May ●, 2016
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting of stockholders of Global Digital Solutions, Inc., which will be held on ●, June ●, 2016, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at the Company’s headquarters located at777 South Flagler Drive, Suite 800 West, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
The enclosed notice of meeting provides detailed information regarding the business proposal to be voted on at the meeting. The proposal and the vote the Board of Directors recommends is:
A formal notice of the special meeting, form of proxy, a proxy statement containing information about the matter to be acted on at the special meeting follow this letter.
If you plan to attend the special meeting, you will need an admission card to enter the special meeting. If your shares are registered in your name, you are a stockholder of record. Your admission card is attached to your proxy card, and you will need to bring it with you to the special meeting. If your shares are in the name of your broker or bank, your shares are held in street name. Ask your broker or bank for an admission card in the form of a legal proxy to bring with you to the special meeting. If you do not receive the legal proxy in time, bring your brokerage statement with you to the special meeting so that we can verify your ownership of our stock on the record date and admit you to the special meeting. However, you will not be able to vote your shares at the special meeting without a legal proxy.
Your vote is important regardless of the number of shares you own. We encourage you to vote by proxy so that your shares will be represented and voted at the special meeting even if you cannot attend. All stockholders can vote by written proxy card. Many stockholders also can vote by proxy via a touch-tone telephone from the U.S. and Canada, using the toll-free number on your proxy card, or via the Internet using the instructions on your proxy card. In addition, stockholders may vote in person at the special meeting as described above.
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF GLOBAL DIGITAL SOLUTIONS, INC.:
Notice is hereby given that the special meeting of stockholders of Global Digital Solutions, Inc., a New Jersey corporation, or the Company, whose headquarters are located at 777 South Flagler Drive, Suite 800, West Palm Beach, FL 33401, will be held at 777 South Flagler Drive, Suite 800, West Palm Beach, FL on ●, June ●, 2016, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, for the following purpose:
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on April 25, 2016 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive notice of the special meeting and vote, or exercise voting rights through a voting trust, as the case may be, at the special meeting and any adjournments or postponements of the special meeting.
The ability to have your vote counted at the meeting is an important stockholder right. Your vote is important regardless of the number of shares you own. We encourage you to vote by proxy so that your shares will be represented and voted at the special meeting even if you cannot attend. All stockholders can vote by written proxy card. Many stockholders also can vote by proxy via a touch-tone telephone from the U.S. and Canada, using the toll-free number on your proxy card, or via the Internet using the instructions on your proxy card. In addition, stockholders may vote in person at the special meeting as described above.
| By Order of the Board of Directors, | |
/s/ | |
West Palm Beach, FloridaMay ●, 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| William Delgado | ||||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||||
Global Digital Solutions, Inc.
A quorum obtained. A nominee will be elected to the Board if the votes cast “for” the nominee’s election exceed the votes cast “against” the nominee’s election, with abstentions and “broker non-votes” counting as votes “against” the nominee. If the shares you own are held in “street name” by a brokerage firm, your brokerage firm, as the record holder of your shares, is required to vote your shares according to your instructions. The affirmative vote of a majority of the proposals?South Flagler Drive, SuiteSOUTH FLAGLER DRIVE, SUITE 800, West Palm BeachFloridaWEST TOWERTHE SPECIAL2019 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSJUNE ●, 2016Thea New Jersey corporation (the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”), whose principal executive office is located at 777 South Flagler Drive, Suite 800, West Palm Beach 33401, furnishes you with this proxy statement to solicit proxies on its behalf to be voted at the special meetingshareholder of stockholders (“special meeting”). The special meeting will be held at the Company’s headquarters located at 777 South Flagler Drive, Suite 800, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401, on ●, June ●, 2016, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, subject to adjournment or postponement thereof. The proxies also may be voted at any adjournments or postponements of the special meeting. This proxy statement and the accompanying form of proxy are being mailed to stockholders on or about May ●, 2016.VOTING AND REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES Record Date and Share OwnershipOwners of record of shares of our common stock at the close of business on April 25, 2016December 13, 2018. This date is the Record Date for the Annual Meeting. Shareholders of record who own our voting securities at the close of business on December 13, 2018, are entitled to vote on each proposal at the Annual Meeting.special meeting or adjournments or postponements thereof. Each owner2019 Annual Meeting?of our common stock on April 25, 2016 is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock so held.As ofat the close of business on April 25, 2016, there were 530,931,571 sharesDecember 13, 2018, which we refer to herein as the Record Date, will be entitled to notice of common stock outstandingthe Annual Meeting and entitled to vote at the special meeting (all suchAnnual Meeting. Our voting stock is comprised of our common stock, of which five hundred sixty-six million five hundred eighty-four thousand nine hundred five (566,584,905) shares were issued and outstanding as of the record date being referredRecord Date and our Preferred Shares of one million (1,000,000) shares constituting a voting block of 33.2 to herein1 or the common share equivalent of 332,012,222.