Document

DEFM14A 1 yten-2024xdefinitivespecia.htm DEFM14A Document

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )


Filed by the Registrant ý
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
o						Preliminary Proxy Statement
o						Confidential, for Use of the Commission (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
ý						Definitive Proxy Statement
o						Definitive Additional Materials
o						Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

Yield10 Bioscience, Inc.

(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 all boxes that apply):

No fee required.

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

October 15, 2024

Dear Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting (the “Special Meeting”) of stockholders of Yield10 Bioscience, Inc. (the “Company”), to be held at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on November 8, 2024, in virtual-only format.

We will hold the Special Meeting virtually via live audio webcast on the Internet. We believe hosting a virtual meeting enables greater stockholder attendance and participation from any location around the world, improves meeting efficiency and our ability to communicate effectively with our stockholders, and reduces the cost and environmental impact of the Special Meeting. You will be able to attend the Special Meeting, vote and submit your questions during the meeting by pre-registering at : https://web.viewproxy.com/yten/2024. You will not be able to attend the Special Meeting in person.

Details regarding the Special Meeting, the business to be conducted at the Special Meeting, and information about the Company that you should consider when you vote your shares are described in this proxy statement. You may obtain additional information about the Company from documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

At the Special Meeting, you will be asked (i) to approve the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company; (ii) to approve the liquidation and dissolution of the Company, following completion of the asset sale; (iii) to approve a proposal to adjourn the Special Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary or appropriate, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies in the event that there are insufficient votes for, or otherwise in connection with, the approval of the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company and to approve the liquidation and dissolution of the Company; and (iv) to approve an amendment to the Company’s certificate of incorporation to decrease the number of authorized shares of common stock from 150,000,000 to 2,000,000. Such other business will be transacted as may properly come before the Special Meeting.

We hope you will be able to virtually attend the Special Meeting. Whether you plan to attend the Special Meeting or not, it is important that you cast your vote by proxy. You may vote over the Internet as well as by telephone or by mail. When you have finished reading the proxy statement, you are urged to vote in accordance with the instructions set forth in the proxy statement. We encourage you to vote by proxy so that your shares will be represented and voted at the meeting, whether or not you can attend. Your prompt cooperation will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your continued support of Yield10 Bioscience, Inc.



						Sincerely,

						OLIVER P. PEOPLES President and Chief Executive Officer, and a Member of the Board of Directors

YIELD10 BIOSCIENCE, INC.

19 Presidential Way

Woburn, Massachusetts 01801

(617) 583-1700

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 8, 2024

The Special Meeting of Stockholders of Yield10 Bioscience, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Yield10" or the "Company") will be held on November 8, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, in a virtual format, for the following purposes:

1.To consider and vote on a proposal to sell substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the “Asset Sale”, pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement dated October 1, 2024, or (the "Asset Purchase Agreement"), by and between the Company and Nuseed Nutritional US Inc. ("Nuseed"). This proposal is referred to as the Asset Sale Proposal (“Proposal 1”);

2.To approve the liquidation and dissolution of the Company (the "Dissolution"), pursuant to the Plan of Complete Liquidation and Dissolution (the "Plan of Dissolution"), which, if approved, will authorize the Company to liquidate and dissolve the Company following the completion of the Asset Sale to Nuseed in accordance with the Plan of Dissolution. This proposal is referred to as the Dissolution Proposal (“Proposal 2”);

3.To grant discretionary authority to our Board of Directors to adjourn the Special Meeting, even if a quorum is present, to solicit additional proxies in the event that there are insufficient shares present virtually or represented by proxy voting in favor of either the Asset Sale Proposal or the Dissolution Proposal. This proposal is referred to as the Adjournment Proposal (Proposal 3”); and

4.To amend our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to decrease from 150,000,000 shares to 2,000,000 shares the aggregate number of shares of our common stock that are authorized to be issued ("Proposal 4").

WHO MAY VOTE:

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on October 3, 2024, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement thereof.

