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

Filed by the Registrant  ☒                             Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  ☐

Check the appropriate box:

EMCORE CORPORATION

(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 the appropriate box):

EMCORE CORPORATION

2015 W. Chestnut Street

Alhambra, California 91803

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2019

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to Be Held on March 22, 2019: Our 2018 Annual Report and the accompanying proxy materials are available at https://www.proxydocs.com/EMKR.

To our Shareholders:

The 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of EMCORE Corporation (the “Company”) will be held at 8:00 A.M. local time on Friday, March 22, 2019, at the Hilton Pasadena, 168 S Los Robles Ave., Pasadena CA 91101, for the following purposes:

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on January 22, 2019 as the record date for determining those shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. Whether or not you expect to be present at the Annual Meeting, please vote and submit your proxy or voting instructions as promptly as possible in order to assure the presence of a quorum at the Annual Meeting. You may vote by telephone, Internet or, if you requested to receive printed proxy materials, by mailing a proxy or voting instruction form. If you vote by telephone or Internet, you do not have to separately mail a proxy or voting instruction form.

January 24, 2019

Alhambra, California

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT MEETING AND ALL SHAREHOLDERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON. ALL SHAREHOLDERS OF RECORD AS OF THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON JANUARY 22, 2019 ARE RESPECTFULLY URGED TO VOTE AND SUBMIT A PROXY OR VOTING INSTRUCTIONS AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE.

EMCORE CORPORATION

PROXY STATEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EMCORE CORPORATION

2015 W. Chestnut Street

Alhambra, California 91803

PROXY STATEMENT

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

March 22, 2019

This Proxy Statement is being furnished to shareholders of EMCORE Corporation (the “Company”) as of the close of business on January 22, 2019 (the “Record Date”), in connection with the solicitation on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board” or the “Board of Directors”) of proxies for use at the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held at 8:00 A.M. local time, on March 22, 2019, at the Hilton Pasadena, 168 S Los Robles Ave., Pasadena CA 91101, or at any adjournments or postponements thereof, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. This Proxy Statement and the related proxy materials are first being furnished to shareholders beginning on or about January 24, 2019. Shareholders should review the information provided herein in conjunction with the Company’s 2018 Annual Report to Shareholders.

INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS

This Proxy Statement and the Company’s 2018 Annual Report for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 (“fiscal 2018”) are available on the Internet at www.proxydocs.com/EMKR. These materials will also be available under the “Investors” tab on our corporate website (www.emcore.com) beginning on or about January 24, 2019. The other information on our corporate website does not constitute part of this Proxy Statement.

The Company has elected to furnish its proxy materials over the Internet in accordance with applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rather than mailing paper copies of this Proxy Statement and the Company’s 2018 Annual Report to all shareholders. On or about January 24, 2018, the Company commenced the mailing to its shareholders of a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice of Internet Availability”) directing shareholders to the website referenced above where they can access this Proxy Statement and the Company’s 2018 Annual Report and view instructions on how to submit a proxy or voting instructions via the Internet or by touch-tone telephone. If shareholders wish to receive a paper copy of the Company’s proxy materials, please follow the instructions included in the Notice of Internet Availability. Shareholders who have elected not to receive a Notice of Internet Availability or delivery of their proxy materials electronically by e-mail will receive a printed copy of the proxy materials by mail.

PURPOSES OF THE MEETING

At the Annual Meeting, the Company’s shareholders will consider and vote upon the following matters:

1

Unless contrary instructions are indicated on the proxy you submit, all shares represented by valid proxies received pursuant to this solicitation (and that have not been revoked in accordance with the procedures set forth below) will be voted in accordance with the recommendation of the Board of Directors as follows:

Your shares will be voted as the proxyholders may determine in their discretion upon any other proposals as may properly come before the Annual Meeting. In the event a shareholder specifies a different choice by means of a properly submitted proxy, such shareholder’s shares will be voted in accordance with the specification so made.

OUTSTANDING VOTING SECURITIES AND VOTING RIGHTS

As of the close of business on the Record Date, the Company had 27,670,466 shares of no par value common stock (“Common Stock”) outstanding. Each shareholder of record on the Record Date is entitled to one vote on all matters presented at the Annual Meeting for each share of Common Stock held by such shareholder. The presence, either in person or by properly executed proxy, of the holders of the majority of the shares of Common Stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Attendance at the Annual Meeting will be limited to shareholders as of the Record Date, their authorized representatives, and guests of the Company.

If your shares of Common Stock are registered directly in your name with the Company’s transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as of the Record Date, you may vote:

If your shares are held by a bank, broker or other nominee, you are a beneficial owner of those shares rather than a shareholder of record. If you are a beneficial owner, your bank, broker or other nominee will forward you the Notice of Internet Availability or a complete set of the proxy materials, together with a voting instruction form. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your bank, broker or other nominee how to vote your shares by following the voting instructions provided by your bank, broker or other nominee. Please refer to the proxy materials forwarded by your bank, broker or other nominee for instructions regarding the methods available to vote your shares (Internet, telephone or mail). Please note that if your shares of Common Stock are held by a

2

bank, broker or other nominee and you wish to vote in person at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain a “legal proxy” from the bank, broker or other nominee that holds your shares giving you the right to vote in person at the Annual Meeting.

Except as noted below, if you are a holder of record, you may use the Internet or any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 7:59 a.m., Pacific Time, on Friday, March 22, 2019 or, if you received a printed set of the proxy materials, you may vote by mail by completing, signing, dating and returning the proxy card enclosed with the proxy materials you received before the polls close at the Annual Meeting.    If you are a shareholder of record, your proxy, whether submitted by telephone, via the Internet or by mail, may nevertheless be changed or revoked at any time prior to the voting thereof at the Annual Meeting at your discretion either by (i) sending to the Company’s Secretary a written notice of revocation, (ii) by voting the shares covered thereby in person at the Annual Meeting or (iii) by submitting another proxy dated subsequent to the date of the initial proxy. Please note that attendance at the Annual Meeting will not by itself constitute revocation of a proxy. If you are a beneficial owner, please refer to the voting instructions provided by the bank, broker or other nominee that holds your shares for information about the deadline for voting and instructions on how to change or revoke any previously submitted voting instructions.

The vote required for approval of each of the proposals before the shareholders at the Annual Meeting is as follows (and as summarized in the table below):

For Proposal I — Election of Directors, the nominees for director will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting. Each shareholder may vote the number of shares of Common Stock held as of the Record Date by that shareholder for the nominees or may withhold voting such shares from the nominees. The two nominees who receive the most votes that are properly cast at the Annual Meeting will be elected to the Board of Directors.

For each of Proposal II — Ratification of the Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Proposal III — Approval of the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan and Proposal IV — Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation, an affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on such proposal at the Annual Meeting is required to approve each such proposal. Each shareholder may vote for, vote against or abstain from voting on each of these proposals.

Abstentions, which are permitted on Proposals II through IV, are not counted as votes cast with respect to Proposals II through IV. Therefore, abstentions will not be counted in determining the outcome of the vote for each of Proposals II through IV. Broker non-votes, which may occur on Proposals I, III and IV, are not counted as votes cast with respect to Proposals I, III and IV. Therefore, broker non-votes, if any, on Proposals I, III and IV will not be counted in determining the outcome of the vote for those proposals. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the meeting.

A broker non-vote occurs when a broker, who has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares, does not vote on a non-routine proposal because the broker does not have discretionary authority to vote on such proposal, but the broker does exercise its discretionary authority to vote the beneficial holder’s shares on at least one “routine” matter at the Annual Meeting. Proposal II — Ratification of the Appointment of

3

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm is considered a “routine” matter under applicable stock exchange rules while the other proposals at the Annual Meeting are considered “non-routine.” If you hold your shares through a broker and do not provide voting instructions to the broker, then under applicable stock exchange rules governing your broker, the broker may vote your shares in its discretion with respect to Proposal II above, but may not vote your shares with respect to any of the other proposals. If no voting instructions are received by the broker that holds your shares and your broker exercises its discretion to vote your shares on Proposal II, your shares will constitute a broker non-vote on each of Proposals I, III and IV.

Please note that the proposals regarding the ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm and approval of executive compensation are advisory only and will not be binding on the Company or the Board. The results of the votes on those advisory proposals will be taken into consideration by the Company, the Board or the appropriate committee of the Board, as applicable, when making future decisions regarding these matters.

INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PROXY SOLICITATION

The cost of preparing and making available this Proxy Statement, the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and the proxy is borne by the Company. In addition to the use of the Internet, employees of the Company may solicit proxies personally and by telephone. The Company’s employees will receive no compensation for soliciting proxies other than their regular salaries. Solicitation of proxies may be made by additional mailings, electronic mail, telephone or in person by directors, officers or regular employees of the Company. The Company may request banks, brokers and other custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries to forward copies of the proxy material to their principals and to request authority for the execution of proxies. The Company will reimburse such persons for their expenses in so doing. We have also retained Alliance Advisors LLC to assist in the solicitation of proxies and related services, for a fee estimated to be approximately $16,000 plus an amount to cover expenses. In addition, we have agreed to indemnify Alliance Advisors LLC against certain liabilities arising out of or in connection with their engagement.

4

PROPOSAL I:

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Prior to the Company’s 2018 annual meeting of shareholders held on March 16, 2018, the EMCORE Corporation Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), divided the Company’s Board of Directors into three classes, as set forth in the table below, and directors elected at or prior to the Company’s 2018 annual meeting of shareholders were elected to hold office for staggered terms of three years. At the Company’s 2018 annual meeting of shareholders, the shareholders of the Company approved an amendment to Certificate of Incorporation, which was subsequently accepted by the Treasurer of the State of New Jersey effective March 19, 2018, that provided that commencing with the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the directors elected at an annual meeting of shareholders to succeed those whose terms then expire shall hold office until the next succeeding annual meeting of shareholders and until such directors’ successors are elected and qualified. In connection with such amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board approved a corresponding change to Article IV.1.b of our By-Laws, as amended, to declassify the Board, effective March 19, 2018. As a result, beginning with the 2019 Annual Meeting and continuing at each annual meeting of shareholders of the Company thereafter, each director up for election will be nominated to serve as director for a one-year term and until such director’s successor is elected and qualified. Current directors will continue to serve the remainder of their elected terms. Accordingly, the Board will be completely declassified and all directors will be elected annually beginning with the 2021 annual meeting of shareholders.

The Class B Directors, Mr. Rex S. Jackson and Mr. Jeffrey Rittichier, are each being nominated for election to the Board for a one-year term (expiring in 2020) and until his respective successor is duly qualified and elected. Mr. Rex S. Jackson and Mr. Jeffrey Rittichier are each a current director and have each consented to serve as a director if elected. Dr. Gerald J. Fine will continue to serve as a Class A director with a term expiring at our 2020 annual meeting of shareholders and Mr. Stephen L. Domenik will continue to serve as a Class C director with a term expiring at our 2021 annual meeting of shareholders.

In all cases, each director will serve until his respective successor is qualified and elected or until his death, retirement, resignation or removal. Any director elected to fill a vacancy of the Board will be elected to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders.

The following table sets forth certain information regarding each of the director nominees and the other members of the Board of Directors continuing in office after the Annual Meeting:

5

The shares represented by proxies will be voted, unless otherwise specified, in favor of the election to the Board of Directors of each of the Class B director nominees. If either of the nominees shall become unable or unwilling for good cause to serve as director if elected, the proxies will be voted for the election of such other person as the Board of Directors may select to fill the vacancy or for the balance of the nominees, leaving a vacancy. The Board of Directors has no reason to believe that the director nominees for election at the Annual Meeting will be unwilling or unable to serve if elected as a director.

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Set forth below is certain information with respect to members of the Company’s Board of Directors, including the nominees for election to the Board at the Annual Meeting, and the other executive officers of the Company. Ages are listed as of the Record Date. There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers.

Directors

STEPHEN L. DOMENIK, 67, has served as a director of the Company since December 2013. Since 1995, he has been a General Partner with Sevin Rosen Funds, a venture capital firm, where he led numerous investments in private companies. Mr. Domenik served as interim Chief Executive Officer of Pixelworks, Inc., a semiconductor company, from February to April 2016 and as a member of its board of directors from August 2010 to November 2016. Mr. Domenik has also served on the board of directors of MoSys, Inc., a publicly-traded IP-rich fabless semiconductor company, from June 2012 until August 2018 and Radisys Corporation, a publicly-traded provider of technology for mobile networks, from February 2018 until December 2018. Mr. Domenik previously served on the Boards of Directors of Meru Networks, Inc., a publicly-traded technology company, from January 2014 until it was acquired by Fortinet, Inc. in July 2015; NetLogic Microsystems, Inc., a publicly-traded fabless semiconductor company, from January 2001 until it was acquired by Broadcom Corporation in February 2012; and PLX Technology, Inc., a publicly-traded semiconductor company, from December 2013 until it was acquired by Avago Technologies in August 2014. He holds a B.S. in Physics and an M.S.E.E. from the University of California at Berkeley. Mr. Domenik’s expertise in corporate investments and strategic planning in the semiconductor industry, together with his experience serving as director of several other public and private companies, were the primary qualifications that the Board considered in concluding that he should serve as a director of our Company.

GERALD J. FINE, Ph.D. 60, has served as a director of the Company since December 2013. Dr. Fine has been a Professor of Practice and Director at the Engineering Product Innovation Center of Boston University since 2012. From 2008 to 2011, Dr. Fine was President and CEO of Schott North America and led operations of all Schott AG businesses in North America, including solar, pharmaceutical packaging, electronic packaging, and lighting and imaging and advanced materials. Dr. Fine also served as Executive Vice President, Photonic Technologies for Corning Incorporated. He previously served on the Board of Directors of several private companies, including CyOptics, Inc., a semiconductor laser manufacturer for telecom applications, Crystal IS, Inc., a UV LED

6

substrate manufacturer, Kotura, Inc., a provider of silicon components for datacom and telecom, and Pixtronix, Inc., a provider of low-cost displays for portable devices. Dr. Fine holds a B.A. from Amherst College and a Ph.D. from California Institute of Technology. Dr. Fine’s technical expertise in the semiconductor field, combined with his business experience serving as an executive officer and board member of several companies, were the primary qualifications that the Board considered in concluding that he should serve as a director of our Company.

REX S. JACKSON, 58, has served as a director of the Company since December 2015. Since May 2018, Mr. Jackson has served as CFO of Chargepoint Inc., a privately-held provider of charging solutions for electric vehicles. In addition, Mr. Jackson has served on the board of directors of Energous Corporation, a company that develops wireless charging technology, since March 2014. Mr. Jackson previously served as CFO of Gigamon Inc., a developer of network and security visibility solutions, from October 2016 until April 2018, and as CFO of Rocket Fuel Inc. (Nasdaq: FUEL), an advertising technology company, from March 2016 to October 2016. Prior to those roles, Mr. Jackson served as CFO of JDS Uniphase Corporation (Nasdaq: JDSU), a provider of network and service enablement solutions and optical products for telecommunications service providers, cable operators, and network equipment manufacturers, from January 2013 through September 2015, where he drove the separation of JDSU into two independent public companies in August 2015. Mr. Jackson joined JDSU in January 2011 as senior vice president, Business Services, with responsibility for corporate development, legal, corporate marketing and information technology. Prior to JDSU, Mr. Jackson served as CFO of Symyx Technologies (Nasdaq: SMMX) from 2007 to 2010, where he led the company’s acquisition of MDL Information Systems and subsequent merger of equals with another public company. Mr. Jackson also previously served as acting CFO at Synopsys and held executive positions with Avago, AdForce and Read-Rite. Mr. Jackson holds a B.A. degree from Duke University and earned his J.D. from Stanford University Law School. Mr. Jackson’s accounting and financial expertise, general business acumen, extensive knowledge of the fiber optics industry and significant executive leadership experience were the primary qualifications that the Board considered in concluding that he should serve as a director of our Company.