“shares”discretion to vote your shares on any additional matters properly presented for a vote at the Meeting or with respect to any amendments or variations to the proposals described in this Proxy Statement.all holders thereof being referredVotes Requiredas our “stockholders”). A majority ofbe conducted at the sharesmeeting, a quorum must be present in person or represented by valid proxies. If you sign and return your proxy card, your shares will be counted to conduct business at the special meeting.We will make availabledetermine whether we have a list of holders of record of our common stock asquorum, even if you abstain or fail to vote on any of the close of business on April 25, 2016 for inspection during normal business hours at our offices, 777 South Flagler Drive, Suite 800, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401, for ten business days prior to the special meeting. This list will also be available at the special meeting. For information regarding security ownership by management and by the beneficial owners of more than 5% of our common stock, see “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.”Voting SharesAll properly executed written proxies and all properly completed proxies voted by telephone or via the Internet and delivered pursuant to this solicitation (and not revoked later) will be voted at the special meeting in accordance with the instructions of the stockholder. Below is a list of the different votes stockholders may cast at the special meeting pursuant to this solicitation.In voting on the increase in the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock stockholders may vote in one of the following ways:1.in favor of the proposal,2.against the proposal, or3.abstain from voting on the proposal.1Stockholders should specify their choice for the matter on the proxy. Instead of submitting a signed proxy card, stockholders may submit their proxies by telephone or through the Internet using the control number and instructionsproposals listed on the proxy card. The telephone and Internet voting procedures are designed to authenticate stockholders’ identities, to allow stockholders to vote their shares and to confirm that their instructions have been properly recorded. Specific instructions to be followed by stockholders interested in voting via the telephone or the Internet are set forth on the proxy card. Telephone and Internet proxies must be used in compliance with, and will be subject to, the information and terms contained on the proxy card. These procedures may not be available to stockholders who hold their shares through a broker, nominee, fiduciary or other custodian.If no specific instructions are given, proxies which are signed and returned will be votedFORthe increase in the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock.RevocabilityA stockholder submitting a proxy has the power to revoke it at any time prior to its exercise by voting in person at the special meeting, by giving our proxy tabulator written notice bearing a later date than the proxy or by giving a later dated proxy. Any written notice revoking a proxy should be sent to our proxy tabulator: Issuer Direct Corporation, 500 Perimeter Park Drive, Suite D, Morrisville, North Carolina 27560.Quorummust be present at the special meeting in order to conduct business. According to our bylaws,consists of the holders of a majority of the shares of stock issued and outstanding shares entitledon December 13, 2018, the Record Date. In the event of any abstentions or broker non-votes with respect to vote atany proposal coming before the special meeting, represented in person or byAnnual Meeting, the proxy constitute a quorum. If you have returned valid proxy instructions or attend the special meeting in person, your shares will be counted as present for the purposepurposes of determining whether there is a quorum, even if you wish to abstain from voting on the proposal introduced at the special meeting. Abstentions and “broker non-votes” (shares held by a broker, bank or other nominee that does not have authority, either express or discretionary, to vote on the proposal) are counted for determining whether there isexistence of a quorum. If a quorum is not present, the special meeting maywill be adjourned from time to time until a quorum is present.Required VoteRatification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.votes represented in person or by proxy at the special meeting will be necessary to approve the proposed change to increase the total number of authorized sharesvotes cast at the meeting is needed to ratify the selection of Turner, Stone & Company, LLP, as our independent registered public accounting firm.Company’s common stock. A properly executed proxy marked “ABSTAIN” with respect to such proposalvotes?treated as shares presentcounted, tabulated and certified by Issuer Direct, our proxy agent.represented and entitleddefense of a legal or administrative action or proceeding) or (2) there is a contested election for the Board. The Inspector of Elections will forward any written comments that you make on the Proxy Card to votemanagement without providing your name, unless you expressly request disclosure on such proposal and will haveyour Proxy Card.same effect as a vote against the proposal. If you hold your shares of common stock in "street name,"Board recommend that is, through a broker, bank or other representative, you are considered the beneficial owner of the shares held in street name. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker how to vote. Brokers who have not received instructions from beneficial owners will have the authority toI vote on the proposal.ExpensesThe Board recommends that you vote FOR all of Solicitationthe proposals.The expensesolicitationour Annual Meeting.estimatedas the Board may recommend.$5,000,the postponed or adjourned meeting. You will still be borneable to change or revoke your proxy at any time until the meeting is held and votes are accordingly tabulated.us. following the instructions included in the Notice and Access to Internet Availability of Proxy Materials. If you do not make a request for a paper copy of the proxy materials, you will not otherwise receive a paper copy.not retainedreceived contrary instructions from one or more of the stockholders. Also, we will promptly deliver a proxy solicitorseparate copy of the Notice and future stockholder communication documents to solicit proxies; however, we may chooseany stockholder at a shared address to do so priorwhich a single copy of these materials were delivered, or deliver a single copy of these materials and future stockholder communication documents to the special meeting. Proxiesany stockholder or stockholders sharing an address to which multiple copies are now delivered, upon written request to us at our address noted above. Stockholders may also be solicitedaddress future requests regarding delivery of proxy materials and/or annual reports by certain of our directors, officers and other employees, without additional compensation, personally or by written communication, telephone or other electronic means. We are required to request brokers and nominees who hold stock in their name to furnish our proxy material to beneficial owners ofcontacting us at the stock and will reimburse such brokers and nominees for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in so doing. Total Shares Beneficially Name Owned Directors and Named Executive Officers William Delgado 3,322,032 Direct Jerome Gomolski - certain information known to us regarding beneficial ownership of sharesthe name, position and age of our common stock asexecutive officer and director. Our board of April 25, 2016,directors elects officers and their terms of office are at the record date, by:
discretion of our board of directors.☐each of our directors;☐each of our named executive officers;☐all of our executive officers and directors as a group; and☐each person, or group of affiliated persons, known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding shares of common stock. 2Position Held Appointed or Name with the Company Age Elected William Delgado Chairman and CEO 59 May 13, 2016 addressfollowing is a brief account of the education and business experience during at least the past five years of our director and executive officer, indicating his principal occupations during that period, and the name and principal business of the organizations in which such occupation and employment were carried out.stockholder listed below is: c/o candidate when the Board considers a nominee for a position on our Board. The Board believes that, given the early stage of our development, a specific nominating policy would be premature and of little assistance until our business operations develop to a more advanced level. Our Company does not currently have any specific or minimum criteria for the election of nominees to the Board, and we do not have any specific process or procedure for evaluating such nominees. The Board assesses all candidates, whether submitted by management or shareholders, and makes recommendations for election or appointment.33401. Number of Shares of Percent of Common Stock Outstanding Beneficially Shares Name and Address of Beneficial Owner Owned (1) (%) Five Percent Stockholders: Richard J. Sullivan (2) 34,240,000 6.4 % Named Executive Officers and Directors: Richard J. Sullivan (2) 34,240,000 6.4 % Jerome J. Gomolski (3) 1,333,334 0.3 % William J. Delgado (4) 8,390,889 1.6 % Arthur F. Noterman (5) 2,083,334 0.4 % Stephanie C. Sullivan (6) 2,083,334 0.4 % Gary A. Gray (7) 2,500,000 0.5 % All Current Directors and Officers as a group (6 persons) (8) 50,630,891 9.3 % Name and Principal Position Chief Executive Officer
William Delgado 2017 2016 (1)Applicable percentages are based on 530,931,571 shares outstanding as of April 25, 2016 and include issued and outstanding shares of common stock, as well as 500,000 vested but unissued restricted shares. Beneficial ownership is determined under the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. A person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of securities that can be acquired by such person within 60 days whether upon the exercise of options or otherwise. Shares of common stock subject to options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days after the date of this report, are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of the person holding such securities but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this table, the Company believes that each of the shareholders named in the table has sole voting power.(2)Includes (a) 7,000,000 currently exercisable stock options, (b) 3,000,000 shares owned by Bay Acquisition Corp., an entity controlled by Mr. Sullivan, and (c) 530,000 shares owned by Mr. Sullivan's minor son. Four million of the currently exercisable stock options are held by Vox Equity Partners LLC of which Mr. Sullivan is a co-founder.(3)Includes 1,333,334 currently exercisable stock options.