VIRTUAL MEETING:

The Special Meeting will be a virtual meeting via live audio webcast on the Internet. Stockholders who wish to attend the Special Meeting must pre-register at : https://web.viewproxy.com/yten/2024 by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on November 4, 2024. You will receive an event passcode to attend the meeting, and a virtual control number to vote if proper documentation is provided. The live audio webcast of the Special Meeting can be accessed by stockholders on the day of the meeting by clicking on the link you have received in your e-mail confirmations. You will not be able to attend the Special Meeting in person.

We believe hosting a virtual meeting enables greater stockholder attendance and participation from any location around the world, improves meeting efficiency and our ability to communicate effectively with our stockholders. It also reduces the cost and environmental impact of the Special Meeting. Both stockholders of record and street name stockholders will be able to attend the Special Meeting via live audio webcast, submit their questions during the meeting and vote their shares electronically at the Special Meeting.

There will be technicians ready to assist you with any technical difficulties you may have with accessing the Special Meeting live audio webcast. Please be sure to check in by 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time, on November 8, 2024 (at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting is recommended) the day of the meeting, so that any technical difficulties may be addressed before the Special Meeting live audio webcast begins. If you encounter any difficulties accessing the webcast during the check-in or meeting time, please email virtualmeeting@viewproxy.com or call 866-612-8937.

All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Special Meeting. Whether you plan to virtually attend the Special Meeting or not, we urge you to vote and submit your proxy by the Internet, telephone or mail in order to ensure the presence of a quorum. You may change or revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at the Special Meeting.

Woburn, Massachusetts

October 15, 2024


						BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

						LYNNE H. BRUM
						Secretary

TABLE OF CONTENTS


			PAGE
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING.............................			1
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			7
SUMMARY TERM SHEET			7
RISK FACTORS............................................................................................................................................			8
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT..................			13
PROPOSAL NO. 1........................................................................................................................................			15
PROPOSAL NO. 2.........................................................................................................................................			31
PROPOSAL NO. 3.........................................................................................................................................			53
PROPOSAL NO. 4 ........................................................................................................................................			54
OTHER MATTERS.......................................................................................................................................			56
STOCKHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS.....................................................................................................			56

ANNEX A - ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT.......................................................................................			1
ANNEX B - PLAN OF COMPLETE LIQUIDATION AND DISSOLUTION............................................			1
ANNEX C - SECTIONS 275 THROUGH 283 OF THE DGCL..................................................................			1
ANNEX D - CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF YIELD10 BIOSCIENCE, INC.........................................................................			1
ANNEX E - PROXY CARD.........................................................................................................................			4

WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE SPECIAL MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE, AND MAIL PROMPTLY THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD WHICH IS BEING SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SO THAT YOUR SHARES WILL BE REPRESENTED AT THE SPECIAL MEETING. A RETURN ENVELOPE, WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES, IS ENCLOSED FOR THAT PURPOSE. YOU NEED TO VOTE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS LISTED ON THE PROXY CARD. IF SHARES ARE HELD IN A BANK OR BROKERAGE ACCOUNT, YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE ELECTRONICALLY OR BY TELEPHONE. PLEASE REFER TO THE ENCLOSED VOTING INSTRUCTION FORM FOR INSTRUCTIONS.

YIELD10 BIOSCIENCE, INC.

19 Presidential Way

Woburn, Massachusetts 01801

PROXY STATEMENT FOR YIELD10 BIOSCIENCE, INC.

SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 8, 2024

This proxy statement, along with the accompanying Notice of the Special Meeting of Stockholders, contains information about the Special Meeting of Stockholders of Yield10 Bioscience, Inc., including any adjournments or postponements thereof (the “Special Meeting”). We are holding the Special Meeting at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, on November 8, 2024, in a virtual format. You may attend the Special Meeting by accessing the link provided in your email confirmation when you registered.

In this proxy statement, we refer to Yield10 Bioscience, Inc. as “Yield10,” “Yield10 Bioscience,” “the Company,” “we” and “us.”

This proxy statement relates to the solicitation of proxies by our Board of Directors for use at the Special Meeting.

On or about October 15, 2024, we intend to begin sending this proxy statement, the attached Notice of Special Meeting of Stockholders and the enclosed proxy card to all stockholders entitled to vote at the Special Meeting.