JEFFREY RITTICHIER, 59, joined the Company as its Chief Executive Officer on January 3, 2015 and was appointed to the Board effective January 5, 2015. He has worked in the semiconductor industry for over 20 years, including over ten years in the optical communications industry. Most recently, Mr. Rittichier held the positions of President and Chief Executive Officer at Nanostatics Corporation, a producer of nanofiber technology, from April 2009 to December 2014. Prior to that, from November 2007 to April 2009, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer of the electrical testing company Epik Energy Solutions, L.L.C., a joint venture of Royal Dutch Shell, and of NanoDynamics, Inc., focused on commercializing nanotechnology for the energy and petroleum industries. He has also served as Chief Executive Officer of Xponent Photonics, Inc., a manufacturer of surface-mount photonic components for optical assemblies, from October 2001 to November 2007. From April 1999 to October 2001, Mr. Rittichier was VP and General Manager of Lucent’s Access Business and Vice President of Marketing at Ortel Corporation, a supplier of optoelectronic components in the cable television, satellite communications, wireless, data communications and telecommunications markets. Mr. Rittichier holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from The Ohio State University. He was awarded the title of Distinguished Alumnus by Ohio State University’s College of Engineering in 2011 and has completed the Financial Management Program and Director’s College at Stanford University. Mr. Rittichier’s experience as a 20-year veteran in the semiconductor industry with a demonstrated track record of identifying and realizing optical networking growth opportunities were the primary qualifications that led the Board to conclude that he should serve as a director of our Company.

Non-Director Executive Officers

MARK A. GORDON, 56, was appointed the Company’s Interim Principal Financial and Accounting Officer in January 2019. Mr. Gordon served as the Company’s Director of Accounting, responsible for SEC reporting, Tax Compliance, Equity Administration and SOX compliance, from May 2012 to January 2019. Mr. Gordon has over 25 years of Accounting and SEC reporting experience with companies such as Pacific Enterprises, Avanex and

7

Star Telecommunications, and with the public accounting firm Coopers & Lybrand (now PwC). He holds a B.S. in Accountancy from California State University, Northridge and is a licensed California Certified Public Accountant (inactive).

ALBERT LU, 42, was appointed the Company’s Senior Vice President of Engineering in March 2017, where he is focused on revamping EMCORE’s manufacturing systems through use of automation and data analytics. Since 2005, Mr. Lu has defined and implemented EMCORE’s China strategy, building the China organization from its nascent stages as a design center, to its current state as EMCORE’s key manufacturing center. Mr. Lu was appointed General Manager of EMCORE China in 2011 and served in this capacity until June 2015, when he was appointed as VP, Manufacturing Engineering, for which he served until his appointment as SVP, Engineering in March 2017. From 1999 through 2005, Mr. Lu served as a customer-focused Design Engineer at EMCORE, driving development of a variety of mixed-signal optical communication products. Mr. Lu received both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is an alumnus of the Stanford Executive Program.

IAIN BLACK, 54, was appointed to serve as the Company’s SVP, Operations, effective April 2, 2018. From May 2017 until April 1, 2018, Mr. Black served as the Company’s VP, Wafer Fab Operations. From September 2014 to April 2017, he served as Senior Director of Operations of Lumileds (formerly known as Philips Lumileds Lighting Company LLC), a leading LED manufacturer (“Lumileds”). Prior to assuming this role, he served as General Manager of U.S. Operations and Vice President of Worldwide Manufacturing Engineering of Lumileds from 2010 to September 2014 and Vice President, San Jose Manufacturing of Lumileds from 2008 to 2010. Prior to his service at Lumileds, Mr. Black managed Wafer Fab Engineering and Operations at Anadigics, a worldwide provider of semiconductor solutions to the broadband wireless and wireline communications markets from 2000 to 2008. Mr. Black has a BSc in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from the University of Dundee in Scotland.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CLASS B DIRECTOR NOMINEES LISTED ABOVE UNDER PROPOSAL I.

8

GOVERNANCE OF THE COMPANY

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors oversees the Company’s business and affairs pursuant to the New Jersey Business Corporation Act and the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws, as amended. The Board of Directors is the ultimate decision-making body of the Company, except on matters reserved for the shareholders.

Board Leadership Structure

The Board believes it is important to retain its flexibility to allocate the responsibilities of the offices of the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company in any way that is in the best interests of the Company and the shareholders at a given point in time. The Board believes that the decision as to who should serve as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, and whether these offices should be combined or separate, should be assessed periodically by the Board, and that the Board should not be constrained by a rigid policy mandating that such positions be separate. The Company currently separates the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, and Dr. Fine, an independent director, currently serves as Chairman of the Board.

The Board recognizes that the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board are distinct. While the Chief Executive Officer is responsible for setting the strategic direction for the Company and for the day-to-day leadership and performance of the Company, the Chairman of the Board provides guidance to the Chief Executive Officer and sets the agenda for, and presides over, meetings of the Board of Directors. The Board believes that participation of the Chief Executive Officer as a director, while keeping the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board distinct, provides the proper balance between independence and management participation at this time. By having a separate Chairman of the Board, the Company maintains an independent perspective on the Company’s business affairs, and at the same time, through the Chief Executive Officer’s participation as a director, the Board receives valuable experience regarding the Company’s business and maintains a strong link between management and the Board, which promotes clear communication, enhances strategic planning, and improves implementation of corporate strategies.

The independent directors who chair the Company’s Audit, Compensation, Nominating and Corporate Governance, and Strategy and Alternatives Committees also provide leadership to the Board in their assigned areas of responsibility. The Board believes that the independent governance of the Board is safeguarded through:

The Company will continue to review its Board structure to ensure that it is in the best position to deliver value to its shareholders, key stakeholders and the communities in which the Company operates.

2018 Amendments to Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws

Following approval by the Company’s shareholders at the Company’s 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Company amended its Certificate of Incorporation in March 2018, and made corresponding amendments to its By-Laws, to (i) declassify the Company’s Board of Directors and (ii) eliminate the supermajority voting requirements applicable to certain provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation. As described in Proposal I above, declassification of the Company’s Board of Directors will be phased-in over a three-year period with all

9

directors elected annually beginning with the 2021 annual meeting of shareholders. Each of the amendments are expected to provide increased director accountability and greater shareholder participation in the corporate governance of the Company.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines together with its Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws, as amended, and the charters of the Board’s committees provide the framework for the governance of the Company. The Corporate Governance Guidelines address, among other things, Board composition and operations, expectations of directors, succession planning, and communications to the Board. In September 2016, in connection with its annual review of the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Board, following the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, approved several updates to memorialize its governance policies, including:

The full text of the Corporate Governance Guidelines is available by clicking on the Corporate Governance link included in the Investors tab of the Company’s website (www.emcore.com).

Code of Ethics

The Company has adopted a code of ethics entitled “EMCORE Corporation Code of Business Conduct and Ethics,” which is applicable to all employees, officers, and directors of the Company. In addition, the Company has adopted a Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals, which applies to the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Vice Presidents of Finance, Controllers and Assistant Controllers of the Company. The full text of both the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and the Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals is available by clicking on the Corporate Governance link in the Investors tab of the Company’s website (www.emcore.com). The Company intends to disclose any changes in or waivers from either of its codes of ethics for its directors and executive officers, to the extent disclosure is required by the applicable rules of the SEC and Nasdaq, by posting such information on its website at www.emcore.com or by filing a Current Report on Form 8-K.

Related Person Transaction Approval Policy

The Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics sets forth the Company’s written policy for the review and approval of related person transactions. A related person is defined by applicable SEC rules as any executive officer, director or director nominee, any person who is known to be a beneficial owner of more than five percent (5%) of the voting securities of the Company, and any immediate family member of any of the foregoing persons.

A related person transaction is defined under applicable SEC rules as any financial or other transaction, arrangement or relationship (including any indebtedness or guarantee of indebtedness) or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships in which the Company (or a subsidiary) would be a participant and the amount involved would exceed $120,000, and in which any related person would have a direct or indirect material interest. A related person will not be deemed to have a direct or indirect material interest in a transaction if the interest arises only from the position of the person as a director of another corporation or organization that

10

is a party to the transaction or the direct or indirect ownership by such person and all the related persons, in the aggregate, of less than 10 percent of the equity interest in another person (other than a partnership) which is a party to the transaction. In addition, certain interests and transactions, such as director compensation that has been approved by the Board, transactions where the rates or charges are determined by competitive bid and compensatory arrangements solely related to employment with the Company (or a subsidiary) that have been approved by the Compensation Committee, are not subject to the policy.

The Board of Directors has delegated to the Audit Committee the responsibility for reviewing, approving and, where applicable, ratifying material related person transactions involving the Company’s directors or executive officers or their respective immediate family members or affiliated entities. If a member of the Audit Committee has an interest in a related person transaction, then he or she will not participate in the review process.

In considering the appropriate action to be taken regarding a related person transaction, the Audit Committee or the Board (as the case may be) will consider the best interests of the Company, whether the transaction is fair to the Company and serves a compelling business reason, and any other factors that it deems relevant. As a condition to approving or ratifying any related person transaction, the Audit Committee may impose whatever conditions and standards it deems appropriate, including periodic monitoring of ongoing transactions.

The Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics also includes the Company’s Conflicts of Interest Policy, among other policies. The Conflicts of Interest Policy provides, among other things, that conflicts of interest exist where the interests or benefits of one person or entity conflict with the interests or benefits of the Company. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics also provides restrictions on outside directorships, business interests and employment, and receipt of gifts and entertainment and requires that all material violations of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or matters involving financial or legal misconduct be reported to the Company’s Audit Committee on at least a quarterly basis, or more frequently depending upon the level of severity of the violation.

Directors and executive officers are also required to disclose potential and existing related person transactions on a quarterly basis and in Directors and Officers Questionnaires completed annually.

There are no related person transactions or conflicts of interest that have occurred since October 1, 2017.

Director Independence

The Board of Directors reviews the independence, and any possible conflicts of interest, of directors and director nominees at least annually. The Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that Messrs. Domenik, Fine and Jackson are independent under the listing standards applicable to the Company pursuant to the Nasdaq rules, comprising a supermajority (75%) of the Board. The Board of Directors also previously determined that Etorre J. Coringrato, who resigned from the Board effective September 20, 2018, was independent under applicable Nasdaq rules for membership on the Board of Directors and on all committees of the Board of Directors on which he served prior to his resignation. Mr. Rittichier, as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, is not independent under the Nasdaq rules.

In addition to the Nasdaq listing standard rules, the Company’s By-Laws require that a majority of the Board be independent pursuant to certain additional criteria that, in many cases, are not included within the requirements of the Nasdaq rules. For example, a director is not considered independent for purposes of the By-Laws if, in the past three years, he or any of his family members: (i) has received any remuneration as an advisor, consultant or legal advisor to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, affiliates, executive officers or to any other director of the Company; (ii) has an agreement with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates for personal services or has engaged in any transaction or business relationship with the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates; or (iii) is affiliated with or employed by any present or former auditor for the Company. The Board of Directors has determined that each of Messrs. Domenik, Fine, and Jackson are also independent directors within the meaning

11

of the Company’s By-Laws. A copy of the Company’s By-Laws is posted in the Corporate Governance section on the Investors tab of the Company’s website (www.emcore.com).

In making its independence determination, the Board considers the responses of each director and executive officer to an annual Directors and Officers Questionnaire, in which each director answers specific questions to facilitate an evaluation of the director’s independence and each director and executive officer discloses, among other things, information about the following: his employment or other occupation; service on the boards or committees of other companies (both public and private); service as a director, trustee or executive officer in any charitable organizations; service of a family member as an officer in any company (public or private) or charitable organizations; relationships by blood, marriage or adoption among directors or executive officers of the Company; related person transactions with the Company; legal proceedings involving the Company; indebtedness to the Company; or prior arrangements and understandings with respect to the selection of directors or executive officers of the Company. Following a review of these Questionnaires, the Company did not identify any transactions, relationships or arrangements engaged in by these directors or in which they participated (directly or indirectly) to be considered by the Board of Directors in making its independence determination.

The Board of Directors’ Role in Risk Oversight

Risk is inherent in business. The Board of Directors recognizes the importance of effective risk oversight in running a successful business and in fulfilling its fiduciary responsibilities to the Company and its shareholders. While the Chief Executive Officer and other members of our senior leadership team are responsible for the day-to-day management of risk, the Board of Directors takes an active role in risk management and is responsible for (i) overseeing the Company’s aggregate risk profile, and (ii) assisting management in addressing specific risks, such as strategic and competitive risks, financial risks, brand and reputation risks, legal risks, regulatory risks, and operational risks.

The Board believes that its current leadership structure has facilitated its oversight of risk by combining independent leadership, through the separation of the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, independent Board committees, and majority independent Board composition. The Chairman of the Board, independent committee chairs and members, and other directors are also experienced professionals or executives who can and do raise issues for Board consideration and review and who are willing to challenge management when necessary. The Board believes there has been a well-functioning and effective balance between the Chairman of the Board, non-management Board members, and the Chief Executive Officer, which enhances risk oversight.

The Board of Directors exercises its oversight responsibility for risk both directly and through its standing committees. Throughout the year, the Board and each committee spend a portion of their time reviewing and discussing specific risk topics. The full Board is kept informed of each committee’s risk oversight and related activities, and committee meeting minutes are available for review by all directors. Strategic, operational and competitive risks also are presented and discussed at the Board’s quarterly meetings, and more often as necessary. On at least an annual basis, the Board reviews our long-term strategic plans. In addition, at least quarterly, or more often as necessary, the Board receives a briefing on material legal and regulatory matters.

The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing our major financial risk exposures, financial reporting, internal controls, credit and liquidity risk, compliance risk, key operational risks, related party transactions, and other potential conflicts of interest. The Audit Committee meets periodically in separate executive session with the Chief Financial Officer and the independent auditor, as well as with committee members only, to facilitate a full and candid discussion of risk and other issues.

The Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing human capital and compensation risks, including evaluating and assessing risks arising from our compensation policies and practices for all employees and ensuring executive compensation is aligned with performance. The Compensation Committee also is charged

12

with monitoring our incentive and equity-based compensation plans, including employee retirement and benefit plans. In addition, the Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing risks associated with succession planning for the Board.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee oversees risks related to our overall corporate governance, including Board and committee composition, Board size and structure, and director independence.

The Strategy and Alternatives Committee oversees risks related to the Company’s strategic opportunities and alternatives which may be relevant to the Company’s business.

In addition to the responsibilities undertaken by the committees discussed above, the Board committees may have oversight of specific risk areas consistent with the committees’ charters and responsibilities.

Board Meetings and Attendance

The Board of Directors held seven (7) regularly scheduled and special meetings during fiscal 2018. During fiscal 2018, all directors of the Company attended at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the aggregate meetings of the Board and committees on which they served during their tenure on the Board.

Board Committees

Audit Committee

The Company has a separately-designated standing Audit Committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Messrs. Domenik, Fine and Jackson (chairman) currently serve as members of the Audit Committee. Each member of the Audit Committee is an independent director within the meaning of applicable Nasdaq and SEC rules. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Domenik and Mr. Jackson are Audit Committee financial experts within the meaning of SEC rules. The Audit Committee is responsible for, among other things: (i) reviewing the financial information that will be provided to the Company’s shareholders and overseeing the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Company performed by management, the audits of the financial statements of the Company and the Company’s systems of internal controls; (ii) the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, including reviewing its independence, qualifications and performance; (iii) overseeing the internal audit function of the Company; and (iv) reviewing compliance by the Company with legal and regulatory requirements. A copy of the Charter of the Audit Committee is posted in the Corporate Governance section on the Investors tab of the Company’s website (www.emcore.com). The Audit Committee met nine (9) times during fiscal 2018.