(4)Tax FeesIncludes (a) 3,985,523 shares owned by Three Rivers Investments, LLC and (b) 3,221,032 shares owned by Bronco Communications, LLC. Mr. Delgado is a member of both these entities and may be deemed to have voting control. Also includes 101,000 shares owned by Mr. Delgado's minor daughter and 1,083,334 currently exercisable stock options.(5) SubtotalIncludes 1,583,334 currently exercisable stock options.(6)All Other FeesIncludes 1,583,334 currently exercisable stock options.(7) Total FeesIncludes 1,000,000 currently exercisable stock options.(8)Includes shares of our common stock beneficially owned by current executive officers and directors and shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 25, 2016, in each case as set forth in the footnotes to this table.APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO OUR AMENEDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, AS AMENDED, TO NO. 3 TOTAL NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK FROM 650 MILLION SHARES TO 2 BILLION SHARESOur Amended and Restated Certificateas amended, providesstate that the total number of authorized shares of commonCommon Stock is limited to 650,000,000 shares. As of December 5, 2018, a total of 579,525,814 shares of Common Stock were issued and outstanding. The purpose of the increase in the authorized Common Stock is to provide our Company’s management with certain abilities including, but not limited to, issuance of Common Stock to be used for public or private offerings, conversions of convertible securities, issuance of options pursuant to employee stock that we have the authority to issue is 650 million shares. option plans, acquisition transactions, and other general corporate purposes.adopted a resolution recommending thatand majority shareholders approved the stockholders approve and adopt an amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of IncorporationAmendment to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock to 2,000,000,000 shares.common stockarticles of incorporation provides shareholders any right to dissent and obtain appraisal of or payment for such shareholder's shares under the New Jersey corporate law, the articles of incorporation or the bylaws.650 millionacquiring control of our Company or changing our Board and management, as well as inhibit fluctuations in the market price of our Company’s shares that could result from actual or rumored takeover attempts. The proposed increased in our authorized Common Stock is not the result of any such specific effort, rather, as indicated below, the purpose of the increase in the authorized Common Stock is to provide our Company’s management with certain abilities, and not to construct or enable any anti-takeover defense or mechanism on behalf of our Company. While it is possible that management could use the additional shares to 2 billion shares. Asresist or frustrate a third-party transaction providing an above-market premium that is favored by a majority of April 25, 2016, 530,931,571the independent Shareholders, our Company presently has no intent or plan to employ any additional authorized shares as an anti-takeover device.aredo not have cumulative voting rights in the election of our directors. The combination of the present ownership by a few stockholders of a significant portion of the Company’s issued and outstanding including 500,000 vested but unissued shares. common stock and lack of cumulative voting makes it more difficult for other stockholders to replace the Company’s board of directors or for a third party to obtain control of the Company by replacing its board of directors.is desirable for several reasons: (1)could result in dilution to our current shareholders, if the Company needsissues additional working capitalshares of common stock. Any dilution to fundour current shareholders would result in less voting power than was held by our current shareholders prior to any issuance of additional common shares.businessshareholders to form a Special Litigation Committee of the Board (“Special Litigation Committee”) to investigate and purse remedies under business acquisition contracts, oneevaluate the claims and allegations asserted in the Litigations and to make a determination as to how the Company should proceed with respect to the Litigations and the asserted claims and allegations.Company believes is being improperly terminated byamount involved in the sellers; (2)transaction exceeded or exceeds the Company has existing revenue based factoring loan agreements, convertible debt and accounts payablelesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of our total assets at the year end for the last three completed fiscal years. are seriously past due, (3) the Company has obligations to issue shares under existing convertible debt instruments, which have variable conversion prices; and (4) it is common in financing transactions for investors to insist on a share reserve, which are shares set aside that will not be issued to others and may be issued, but not necessarily will be issued, pursuant toproperly presented at the termsAnnual Meeting.convertible debt instrument. Such reserves are often far in excess of the number of shares that could be converted at current stock prices. The Company has an obligation under one of its existing convertible promissory notes for excess share reserves of 400% of the hypothetical issuance as an additional share reserve. A second convertible promissory noteExchange Act requires us to maintain 26.7 million sharesour officers and directors, and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of our common stock, to file reports of ownership and changes of ownership of such securities with the SEC. All reports were filed as excess share reserves. Such excess reserved shares are not necessarily to be issued; they are a cushion in case the stock price falls. As such, the Company needs an excess of authorized shares.