Proxies in the form enclosed with this proxy statement are solicited by the Board of Directors of Yield10, a Delaware corporation, for use at the Special Meeting to be held on November 8, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, or at any adjournments or postponements thereof in virtual-only format at : https://web.viewproxy.com/yten/2024.

The purpose of the Special Meeting is to ask stockholders to:

1.Approve a proposal to sell substantially all of the assets of the Company, (the “Asset Sale”), pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement dated October 1, 2024 (the "Asset Purchase Agreement"), by and between the Company and Nuseed Nutritional US Inc. ("Nuseed"). This proposal is referred to as the Asset Sale Proposal (“Proposal 1”);

2.Approve the liquidation and dissolution of the Company, (the "Dissolution"), pursuant to the Plan of Complete Liquidation and Dissolution, (the "Plan of Dissolution"), which, if approved, will authorize the Company to liquidate and dissolve the Company following the completion of the asset sale to Nuseed in accordance with the Plan of Dissolution. This proposal is referred to as the Dissolution Proposal (“Proposal 2”);

3.Grant discretionary authority to our Board of Directors to adjourn the Special Meeting, even if a quorum is present, to solicit additional proxies in the event that there are insufficient shares present virtually or represented by proxy voting in favor of either the Asset Sale Proposal or the Dissolution Proposal. This proposal is referred to as the Adjournment Proposal (“Proposal 3”); and

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on October 3, 2024 (the “Record Date”) will be entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting. As of the Record Date, 665,789 shares of common stock were issued, outstanding and entitled to vote.

VOTING AND OTHER INFORMATION

How Do I Attend the Special Meeting?

The Special Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only, with no physical in-person meeting. The Special Meeting will be held via live audio webcast on the Internet on November 8, 2024, starting at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. We have designed our virtual format to enhance, rather than constrain stockholder access, participation and communication. Stockholders may attend the Special Meeting by registering at : https://web.viewproxy.com/yten/2024. Stockholders may vote and submit questions while connected to the Special Meeting. You need not attend the Special Meeting in order to vote.

In order to attend the Special Meeting, you must register in advance at : https://web.viewproxy.com/yten/2024 prior to the deadline of November 5, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Upon completing your registration, you will receive further instructions via email, including your unique link that will allow you to access the Special Meeting, vote online during the Special Meeting and will permit you to submit questions during the Special Meeting. You will also be permitted to submit questions at the time of registration. You may ask questions that are confined to matters properly presented at the Special Meeting and of general Company concern. The live audio webcast of the Special Meeting can be accessed by stockholders on the day of the meeting at : https://web.viewproxy.com/yten/2024.

The Special Meeting will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. We encourage you to access the Special Meeting prior to the start time. Please be sure to check in by 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time, on November 8, 2024 (at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting is recommended) the day of the meeting, so that any technical difficulties may be addressed before the Special Meeting live audio webcast begins. We recommend that you carefully review the procedures needed to gain admission in advance. There will be technicians ready to assist you with any technical difficulties you may have with accessing the Special Meeting live audio webcast. If you encounter any difficulties accessing the webcast during the check-in or meeting time, please email virtualmeeting@viewproxy.com or call 866-612-8937.

Who May Vote?

The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share of common stock held on the Record Date on each proposal to be presented at the Special Meeting. Stockholders may vote during the live webcast, provided that they have registered at : https://web.viewproxy.com/yten/2024, or by proxy. Stockholders may vote by proxy by completing, signing, dating and returning the accompanying proxy card in the prepaid postage envelope enclosed for that purpose in accordance with the instructions listed on the proxy card. Execution of a proxy will not in any way affect a stockholder’s right to attend the Special Meeting and vote during the live webcast.

