred stock, unless a different treatment is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each class, voting separately as a class.

Change of Control Transactions. The holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock will be treated equally and identically with respect to shares of Class A common stock or Class B common stock owned by them, unless different treatment of the shares of each class is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each class, voting separately as a class, on (a) the completion of the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets, (b) the consummation of a merger, reorganization, consolidation or share transfer which results in our voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction (or the voting securities issued with respect to our voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction) representing less than a majority of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the company or the surviving or acquiring entity, or (c) the completion of the transfer (whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise), in one transaction or a series of related transactions, to a person or group of affiliated persons of securities of the company if, after closing, the transferee person or group would hold 50% or more of the outstanding voting power of the company (or the surviving or acquiring entity). However, consideration to be paid or received by a holder of common stock in connection with any such assets sale, merger, reorganization, consolidation or share transfer under any employment, consulting, severance or other arrangement will be disregarded for the purposes of determining whether holders of common stock are treated equally and identically.

Subdivisions and Combinations

If we subdivide or combine in any manner outstanding shares of Class A common stock or Class B common stock, the outstanding shares of the other classes will be subdivided or combined in the same proportion and manner.

48

Notes

No additional comments

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No Preemptive or Similar Rights

Our Class A common stock and Class B common stock are not entitled to preemptive rights, and are not subject to conversion, redemption or sinking fund provisions, except for the conversion provisions with respect to the Class B common stock described below.

Conversion

Each share of Class B common stock is convertible at any time at the option of the holder into one share of Class A common stock. After the completion of this offering, on any transfer of shares of Class B common stock, whether or not for value, each such transferred share will automatically convert into one share of Class A common stock, except for certain transfers summarized below and further described in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that will be in effect upon the completion of this offering, so long as the transferring holder continues to hold sole voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares transferred. Additionally, any holder’s shares of Class B common stock will convert automatically into shares of Class A common stock, on a one-to-one basis, upon the following: (1) the death of a Class B common stockholder who is a natural person, (2) the last trading day of the fiscal quarter immediately following the fifth anniversary of this offering, (3) the date specified by affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock and (4) the last trading day of the fiscal quarter during which the then outstanding shares of Class B common stock first represent less than 10% of the aggregate number of shares of the then outstanding Class A common stock and Class B common stock. Once transferred and converted into Class A common stock, the Class B common stock may not be reissued.48

Fully Paid and Non-Assessable

All of the outstanding shares of our common stock are, and the shares of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock to be issued pursuant to this offering will be, fully paid and non-assessable.

Preferred Stock

As of December 31, 2024, there were               shares of our redeemable convertible preferred stock outstanding. Immediately prior to the completion of this offering, each outstanding share of our redeemable convertible preferred stock will convert into one share of our common stock.

Pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that will be in effect upon the completion of this offering, our board of directors may, subject to limitations prescribed by Delaware law, without vote or further action by our stockholders, fix the rights, preferences, privileges, and restrictions of up to an aggregate of              shares of our preferred stock in one or more series and authorize their issuance. These rights, preferences and privileges could include dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences and the number of shares constituting any series or the designation of such series, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of our Class A common stock or Class B common stock. Any issuance of our preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, adversely affect the voting power of holders of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock, and the likelihood that such holders would receive dividend payments and payments on liquidation, which might adversely affect the market price of our Class A common stock. In addition, the issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control or other corporate action.49 On the completion of this offering, no shares of preferred stock will be outstanding. We have no current plan to issue any shares of preferred stock.

Options

As of December 31, 2024, there were options to purchase an aggregate of               shares of common stock, with a weighted-average exercise price of $           per share. For more information regarding the terms of our equity incentive plans, see section titled “Executive Compensation.”

Series B Warrants

As of December 31, 2024, there were warrants to purchase an aggregate of              shares of our Series B convertible preferred stock, with an exercise price of $         per share. If not exercised prior to the completion of this offering, these warrants will be automatically converted into warrants for Class A common stock upon the completion of this offering.

Registration Rights50

Stockholder Registration Rights

We are party to an investor rights agreement that provides that certain holders of our redeemable convertible preferred stock, including certain holders of at least 5% of our capital stock and entities affiliated with certain of our directors, have certain registration rights, as set forth below. In addition, certain holders of our redeemable convertible preferred stock have

49

Notes

48 If the dual-class structure of common stock has the effect of concentrating voting control with a specific group of stockholders, such as the founder or certain executive officers, this should be described in this section, and the related risks should be further described in the “Risk Factors” section.