November 30, 2018.3The last closing priceCompany’s common stock as2019 Annual Meeting is changed by more than 30 days from the date of the April 25, 2016 record date was $0.0048 per share, which is extremely low2019 Annual Meeting, then the deadline would be a reasonable time before we begin to print and has fallen considerably. We have no assurance thatmail our stock price will improve and it may fall further. Consequently,proxy materials.lower stock price has resulted in a considerably higher numberexpenses of issuable shares for existing convertible debt and any similar financing that we expectdelivering duplicate voting materials to require in the future. While the Company is hopeful that the price improves, it recognizes that in order to raise cash it will need to continue to engage in equity-based or convertible financing transactions. At the current market price, the company would require the large number of authorized shares to be available for potential financing transactions to fund working capital and the repayment of past due factoring loans, convertible debt and accounts payable. The terms of a majority of the Company’s recent financings have been consistent in that they have been convertible debt, therefore requiring shares, and moreover requiring the enhanced share reserves as described above. Accordingly, we expect that the terms of any future debt financing transactionsour stockholders who may have the same requirements.Asmore than one Global Digital Solutions, Inc., stock account, we are taking advantage of April 25, 2016, our capitalization was as follows:Shares of our common stock authorized for issuance650,000,000Shares of our common stock outstanding530,931,571Shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options having a weighted exercise price of $0.19 per share under our stock plans15,850,000Shares of our common stock issuable under restricted stock units1,000,000Shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants having fixed exercise prices ranging from $0.15 to $1.00 per share2,500,000Shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under a Share Purchase and Sale Agreement improperly being terminated by the sellers and being disputed by the Company27,000,000Shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion of outstanding convertible promissory notes with an estimated variable conversion price of $0.0018 at April 25, 2016 (if currently converted at the option of the holders) (1)(2)70,715,555Estimated shares remaining for issuance as of April 25, 20162,002,874(1)The shares represent shares underlying two outstanding convertible promissory notes, including accrued interest thereon but excluding any penalty interest or penalties for late payment and events of default, which have occurred and are continuing. Approximately 25,010,111 of the shares listed relate to a promissory note“house-holding” rules that was due in January 2016 and that we do not have the funds to repay and that the holder has not yet requested conversion. Since the conversion prices of the notes are variable, the number of shares issuable upon conversion increases or decreases with changes in the market price of our common stock.(2)Does not include share reserves that are required to be set aside per the terms of the convertible notes that are in excess of the number of shares that could be converted at the April 25, 2016 stock price. 4Our Board of Directors believes that the increased number of authorized shares of common stock contemplated by the proposed amendment is desirable because it will allow the Company to continue to raise capital as needed. Although the Company has issued approximately 531 million shares as of April 25, 2016 out of 650 million authorized, numerous financing transactions require the Company to “reserve” or set aside non-issued shares for possible issuance in connection with such financings. Moreover, depending on the Company’s stock price at the times of conversion, it may be necessary to have more shares to comply with the provisions of outstanding convertible promissory notes, and to a lesser extent, outstanding stock options and warrants (none of the outstanding stock options and warrants are currently in-the money). Failure to obtain stockholder approval for the increase in the number of authorized shares of our common stock will have a material adverse effect on the Company and may result in the Company being unable to continue as a going concern.In addition, our Board of Directors believes that the increased number of authorized shares of our common stock contemplated by the proposed amendment is also desirable so that we may issue additional shares from time to time, without further action or authorization by the stockholders (except as required by law), if needed for such corporate purposes as may be determined by the Board of Directors. Such corporate purposes might include the acquisition of other businesses in exchange for shares of our stock; flexibility for possible future financings; and attracting and retaining valuable employees and directors through the issuance of additional stock options or other equity awards. Our Board of Directors considers the authorization of additional shares advisable to ensure prompt availability of shares for issuance should the occasion arise.Due to our current financial position, it is imperative that we complete additional financings; however at the current time we do not have a sufficient number of authorized shares of common stock to permit us to conduct certain typesdeliver only one Notice and Access to Internet Availability of financings. Depending on the number of shares of our common stock that we issue or commitProxy Materials to issue pursuant to any additional financings, it could have a significant dilutive effect on our stockholders. Any shares we may issue will likely