Any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by the person giving it any time before the taking of the vote at the Special Meeting. Proxies may be revoked by (1) filing with the Secretary of Yield10, before the taking of the vote at the Special Meeting, a written notice of revocation bearing a later date than the proxy, (2) duly executing a later-dated proxy relating to the same shares and delivering it to the Secretary of Yield10, in accordance with the instructions listed on the proxy card, before the taking of the vote at the Special Meeting, (3) if shares are held in a bank or brokerage account and if eligible, by transmitting a subsequent vote over the Internet or by telephone, or (4) attending the Special Meeting and voting during the live webcast, provided that you have registered at : https://web.viewproxy.com/yten/2024, after which you will receive further instructions via email, including your unique link that will allow you access to the special meeting and to submit questions during the special meeting (although attendance at the Special Meeting will not in and of itself constitute a revocation of a proxy). Any written notice of revocation or subsequent proxy should be sent to Yield10 Bioscience, Inc., 19 Presidential Way, Woburn, MA 01801, Attention: Secretary, so as to be delivered before the taking of the vote at the Special Meeting.

Telephone and Internet voting facilities for stockholders of record will be available 24 hours a day and will close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 4, 2024.

If your shares are registered in your name with our transfer agent, Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, or if you have stock certificates, they will not be counted if you do not vote as described above. If your shares are held by a broker on your behalf (that is, in “street name”), you may be required to present an account statement or letter from your bank or brokerage firm showing that you are the beneficial owner of the shares as of the Record Date in order to be admitted to the Special Meeting. To be able to vote your shares held in street name at the Special Meeting, you will need to obtain a proxy from the holder of record.

The persons named as attorneys-in-fact in the proxies, Oliver P. Peoples and Charles B. Haaser, were selected by the Board of Directors and are officers of the Company. All properly executed proxies returned in time to be counted at the Special Meeting will be voted by such persons at the Special Meeting as stated below. When a choice has been specified on the proxy with respect to a matter, the shares represented by the proxy will be voted in accordance with the specifications. If a proxy is submitted without giving voting instructions, such shares will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendation as noted below.

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” each of Proposal 1, Proposal 2, Proposal 3 and Proposal 4.

The representation in person or by proxy of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote at the Special Meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Abstentions are counted as present or represented for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the Special Meeting and will have no effect with respect to the voting results for Proposal 3 and Proposal 4. Abstentions will count as votes against Proposal 1 and Proposal 2.

Under applicable exchange rules, brokers, banks and other securities intermediaries may use their discretion to vote your “uninstructed” shares with respect to matters considered to be “routine.” Proposals 3 and 4 are considered to be “routine” matters under such rules, meaning that if you do not return voting instructions to your broker, bank or other agent by its deadline, your shares may be voted by your broker, bank or other agent in its discretion on Proposal 3 or Proposal 4. As such, if your shares are held in street name, and you do not instruct the broker as to how to vote your shares on Proposal 3 or Proposal 4, the broker will have discretion to vote for or against either or both proposals. If a broker chooses not to exercise such discretion, this would result in a broker “non-vote”, although we do not anticipate any broker non-votes, and such broker non-votes will have no effect on the results of either Proposal. Please vote your proxy so your vote can be counted.

What are the costs of soliciting these proxies?

We will pay all of the costs of soliciting these proxies. In addition, our directors and employees may solicit proxies in person or by telephone or email. We will pay these employees and directors no additional compensation for these services. We will ask banks, brokers and other institutions, nominees and fiduciaries to forward these proxy materials to their principals and to obtain authority to execute proxies. We will then reimburse them for their expenses. Yield10 has also retained Alliance Advisors to act as proxy solicitor for a fee of $15,000 plus expenses.

Vote Required

Proposal 1: Asset Sale. The affirmative vote of a majority of shares outstanding on this proposal is required to approve the Asset Sale. Abstentions and broker non-votes will count as votes against this proposal. Brokerage firms will not have authority to vote customers’ unvoted shares held by the firms in street name on this proposal.

Proposal 2. Dissolution of the Company. The affirmative vote of a majority of shares outstanding on this proposal is required to approve the Dissolution. Abstentions and broker non-votes will count as votes against this proposal. Brokerage firms will not have authority to vote customers' unvoted shares held by the firms in street name on this proposal.

Proposal 3. Adjournment of Special Meeting. The affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast affirmatively or negatively on this proposal is required to approve the adjournment of the Special Meeting. Abstentions will have no effect on the results of this vote. Brokerage firms will have authority to vote customers’ unvoted shares held by the firms in street name

on this proposal. If that authority is not exercised, any resulting broker non-vote will have no effect on the results of the vote for this proposal.