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee evaluates the performance of the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers and reviews and approves their compensation. Messrs. Domenik and Jackson (chairman) currently serve as members of the Compensation Committee. The processes and procedures for the review and approval of executive compensation are described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement. In addition, the Compensation Committee has responsibility for recommending to the Board the level and form of compensation and benefits for directors. It also administers the Company’s incentive compensation plans and is responsible for setting the compensation and benefits for the Company’s executives. Additionally, the Compensation Committee is responsible for executive officer development and retention and corporate succession plans for the Chief Executive Officer. A copy of the Charter of the Compensation Committee is posted in the Corporate Governance section on the Investors tab of the Company’s website (www.emcore.com). The Compensation Committee met five (5) times during fiscal 2018.

13

To the extent consistent with its obligations and responsibilities, the Compensation Committee may form subcommittees of one or more members of the Compensation Committee and delegate its authority to the subcommittees as it deems appropriate. The Compensation Committee has the authority to retain and terminate external advisors in connection with the discharge of its duties.

During fiscal 2018, the Compensation Committee engaged Compensia, Inc. (“Compensia”), an independent compensation consultant, to make recommendations regarding director compensation, conduct a review of the Company’s peer group of companies (the “Peer Group”), and conduct a compensation survey of executive compensation utilizing the Peer Group. For more information regarding the services provided by Compensia, see the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Role of Compensation Consultant” section of this Proxy Statement. The Compensation Committee has assessed the independence of Compensia and concluded that its engagement of Compensia does not raise any conflict of interest with the Company or any of its directors or executive officers.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee identifies and recommends new members to the Company’s Board of Directors and has responsibility for certain corporate governance matters. Dr. Fine (chairman) and Mr. Domenik currently serve as members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. A copy of the Charter of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is posted in the Corporate Governance section on the Investors tab of the Company’s website (www.emcore.com). The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met five (5) times during fiscal 2018.

In performing its responsibilities relating to the identification and recommendation of new directors, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has not established specific minimum age, education, experience or skill requirements for potential director nominees. When considering a potential director candidate, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers the candidate’s individual skills and knowledge, including experience in business, finance, or administration, familiarity with national and international business matters, and appreciation of the relationship of the Company’s business to changing needs in our society. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also carefully considers any potential conflicts of interest. All nominees must possess demonstrated character, good judgment, integrity, relevant business, functional and industry experience, and a high degree of acumen. Although the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not have a formal policy with respect to diversity in identifying nominees for director, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recognizes the benefits associated with a diverse board and considers diversity as a factor when identifying and evaluating candidates for membership on our Board, including in connection with its current efforts to actively seek a female candidate that it believes has the requisite qualifications and experience to join the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee utilizes a broad conception of diversity, including professional and educational background, prior experience on other boards of directors (both public and private), political and social perspectives as well as race, gender and national origin]. Utilizing these factors, and the factors described above, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee makes recommendations, as it deems appropriate, regarding the composition and size of the Board. The priorities and emphasis of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and of the Board may change from time to time to take into account changes in business and other trends and the portfolio of skills and experience of current and prospective Board members.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee identifies potential candidates from a number of sources, including current members of the Board and, if the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee so chooses, third party search firms. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has engaged a search firm in connection with its efforts to identify at least one additional individual, including a qualified female candidate, that it believes has the requisite qualifications and experience to join the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may also consider candidates proposed by management or by shareholders. After the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s initial evaluation of a candidate, if that candidate

14

is still of interest to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, one or more designated members of the Board will interview the candidate. Additional interviews by other Board members and/or senior management may take place and other screening processes may be undertaken. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will meet to finalize its recommended candidates, which will be submitted to the entire Board for consideration. All candidates who are recommended by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and approved by the Board are then included as nominees in the first proxy statement following their appointment or nomination and for the year in which the Class for which they are nominated comes up for election thereafter.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider suggestions from shareholders regarding possible director candidates for election at future annual meetings of shareholders or in the event of a vacancy on the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee evaluates director candidates recommended by shareholders in the same way that it evaluates candidates recommended by other sources as described above. Such suggestions must contain (1) all information for each nominee required to be disclosed in a proxy statement for the election of directors pursuant to applicable rules of the SEC, (2) the name and address of the shareholder making the recommendation, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the shareholder as of the date the shareholder gives notice and the length of ownership, (3) the name, age and address of the director candidate and a description of the director candidate’s business experience for at least the previous five years, (4) the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the director candidate, and (5) the written consent of the director candidate to serve as a director if elected. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may require additional information as it deems reasonably necessary to determine the eligibility of the director candidate to serve as a member of our Board of Directors. To be considered for possible nomination by the Board at the next annual meeting of shareholders, such suggestions must be submitted to the Company’s Secretary no later than September 30 prior to the next annual meeting of shareholders (i.e., September 30, 2019 for the Company’s 2020 annual meeting of stockholders) . Shareholders who wish to nominate a person for election as a director at a meeting of shareholders (as opposed to making a recommendation to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee as described above) must deliver written notice to the Company’s Secretary in accordance with the procedures and timing set forth in the Company’s By-Laws, as discussed in the section of this Proxy Statement entitled “General Matters — Shareholder Proposals” below.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is also responsible for certain corporate governance matters, including:

When appropriate, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may form subcommittees of one or more of its members and delegate its authority to these subcommittees as it deems appropriate.

Strategy and Alternatives Committee

The purpose of the Strategy and Alternatives Committee is to oversee the Company’s strategic plan, working with management to define and set strategic goals and expectations for the Company, to evaluate strategic opportunities and alternatives available to the Company, including potential mergers, acquisitions, divestitures

15

and other key strategic transactions outside the ordinary course of the Company’s business, and to perform any other activities or responsibilities as may be delegated to the Committee from time to time by the Board. Messrs. Domenik, Fine (chairman) and Jackson currently serve as members of the Strategy and Alternatives Committee. A copy of the Charter of the Strategy and Alternatives Committee is posted in the Corporate Governance section of the Investors tab of the Company’s website (www.emcore.com). The Strategy and Alternatives Committee met six (6) times during fiscal 2018.

Board Attendance at Annual Meetings

The Company requires members of the Board of Directors to attend the Company’s Annual Meetings of Shareholders, absent extraordinary circumstances. All of the then-current members of the Board of Directors attended the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Annual Board Evaluations

Pursuant to our Corporate Governance Guidelines and the charter of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee oversees an annual evaluation of the performance of the Board and each committee of the Board. The evaluation process is facilitated by outside legal counsel and is designed to assess the overall effectiveness of the Board and its committees and to identify opportunities for improving Board and Board committee operations and procedures. The annual evaluations are generally conducted in the first quarter of each calendar year and the results of the annual evaluation are reviewed and discussed by the Board.

Management Succession Planning

The Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing the Company’s succession plan for the Chief Executive Officer and general management. In performing these functions, the Compensation Committee, with the assistance of the Chief Executive Officer, periodically assesses senior managers and their succession potential.

Shareholder Communications with the Board

Shareholders may communicate with the Company’s Board of Directors through its Secretary by writing to the following address: Board of Directors, c/o The Secretary, EMCORE Corporation, 2015 W. Chestnut Street, Alhambra, CA, 91803. The Company’s Secretary will forward all correspondence to the Board of Directors, except for junk mail, mass mailings, product complaints or inquiries, job inquiries, surveys, business solicitations or advertisements, or patently offensive or otherwise inappropriate or redundant material. The Company’s Secretary may forward certain correspondence, such as product-related inquiries, elsewhere within the Company for review and possible response. A Board member may request to see all shareholder communications at any time.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018

The Company compensates each non-employee director for service on the Board of Directors. The following table presents director compensation information for fiscal 2018 for the Company’s non-employee directors who served during any part of fiscal 2018.

16

With respect to the fees earned or paid in cash as reflected in the table above, fees were earned and paid on the following basis:

17

Director Compensation Policy

Since its adoption in March 2017, the Company’s Director Compensation Policy (the “Director Compensation Policy”) entitles each director to the following compensation for their service as a member of the Board:

Under the Director Compensation Policy the equity awards referenced above are granted in the form of restricted stock units immediately following the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders to each director then in office, in a number of restricted stock units equal to the Annual Equity Award or Annual Chairperson Equity Award value set forth above, as applicable, divided by the per-share closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of such annual meeting. The restricted stock units will vest on the first anniversary of the grant date (or, if the Company’s next annual meeting of shareholders occurs prior to such vesting date, on the day prior to that annual meeting), subject to the non-employee director’s continued service on the Board through such vesting date. Unvested restricted stock units will also vest upon a director’s earlier termination of employment due to death or disability.

Cash retainers are paid quarterly in arrears. If a non-employee director serves in the corresponding position for only a portion of the year, the cash retainers will be pro-rated (with the proration based on the number of calendar days in the quarter that the director served as a non-employee director or held the particular position, as the case may be). Similarly, in the event a person joins the Board and serves as a non-employee director or Chairman for less than a full plan year, the equity compensation is prorated based on the number of calendar months the director served as a non-employee director or Chairperson during the plan year.

In accordance with the Director Compensation Policy, on March 16, 2018, each non-employee director (other than Dr. Fine) was granted 9,075 restricted stock units (calculated by dividing (a) the $54,000 equity award to which each director is entitled under the Director Compensation Policy by (b) $5.95, which was the closing share price of the Company’s Common Stock on March 16, 2018) for services rendered from the period of March 17, 2018 through March 16, 2019. Pursuant to the Director Compensation Policy, Dr. Fine received 16,218 restricted stock units for his service as Chairman of the Board (calculated by (A) adding the $54,000 equity award to which each director is entitled under the Director Compensation Policy plus the $42,500 equity award to which the Chairman is entitled under the Director Compensation Policy, then (B) dividing by the $5.95 closing share price of the Company’s Common Stock on March 16, 2018). These shares were all granted under the Company’s 2012 Equity Incentive Plan. Pursuant to the Director Compensation Policy, all future director equity awards will be made under the Company’s 2012 Equity Incentive Plan or any other equity compensation plan approved by the Company’s shareholders and in effect at the time of grant (such as the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan that shareholders are being asked to approve in the Annual Meeting).

18

No director who is also an employee of the Company receives compensation for services rendered as a director.

Director Stock Ownership and Holding Requirements.

Our Board of Directors has adopted a stock ownership policy for directors and executive officers. We believe that this policy aligns the interests of our directors with those of our shareholders by requiring directors to have direct ownership in shares of our Common Stock. The policy requires each of our non-employee directors to own shares of our Common Stock having a value equal to at least three times the annual cash retainer they receive (excluding retainers for committee members and chairpersons). Each director is required to be in compliance with the required minimum ownership levels within five years after adoption of the policy, which occurred in fiscal 2016, and is required to retain at least 50% of the net after-tax shares received in respect of equity awards until he is in compliance.

19

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes the material elements of the Company’s executive compensation program and analyzes the compensation decisions made for the executive officers included in the Summary Compensation Table (the “Named Executive Officers”) for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 (“fiscal 2018”).

2018 Named Executive Officers

Our Named Executive Officers for fiscal 2018 were:

Jeffrey Rittichier — Chief Executive Officer (our “CEO”)

Jikun Kim — former Chief Financial Officer (our “former CFO”)

Albert Lu — SVP, Engineering

Because we qualify as a “smaller reporting company”, we have only three Named Executive Officers for fiscal 2018.

Executive Compensation Program Highlights

Highlights of our executive compensation program include:

20

Objectives of the Company’s Executive Compensation Program

The Company’s executive compensation program is designed to:

Role of Shareholder Say-on-Pay Votes

Each year, we provide our shareholders the opportunity to cast an advisory vote on our executive compensation program. This annual vote is known as the “say-on-pay” proposal. At the Company’s 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on March 17, 2017, approximately 96.1% of the votes cast on the say-on-pay proposal at that meeting were voted in favor of the proposal, and at the Company’s 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on March 16, 2018, approximately 97.2% of the votes cast on the say-on-pay proposal at that meeting were voted in favor of the proposal. The Compensation Committee believes this high degree of support for our say-on-pay proposals in 2017 and 2018 reflects shareholders’ approval of the significant changes we made to our executive compensation program during fiscal 2016 and the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 (“fiscal 2017”) and that have been maintained during fiscal 2018.

Following our 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, we engaged in significant shareholder outreach efforts concerning our executive compensation program. We listened to the feedback from our shareholders and made several changes to our executive compensation program that we believe are consistent with emerging trends in executive compensation best practices and strengthen the pay for performance aspects of our compensation program.

21

Following the strong say-on-pay results at the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, we have continued to meet with a significant portion of our institutional shareholders who each individually hold more than 0.5% of our outstanding shares. In general, our shareholders have continued to react positively to the executive compensation and corporate governance changes we implemented. The most significant changes based on shareholder feedback are highlighted below.

		Investor Feedback and Responsive Actions   Based on a review by the Compensation Committee, which included consideration of recommendations of Compensia and feedback from our shareholders, the Compensation Committee has taken the following actions:
				What We Heard				Action Taken
		✓		Compensation for our executive officers should be heavily weighted towards performance, and 100% of long term-equity awards should not vest solely based on continued employment				In fiscal 2018, at least 50% of the target number of shares subject to equity awards granted to our Named Executive Officers have consisted of performance-based restricted stock units that will vest based on our relative total shareholder return over a three-year performance period.
								Continued with our performance-based annual incentive program design. All of the Named Executive Officers received below-target bonus payments for fiscal 2018.
		✓		No long-term equity award installments should be fully vested on the grant date				At the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Company’s shareholders, upon the recommendation of the Board, approved an amendment to the Company’s 2012 Equity Incentive Plan that requires substantially all awards granted under the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan to have a minimum vesting period of one year and, subject to the Compensation Committee’s discretion to accelerate awards, prohibits any portion of an award to vest earlier than the first anniversary of the grant date of the award. This same minimum vesting requirement is included in the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan that shareholders are being asked to approve at the Annual Meeting.
								All performance-based restricted stock units granted in fiscal 2018 will vest based on our relative total shareholder return over a three-year performance period. All time-based restricted stock units granted in 2018 will vest in equal annual installments on the first four anniversaries of the grant date. No restricted stock units granted to the Named Executive Officers in fiscal 2018 were fully vested on the grant date.

22

		✓		Our compensation-related corporate governance practices need to be improved				Maintained a clawback policy that applies to all of the Named Executive Officers.
								Maintained a stock ownership policy with a 3x salary ownership requirement for our Chief Executive Officer and a 1x salary ownership requirement for other Named Executive Officers. Executive officers are required to retain at least 50% of the net after-tax shares received in respect of equity awards until they are in compliance.
								Maintained our anti-pledging policy, which includes a prohibition on hedging transactions.

Role of the Compensation Committee

Pursuant to its charter, the Compensation Committee has the authority to determine the amount of compensation given to each of the Named Executive Officers. The Compensation Committee approves the structure of our executive compensation program, and is responsible for administering our equity compensation plans, including approving grants of awards under the plans. In performing its duties, the Compensation Committee is authorized to consider the recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer when determining the compensation of the other Named Executive Officers.

The elements of our executive compensation program and the compensation amounts payable thereunder to each Named Executive Officer were approved by the Compensation Committee. All Compensation Committee members are independent under applicable Nasdaq rules, and, except for recommendations made by Mr. Rittichier with respect to the compensation of the other Named Executive Officers (other than himself), no Named Executive Officers had any role in determining the compensation of the Named Executive Officers.

Role of Compensation Consultant

Pursuant to its charter, the Compensation Committee has the authority to engage its own advisors to assist in carrying out its responsibilities. Since fiscal 2016, the Compensation Committee has retained Compensia, a national compensation consulting firm, to advise it regarding the amount and types of compensation that we provide to our Named Executive Officers and how our compensation practices compared to the compensation practices of other companies. In particular, Compensia provided advice to the Compensation Committee and helped it develop the structure of our performance-based long-term equity award program that we implemented in fiscal 2017 and maintained in fiscal 2018, helped us develop an updated peer group of companies for fiscal 2018 compensation decisions, and performed a compensation survey utilizing the new peer group. In October 2018, the Compensation Committee engaged Compensia to perform a new compensation survey utilizing an updated peer group and provided recommendations to the Compensation Committee regarding compensation for each of our Named Executive Officers for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019 (“fiscal 2019”) as further described below. The members of the Compensation Committee considered input from Compensia as one factor in making decisions with respect to executive compensation matters, along with information and analysis they received from management and their own judgment and experience.

