A former top executive at fintech startup Array has had his attempt to claim a $100 million stake in the company thwarted by a New York judge.
Jason Owen, who was Array's chief strategy officer, had sued the company and its CEO, Martin Toha, in 2022, claiming that Toha had promised him an equity stake worth up to $70 million. However, Justice Joel Cohen dismissed Owen's case, stating that the deal should have been put in writing.
The judge's decision was based on evidence from the trial, which suggested that no clear agreement existed between Owen and Toha regarding the size of his potential share. The court also heard testimony about Owen's termination, with Array claiming it was a result of his attempts to raise concerns over some of its early customers.
Array has valued itself at nearly $1.5 billion, according to Jason Owen's lawsuit, and last raised funds in 2023 at an unspecified valuation.
In a statement, the company said that there had been "no agreement" between Toha and Owen regarding his stake, adding that Owen's allegations of wrongdoing were an attempt to intimidate them into paying him money they did not owe.
Jason Owen, who was Array's chief strategy officer, had sued the company and its CEO, Martin Toha, in 2022, claiming that Toha had promised him an equity stake worth up to $70 million. However, Justice Joel Cohen dismissed Owen's case, stating that the deal should have been put in writing.
The judge's decision was based on evidence from the trial, which suggested that no clear agreement existed between Owen and Toha regarding the size of his potential share. The court also heard testimony about Owen's termination, with Array claiming it was a result of his attempts to raise concerns over some of its early customers.
Array has valued itself at nearly $1.5 billion, according to Jason Owen's lawsuit, and last raised funds in 2023 at an unspecified valuation.
In a statement, the company said that there had been "no agreement" between Toha and Owen regarding his stake, adding that Owen's allegations of wrongdoing were an attempt to intimidate them into paying him money they did not owe.