Proposal 4. To decrease the number of shares of authorized common stock. The affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast affirmatively or negatively on this proposal is required to approve the amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to decrease the number of shares of authorized common stock. Abstentions have no effect on the vote for this proposal. Brokerage firms will have authority to vote customers’ unvoted shares held by the firms in street name on this proposal. If that authority is not exercised, any resulting broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote for this proposal.

Where Can I Find the Voting Results of the Special Meeting?

The preliminary voting results will be announced at the Special Meeting, and we will publish preliminary, or final results if available, in a Current Report on Form 8-K within four business days of the Special Meeting. If final results are unavailable at the time we file the Form 8-K, then we will file an amended report on Form 8-K to disclose the final voting results within four business days after the final voting results are known.

When and Where is the Meeting?

The Special Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only, with no physical in-person meeting. The Special Meeting will be held via live audio webcast on the Internet on November 8, 2024, starting at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Stockholders may attend the Special Meeting by registering at : https://web.viewproxy.com/yten/2024.

What Matters Will Be Voted Upon at the Meeting?

There are four proposals to vote on.

Proposal 1: Asset Sale. If the Asset Sale is approved by the stockholders, the Company will sell substantially all of its operating assets, including fixed assets, customer lists, intellectual property and related tangible and intangible assets, on the terms and conditions set forth in the Asset Purchase Agreement.

Proposal 2. Dissolution of the Company. If dissolution is approved by stockholders, the Company will liquidate and dissolve the Company following the completion of the Asset Sale to Nuseed in accordance with the Plan of Dissolution.

Proposal 3. Adjournment of Special Meeting. The affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast affirmatively or negatively on this proposal is required to approve the adjournment of the Special Meeting. If, at the Special Meeting, the number of votes in favor of Proposal 1 and/or Proposal 2 is insufficient to approve the Asset Sale Proposal and/or the Dissolution Proposal, our management may move to adjourn the Special Meeting in order to enable our Board of Directors to continue to solicit additional proxies in favor of Proposals 1 and 2.

Proposal 4. To decrease the number of shares of authorized common stock. If a reduction in the number of shares of authorized common stock is approved by stockholders, the Company will amend its Certificate of Incorporation to decrease the number of shares of authorized $0.01 par value common stock from 150,000,000 shares to 2,000,000 shares. As a result of the Company's 1-for-24 reverse stock split effective as of May 2, 2024, there is a wide discrepancy between the number of shares of issued and outstanding common stock and the number of authorized shares of common stock. The high number of currently authorized shares of common stock results in a very high Delaware state franchise tax liability when compared to the Company's small capitalization.

What are the Reasons for the Asset Sale?

As part of the ongoing consideration and evaluation of Yield10’s long-term prospects and strategies, the Board of Directors frequently reviews, with the Company's management and outside advisors, strategic and financial alternatives for Yield10, considering developments in Yield10’s business, the sectors which it is targeting commercially, the economy generally and financial markets, with the goal of enhancing value for its stockholders. As part of this process, including during the last approximately 14 months, members of Yield10’s management have engaged in financing discussions with bankers, potential investors as well as business development and strategic transaction discussions with companies in a wide variety of

industries including energy, seed, grain processing, animal feed, chemical and pharmaceutical companies. The Board of Directors unanimously determined that the Asset Sale and the other transactions contemplated with Nuseed are fair to and in the best interests of Yield10 and its stockholders.

What Will the Company do After the Completion of the Asset Sale?

If dissolution is approved by stockholders, the Company will liquidate and dissolve the Company following the completion of the Asset Sale to Nuseed in accordance with the Plan of Dissolution.

How Will the Proceeds of the Asset Sale be Used by the Company?

Prior to the closing of the Asset Sale, the Company is utilizing its existing cash and cash acquired through its loan with Nuseed to pay outstanding creditors and to fund its operations as the Company winds down its business. The Company may, at any time, turn its management over to a third party to complete the liquidation of its remaining assets and to distribute the proceeds from the sale of assets to its stockholders pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution, including an assignment for the benefit of creditors.