The Compensation Committee regularly reviews the services provided by Compensia and performs an assessment at least annually on the independence of Compensia to determine whether the compensation consultant is independent. The Compensation Committee determined that Compensia is independent in providing the Compensation Committee with executive compensation consulting services and that Compensia’s work for the Committee did not raise any conflicts of interest, consistent with SEC rules and Nasdaq listing standards. In

23

making this determination, the Compensation Committee reviewed information provided by Compensia on the following factors:

Having reviewed such factors, the Compensation Committee determined that it would be in the best interests of the Compensation Committee and of the Company to ratify and approve the engagement of Compensia as its independent compensation consultant. Compensia did not perform any services for the Company during fiscal 2018 other than providing advice with respect to executive and director compensation.

Peer Companies

In September 2017, the Compensation Committee engaged Compensia to conduct a comprehensive review of the Company’s peer group of companies, as well as a comprehensive compensation survey utilizing the new peer group for each of our Named Executive Officers. Our methodology for selecting our new peer group of companies was to (1) start with our existing peer group, (2) screen out any companies that had been acquired, (3) perform a revenue screen of the existing peer group and other publicly traded communications equipment and semiconductor companies with revenues over the last four quarters that were approximately 0.5x to 2.5x the Company’s revenues over the same four quarters, (4) perform a market capitalization screen of the existing peer group and other publicly traded communications equipment and semiconductor companies with 30-day average market capitalizations as of the beginning of September 2017 that were approximately 0.25x to 4x the Company’s 30-day average market capitalization over the same period, and (5) review the peer group of companies used in the prior year by certain proxy advisory firms for potential inclusion as peer group companies if they satisfied the revenue and market capitalization screens described above.

Our objective in selecting the September 2017 peer group of companies was to select a peer group where the Company’s revenue and market capitalization would approximate the 40^th to 50^th percentile of the peer group of companies. We also attempted to select peer companies that fit within the parameters of our revenue and market capitalization screen criteria described above, while still retaining the discretion to continue to include certain of the existing peer group companies falling outside of these parameters that we believe have strong business similarities and against whom we compete for talent. Based on this methodology, we implemented the following changes to our peer group:

24

In September 2017, in connection with compensation decisions related to fiscal 2018, Compensia reviewed the compensation levels for each of the Named Executive Officers, utilizing the Company’s new September 2017 peer group. The analysis covered base salary, target bonus as a percent of salary, target total cash compensation, total long-term incentive compensation value and target total direct compensation relative to each company in the September 2017 peer group.

In October 2018, the Compensation Committee again engaged Compensia to conduct a review of the Company’s peer group of companies, as well as a comprehensive compensation survey utilizing the new peer group for each of our Named Executive Officers. Our methodology for selecting our new peer group of companies, based on the recommendation of Compensia, was to update the September 2017 peer group by removing any companies that had been acquired since September 2017.

Based on this methodology, we implemented the following changes to our peer group:

25

In October 2018, in connection with compensation decisions related to fiscal 2019, Compensia reviewed the compensation levels for each of the Named Executive Officers, utilizing the Company’s new October 2018 peer group. The analysis covered base salary, target bonus as a percent of salary, target total cash compensation, total long-term incentive compensation value and target total direct compensation relative to each company in the October 2018 peer group.

The purpose of the September 2017 and October 2018 compensation reviews was to provide the Compensation Committee with information on the compensation practices and program designs at peer companies. This information is used by the Compensation Committee to inform its decision making process with respect to the compensation amounts for the Named Executive Officers. However, the Compensation Committee does not rigidly adhere to a benchmarking strategy in setting compensation amounts for the Named Executive Officers. Instead, the peer group compensation information is used as one of the data points for the Compensation Committee to make subjective compensation decisions using its business judgment after considering a number of factors, including our objectives of attracting and motivating highly qualified executives, holding executives accountable and rewarding them for individual performance, and ensuring that compensation levels are externally competitive and internally equitable.

Based on the October 2018 compensation review, the Compensation Committee believes that Mr. Rittichier’s, Mr. Kim’s and Mr. Lu’s base salary amounts were at approximately the 50th, 40th and 30th percentile levels, respectively, of the base salary amount paid by the members of our October 2018 peer group to similarly situated executives. Based on the October 2018 compensation review, the Compensation Committee believes that Mr. Rittichier’s, Mr. Kim’s, Mr. Lu’s target total annual cash compensation opportunities were at approximately the 35th, 40th and 30th percentile levels, respectively, of the target total annual cash compensation opportunities paid by the members of our October 2018 peer group to similarly situated executives. As a result of these and other factors, the Compensation Committee made a determination in December 2018 to maintain Mr. Rittichier’s and Mr. Lu’s current base salary and target bonus opportunity at each of their current levels for our 2019 fiscal year. At its meeting in December 2018, the Compensation Committee did not consider any changes to the base salary and target bonus opportunity for Mr. Kim in light of his pending separation from the Company effective December 31, 2018.

Employment Agreements with Messrs. Rittichier and Kim

The Compensation Committee previously approved an executive employment agreement with Mr. Rittichier in connection with his appointment as our Chief Executive Officer effective January 3, 2015. The employment agreement provides that Mr. Rittichier’s employment is “at-will” and may be terminated by Mr. Rittichier or by the Company at any time with or without cause, subject only to the severance obligations that are discussed in greater detail under the “Executive Compensation — Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control” section of this Proxy Statement. Under the terms of Mr. Rittichier’s employment agreement, his initial base salary was established as described in more detail below, and will continue to be determined annually by the Compensation Committee, which may, in its sole and absolute discretion, increase Mr. Rittichier’s base salary, but may not decrease it below Mr. Rittichier’s initial base salary without Mr. Rittichier’s consent. In addition, Mr. Rittichier is entitled to participate in any of the Company’s annual bonus or pay-for-performance plans, with Mr. Rittichier entitled to a target annual cash bonus of 80% of his base salary. Mr. Rittichier will be eligible for equity awards under the Company’s equity award plans covering senior executives as may be in effect from time to time and as approved by the Compensation Committee in its sole and absolute discretion. In the event a payment or benefit provided under the employment agreement would constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), then such payment or benefit will be limited as provided in the employment agreement. The employment agreement does not provide for any tax “gross up” or similar payment for any excise taxes that may be triggered by the payment of any parachute payments.

The Compensation Committee previously approved an executive employment agreement with Mr. Kim in connection with his appointment as our Chief Financial Officer effective June 20, 2016. Under the terms of

26

Mr. Kim’s employment agreement, the initial base salary of Mr. Kim was established as described in more detail below and would continue to be determined annually by the Compensation Committee, which may have, in its sole and absolute discretion, increased Mr. Kim’s base salary, but may not have decreased it below Mr. Kim’s initial base salary without Mr. Kim’s consent. In addition, Mr. Kim was entitled to participate in any of the Company’s annual bonus or pay-for-performance plans, with Mr. Kim entitled to a target annual cash bonus of 50% of his base salary. Mr. Kim was eligible for equity awards under the Company’s equity award plans covering senior executives as may have been in effect from time to time and as approved by the Compensation Committee in its sole and absolute discretion. In the event a payment or benefit provided under the employment agreement would have constituted a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, then such payment or benefit would have been limited as provided in the employment agreement. The employment agreement did not provide for any tax “gross up” or similar payment for any excise taxes that may be triggered by the payment of any parachute payments.

Mr. Kim’s employment with the Company terminated on December 31, 2018, and Mr. Kim’s employment agreement is no longer in effect. Please see the “Executive Compensation — Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control” section of this Proxy Statement below for a description of the potential severance benefits previously payable to Mr. Kim under the employment agreement and the actual severance benefits that were paid to Mr. Kim in connection with his termination of employment.

Mr. Lu is not a party to any employment agreement with the Company.

Base Salary

Base salaries for the Named Executive Officers are determined based upon job responsibilities, level of experience, individual performance, and the peer group compensation information described above. No Named Executive Officers are entitled to any automatic base salary increases, and all base salary increases are determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion. The Compensation Committee reviews any proposed salary increase for our Chief Executive Officer in executive session without Company management present.

No increases to Mr. Rittichier’s or Mr. Kim’s base salary were made in fiscal 2018. The Compensation Committee also reviewed Mr. Rittichier’s base salary in December 2018 and determined not to make any increases to Mr. Rittichier’s base salary for fiscal 2019. Mr. Rittichier’s current base salary remains $425,000.

The Compensation Committee determined in October 2017 to increase Mr. Lu’s base salary from $241,362 to $280,000 based on an assessment of Mr. Lu’s significant efforts towards the Company’s performance and the fact that Mr. Lu’s $241,362 fiscal 2017 base salary and fiscal 2017 total targeted annual cash compensation were significantly below the 50^th percentile level, and in the case of fiscal 2017 total targeted annual cash compensation, at approximately the 25^th percentile level, for similarly situated executives at our peer group of companies. The Compensation Committee reviewed Mr. Lu’s base salary in December 2018 and determined not to make any increases to Mr. Lu’s base salary for fiscal 2019. Mr. Lu’s current base salary remains $280,000.

Annual Cash Incentives

In General. Typically, the Company establishes a cash incentive plan each fiscal year which provides the Company’s executive officers an opportunity to receive an annual cash payment in addition to their base salaries. The purpose of the cash incentive plan is to drive overall effectiveness and productivity by motivating the executives to achieve specified Company financial and identifiable individual performance goals that support the Company’s strategic business objectives and goals of achieving increased profitability. By linking a significant portion of an executive’s annual cash compensation opportunity to the achievement of the Company’s strategic objectives, as well as the individual’s performance, the individual’s compensation is closely tied to the success of the Company. We believe that providing annual cash incentive opportunities is a key component of maintaining a competitive executive compensation program.

27

2018 Cash Bonus Plan Structure. On October 12, 2017, the Board, following the recommendation of the Company’s Compensation Committee, approved the EMCORE Corporation Fiscal 2018 Bonus Plan (the “2018 Bonus Plan”). Under the 2018 Bonus Plan, the Company’s Named Executive Officers were eligible to receive cash bonus awards that are determined based on the achievement of a specified financial performance goal for the Company as well as individual performance goals for each Named Executive Officer.

With respect to Mr. Rittichier and Mr. Kim, 80% of his annual cash bonus opportunity was based on the Company’s achievement of a non-GAAP net income target. With respect to Mr. Lu, 60% of his annual cash bonus opportunity was based on the Company’s achievement of a non-GAAP net income target. The amount of cash bonus payable to each executive officer under the 2018 Bonus Plan based on non-GAAP net income performance could range from 0% to 120% of the portion of the executive’s target bonus opportunity that was tied to non-GAAP net income, as illustrated by the table below.

The maximum cash bonus payable to each executive officer under the 2018 Bonus Plan based on non-GAAP net income performance was equal to 120% of the portion of the executive’s target bonus opportunity that is tied to non-GAAP net income. The Compensation Committee determined to cap bonus payouts for outperformance at 120% of the target bonus amount to limit our executives’ maximum bonus potential.

The Compensation Committee established non-GAAP net income targets as the Company performance goal because it believes these financial performance metrics are the best indicators of the Company’s performance each fiscal year. For purposes of the 2018 Bonus Plan, “non-GAAP net income” means the Company’s net income for fiscal 2018, as determined under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, adjusted to eliminate the impact of (1) discontinued operations, (2) litigation expenses associated with any material pending arbitration or litigation matters, (3) expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Strategy and Alternatives Committee of the Board of Directors, including in connection with proposed acquisitions or divestitures, (4) severance and restructuring charges, (5) stock-based compensation expense and (6) other non-recurring operating gains and losses.

The remaining 20% of the annual cash bonus opportunity for Mr. Rittichier and Mr. Kim, and the remaining 40% of the annual cash bonus opportunity for Mr. Lu, was based on each executive’s achievement of individual performance goals. The amount of cash bonus payable to each executive officer for the achievement of individual goals could similarly range from 0% to 120% of the portion of the executive’s target bonus opportunity that is tied to the individual performance goals.

Under the 2018 Bonus Plan, the aggregate target bonus opportunity for Mr. Rittichier was 80% of his annual base salary at the end of the fiscal year, the aggregate target bonus opportunity for Mr. Kim was 50% of his annual base salary at the end of the fiscal year and the aggregate target bonus opportunity for Mr. Lu was 40% of his annual base salary at the end of the fiscal year. Bonuses, if any, under the 2018 Bonus Plan are payable in cash no later than March 15, 2019.

28

In December 2017, the Compensation Committee established a non-GAAP net income target for the 2018 Bonus Plan of $17.6 million. This target represented an approximate 78% increase over our actual non-GAAP net income of $9.6 million achieved for fiscal 2017, which the Compensation Committee believes demonstrates the rigor of this performance target. The Company did not achieve positive non-GAAP net income for fiscal 2018, which resulted in us achieving less than 80% of the non-GAAP net income target, and no bonuses tied to the non-GAAP net income target being earned. The Compensation Committee believes this reinforces its pay-for-performance philosophy and serves as an incentive for the executives to improve on our non-GAAP net income performance in fiscal 2019.

2018 Cash Bonus for Mr. Rittichier. As described above, Mr. Rittichier received none of his portion of his bonus opportunity that was tied to the Company’s non-GAAP net income performance. Mr. Rittichier had three specific individual performance goals for fiscal 2018 that were based on:

The Compensation Committee reviewed Mr. Rittichier’s performance against the performance goals and determined that he achieved 100% of one objective, 64% of one objective and 58% of one objective, resulting in a 74% weighted average payout factor for the portion of his bonus opportunity that was tied to his individual performance goals. Mr. Rittichier’s actual bonus payout under the 2018 Bonus Plan was $50,223 in total, which was approximately 15% of his target bonus opportunity for fiscal 2018.

2018 Cash Bonus for Mr. Kim. As described above, Mr. Kim received none of his portion of his bonus opportunity that was tied to the Company’s non-GAAP net income performance. Mr. Kim had six specific individual performance goals for fiscal 2018 that were based on:

In connection with Mr. Kim’s termination of employment, the Compensation Committee, with input from Mr. Rittichier, reviewed Mr. Kim’s performance against the performance goals and determined that he achieved 100% of three of the objectives, 75% of one of the objectives, 50% of one of the objectives and 0% of another objective, resulting in a 75% weighted average payout factor for the portion of his bonus opportunity that was tied to his individual performance goals. As a result of his performance, the Company agreed in Mr. Kim’s Separation Agreement (as defined below) to pay Mr. Kim a payment of $22,875 in total, which was approximately 15% of his target bonus opportunity for fiscal 2018.

2018 Cash Bonus for Mr. Lu. As described above, Mr. Lu received none of his portion of his bonus opportunity that was tied to the Company’s non-GAAP net income performance. Mr. Lu had four specific individual performance goals for fiscal 2018 that were based on:

29

The Compensation Committee, with input from Mr. Rittichier, reviewed Mr. Lu’s performance against the performance goals and determined that he achieved 100% of one objective, 92% of one of the objectives, 50% of one of the objectives and 25% of one of the objectives, resulting in a 67% weighted average payout factor for the portion of his bonus opportunity that was tied to his individual performance goals. Mr. Lu’s actual bonus payout under the 2018 Bonus Plan was $29,890 in total, which was approximately 29% of his target bonus opportunity for fiscal 2018.

Long-Term Stock-Based Incentives

In General. The Company believes that stock-based incentives are an effective means for aligning the interests of our executives with the interests of our shareholders and that the long-term compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers should be linked to the value provided to our shareholders. In addition, we use stock-based compensation as a retention tool. Because the stock awards generally vest over a multi-year period, they provide our executives with an ongoing incentive to continue their employment with the Company and to maximize shareholder value. Long-term stock-based incentives granted to our executives for the last several years have been structured in the form of restricted stock unit awards. Restricted stock unit awards are designed to link executives’ interests with those of the Company’s shareholders because the value of the awards is based on the value of the Common Stock. In addition, they provide a long-term retention incentive throughout the vesting period because the restricted stock units generally have value regardless of stock price volatility.