49 See the note above regarding “blank check” preferred stock.

50 The disclosure in these subsections should track the rights in the respective underlying agreements.

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registration rights under the purchase agreement under which they originally purchased their redeemable convertible preferred stock. The registration of shares of our common stock by the exercise of registration rights described below would enable the holders to sell these shares without restriction under the Securities Act when the applicable registration statement was declared effective. We will pay the registration expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, of the shares registered by the demand, piggyback and Form S-3 registrations described below.

Generally, in an underwritten offering, the managing underwriter, if any, has the right, subject to specified conditions, to limit the number of shares such holders may include. The demand, piggyback and Form S-3 registration rights described below will expire five years after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or with respect to any particular stockholder, at such time after the effective date of the registration statement that such stockholder can sell all of its shares under Rule 144 of the Securities Act during any three-month period, provided that such stockholder holds less than one percent of our outstanding capital stock.

Demand Registration Rights

The holders of an aggregate of                shares of our common stock and holders of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Notes will be entitled to certain demand registration rights. At any time beginning six months after the completion of this offering, certain holders of these shares may request that we register all or a portion of their registrable shares. Such request for registration must cover securities the anticipated aggregate offering price of which, after payment of underwriting discounts and commissions, would equal or exceed $          million.

Piggyback Registration Rights

In connection with this offering, the holders of an aggregate of                shares of our common stock and holders of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Notes were entitled to, and the necessary percentage of holders waived, their rights to notice of this offering and to include their shares of registrable securities in this offering. After this offering, in the event that we propose to register any of our securities under the Securities Act, either for our own account or for the account of other security holders, the holders of an aggregate of               shares of our common stock will be entitled to certain piggyback registration rights allowing such holders to include their shares in such registration, subject to certain marketing and other limitations. As a result, whenever we propose to file a registration statement under the Securities Act, subject to certain exceptions, the holders of these shares are entitled to notice of the registration and have the right to include their shares in the registration, subject to limitations that the underwriters may impose on the number of shares included in the offering.

Form S-3 Registration Rights

The holders of an aggregate of               shares of common stock and holders of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Notes will be entitled to certain Form S-3 registration rights. The holders of these shares can make a request that we register their shares on Form S-3 if we are qualified to file a registration statement on Form S-3 and if the reasonably anticipated aggregate gross proceeds of the shares offered would equal or exceed $         million. We will not be required to effect more than two registrations on Form S-3 within any 12-month period.

Anti-Takeover Provisions

Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws to Be in Effect on the Completion of This Offering51

Because our stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights, stockholders holding a majority of the voting power of our shares of common stock will be able to elect all of our directors. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws that will be effective upon the completion of this offering will provide for stockholder actions only at a duly called meeting of stockholders. A special meeting of stockholders may be called by a majority of our board of directors, the chair of our board of directors, or our Chief Executive Officer. Our amended and restated bylaws will establish an advance notice procedure for stockholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting of our stockholders, including proposed nominations of persons for election to our board of directors.

The foregoing provisions will make it more difficult for another party to obtain control of us by replacing our board of directors. Since our board of directors has the power to retain and discharge our officers, these provisions could also make it more difficult for existing stockholders or another party to effect a change in management. In addition, the authorization of undesignated preferred stock makes it possible for our board of directors to issue preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to change our control.52

These provisions are intended to facilitate our continued product innovation and the risk-taking that it requires, permit us to continue to prioritize our long-term goals rather than short-term results, enhance the likelihood of continued stability in the composition of our board of directors and its policies, and to discourage certain types of transactions that may involve an actual or threatened acquisition of our company. These provisions are also designed to reduce our vulnerability to an unsolicited

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Notes

51 Once the drafts of the post-IPO charter and bylaws are final, these subsections should be reviewed against final versions of these documents for accuracy.

52 See the note above regarding “blank check” preferred stock.

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acquisition proposal and to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights. However, such provisions could have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers for our shares and may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in our control or management. As a consequence, these provisions may also inhibit fluctuations in the market price of our stock that could result from actual or rumored takeover attempts.

Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law53

When we have a class of voting stock that is either listed on a national securities exchange or held of record by more than 2,000 stockholders, we will be subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years after the date that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, with the following exceptions:

  • before such date, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;
  • upon completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction began, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned (i) by persons who are directors and also officers and (ii) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or
  • on or after such date, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 6623% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

In general, Section 203 defines a “business combination” to include the following:

  • any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;
  • any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation involving the interested stockholder;
  • subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder;
  • any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock or any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or
  • the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits by or through the corporation.