Do I Have Dissenters' Rights?

No. Under the DGCL, our stockholders are not entitled to dissenters’ rights with respect to the Dissolution Proposal, and we will not independently provide stockholders with any such right.

Will the Asset Sale Affect My Shares of the Company's Common Stock or My Rights as a Shareholder?

No. The Asset Sale will not affect the outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock. You are not being asked to exchange your shares of the Company's Common Stock for any other shares or for cash or other property.

What are the Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Asset Sale?

We have not requested a ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS"), with respect to the anticipated tax consequences of the Asset Sale and Dissolution or any matters relating thereto, and we will not seek an opinion of counsel with respect to the anticipated tax consequences of the Asset Sale or any distributions. Tax considerations applicable to particular stockholders may vary with and be contingent upon the stockholder’s individual circumstances. You should consult your tax advisor as to the tax consequences of the Dissolution in your particular circumstances, including the applicability of any U.S. federal, state, and local and non-U.S. tax laws.

Who is Entitled to Vote?

Only shareholders of record at the close of business on October 3, 2024 are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Meeting. See "Voting and Other Information."

If My Broker Holds My Shares in "Street Name," Will My Broker Vote My Shares for Me?

Brokerage firms will not have authority to vote customers’ unvoted shares held by the firms in street name on Proposal 1 and Proposal 2. They will, however, have authority to vote customers' unvoted shares held in street name on Proposal 3 and Proposal 4.

May I Change My Vote After I Have Submitted My Proxy?

Yes. You may change or revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at the Special Meeting. Any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by the person giving it any time before the taking of the vote at the Special Meeting. Proxies may be revoked by (1) filing with the Secretary of Yield10, before the taking of the vote at the Special Meeting, a written notice of revocation bearing a later date than the proxy, (2) duly executing a later-dated proxy relating to the same shares and delivering it to the Secretary of Yield10, in accordance with the instructions listed on the proxy card, before the taking of the vote at the Special Meeting, (3) if shares are held in a bank or brokerage account and if eligible, by transmitting a subsequent vote over the Internet or by telephone, or (4) attending the Special Meeting and voting during the live webcast. Any

written notice of revocation or subsequent proxy should be sent to Yield10 Bioscience, Inc., 19 Presidential Way, Woburn, MA 01801, Attention: Secretary, so as to be delivered before the taking of the vote at the Special Meeting. See "Voting and Other Information."

What Shareholder Vote is Required to Approve the Asset Sale and Dissolution?

Approval of the Asset Sale and Dissolution requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company

Has the Board of Directors Recommended that I Vote for Approval of each of the Four Proposals?

Yes. Your Board of Directors believes that the 1) Asset Sale, 2) Dissolution, 3) Adjournment of the Special Meeting and 4) reduction in authorized shares of common stock is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, and recommends that shareholders vote for approval of Proposal 1, Proposal 2, Proposal 3 and Proposal 4.

What do I Need to do Now?

First, read this Proxy Statement carefully. Then you should, as soon as possible, submit your proxy by executing and returning the enclosed proxy card. Your shares represented by proxy will be voted in accordance with the instructions you specify on the proxy card.

Who Should I Call if I Have Questions?

If you have questions about the proposals, you may call Lynne H. Brum, Vice President - Planning and Communications, at 617-682-4693.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This proxy statement contains forward-looking statements which involve substantial risks and uncertainties and are based on Yield10’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to Yield10. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this proxy statement, including statements regarding the Asset Sale, the Dissolution and related matters, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “forecast,” “foresee,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “likely,” “goal,” “target,” “could,” “should,” “will,” or “would,” or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions.