Fiscal 2018 Awards for Named Executive Officers. In granting equity awards to our Named Executive Officers other than Mr. Kim, the Compensation Committee used its judgment and discretion to determine the appropriate value of each award at the time it was granted, and reviewed each executive’s individual performance and the performance of the Company in the prior fiscal year, as well as the peer group compensation information described above. For the Named Executive Officers other than Mr. Kim, at least 50% of the target number of shares subject to the awards have consisted of performance-based restricted stock units that will vest based on our relative total shareholder return over a three-year performance period.

For Mr. Kim, he was granted an initial equity award pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement entered into in June 2016 in connection with his appointment as our Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Kim’s initial equity award was structured as a two-year award, and unlike the other Named Executive Officers, Mr. Kim was not awarded any new equity awards by the Company during fiscal 2018. Mr. Kim’s outstanding equity awards that remained unvested as of December 31, 2018 were cancelled and terminated as of such date in connection with the separation from the Company.

Performance-Based Program Design. The performance-based restricted stock units will vest based on a combination of our relative total shareholder return over a three-year performance period and the executive’s continued employment. We chose relative total shareholder return as the applicable performance measure because (1) we believe it will incentivize the Named Executive Officers to focus on and grow our returns for shareholders, and (2) it is an objective and easily understandable performance metric that is different than the earnings-based performance measure used under our annual cash incentive program.

Relative total shareholder return is measured against the companies in the Russell Microcap Index, which is a capitalization-weighted index of 2,000 small cap and micro cap stocks. We chose to measure our performance against the Russell Microcap Index because we wanted to measure our performance against a broad index of relatively similarly sized companies in which investors may choose to invest and measure performance against, instead of measuring our performance against the much smaller group of compensation peers described above, substantially all of which are included in the Russell Microcap Index.

The performance-based restricted stock units that were granted by the Company to each of Mr. Rittichier and Mr. Lu in December 2017 consisted of one tranche that is eligible to vest based on the Company’s relative total shareholder return performance for the three-year period following the grant date and will cliff vest at the end of

30

such three-year performance period. 100% of the target number of shares subject to the grants will vest if our total shareholder return performance equals that of the Russell Microcap Index for the performance period. If our total shareholder return exceeds that of the Russell Microcap Index for the applicable performance period, the target number of shares subject to the award that will vest is increased by 2% for each 1% of overperformance, subject to a maximum payout equal to 200% of the target number of shares. Similarly, if our total shareholder return is less than that of the Russell Microcap Index for the performance period, the target number of shares subject to the award that will vest is decreased by 2% for each 1% of underperformance, so that the award has a parallel upside leverage opportunity and downside penalty for underperformance. The payout matrix for the performance-based restricted stock unit awards can be illustrated as follows:

Time-Based Equity Awards for Named Executive Officers. Each of our Named Executive Officers (other than Mr. Kim) also received a time-based restricted stock unit award in fiscal 2018 that vests 25% in four equal annual installments on the first four anniversaries of the grant date, subject to the Named Executive Officer’s continued employment with the Company through the applicable vesting date. No portion of these awards was immediately vested on the grant date.

Payouts of First Tranche of CEO and former CFO Prior Performance Units. The performance period for the first tranche of performance-based restricted stock units granted to Messrs. Rittichier and Kim in October 2016 ended on October 17, 2017. We achieved a total shareholder return of 61.64% for the first performance period compared to a total shareholder return of 20.28% for the Russell Microcap Index for the first performance period, yielding a total shareholder return ratio relative to the Russell Microcap Index of 134.39%. As a result of significantly outperforming the Index during the performance period, 168.77% of the target number of shares subject to the first tranche of Messrs. Rittichier’s and Kim’s awards became vested and payable. We believe this payout is evidence of the performance contingent nature of our executive compensation program design at work — the executives were able to earn an above-target award payout only because our total shareholder return outperformed the Russell Microcap Index.

Payouts of Second Tranche of CEO and former CFO Prior Performance Units. The performance period for the second tranche of performance-based restricted stock units granted to Messrs. Rittichier and Kim in October 2016 ended after the end of our 2018 fiscal year on October 17, 2018. We achieved a total shareholder return of — (10.90)% for the second performance period compared to a total shareholder return of 35.63% for the Russell Microcap Index for the second performance period, yielding a total shareholder return ratio relative to the Russell Microcap Index of 65.69%. As a result of significantly underperforming the Index during the performance period, only 31.38% of the target number of shares subject to the second tranche of Messrs. Rittichier’s and Kim’s awards became vested and payable. We believe this payout is also evidence of the performance contingent nature of our executive compensation program design at work — the executives earned a significantly

31

below-target award payout because our total shareholder return significantly underperformed the Russell Microcap Index.

Company Benefits

The Company’s benefits are an important tool in our ability to attract and retain outstanding employees throughout the Company. As a business matter, we weigh the benefits we need to offer to remain competitive and attract and retain talented employees against the cost of the benefits. Benefit levels are reviewed periodically to ensure they are cost-effective and competitive and support the overall needs of Company employees.

This section describes the benefits that the Company provides to key executives and notes those instances when benefits for the Named Executive Officers differ from the general plan. In some instances, we also describe the programs we offer across the Company as context to specific discussions about executive benefits.

Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits

The Company offers a standard benefits package to all of its eligible employees, which includes medical, dental, and vision coverage. The Named Executive Officers are also eligible to receive supplemental health benefit coverage that is not made available to non-executive employees.

Company-Sponsored Retirement Plan

The EMCORE Corporation 401(k) Plan (the “401(k) Plan”) is a defined contribution plan that is designed to comply with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as well as federal and state legal requirements. The 401(k) Plan is designed to provide retirement benefits to eligible employees of the Company. Participants in the 401(k) Plan may elect to reduce compensation by a specific percentage, which is contributed to the participant’s 401(k) Plan account on a pre-tax basis as a salary deferral.

Employees, including the Company’s Named Executive Officers, may elect to contribute to the 401(k) Plan through salary reduction up to the yearly maximum tax-deductible deferral allowed pursuant to IRS regulations. A participant may elect to defer between 1-90% of his or her compensation per pay period. Each participant is able to direct his or her investment into any of the available investment options. Participants’ contributions are vested at 100%.

The Company may provide a discretionary match of 50% of the first 6% of a participant’s contribution to the 401(k) Plan, and this matching contribution vests over a five year period, based on the participant’s continuing service during such period.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Company offers all eligible employees, including the Company’s Named Executive Officers, the opportunity to acquire an ownership interest in the Company by purchasing shares of Common Stock through a tax-qualified employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”). Under the ESPP, an eligible employee may withhold, through payroll deductions, up to 10% of his or her eligible earnings, up to certain maximums, to be used to purchase shares of Common Stock at certain plan-defined dates. The option price is set at 85% of the average of the high and low price for Common Stock on either the first or last day of the applicable offering period under the ESPP, whichever is lower.

Officer and Director Share Purchase Plan

In January 2011, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved an Officer and Director Share Purchase Plan (the “ODPP”), which allows executive officers and directors of the Company to purchase shares of

32

Common Stock at fair market value in lieu of salary or, in the case of directors, director fees. Eligible individuals may voluntarily participate in the ODPP by authorizing payroll deductions or, in the case of directors, deductions from director fees for the purpose of purchasing shares of Common Stock. Elections to participate in the ODPP may only be made during open trading windows under the Company’s insider trading policy and when the participant does not otherwise possess material non-public information concerning the Company.

Severance Benefits

Messrs. Rittichier and Kim. In an effort to further promote the retention of the Company’s Named Executive Officers, the Company previously entered into an executive employment agreement with Mr. Rittichier in connection with his appointment as our Chief Executive Officer effective January 3, 2015, and approved an executive employment agreement with Mr. Kim in connection with his appointment as our Chief Financial Officer effective June 20, 2016. These agreements set forth each executive’s severance benefits for a qualifying termination by us without good “cause” or by the executive for “good reason” (as those terms are defined in each executive’s employment agreement). We do not believe that the Named Executive Officers should be entitled to receive their cash severance benefits merely because a change in control transaction occurs, and a change in control does not, in and of itself, entitle any Named Executive Officer to receive cash severance benefits (i.e., these severance benefits are “double-trigger” benefits).

In accordance with the terms of these agreements, Mr. Rittichier is, and Mr. Kim was, eligible to receive certain severance benefits for a qualifying termination of employment, including continued payment of base salary for a period of one year, payment of the executive’s target annual bonus for the year of termination over a period of one year, and payment of certain continuing health benefits for one year. Each executive’s cash severance benefits is or was based on a “1x” multiple, and the cash severance benefits will not increase or would not have increased if the qualifying termination occurs in connection with a change in control of the Company.

Under the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Rittichier would be entitled to acceleration and immediate vesting of 50% of his outstanding equity awards in the event of a change in control of the Company and would be entitled to acceleration and immediate vesting of 50% of his outstanding equity awards (excepting those which were previously vested due to a change in control) which have not vested as of his termination date in the event he experiences a qualifying termination of employment within twelve months following a change in control. We eliminated this partial single-trigger equity vesting provision in Mr. Kim’s employment agreement, and instead provided that Mr. Kim would be entitled to acceleration and immediate vesting of 100% of his outstanding equity awards which have not vested as of his termination date (with any performance-based awards vesting at a minimum of the target performance level) in the event he experiences a qualifying termination of employment within twelve months following a change in control. As a result, all of Mr. Kim’s severance benefits are “double trigger” benefits.

In the event a payment or benefit provided under these employment agreements would constitute or would have constituted a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, then such payment or benefit will be or would have been limited as provided in the employment agreements. The employment agreements for Messrs. Rittichier and Kim do not or did not provide for any tax “gross up” or similar payment for any excise taxes that may be triggered by the payment of any parachute payments.

In order to receive any severance benefits under their employment agreements, Messrs. Rittichier and Kim must execute a general release agreement releasing the Company from any liability or obligation to the executive, and comply with the restrictive covenants included in the employment agreements.

On December 4, 2018, the Company and Mr. Kim entered into a Separation and General Release Agreement (the “Separation Agreement”). Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, Mr. Kim received his accrued and unpaid salary as of December 31, 2018 (the “Separation Date”), continuation of his monthly base salary for a period of two months following the Separation Date and a lump sum payment of $22,875 in lieu of any cash bonus

33

payment otherwise payable under the 2018 Bonus Plan. Mr. Kim’s receipt of the foregoing severance benefits was subject to his execution and non-revocation of a general release agreement releasing the Company from any liability or obligation to the executive and compliance with certain confidentiality, non-solicitation and other restrictive covenants as provided in the Separation Agreement. Mr. Kim’s outstanding equity awards that remained unvested as of the Separation Date were cancelled and terminated.

For more information regarding potential payments that may be made to Mr. Rittichier, and payments that could have been made to Mr. Kim as of September 30, 2018, in each case upon a qualifying termination of employment or a change in control, see “Executive Compensation — Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control.”

Other Named Executive Officers. The Company has not entered into any agreements with Mr. Lu that require any specified severance benefits or accelerated vesting of equity awards upon termination of their employment or a change of control of the Company.

Clawback Policy

During fiscal 2016, we adopted a compensation recoupment policy whereby in the event of a restatement of our financial statements to correct a material error, the Compensation Committee is required to review our incentive compensation awards and may, if it determines appropriate after considering all relevant facts and circumstances, require the reimbursement of the incremental incentive compensation that an executive officer received as a result of the incorrect financial results. Annual bonus payments, long-term cash incentives, stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units (including performance stock units) and other equity incentive awards that are granted, earned or vested based wholly or in part upon the attainment of a financial reporting measure are each subject to the terms of this clawback policy.

Stock Ownership and Holding Requirements

During fiscal 2016, we adopted a stock ownership policy. We believe that this policy aligns the interests of our executive officers with those of our shareholders by requiring executive officers to have direct ownership in shares of our Common Stock. The policy requires our Chief Executive Officer to own shares of our Common Stock having a value equal to at least three times his or her annual base salary and our other executive officers to own shares of our Common Stock having a value equal to at least one times his or her annual base salary. Shares subject to stock options and unvested stock unit awards are not considered owned by the executive for purposes of the policy. The executives covered by the policy are required to be in compliance with the ownership levels above within five years after adoption of the policy, and are required to retain at least 50% of the net after-tax shares received in respect of equity awards until they are in compliance.

Anti-Hedging, Pledging and Derivatives Policy

The Company considers it improper and inappropriate for the Company’s directors, executive officers and other employees to engage in short-term or speculative transactions in the Company’s securities and other transactions in the Company’s securities that create the potential for heightened legal risk or the appearance of improper or inappropriate conduct even if they occur at a time when the individual is not aware of material nonpublic information. Accordingly, the Company prohibits these individuals from engaging in short-term trading of the Company’s securities, short sales, transactions in puts, calls, or other derivative securities related to the Company’s stock on an exchange or in any other organized market, entering into hedging or monetization transactions that are designed to hedge or offset any decrease in the market value of the Company’s securities, margining Company securities held in a margin account, or pledging Company securities as collateral for a loan.

34

Tax and Accounting Considerations

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (“Section 162(m)”) generally disallows a tax deduction to public companies for compensation in excess of $1 million paid to a company’s chief executive officer and certain current and former executive officers. Certain awards granted before November 2, 2017 that were based upon attaining pre-established performance measures that were set by the Compensation Committee under a plan approved by the company’s stockholders, as well as amounts payable to former executives pursuant to a written binding contract that was in effect on November 2, 2017, may qualify for an exception to the $1 million deductibility limit. The Compensation Committee considers, among other relevant factors, the deductibility of compensation when it reviews our compensation plans and policies. However, there can be no assurance that any compensation will, in fact, be deductible, and the Compensation Committee may award non-deductible compensation when it determines it to be appropriate.

35

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The table below sets forth certain information concerning the compensation paid to or earned by those persons who during fiscal 2018 served as the Company’s (i) Chief Executive Officer, and (ii) our former Chief Financial Officer and SVP, Engineering, who are our two most highly compensated executive officers during fiscal 2018 other than our Chief Executive Officer. Because we qualify as a “smaller reporting company,” compensation information is provided for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, except in cases where an individual was not a Named Executive Officer for the applicable year.

Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal Years ended September 30, 2018 and 2017

36

The following table sets forth as to each Named Executive Officer information about the grants of plan-based awards during fiscal 2018. Each of the equity-based awards was granted under the Company’s 2012 Equity Incentive Plan and cash-based bonuses were awarded under the 2018 Bonus Plan. For a narrative description of the terms of these awards, please refer to the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” above.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards in Fiscal 2018

37

The following table sets forth as to each Named Executive Officer information on outstanding equity awards held by the Named Executive Officer as of September 30, 2018.

Outstanding Equity Awards as of September 30, 2018

38

The following table sets forth as to each Named Executive Officer information on the exercise of stock options and the vesting of other stock awards previously granted to the Named Executive Officer during fiscal 2018.

Options Exercised and Stock Vested in Fiscal 2018

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control

Messrs. Rittichier and Kim

The Company has entered into employment agreements with Messrs. Rittichier and Kim, setting forth, among other things, the Named Executive Officer’s severance benefits upon termination of their employment or change of control of the Company. In accordance with the terms of Mr. Rittichier’s agreement, if (a) his employment is terminated without “cause” or (b) he terminates his employment for “good reason,” he will receive the following benefits: (i) continued payment of his base salary for a period of twelve months; (ii) payment of his target annual bonus for the year of termination; and (iii) payment of certain continued health coverage premiums for twelve months. Mr. Rittichier’s employment agreement also provides that he is entitled to acceleration and immediate vesting of 50% of his outstanding equity awards in the event of a “change in control” of the Company. In addition, if Mr. Rittichier’s employment is terminated without cause or he terminates his employment for good reason within twelve months of a change in control of the Company, under the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Rittichier is also entitled to acceleration and immediate vesting of 50% of his outstanding equity awards that remain subject to vesting (excepting those which were previously vested due to a change in control, as described above). The terms “cause,” “good reason” and “change in control” as referenced in relation to Mr. Rittichier’s employment agreement are each defined in Mr. Rittichier’s employment agreement. Receipt of these severance benefits is subject to Mr. Rittichier entering into a general release agreement with the Company and compliance with certain confidentiality, nondisclosure and other restrictive covenants set forth in the employment agreement.