vary based on our stock price. If our stock price continues to decline, the dilution to our existing stockholders will become even greater than the historical dilution.After giving effect to the amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to approve an increase in the number of authorized shares of our common stock, our capitalization would be as follows:Shares of our common stock authorized for issuance2,000,000,000Shares of our common stock outstanding as of April 25, 2016530,931,571Shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options having a weighted exercise price of $0.19 per share issued under our stock plan15,850,000Shares of our common stock issuable under restricted stock units1,000,000Shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants having fixed exercise prices ranging from $0.15 to $1.00 per share2,500,000Shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under a Share Purchase and Sale Agreement improperly being terminated by the sellers and being disputed by the Company27,000,000Shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion of outstanding convertible promissory notes with an estimated variable conversion price of $0.0018 at April 25, 2016 (if currently converted at the option of the holders) (1)(2)70,515,555Estimated number of shares available for issuance as of April 25, 2016 (1)(2)1,352,002,874(1)The shares represent shares underlying two outstanding convertible promissory notes, including accrued interest thereon but excluding any penalty interest or other penalties for late payment and events of default, which have occurred and are continuing. Approximately 25,010,111 of the shares listed relate to a promissory note that was due in January 2016 and that we do not have the funds to repay and that the holder has not yet requested conversion. Since the conversion prices of the notes are variable, the number of shares issuable upon conversion increases or decreases with changes in the market price of our common stock.(2)Does not include share reserves that are required to be set aside per the terms of the convertible instruments that are in excess of the number of shares that could be converted at current stock prices. 5Although an increase in the authorized shares of our common stock could, under certain circumstances, also be construed as having an anti-takeover effect (for example, by permitting easier dilution of the stock ownership of a person seeking to effect a change in the composition of the Board of Directors or contemplating a tender offer or other transaction resulting in our acquisition by another company), the proposed increase in shares authorized is not in response to any effort by any person or group to accumulate our common stock or to obtain control of us by any means. In addition, the proposal is not part of any plan by our Board of Directors to recommend or implement a series of anti-takeover measures.Possible Dilutive Effects of the AmendmentIf the amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation is approved, the additional authorized shares would be available for issuance at the discretion of our Board of Directors and without further stockholder approval. The additional shares of authorized common stock would have the same rights and privileges as the shares of common stock currently issued and outstanding. Holders of our common stock have no preemptive rights.The issuance of additional shares of common stock may, among other things, have a dilutive effect on earnings per share and on stockholders’ equity (deficit) and voting rights. Furthermore, future sales of substantial amounts of our common stock, or the perception that these sales might occur, could adversely affect the then prevailing market price of our common stock or limit our ability to raise additional capital. Stockholders should recognize that, as a result of this proposal, they will own a smaller percentage of shares relative to the total authorized shares of the Company than they presently own.Amended Certificate of IncorporationThe increase in the number of authorized shares of our common stock shall be changed by amendment to Article IV(a) of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. If our stockholders approve the proposed amendment, we will file the amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of New Jersey after the special meeting. A copy of the proposed amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Fourth Amendment, is attached to this proxy statement as Annex A.Dissenter’s Rights of AppraisalNeither the BCA nor our Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws provide our stockholders with dissenters’ or appraisal rights in connection with this proposal.Recommendation of Our Board of DirectorsOur Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR approval and adoption of an amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to increase the total number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock from 650 million shares to 2 billion shares.Multiple Stockholders Sharing the Same Address. Regulations regarding the delivery of copies of proxy materials to stockholders permit us, banks, brokerage firms and other nominees to send one proxy statement (and annual reports when applicable) to multiple stockholders who share the samean address under certain circumstances, unless contrary instructions are received from stockholders. This practice is known as “householding.” Stockholders whootherwise requested. If you hold theiryour shares through a bank, broker, or other nomineeyou may have consented to reducing the number of copies of materials delivered to theiryour address. In the event that a stockholder wishes to request delivery of a single copy of proxy statements or annual reports orIf you wish to revoke a “householding” consent previously provided to a