Forward-looking statements are predictions based on expectations and projections about future events, are not statements of historical fact, are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements represent our current beliefs, estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this proxy statement and information contained in this proxy statement should not be relied upon as representing Yield10’s estimates as of any subsequent date. These statements, and related risks, uncertainties, factors and assumptions, include, but are not limited to:

•the ability of the parties to consummate the Asset Sale;

•satisfaction of closing conditions precedent to the consummation of the Asset Sale;

•potential delays in consummating the Asset Sale, or our ability to timely execute the Dissolution;

•our execution costs in connection with the Asset Sale and the Dissolution;

•the availability, timing and amount of liquidating distributions;

•the amounts that will need to be set aside by us;

•the adequacy of such reserves to satisfy our obligations;

•our ability to favorably resolve potential tax claims, litigation matters and other unresolved contingent liabilities;

•the amount of proceeds that might be realized from the sale or other disposition of any remaining assets;

•the application of, and any changes in, applicable tax laws, regulations, administrative practices, principles and interpretations;

•the incurrence by Yield10 of expenses relating to the Dissolution;

•our ability to retain employees, consultants and other resources to carry out the Dissolution; and

•the ability of our Board of Directors to abandon, modify or delay implementation of the Plan of Dissolution, even after stockholder approval.

In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this proxy statement. While we believe that information provides a reasonable basis for these statements, that information may be limited or incomplete. Our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain, and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely on these statements as predictions of future events.

SUMMARY TERM SHEET

The "Seller" under the Asset Purchase Agreement includes the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary Yield10 Oilseeds Inc. ("Oilseeds"). The Purchaser is Nuseed Nutritional US Inc. ("Nuseed"). All capitalized,

undefined terms used herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Asset Purchase Agreement, which is included in this proxy statement as Annex A.

The following is a summary of key terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement:

• Pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement, Seller will sell and assign substantially all of its operating assets Purchaser, and Purchaser shall assume certain liabilities relating to or arising out of the ownership, use, operations or maintenance of such assigned operating assets from and after the Closing.

•At closing, Seller will be paid total consideration of $5.00 million for its assets, less (i) the outstanding loan amounts received by the Seller through the date of closing and (ii) the aggregate amount of Seller's liabilities that are assumed by Purchaser before or in connection with the closing of the Asset Sale; such liabilities to be assumed were estimated to be approximately $0.05 million as of October 11, 2024. The terms of Seller's promissory note with Purchaser permits it to borrow up to $3.00 million with an interest rate of 7 percent per annum. Through October 11, 2024, the Seller has received loan amounts totaling $1.85 million under the promissory note and it will need to borrow more to fund operating expenses leading up to the closing of the Asset Sale.

•Until the Closing, Seller is prohibited from directly, or indirectly, engaging in any solicitation or similar activities, as set forth in the Asset Purchase Agreement (the "No-Shop"). During the No-Shop, Seller may, under certain limited circumstances, consider unsolicited, alternative transaction proposals from third parties that are Superior Proposals. The Company must give Purchaser an opportunity to revise its proposal so that nay other alternative transaction proposals are no longer Superior Proposals.

•If Seller terminates the Asset Purchase Agreement for an Adverse Recommendation Change following a Superior Proposal, Seller shall pay Purchaser a Break Fee in the amount of $120,000, including Purchaser's fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the evaluation, negotiation and attempted consummation of the transaction.

The summary of selected information from this proxy statement regarding the Asset Sale may not contain all of the information that is important to you. To understand the Asset Sale and Asset Purchase Agreement fully, we encourage you to read carefully this entire proxy statement, including, but not limited to, the Asset Purchase Agreement which is included in this proxy statement as Annex A.

RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the following risk factors, in addition to the other information contained in this proxy statement and the annexes attached to the proxy statement, including risks described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") referred to herein, when deciding whether to vote to approve the Asset Sale Proposal and the Dissolution Proposal. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties of which we are unaware, or that we currently believe are not material, may also become important factors. This proxy statement also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of factors that are described below and elsewhere in this proxy statement. See the section titled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” beginning on page 7 of this proxy statement.

The announcement and pendency of the Asset Sale and the Dissolution, whether or not consummated, may adversely affect our business.

The announcement and pendency of the Asset Sale and the Dissolution, whether or not consummated, may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock, our business or our relationships with our business partners, advisors and other third parties. In addition, pending the completion of the Asset Sale and the Dissolution, any of our employees, consultants or advisors may terminate their employment or engagement with us on short notice and the

SEC Form DEFM14A filed by Yield10 Bioscience Inc.