In accordance with the terms of Mr. Kim’s agreement, if (a) his employment had been terminated without “cause” or (b) he terminated his employment for “good reason,” he would have received the following benefits: (i) continued payment of his base salary for a period of twelve months; (ii) payment of his target annual bonus for the year of termination; and (iii) payment of certain continued health coverage premiums for twelve months. In addition, if Mr. Kim’s employment had been terminated without cause or he terminated his employment for good reason within twelve months of a “change in control” of the Company, under the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Kim would also have been entitled to acceleration and immediate vesting of all of his outstanding equity awards (with any awards subject to performance-based vesting requirements vesting at a minimum of the

39

target performance level). The terms “cause,” “good reason” and “change in control” as referenced in relation to Mr. Kim’s employment agreement were each defined in Mr. Kim’s employment agreement.

On December 4, 2018 the Company and Mr. Kim entered into a Separation and General Release Agreement (the “Separation Agreement”). Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, Mr. Kim received his accrued and unpaid salary as of December 31, 2018 (the “Separation Date”), continuation of his monthly base salary for a period of two months following the Separation Date and a lump sum payment of $22,875 in lieu of any cash bonus payment otherwise payable under the 2018 Bonus Plan. Mr. Kim’s receipt of the foregoing severance benefits was subject to his execution and non-revocation of a general release agreement releasing the Company from any liability or obligation to the executive and compliance with certain confidentiality, non-solicitation and other restrictive covenants as provided in the Separation Agreement. Mr. Kim’s outstanding equity awards that remained unvested as of the Separation Date were cancelled and terminated.

The following are estimated payments and benefits that would be provided to Mr. Rittichier, and would have been provided to Mr. Kim, in the event the Named Executive Officer’s employment is or was terminated as described above. In accordance with applicable SEC disclosure rules, the estimates assume a termination date of September 28, 2018, the last business day of fiscal 2018. However, the actual amounts of the payments and costs of the benefits for Mr. Rittichier can only be determined at the time of an executive’s separation from the Company.

In addition, as of September 30, 2018, Messrs. Rittichier and Kim would realize or would have realized the following gains from the acceleration of unvested equity awards under the circumstances described above, measured based on a stock price of $4.75, which was the per share closing price of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq Global Market on September 28, 2018, the last trading day of fiscal 2018:

If Mr. Rittichier’s employment is terminated for cause or he terminates his employment without good reason, the Company will pay Mr. Rittichier’s base salary through the effective date of his termination and will not have any additional obligations to Mr. Rittichier. If Mr. Rittichier’s employment terminates as a result of his death, the Company will pay Mr. Rittichier’s base salary through the effective date of his termination and provide his spouse and children health insurance coverage as in effect on the date of termination for a period of twelve months thereafter. Mr. Kim was also eligible to receive these same death benefits prior to his termination of employment.

Mr. Lu

The Company has not entered into any agreements with Mr. Lu that require any specified severance benefits or accelerated vesting of equity awards upon termination of their employment or change of control of the Company.

40

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The information contained under this “Compensation Committee Report” shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), or under the Exchange Act, or be subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates this information by reference into any such filing.

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis. Based on this review and discussion, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Company’s Proxy Statement in accordance with Item 407(e)(5) of Regulation S-K.

This report is submitted by the Compensation Committee.

December 13, 2018

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE*

Rex S. Jackson, Chairman

Stephen L. Domenik

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

During fiscal 2018, the members of the Company’s Compensation Committee included Messrs. Coringrato, Domenik and Jackson. No member of the Compensation Committee served as one of the Company’s officers or employees during fiscal 2018 or was formerly an officer or employee of the Company at any time. None of the Company’s executive officers served as a member of the compensation committee of any other company that has an executive officer serving as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors or Compensation Committee during fiscal 2018. None of the Company’s executive officers served as a member of the board of directors of any other company that has an executive officer serving as a member of the Company’s Compensation Committee during fiscal 2018.

COMPENSATION RISK

The Compensation Committee has reviewed the Company’s compensation policies and practices for all employees, including executive and non-executive officers, and determined that the Company’s compensation programs do not give rise to risks reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Committee noted several design features of the Company’s cash and equity incentive programs for executive officers in particular that reduce the likelihood of excessive risk-taking and instead encourage behaviors that support sustainable value creation by rewarding employees for achieving long-term financial and strategic objectives through prudent business judgment and appropriate risk taking. Some of these elements include:

41

42

OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF

CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth as of December 31, 2018 certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of Common Stock of the Company by: (i) each Named Executive Officer of the Company, (ii) each director and nominee, (iii) all directors and current executive officers as a group (7 persons), and (iv) each person or “group” (as that term is defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Common Stock of the Company. Except as otherwise indicated, the Company believes, based on information furnished by such persons, that each person listed below has the sole voting and investment power over the shares of Common Stock shown as beneficially owned, subject to community property laws, where applicable. Shares beneficially owned include shares of Common Stock, options to acquire shares of Common Stock and restricted stock units that are exercisable or will vest within sixty (60) days of December 31, 2018. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each of the beneficial owners is c/o EMCORE Corporation, 2015 W. Chestnut Street, Alhambra, CA, 91803.

43

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The following table sets forth, as of September 30, 2018, the number of securities outstanding under each of the Company’s compensation plans under which equity securities are authorized for issuance, the weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, and the number of securities available for grant under such plans. Shareholders are also being asked to approve the a new equity compensation plan, the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, as described below.

44

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Under the U.S. securities laws, our directors and executive officers and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of our Common Stock must report their initial ownership of our equity securities and any subsequent changes in that ownership to the SEC pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act. The SEC has established specific due dates for these reports, and we must disclose in this Proxy Statement any late filings during fiscal 2018. Based on the Company’s review of the copies of such reports required to be furnished to the Company with respect to fiscal 2018, and written representations furnished to the Company by our directors and executive officers that no other reports were required, the Company believes that all reports required to be filed under Section 16(a) were timely filed during fiscal 2018.

45

PROPOSAL II:

RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

For fiscal 2018, KPMG LLP (“KPMG”) served as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and provided audit services that included examination of the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements. A summary of the fees for services provided by KPMG LLP for fiscal 2018 is set forth below. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has appointed KPMG to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2019 and the Board of Directors recommends that shareholders ratify such appointment at the Annual Meeting.

Action by the shareholders is not required by law to appoint or ratify the appointment of an independent registered public accounting firm, but ratification of KPMG’s appointment is being submitted by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors in order to give the shareholders a voice in the designation of auditors. If the resolution ratifying the appointment of KPMG as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2019 is rejected by the shareholders, then the Audit Committee may reconsider its choice of independent registered public accounting firm. Even if the resolution is approved, the Audit Committee in its discretion may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. Proxies in the form solicited hereby that are properly submitted will be voted FOR the resolution unless otherwise instructed by the shareholder.

Representatives of KPMG are expected to attend the Annual Meeting. They will have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019 UNDER PROPOSAL II.

FISCAL 2018 & 2017 AUDITOR FEES AND SERVICES

The fees billed to the Company by KPMG in fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 are as follows:

46

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

The Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent auditors. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services. The Audit Committee has adopted a policy for the pre-approval of services provided by the independent auditors. Under the policy, pre-approval is generally provided for up to one year and any pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is subject to a specific budget. In addition, the Audit Committee may also pre-approve particular services on a case-by-case basis. For each proposed service, the independent auditors are required to provide detailed back-up documentation at the time of approval. Pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, all of the fees and services provided as noted in the table above were authorized and approved by the Audit Committee in compliance with the pre-approval policies and procedures described herein.

47

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

The following Report of the Audit Committee does not constitute soliciting material, and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates this Report of the Audit Committee by reference therein.

Management has primary responsibility for the accuracy and fairness of the Company’s consolidated financial statements as well as the processes employed to prepare the financial statements, and the system of internal control over financial reporting. KPMG LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, is responsible for performing an independent audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the auditing standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and to issue a report thereon. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes. The specific responsibilities of the Audit Committee are set forth in the EMCORE Corporation Audit Committee Charter, which has been adopted by the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee Charter is available in the Corporate Governance section on the Investors tab of the Company’s website (www.emcore.com).

From October 1, 2017 to July 9, 2018, the Audit Committee consisted of Messrs. Jackson (chairman), Coringrato and Domenik. Dr. Fine replaced Mr. Domenik on the Audit Committee effective July 9, 2018, and Mr. Domenik rejoined the Audit Committee following Mr. Coringrato’s resignation from the Board of Directors on September 20, 2018. Mr. Coringrato’s resignation from the Board and the Board committees on which he served, including the Audit Committee, was not because of a disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices. Each member of the Audit Committee is currently, and was during their tenure, an independent director within the meaning of applicable Nasdaq and SEC rules. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Domenik and Mr. Jackson are Audit Committee Financial Experts. The Audit Committee met nine (9) times during fiscal 2018.

As part of its oversight role, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2018 with management of the Company and KPMG. The Audit Committee has also discussed with KPMG the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard 1301, Communications with Audit Committees, issued by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. Furthermore, the Audit Committee has reviewed management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, and has reviewed the opinions of KPMG regarding the conformity of the Company’s audited financial statements with GAAP and the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from KPMG required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with KPMG matters relating to its independence. The Audit Committee concluded that KPMG’s provision of non-audit services to the Company, as detailed above, is compatible with the accounting firm’s independence.

Based on the foregoing review and discussions, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Company’s audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2018, which was filed with the SEC on December 4, 2018.

This report is submitted by the Audit Committee.

December 13, 2018

AUDIT COMMITTEE

Rex S. Jackson, Chairman

Stephen L. Domenik

Gerald J. Fine, Ph.D.

48

PROPOSAL III:

APPROVAL OF THE EMCORE CORPORATION

2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

General

At the Annual Meeting, shareholders will be asked to approve the EMCORE Corporation 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”), which was adopted, subject to shareholder approval, by the Board of Directors on December 14, 2018.

The Company believes that incentives and stock-based awards focus employees on the objective of creating shareholder value and promoting the success of the Company, and that incentive compensation plans like the proposed 2019 Plan are an important attraction, retention and motivation tool for participants in the plan.

The Company currently maintains the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended or amended and restated (the “2012 Plan”), and the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2010 Plan,” and together with the 2012 Plan, the “Prior Plans”). As of December 31, 2018, a total of 1,114,076 shares of the Company’s common stock were then subject to outstanding awards granted under the Prior Plans, and an additional 1,879,160 shares of the Company’s common stock were then available for new award grants under the Prior Plans.

The Board of Directors believes that the number of shares currently available under the Prior Plans does not give the Company sufficient authority and flexibility to adequately provide for future incentives. If shareholders approve the 2019 Plan, no new awards will be granted under the Prior Plans after the Annual Meeting. In that case, the number of shares of the Company’s common stock that remain available for award grants under the Prior Plans immediately prior to the Annual Meeting will become available for award grants under the 2019 Plan. An additional 1.796 million shares of the Company’s common stock will also be made available for award grants under the 2019 Plan. In addition, if shareholders approve the 2019 Plan, any shares of common stock subject to outstanding awards under the Prior Plans that expire, are cancelled, or otherwise terminate after the Annual Meeting will also be available for award grant purposes under the 2019 Plan.

Based solely on the closing price of the Company’s common stock, as reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market on January 22, 2019, the maximum aggregate market value of the 1.796 million new shares that could be issued under the 2019 Plan is $8,279,560.

If shareholders do not approve the 2019 Plan, the Company will continue to have the authority to grant awards under the Prior Plans. If shareholders approve the 2019 Plan, the termination of our grant authority under the Prior Plans will not affect awards then outstanding under the applicable plan.

Summary Description of the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan

The principal terms of the 2019 Plan are summarized below. The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the 2019 Plan, which appears as Appendix A to this Proxy Statement.

Purpose. The purpose of the 2019 Plan is to promote the success of the Company by providing an additional means for us to attract, motivate, retain and reward selected employees and other eligible persons through the grant of awards. Equity-based awards are also intended to further align the interests of award recipients and our shareholders.

Administration. Our Board of Directors or one or more committees appointed by our Board of Directors will administer the 2019 Plan. Our Board of Directors has delegated general administrative authority for the 2019 Plan to the Compensation Committee. The Board of Directors or a committee thereof (within its delegated

49

authority) may delegate different levels of authority to different committees or persons with administrative and grant authority under the 2019 Plan. (The appropriate acting body, be it the Board of Directors or a committee or other person within its delegated authority is referred to in this proposal as the “Administrator”).

The Administrator has broad authority under the 2019 Plan, including, without limitation, the authority:

Minimum Vesting Requirement. All awards granted under the 2019 Plan are subject to a minimum vesting requirement of one year, and no portion of any such award may vest earlier than the first anniversary of the grant date of the award. This minimum vesting requirement does not apply to 5% of the total number of shares available under the 2019 Plan.

No Repricing. In no case (except due to an adjustment to reflect a stock split or other event referred to under “Adjustments” below, or any repricing that may be approved by shareholders) will the Administrator (1) amend an outstanding stock option or stock appreciation right to reduce the exercise price or base price of the award, (2) cancel, exchange, or surrender an outstanding stock option or stock appreciation right in exchange for cash or other awards for the purpose of repricing the award, or (3) cancel, exchange, or surrender an outstanding stock option or stock appreciation right in exchange for an option or stock appreciation right with an exercise or base price that is less than the exercise or base price of the original award.

50

Eligibility. Persons eligible to receive awards under the 2019 Plan include officers or employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, directors of the Company, and certain consultants and advisors to the Company or any of its subsidiaries. Currently, approximately 250 officers and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries (including all of the Company’s named executive officers), and each of the three members of the Board of Directors who are not employed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (“Non-Employee Directors”), are considered eligible under the 2019 Plan.

Aggregate Share Limit. The maximum number of shares of the Company’s common stock that may be issued or transferred pursuant to awards under the 2019 Plan equals the sum of the following (such total number of shares, the “Share Limit”):

As of December 31, 2018, approximately 1,879,160 shares were available for additional award grant purposes under the Prior Plans, approximately 68,661 shares were subject to stock options then outstanding under the Prior Plans, and approximately 1,045,415 shares were subject to restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards then outstanding under the Prior Plans. As noted above, no additional awards will be granted under the Prior Plans if shareholders approve the 2019 Plan.

Additional Share Limits. The following other limits are also contained in the 2019 Plan. These limits are in addition to, and not in lieu of, the Share Limit for the plan described above.

Share-Limit Counting Rules. The Share Limit of the 2019 Plan is subject to the following rules:

51

In addition, the 2019 Plan generally provides that shares issued in connection with awards that are granted by or become obligations of the Company through the assumption of awards (or in substitution for awards) in connection with an acquisition of another company will not count against the shares available for issuance under the 2019 Plan. The Company may not increase the applicable share limits of the 2019 Plan by repurchasing shares of common stock on the market (by using cash received through the exercise of stock options or otherwise).

Types of Awards. The 2019 Plan authorizes stock options, stock appreciation rights, and other forms of awards granted or denominated in the Company’s common stock or units of the Company’s common stock, as well as cash bonus awards. The 2019 Plan retains flexibility to offer competitive incentives and to tailor benefits to specific needs and circumstances. Any award may be structured to be paid or settled in cash.

A stock option is the right to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at a future date at a specified price per share (the “exercise price”). The per share exercise price of an option may not be less than the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The maximum term of an option is ten years from the date of grant. An option may either be an incentive stock option or a nonqualified stock option. Incentive stock option benefits are taxed differently from nonqualified stock options, as described under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of Awards Under the 2019 Plan” below. Incentive stock options are also subject to more restrictive terms and are limited in amount by the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and the 2019 Plan. Incentive stock options may only be granted to employees of the Company or a subsidiary.

