SWEETNAM JAMES E 4

What Happened

• James E. Sweetnam, a non‑employee director of Aspen Aerogels (ASPN), received equity awards on May 13, 2026: 10,370 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) and an award of options/derivative instruments covering 8,706 shares. Both awards were granted at $0.00 (typical for equity compensation grants) and were reported on a Form 4 filed May 14, 2026. These are grants (award/acquisition), not open‑market purchases or sales.

Key Details

• Transaction date: May 13, 2026; Form 4 filed: May 14, 2026.
• Grants reported: 10,370 RSUs (each RSU = right to one share upon vesting) and 8,706 derivative/options (underlying shares).
• Price: $0.00 per share reported (standard for compensatory grants).
• Shares owned after transaction: reported to represent 25,951 shares of Common Stock and 10,370 RSUs (per footnote F2).
• Vesting: Both RSUs and options vest on the earlier of (a) May 13, 2027, or (b) the day prior to the issuer’s 2027 annual meeting of stockholders (footnotes F1 and F3).
• Filing timeliness: Reported the next day (not indicated as late).
• Exhibit noted: Exhibit 24.1 (Power of Attorney).

Context

• RSUs are a promise to deliver shares upon vesting (no immediate shares issued until vest date). The options/derivative award are not exercised here; they are grants that will vest in the future and give the holder the right to buy/share depending on plan terms. Such director equity grants are routine compensation for non‑employee directors and do not in themselves indicate buying or selling sentiment.