2025 Definitive Proxy Statement (DEF 14A)

✓ Filing Accepted by SEC
Filing Date April 12, 2025
SEC Accession No. 0001193125-25-084721
Record Date March 15, 2025
Filing Type DEFM 14A (Definitive)

This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Aevum Zenth Conglomerate for use at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. It is intended to be delivered to stockholders of record as of March 15, 2025.

Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Virtual Meeting Only: The 2025 Annual Meeting will be held exclusively in a virtual format via live webcast to ensure global accessibility and alignment with our sustainability initiatives.

Date & TimeThursday, June 19, 2025 at 10:00 AM Central Time
Meeting Platformwww.meeting.vision/aevumzenth2025
16-Digit Control NumberRequired for login (see proxy card or voting instruction form)
Audio Dial-In+1-888-377-0025 (North America)
+44-203-016-3470 (International)

Proposal 1: Election of Directors

The Board of Directors currently consists of nine members, seven of whom are independent under applicable NASDAQ rules and the Company's independence standards. Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the meeting.

Name & Principal Occupation Age Since Independent Committee Memberships
Elias Vance, Chairman & CEO, Aevum Zenth542018Executive Committee
Dr. Amara Osei, Chair, Independent612015Compensation (Chair), Governance
Marcus Chen, Independent582017Audit (Chair), Risk
Dr. Elena Rostova, Independent562019Science & Technology, Compensation
James Whitfield, Independent632016Audit, Nominating & Governance (Chair)
Priya Desai, Independent492021ESG & Sustainability (Chair), Risk
Robert Hayes, Independent592020Compensation, Nominating & Governance
Sofia Martinez, Independent522022Audit, Science & Technology (Chair)
Dr. Kenji Sato, Independent572023ESG & Sustainability, Risk

Board Recommendation: FOR each of the nine nominees.

Proposal 2: Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

Stockholders are asked to vote on a non-binding resolution to approve the compensation of the Company's named executive officers (NEOs) as disclosed in this proxy statement and the accompanying Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.

Summary Compensation Table (Fiscal Year 2024)

Name & Principal Position Year Salary Bonus Stock Awards Option Awards All Other Comp. Total
Elias Vance, CEO2024$1,850,000$4,200,000$18,500,000$6,200,000$420,000$31,170,000
Maria Lin, CFO2024$1,200,000$2,100,000$9,800,000$3,100,000$210,000$16,410,000
Daniel Cross, COO2024$1,150,000$1,950,000$8,400,000$2,800,000$195,000$14,495,000
Dr. Alisha Patel, Chief Science Officer2024$1,100,000$1,800,000$7,900,000$2,600,000$180,000$13,580,000
Thomas Wright, Chief Legal Officer2024$1,050,000$1,650,000$7,200,000$2,400,000$165,000$12,465,000

Board Recommendation: FOR the advisory approval of executive compensation.

Proposal 3: Shareholder Proposal on Climate Disclosures

Stockholder GreenField Partners LP (owner of over 2% of outstanding shares) has submitted a proposal requesting that the Company prepare and publicly disclose an annual report assessing the Company's direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions, and align such reporting with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

Board Recommendation: AGAINST
The Board believes the Company already exceeds TCFD recommendations through our voluntary ESG reporting framework, integrated sustainability metrics in our annual 10-K, and direct oversight by the Board's ESG & Sustainability Committee. A duplicative report would impose unnecessary costs without providing material incremental value to stockholders.

Voting Procedures & Deadlines

Your vote is important. Regardless of whether you plan to attend the virtual meeting, please vote as soon as possible.

  • Record Date: March 15, 2025. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on this date are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting.
  • Voting Methods: Internet, Telephone, Mail, or in-person via virtual meeting.
  • Deadline: Proxies must be submitted by 11:59 PM ET on June 18, 2025.
  • Quorum: The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote is required to constitute a quorum.

Broker Non-Votes: Proposal 1 (Director Elections) and Proposal 2 (Advisory Compensation) are considered "routine" matters. Proposal 3 (Shareholder Proposal) is "non-routine" and requires stockholder authorization for brokers to vote on their behalf.

Additional Disclosures

Indebtedness of Management & Certain Control Persons

None of the directors, executive officers, or nominees for election as a director is indebted to the Company, except for standard unsecured lines of credit offered to all executive officers under the Company's employee benefit program, subject to applicable insider trading restrictions.

Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires directors, executive officers, and beneficial owners of more than 10% of registered classes of equity securities to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC and NASDAQ. To the Company's knowledge, all reporting obligations applicable to its directors and executive officers for fiscal year 2024 were filed on a timely basis.

Code of Ethics & Corporate Governance Guidelines

The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct & Ethics applicable to all employees, directors, and executive officers, including the CEO and CFO. Amendments or waivers to the Code will be disclosed on the Company's Investor Relations website in accordance with SEC and NASDAQ rules.