52

A stock appreciation right is the right to receive payment of an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of share of the Company’s common stock on the date of exercise of the stock appreciation right over the base price of the stock appreciation right. The base price will be established by the Administrator at the time of grant of the stock appreciation right and may not be less than the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Stock appreciation rights may be granted in connection with other awards or independently. The maximum term of a stock appreciation right is ten years from the date of grant.

The other types of awards that may be granted under the 2019 Plan include, without limitation, stock bonuses, restricted stock, performance stock, stock units or phantom stock (which are contractual rights to receive shares of stock, or cash based on the fair market value of a share of stock), dividend equivalents which represent the right to receive a payment based on the dividends paid on a share of stock over a stated period of time, or similar rights to purchase or acquire shares, and cash awards.

Subject to the minimum vesting requirement described above, any awards under the 2019 Plan (including awards of stock options and stock appreciation rights) may be fully-vested at grant or may be subject to time- and/or performance-based vesting requirements.

Dividend Equivalents; Deferrals. The Administrator may provide for the deferred payment of awards, and may determine the other terms applicable to deferrals. The Administrator may provide that awards under the 2019 Plan (other than options or stock appreciation rights), and/or deferrals, earn dividends or dividend equivalents based on the amount of dividends paid on outstanding shares of Common Stock, provided that any dividends and/or dividend equivalents as to the portion of an award that is subject to unsatisfied vesting requirements will be subject to termination and forfeiture to the same extent as the corresponding portion of the award to which they relate in the event the applicable vesting requirements are not satisfied (or, in the case of a restricted stock or similar award where the dividend must be paid as a matter of law, the dividend payment will be subject to forfeiture or repayment, as the case may be, if the related vesting conditions are not satisfied).

Assumption and Termination of Awards. If an event occurs in which the Company does not survive (or does not survive as a public company in respect of its common stock), including, without limitation, a dissolution, merger, combination, consolidation, conversion, exchange of securities, or other reorganization, or a sale of all or substantially all of the business, stock or assets of the Company, awards then-outstanding under the 2019 Plan will not automatically become fully vested pursuant to the provisions of the 2019 Plan so long as such awards are assumed, substituted for or otherwise continued. However, if awards then-outstanding under the 2019 Plan are to be terminated in such circumstances (without being assumed or substituted for), such awards would generally become fully vested (with any performance goals applicable to the award being deemed met at the “target” performance level), subject to any exceptions that the Administrator may provide for in an applicable award agreement. The Administrator also has the discretion to establish other change in control provisions with respect to awards granted under the 2019 Plan. For example, the Administrator could provide for the acceleration of vesting or payment of an award in connection with a corporate event or in connection with a termination of the award holder’s employment. For the treatment of outstanding equity awards held by the Named Executive Officers in connection with a termination of employment and/or a change in control of the Company, please see the “Potential Payments Upon Change in Control and Termination” above in this Proxy Statement.

Transfer Restrictions. Subject to certain exceptions contained in Section 5.6 of the 2019 Plan, awards under the 2019 Plan generally are not transferable by the recipient other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and are generally exercisable, during the recipient’s lifetime, only by the recipient. Any amounts payable or shares issuable pursuant to an award generally will be paid only to the recipient or the recipient’s beneficiary or representative. The Administrator has discretion, however, to establish written conditions and procedures for the transfer of awards to other persons or entities, provided that such transfers comply with applicable federal and state securities laws and are not made for value (other than nominal consideration, settlement of marital property rights, or for interests in an entity in which more than 50% of the voting securities are held by the award recipient or by the recipient’s family members).

53

Adjustments. As is customary in incentive plans of this nature, each share limit and the number and kind of shares available under the 2019 Plan and any outstanding awards, as well as the exercise or purchase prices of awards, are subject to adjustment in the event of certain reorganizations, mergers, combinations, recapitalizations, stock splits, stock dividends, or other similar events that change the number or kind of shares outstanding, and extraordinary dividends or distributions of property to the shareholders.

No Limit on Other Authority. Except as expressly provided with respect to the termination of the authority to grant new awards under the Prior Plans if shareholders approve the 2019 Plan, the 2019 Plan does not limit the authority of the Board of Directors or any committee to grant awards or authorize any other compensation, with or without reference to the Company’s common stock, under any other plan or authority.

Administrative Discretion. The minimum vesting requirement described above shall not limit or restrict the Administrator’s discretion to accelerate the vesting of any awards granted under the 2019 Plan in circumstances it determines to be appropriate (whether in connection with a transaction, termination of employment or for any other reason).

Termination of or Changes to the 2019 Plan. The Board of Directors may amend or terminate the 2019 Plan at any time and in any manner. Shareholder approval for an amendment will be required only to the extent then required by applicable law or deemed necessary or advisable by the Board of Directors. Unless terminated earlier by the Board of Directors and subject to any extension that may be approved by shareholders, the authority to grant new awards under the 2019 Plan will terminate on December 14, 2028. Outstanding awards, as well as the Administrator’s authority with respect thereto, generally will continue following the expiration or termination of the plan. Generally speaking, outstanding awards may be amended by the Administrator (except for a repricing), but the consent of the award holder is required if the amendment (or any plan amendment) materially and adversely affects the holder.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of Awards under the 2019 Plan

The U.S. federal income tax consequences of the 2019 Plan under current federal law, which is subject to change, are summarized in the following discussion of the general tax principles applicable to the 2019 Plan. This summary is not intended to be exhaustive and, among other considerations, does not describe the deferred compensation provisions of Section 409A of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code to the extent an award is subject to and does not satisfy those rules, nor does it describe state, local, or international tax consequences.

With respect to nonqualified stock options, the company is generally entitled to deduct and the participant recognizes taxable income in an amount equal to the difference between the option exercise price and the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise. With respect to incentive stock options, the company is generally not entitled to a deduction nor does the participant recognize income at the time of exercise, although the participant may be subject to the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax.

The current federal income tax consequences of other awards authorized under the 2019 Plan generally follow certain basic patterns: nontransferable restricted stock subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture results in income recognition equal to the excess of the fair market value over the price paid (if any) only at the time the restrictions lapse (unless the recipient elects to accelerate recognition as of the date of grant); bonuses, stock appreciation rights, cash and stock-based performance awards, dividend equivalents, stock units, and other types of awards are generally subject to tax at the time of payment; and compensation otherwise effectively deferred is taxed when paid. In each of the foregoing cases, the company will generally have a corresponding deduction at the time the participant recognizes income.

If an award is accelerated under the 2019 Plan in connection with a “change in control” (as this term is used under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code), the company may not be permitted to deduct the portion of the compensation attributable to the acceleration (“parachute payments”) if it exceeds certain threshold limits under

54

the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (and certain related excise taxes may be triggered). Furthermore, under Section 162(m) of the Code, the aggregate compensation in excess of $1,000,000 attributable to awards held by current or former Named Executive Officers may not be deductible by the Company in certain circumstances.

Specific Benefits under the 2019 Plan

The Company has not approved any awards that are conditioned upon shareholder approval of the 2019 Plan. Except as described below, the Company is not currently considering any other specific award grants under the 2019 Plan.

As described under “Director Compensation Policy for Fiscal 2019” above, under our current Director Compensation Policy, each Non-Employee Director receives an annual award of restricted stock units on the date of each annual meeting of shareholders, with the number of shares subject to each award to be determined by dividing $54,000 (or in the case of our Chairperson, $96,500) by the closing price of our common stock on the grant date. The restricted stock units vest on the first anniversary of the grant date (or, if the Company’s next annual meeting of shareholders occurs prior to such vesting date, on the day prior to that annual meeting), subject to the Non-Employee Director’s continued service on the Board of Directors through such vesting date. Unvested restricted stock units will also vest upon a director’s earlier termination of service due to death or disability. If shareholders approve the 2019 Plan, the current annual equity grants for the Non-Employee Directors will be awarded under the 2019 Plan on the date of the Annual Meeting.

The Company cannot project the grants that may be made to the Company’s officers and employees because such grants are made at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. If the 2019 Plan had been in effect in fiscal year 2018, we expect that our award grants for fiscal year 2018 would not have been substantially different from those actually made in that year under the 2012 Plan. For information regarding stock-based awards granted to the Named Executive Officers during fiscal year 2018, see the “Executive Compensation” section of this Proxy Statement.

The following paragraphs include additional information to help shareholders assess the potential dilutive impact of the Company’s equity awards and the 2019 Plan. The discussion that follows in this section does not include any shares that have been purchased under, may be purchased in the current purchase period under, or that remain available for issuance or delivery under the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the Company’s Officer and Director Share Purchase Plan. The Employee Stock Purchase Plan is intended as a qualified employee share purchase plan that complies with Section 423 of the Code. The Employee Stock Purchase Plan generally provides for broad-based participation by employees of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries and affords employees who elect to participate an opportunity to purchase shares of Common Stock at a discount. The number of approved shares to grant under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan is 3,250,000, and 2,775,016 shares have been granted from the plan through December 31, 2018 (determined using the actual number of shares granted). The Officer and Director Share Purchase Plan solely permits officers, employees and directors to purchase fully vested shares of Common Stock at fair market value. The number of approved shares to purchase under the Officer and Director Share Purchase Plan is 500,000, and 411,259 shares have been purchased under the plan through December 31, 2018.

55

“Overhang” refers to the number of shares of Common Stock that are subject to outstanding awards or remain available for new award grants. The following table shows the total number of shares of Common Stock that were subject to outstanding restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards granted under the Prior Plans, that were subject to outstanding stock options granted under the Prior Plans and the 2000 Plan, and that were then available for new award grants under the Prior Plans as of September 30, 2018 and as of December 31, 2018. For performance-based restricted stock units granted under our performance-based long-term equity award program, the number of shares presented is based on achieving the maximum level of performance, even though the actual share payout for these awards may be less than the maximum number below.

Other than the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the Company’s Officer and Director Share Purchase Plan, the Prior Plans and the 2000 Plan are the Company’s only equity plans with outstanding awards or shares that remain available for new award grants.

The weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding in each of the last three fiscal years was 26.0 million shares outstanding in fiscal 2016, 26.7 million shares outstanding in fiscal 2017 and 27.3 million shares outstanding in fiscal 2018. The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2018 was 27,577,052 million and 27,667,966 million shares, respectively.

As of September 30, 2018, the Company’s 69,980 outstanding stock options granted under the Prior Plans and the Company’s other equity compensation plans had a weighted average exercise price of $4.74 and a weighted-average remaining life of 5.11 years.

“Burn rate” refers to the number of shares that are subject to awards that the Company grants over a particular period of time. The total number of shares of Common Stock subject to awards that the Company granted under the Prior Plans and its other equity compensation plans in each of the last three fiscal years, and to date (as of December 31, 2018) for fiscal year 2019, is set forth below.

56

Thus, the total number of shares of Common Stock subject to awards granted under the Prior Plans and the Company’s other equity compensation plans per year over the last three fiscal years (2016, 2017 and 2018) has been, on average, 3.4% of the weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding.

The actual number of shares subject to performance-based restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards that were earned during each of our last three fiscal years (2016, 2017 and 2018) and through December 31, 2018 in fiscal 2019 is as follows: 283,553 in 2016, 357,013 in 2017, 545,027 in 2018, and 191,815 in 2019 through December 31, 2018.

The total number of shares of Common Stock that were subject to awards granted under the Prior Plans that terminated or expired, and thus became available for new award grants under the Prior Plans, in each of the last three fiscal years, and to date (as of December 31, 2018) in fiscal 2019, are as follows: 171,980 in 2016, 354,630 in 2017, 295,000 in 2018, and 247,228 in 2019. Shares subject to Prior Plan awards that terminated or expired and became available for new award grants under the Prior Plans have been included when information is presented in this 2019 Plan proposal on the number of shares available for new award grants under the Prior Plans.

The Compensation Committee anticipates that the 1.796 million additional shares requested for the 2019 Plan (together with the shares available for new award grants under the Prior Plans on the Annual Meeting date and assuming usual levels of shares becoming available for new awards as a result of forfeitures of outstanding awards) will provide the Company with flexibility to continue to grant equity awards under the 2019 Plan through approximately March 2022. However, this is only an estimate, in the Company’s judgment, based on current circumstances. The total number of shares that are subject to the Company’s award grants in any one year or from year-to-year may change based on a number of variables, including, without limitation, the value of the Common Stock (since higher stock prices generally require that fewer shares be issued to produce awards of the same grant date fair value), changes in competitors’ compensation practices or changes in compensation practices in the market generally, changes in the number of employees, changes in the number of directors and officers, whether and the extent to which vesting conditions applicable to equity-based awards are satisfied, acquisition activity and the need to grant awards to new employees in connection with acquisitions, the need to attract, retain and incentivize key talent, the type of awards the Company grants, and how the Company chooses to balance total compensation between cash and equity-based awards.

The closing market price for a share of the Common Stock as of December 31, 2018 was $4.20 per share.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The table on page 44 of this Proxy Statement under the heading “Equity Compensation Plan Information” sets forth, as of September 30, 2018, the number of securities outstanding under each of the Company’s compensation plans under which equity securities are authorized for issuance, the weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, and the number of securities available for grant under such plans. Shareholders are also being asked to approve a new equity compensation plan, the 2019 Plan, as described above.

Vote Required for Approval of the 2019 Plan

The Board of Directors believes that the adoption of the 2019 Plan will promote the interests of the Company and its shareholders and will help the Company and its subsidiaries continue to be able to attract, retain and reward persons important to our success.

57

All members of the Board of Directors and all of the Company’s executive officers are eligible for awards under the 2019 Plan and thus have a personal interest in the approval of the 2019 Plan.

Approval of the 2019 Plan requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal at the Annual Meeting.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL OF THE 2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN AS DESCRIBED ABOVE AND SET FORTH IN APPENDIX 1 HERETO.

58

PROPOSAL IV:

ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

In accordance with the requirements of Section 14A of the Exchange Act (which was added by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act) and the related compensation disclosure rules of the SEC, and consistent with our shareholders’ preference to provide annual advisory votes on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers, we are asking our shareholders to vote to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement.

As described in detail under the heading “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” we seek to closely align the interests of our Named Executive Officers with the interests of our shareholders. Our compensation programs are designed to reward our Named Executive Officers for the achievement of short-term and long-term strategic and operational goals, while at the same time avoiding the encouragement of unnecessary or excessive risk-taking.

The vote on this resolution is not intended to address any specific element of compensation; rather, the vote relates to the overall compensation of our Named Executive Officers, as described in this Proxy Statement. The vote is advisory, which means that the vote is not binding on the Company, our Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Although the vote is non-binding, the Compensation Committee will consider the voting results when it evaluates whether any changes should be made to the Company’s compensation program.

Accordingly, we ask our shareholders to approve the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:

“RESOLVED, that the Company’s shareholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation paid to the Company’s Named Executive Officers as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the accompanying compensation tables, and the related narrative disclosure in this Proxy Statement.”

Our current policy is to provide our shareholders with an opportunity to approve the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers each year at the annual meeting of shareholders. We expect that the next advisory vote on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers will occur at our 2020 annual meeting of stockholders.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, OF THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.

59

GENERAL MATTERS

Annual Report on Form 10-K and Financial Statements

A shareholder may send a written request for a copy of the Company’s 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K and any additional exhibits to the Form 10-K not included in the Company’s 2018 Annual Report. All such requests should be directed to the Company at 2015 W. Chestnut Street, Alhambra, CA, 91803, Attention: Investor Relations. Following receipt of any such request by a shareholder, the Company will furnish the requested materials to the shareholder without charge. The Company’s 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K (including amendments and exhibits thereto) and this Proxy Statement are also available under the Investors tab of the Company’s website (www.emcore.com).