bank,your broker, or other nominee, the stockholderyou must contact the bank, broker or other nominee, as applicable, to revoke such consent.do so. In any event, if ayou share an address with another stockholder wishesand have received only one set of voting materials, you may write or call us to receiverequest a separate proxy statement for the special meeting of stockholders, the stockholder may receive printed copies by contacting Global Digital Solutions, Inc. Attention: Jerome Gomolski, Chief Financial Officer, at 777 South Flagler Drive, Suite 800, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401 by mail.6Any stockholders of record sharing an address who now receive multiple copies of our proxy statements and annual reports who wish to receive only one copy of these materials per household in theat no cost to you. For future should also contact us by mailAnnual Meetings, you may request separate voting materials, or telephone as instructed above. Any stockholders sharing an address whose shares of common stock are held by a bank, broker or other nominee who now receive multiple copies of our proxy statements and annual reports, and who wish to receive only one copy of these materials per household, should contact the bank, broker or other nominee to request that we send only one set of thesevoting materials be delivered in the future.The form of proxy and this proxy statement have been approvedto you if you are receiving multiple copies, by our Board of Directors and are being mailed and deliveredeither: (i) telephoning us at (866) 752-8683; (ii) sending a letter to stockholders by its authority./s/ RICHARD J. SULLIVAN RICHARD J. SULLIVAN Chairman and Chief Executive OfficerWest Palm Beach, FloridaMay ●, 20167Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation(Fourth Amendment)Pursuant to the provisions of Section 14A:9-2 (4) and Section 14A:9-4 (3), Corporations, General, of the New Jersey Statutes, the undersigned corporation executes the following Certificate of Amendment to its Certificate of Incorporation:1.The name of the corporation is: Global Digital Solutions, Inc.2.The following amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation was approved by the directors and thereafter duly adopted by a majority of the shareholders of the corporation acting by vote at a special meeting of stockholders held on the _________day of June, 2016:Resolved, that Article IV(a) of the Certificate of Incorporation be amended to read as follows:(a) Authorized Shares.The aggregate number of shares which the corporation shall have the authority to issue is Two Billion Thirty Five Million (2,035,000,000) shares. Two Billion (2,000,000,000) shares shall be designated "Common Stock", and shall have a par value of $.001. Thirty Five Million (35,000,000) shares shall be designated "Preferred Stock", and shall have a par value of $.001 per share.3.The number of shares outstanding at the time of the adoption of the amendment was: 530,931,571. The total number of shares entitled to vote thereon was: 530,931,571.4.The number of shares voting for and against such amendment is as follows: (If the shares of any class or series are entitled to vote as a class, set forth the number of shares of each such class and series voting for and against the amendment, respectively).Number of Shares Votingfor AmendmentNumber of Shares VotingAgainst AmendmentBY:Name:Title:Dated this ___ day of June, 2016. PROXYTHIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OFTHE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFGLOBAL DIGITAL SOLUTIONS, INC.The undersigned, revoking all prior proxies, hereby appoints Richard J. Sullivan and Jerome J. Gomolski, or either of them, as proxy or proxies, with full power of substitution and revocation, to vote all shares of common stock of GLOBAL DIGITAL SOLUTIONS, INC. (the “Company”) of record in the name of the undersignedus at the close of business on April 25, 2016 at the Special Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June ●, 2016, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at 777 South Flagler Drive, Suite 800, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401, or any adjournment or postponement thereof, upon the matter listed on the reverse side.This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendation.VOTE BY INTERNET - www.iproxydirect.comUse the Internet to transmit your voting instructions until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time June ●, 2016. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.Electronic Delivery of Future PROXY MATERIALSIf you would like to reduce the costs incurred by Global Digital Solutions, Inc. in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years.VOTE BY PHONE - 1-866-752-8683Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time June ●, 2016. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.VOTE BY MAILMark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to: Attention Shareholder Services, Issuer Direct, Corporation, 500 Perimeter Park Drive, Suite D, Morrisville, North Carolina 27560.TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:☒KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLYTHIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.GLOBAL DIGITAL SOLUTIONS, INC.The Board of Directors recommends you vote “FOR” the following proposal. ForAgainstAbstainBy Order of the Board of Directors, December 7, 2018 William Delgado New York, NY To approve and adopt an amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the total number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock from 650 million shares to 2 billion shares.☐☐☐Chief Executive OfficerPlease sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name, by authorized officer.Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN SPACE]DateSignature (Joint Owners)Date