In general, Section 203 defines an “interested stockholder” as an entity or person who, together with the person’s affiliates and associates, beneficially owns, or within three years prior to the time of determination of interested stockholder status did own, 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation.

A Delaware corporation may “opt out” of these provisions with an express provision in its original certificate of incorporation or an express provision in its amended and restated certificate of incorporation or amended and restated bylaws resulting from a stockholders’ amendment approved by at least a majority of the outstanding voting shares. We have not opted out of these provisions. As a result, mergers or other takeover or change in control attempts of us may be discouraged or prevented.

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Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for: (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; (ii) any action asserting a breach of fiduciary duty owed by any of our current or former directors, officers, or other employees to us or our stockholders; (iii) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our current or former directors, officers or other employees arising under the Delaware General Corporation Law, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our amended and restated bylaws; (iv) any action or proceeding to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our amended and restated bylaws (including any right, obligation, or remedy thereunder);  (v) any action or proceeding as to which the Delaware General Corporation Law confers jurisdiction to the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware; or (vi) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our current or former directors, officers or other employees that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in all cases to the fullest extent permitted by law and subject to the court’s having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants.

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Notes

53 When drafting this subsection, it is advisable to check for any recent developments in Delaware law and any amendments to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

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Choice of forum

The “Choice of Forum” subsection often draws comments from SEC staff. For example, when drafting this subsection and the related risk factors, make sure to include disclosure that Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for state and federal courts over all actions brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. See the second paragraph of this “Choice of Forum” subsection for an example of such disclosure.

The provision would not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Exchange Act. Furthermore, Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all such Securities Act actions. Accordingly, both state and federal courts have jurisdiction to entertain such claims. To prevent having to litigate claims in multiple jurisdictions and the threat of inconsistent or contrary rulings by different courts, among other considerations, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will also provide that unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act, including all causes of action asserted against any defendant named in such complaint. For the avoidance of doubt, this provision is intended to benefit and may be enforced by us, our officers and directors, the underwriters to any offering giving rise to such complaint, and any other professional entity whose profession gives authority to a statement made by that person or entity and who has prepared or certified any part of the documents underlying the offering.

While the Delaware courts have determined that such choice of forum provisions are facially valid, a stockholder may nevertheless seek to bring a claim in a venue other than those designated in the exclusive forum provisions. In such instance, we would expect to vigorously assert the validity and enforceability of the exclusive forum provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. This may require significant additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions and there can be no assurance that the provisions will be enforced by a court in those other jurisdictions.

This exclusive forum provision may result in increased costs to stockholders to bring a claim. Further, this exclusive forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers, or other employees, which may discourage lawsuits against us and our directors, officers and other employees. If a court were to find either exclusive-forum provision in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur further significant additional costs associated with resolving the dispute in other jurisdictions, all of which could seriously harm our business.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will further provide that the federal district courts of the United States will be the exclusive forum for resolving any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act, subject to and contingent upon a final adjudication in the State of Delaware of the enforceability of such exclusive forum provision.

Limitations of Liability and Indemnification

See the section titled “Executive Compensation—Limitations of Liability and Indemnification Matters.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our Class A common stock and Class B common stock will be Super Stock Transfer & Trust Company. The transfer agent and registrar’s address is 123 Dewack Street, USA.

[NYSE/Nasdaq] ListingJump to Cooley Color

Our Class A common stock is currently not listed on any securities exchange. We have applied to have our Class A common stock approved for listing on  [the NYSE/Nasdaq] under the trading symbol “SUZE.”  However, no assurance can be given that our listing application will be approved. If our listing application is not approved by                        , we will not be able to consummate this offering.

52

Notes

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Nasdaq versus NYSE

The stock exchange (Nasdaq or NYSE) on which the company’s stock will be listed does not need to be selected prior to the initial confidential submission of the S-1, and it is a good idea to speak with both major stock exchanges about options. Nasdaq and NYSE each maintain their own listing and corporate governance requirements. Companies should work with their legal advisers to understand the differences between the two major stock exchanges and decide where it wants to list its stock as part of the IPO process, as this decision can impact a company’s visibility, governance decisions and ability to raise capital. Outside counsel can also help prepare the listing application with the selected exchange. Well in advance of the IPO, a company should reserve (confidentially) one or more potential ticker symbols. See this comparison of the NYSE’s and Nasdaq’s corporate governance listing standards and listing requirements.

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