Shareholder Proposals

Shareholder proposals intended to be included in our proxy materials to be distributed in connection with the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by the Company no later than September 26, 2019. Proposals should be mailed to the Company, to the attention of the Secretary, 2015 W. Chestnut Street, Alhambra, CA, 91803. Proposals must comply with all applicable SEC rules, including SEC Rule 14a-8, in order to be included in the Company’s proxy materials for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Nominations of directors for election at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and shareholder proposals intended to be presented at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders but that are not intended to be included in our proxy materials must comply with the requirements of our By-Laws and notice thereof must be received by the Company at the address set forth in the preceding paragraph no earlier than the close of business on November 23, 2019 (the 120^th day prior to the first anniversary of the Annual Meeting) and no later than the close of business on December 23, 2019 (the 90^th day prior to the first anniversary of the Annual Meeting). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that we change the date of the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to a date that is more than 30 days before or after the anniversary of the Annual Meeting, written notice by a shareholder must be received no earlier than the close of business 120 days prior to the date of the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and no later than the close of business on the later of 90 days prior to the date of the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is made. Shareholder proposals not intended to be included in the proxy statement or nominations for director candidates that do not meet the notice requirements set forth above and further described in Article II, Section 6 of our By-Laws will not be acted upon at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Delivery of Documents to Shareholders Sharing an Address

The Company may deliver only one copy of the Annual Report and Proxy Statement to shareholders who did not receive a Notice of Internet Availably and who share a single address. Upon written or oral request, we will deliver promptly a separate copy of the proxy materials to a shareholder at a shared address to which a single copy of proxy materials was delivered. For future deliveries, shareholders who share a single address can request a separate copy of the Company’s proxy materials. Similarly, if multiple copies of the proxy materials are being delivered to a single address, shareholders can request a single copy of the proxy materials for future deliveries. To make a request, please call or write to the Secretary, EMCORE Corporation, 2015 W. Chestnut Street, Alhambra, CA 91803 or (626) 239-3400. If you are a beneficial owner, please contact your bank, broker, or other nominee directly if you have questions, require additional copies of the proxy materials, wish to receive multiple reports by revoking your consent to householding or wish to request single copies of the proxy materials in the future.

60

Other Matters

The Board of Directors knows of no other business which will be presented at the Annual Meeting. If, however, other matters are properly presented, the persons named in the proxy will vote the shares represented thereby in accordance with their judgment on such matters.

61

Appendix A

EMCORE CORPORATION

2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

The purpose of this EMCORE Corporation 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (this “Plan”) of EMCORE Corporation, a New Jersey corporation (the “Corporation”), is to promote the success of the Corporation by providing an additional means through the grant of awards to attract, motivate, retain and reward selected employees and other eligible persons and to enhance the alignment of the interests of the selected participants with the interests of the Corporation’s stockholders.

The Administrator (as such term is defined in Section 3.1) may grant awards under this Plan only to those persons that the Administrator determines to be Eligible Persons. An “Eligible Person” is any person who is either: (a) an officer (whether or not a director) or employee of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries; (b) a director of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries; or (c) an individual consultant or advisor who renders or has rendered bona fide services (other than services in connection with the offering or sale of securities of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries in a capital-raising transaction or as a market maker or promoter of securities of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries) to the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries and who is selected to participate in this Plan by the Administrator; provided, however, that a person who is otherwise an Eligible Person under clause (c) above may participate in this Plan only if such participation would not adversely affect either the Corporation’s eligibility to use Form S-8 to register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the offering and sale of shares issuable under this Plan by the Corporation or the Corporation’s compliance with any other applicable laws. An Eligible Person who has been granted an award (a “participant”) may, if otherwise eligible, be granted additional awards if the Administrator shall so determine. As used herein, “Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity a majority of whose outstanding voting stock or voting power is beneficially owned directly or indirectly by the Corporation; and “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

A-1

A-2

A-3

provided that in no event shall the Share Limit exceed 5,106,226 shares (which is the sum of the 1.796 million shares set forth above, plus the number of shares available under the Prior Plans for additional award grant purposes as of the Effective Date (as such term is defined in Section 8.6.1), plus the aggregate number of shares subject to awards previously granted and outstanding under the Prior Plans as of the Effective Date).

A-4

Refer to Section 8.10 for application of the share limits of this Plan, including the limits in Sections 4.2 and 4.3, with respect to assumed awards. Each of the numerical limits and references in Sections 4.2 and 4.3, and in this Section 4.4, is subject to adjustment as contemplated by Section 4.3, Section 7 and Section 8.10.

A-5

5.1.1    Stock Options. A stock option is the grant of a right to purchase a specified number of shares of Common Stock during a specified period as determined by the Administrator. An option may be intended as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code (an “ISO”) or a nonqualified stock option (an option not intended to be an ISO). The agreement evidencing the grant of an option will indicate if the option is intended as an ISO; otherwise it will be deemed to be a nonqualified stock option. The maximum term of each option (ISO or nonqualified) shall be ten (10) years. The per share exercise price for each option shall be not less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant of the option. When an option is exercised, the exercise price for the shares to be purchased shall be paid in full in cash or such other method permitted by the Administrator consistent with Section 5.4.

5.1.2    Additional Rules Applicable to ISOs. To the extent that the aggregate fair market value (determined at the time of grant of the applicable option) of stock with respect to which ISOs first become exercisable by a participant in any calendar year exceeds $100,000, taking into account both Common Stock subject to ISOs under this Plan and stock subject to ISOs under all other plans of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries (or any parent or predecessor corporation to the extent required by and within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder), such options shall be treated as nonqualified stock options. In reducing the number of options treated as ISOs to meet the $100,000 limit, the most recently granted options shall be reduced first. To the extent a reduction of simultaneously granted options is necessary to meet the $100,000 limit, the Administrator may, in the manner and to the extent permitted by law, designate which shares of Common Stock are to be treated as shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an ISO. ISOs may only be granted to employees of the Corporation or one of its subsidiaries (for this purpose, the term “subsidiary” is used as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code, which generally requires an unbroken chain of ownership of at least 50% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of each subsidiary in the chain beginning with the Corporation and ending with the subsidiary in question). No ISO may be granted to any person who, at the time the option is granted, owns (or is deemed to own under Section 424(d) of the Code) shares of outstanding Common Stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation, unless the exercise price of such option is at least 110% of the fair market value of the stock subject to the option and such option by its terms is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date such option is granted. If an otherwise-intended ISO fails to meet the applicable requirements of Section 422 of the Code, the option shall be a nonqualified stock option.

5.1.3    Stock Appreciation Rights. A stock appreciation right or “SAR” is a right to receive a payment, in cash and/or Common Stock, equal to the excess of the fair market value of a specified number of shares of Common Stock on the date the SAR is exercised over the “base price” of the award, which

A-6

base price shall be set forth in the applicable award agreement and shall be not less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant of the SAR. The maximum term of a SAR shall be ten (10) years.

5.1.4    Other Awards; Dividend Equivalent Rights. The other types of awards that may be granted under this Plan include: (a) stock bonuses, restricted stock, performance stock, stock units, restricted stock units, deferred shares, phantom stock or similar rights to purchase or acquire shares, whether at a fixed or variable price (or no price) or fixed or variable ratio related to the Common Stock, and, subject to the Minimum Vesting Requirement, any of which may (but need not) be fully vested at grant or vest upon the passage of time, the occurrence of one or more events, the satisfaction of performance criteria or other conditions, or any combination thereof; or (b) cash awards. The types of cash awards that may be granted under this Plan include the opportunity to receive a payment for the achievement of one or more goals established by the Administrator, on such terms as the Administrator may provide, as well as discretionary cash awards. Dividend equivalent rights may be granted as a separate award or in connection with another award under this Plan; provided, however, that dividend equivalent rights may not be granted as to a stock option or SAR granted under this Plan. In addition, any dividends and/or dividend equivalents as to the portion of an award that is subject to unsatisfied vesting requirements will be subject to termination and forfeiture to the same extent as the corresponding portion of the award to which they relate in the event the applicable vesting requirements are not satisfied.

5.1.5    Performance Goals. The grant, vesting, exercisability or payment of an award may (but need not) depend on the degree of achievement of one or more performance goals relative to a pre-established targeted level or levels using business criteria as selected by the Administrator in its sole discretion.

In no event shall any shares newly-issued by the Corporation be issued for less than the minimum lawful consideration for such shares or for consideration other than consideration permitted by

A-7

applicable state law. Shares of Common Stock used to satisfy the exercise price of an option shall be valued at their fair market value. The Corporation will not be obligated to deliver any shares unless and until it receives full payment of the exercise or purchase price therefor and any related withholding obligations under Section 8.5 and any other conditions to exercise or purchase have been satisfied. Unless otherwise expressly provided in the applicable award agreement, the Administrator may at any time eliminate or limit a participant’s ability to pay any purchase or exercise price of any award or shares by any method other than cash payment to the Corporation.

5.6.1    Limitations on Exercise and Transfer. Unless otherwise expressly provided in (or pursuant to) this Section 5.6 or required by applicable law: (a) all awards are non-transferable and shall not be subject in any manner to sale, transfer, anticipation, alienation, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge; (b) awards shall be exercised only by the participant; and (c) amounts payable or shares issuable pursuant to any award shall be delivered only to (or for the account of) the participant.

5.6.2    Exceptions. The Administrator may permit awards to be exercised by and paid to, or otherwise transferred to, other persons or entities pursuant to such conditions and procedures, including limitations on subsequent transfers, as the Administrator may, in its sole discretion, establish in writing. Any permitted transfer shall be subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and shall not be for value (other than nominal consideration, settlement of marital property rights, or for interests in an entity in which more than 50% of the voting interests are held by the Eligible Person or by the Eligible Person’s family members).

5.6.3    Further Exceptions to Limits on Transfer. The exercise and transfer restrictions in Section 5.6.1 shall not apply to:

A-8

A-9

A-10

A-11

A-12

8.6.1    Effective Date. This Plan is effective as of December 14, 2018, the date of its approval by the Board (the “Effective Date”). This Plan shall be submitted for and subject to stockholder approval no later than twelve months after the Effective Date. Unless earlier terminated by the Board and subject to any extension that may be approved by stockholders, this Plan shall terminate at the close of business on the day before the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date. After the termination of this Plan either upon such stated termination date or its earlier termination by the Board, no additional awards may be granted under this Plan, but previously granted awards (and the authority of the Administrator with respect thereto, including the authority to amend such awards) shall remain outstanding in accordance with their applicable terms and conditions and the terms and conditions of this Plan.

8.6.2    Board Authorization. The Board may, at any time, terminate or, from time to time, amend, modify or suspend this Plan, in whole or in part. No awards may be granted during any period that the Board suspends this Plan.

8.6.3    Stockholder Approval. To the extent then required by applicable law or deemed necessary or advisable by the Board, any amendment to this Plan shall be subject to stockholder approval.

8.6.4    Amendments to Awards. Without limiting any other express authority of the Administrator under (but subject to) the express limits of this Plan, the Administrator by agreement or resolution may waive conditions of or limitations on awards to participants that the Administrator in the prior exercise of its discretion has imposed, without the consent of a participant, and (subject to the requirements of Sections 3.2 and 8.6.5) may make other changes to the terms and conditions of awards. Any amendment or other action that would constitute a repricing of an award is subject to the no-repricing provision of Section 3.3.

8.6.5    Limitations on Amendments to Plan and Awards. No amendment, suspension or termination of this Plan or amendment of any outstanding award agreement shall, without written consent of the participant, affect in any manner materially adverse to the participant any rights or benefits of the participant or obligations of the Corporation under any award granted under this Plan prior to the effective date of such change. Changes, settlements and other actions contemplated by Section 7 shall not be deemed to constitute changes or amendments for purposes of this Section 8.6.

8.8.1    Choice of Law. This Plan, the awards, all documents evidencing awards and all other related documents shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey, notwithstanding any New Jersey or other conflict of law provision to the contrary.

8.8.2    Severability. If a court of competent jurisdiction holds any provision invalid and unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Plan shall continue in effect.

A-13

A-14

ANNUAL MEETING OF EMCORE CORPORATION Date: March 22, 2019 Time: 8:00 A.M. (Local Time) Place: 168 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena CA 91101 Please make your marks like this: Use dark black pencil or pen only Board of Directors Recommends a Vote FOR each of the directors in proposal 1 and FOR proposals 2, 3 and 4. 1: Election of Directors for a one-year term expiring at EMCORE's 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders 01 Rex S. Jackson 02 Jeffrey Rittichier 2: To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as EMCORE's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019. 3: To approve the EMCORE Corporation 2019 Equity Incentive Plan. 4: To approve, on an advisory basis, the executive compensation of EMCORE's Named Executive Officers. Authorized Signatures - This section must be completed for your Instructions to be executed. Please Sign Here Please Date Above Please sign exactly as your name(s) appears on your stock certificate. If held in joint tenancy, all persons should sign. Trustees, administrators, etc., should include title and authority. Corporations should provide full name of corporation and title of authorized officer signing the proxy. Annual Meeting of EMCORE Corporation to be held on Friday, March 22, 2019 for Holders as of January 22, 2019 This proxy is being solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors VOTE BY: INTERNET TELEPHONE Call www. Go To proxypush.com/EMKR Cast your vote online. View Meeting Documents. 855-635-6594 Use any touch-tone telephone. Have your Proxy Card/Voting Instruction Form ready. Follow the simple recorded instructions. OR MAIL OR Mark, sign and date your Proxy Card/Voting Instruction Form. Detach your Proxy Card/Voting Instruction Form. Return your Proxy Card/Voting Instruction Form in the postage-paid envelope provided. The undersigned, hereby revoking any proxy previously given, appoints Jeffrey Rittichier and Ryan Hochgesang (the "Named Proxies"), and each of them, as the true and lawful attorney-in-fact of the undersigned, with full power of substitution, and hereby authorizes either of them to represent and to vote all the shares of common stock of EMCORE Corporation, a New Jersey corporation ("the Company"), which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held at 168 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena CA 91101, on Friday, March 22, 2019 at 8:00 A.M. (PST) and all adjournments or postponements thereof. THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" ALL NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR IN PROPOSAL 1 AND "FOR" PROPOSALS 2, 3 AND 4. IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE NAMED PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING AND ANY ADJOURNMENT OR POSTPONEMENT THEREOF. PROXY TABULATOR FOR EMCORE CORPORATION P.O. BOX 8016 CARY, NC 27512-9903 EVENT # CLIENT # Please separate carefully at the perforation and return just this portion in the envelope provided.

Proxy - EMCORE Corporation Annual Meeting of Shareholders March 22, 2019, 8:00 A.M. (PST) This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors The undersigned, hereby revoking any proxy previously given, appoints Jeffrey Rittichier and Ryan Hochgesang (the "Named Proxies"), and each of them, as the true and lawful attorney-in-fact for the undersigned, with full power of substitution, and hereby authorizes either of them to represent and to vote all the shares of common stock of EMCORE Corporation, a New Jersey corporation ("the Company"), which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held at 168 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena CA 91101, on Friday, March 22, 2019 at 8:00 A.M. (PST) and all adjournments or postponements thereof. The purpose of the Annual Meeting is to take action on the following: 1. Election of Directors for a one-year term expiring at EMCORE's 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders 01 Rex S. Jackson 02 Jeffrey Rittichier 2. To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as EMCORE's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019. 3. To approve the EMCORE Corporation 2019 Equity Incentive Plan. 4. To approve, on an advisory basis, the executive compensation of EMCORE's Named Executive Officers. 5. To transact such other business as may properly came before the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. The Board of Directors of the Company recommends a vote "FOR" all nominees for director and "FOR" each proposal. The shares represented by this proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted "FOR" all nominees for director in Proposal 1 and "FOR" Proposals 2, 3 and 4. In their discretion, the Named Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. You are encouraged to specify your choice by marking the appropriate box (SEE REVERSE SIDE) but you need not mark any box if you wish to vote in accordance with the Board of Directors' recommendation. The Named Proxies cannot vote your shares unless you sign and return this card. To attend the meeting and vote your shares in person, please mark this box. Please separate carefully at the perforation and return just this portion in the envelope provided.