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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
| x | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007
OR
| ¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission File No. 814-00702
Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
| Maryland | 74-3113410 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
400 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 310
Palo Alto, California 94301
(Address of principal executive offices)
(650) 289-3060
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (b) of the Act:
| Title of each class |
Name of each exchange on which registered | |
| Common Shares, par value $0.001 per share | NASDAQ Global Select Market |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No x
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days: YES x NO ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer, large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer x Non-accelerated filer ¨ Smaller reporting company ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ¨ No x
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter was approximately $125.5 million based upon a closing price of $13.51 reported for such date by the NASDAQ Select Global Market. Common shares held by each executive officer and director and by each person who owns 5% or more of the outstanding common shares have been excluded in that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.
The number of outstanding common shares of the registrant as of March 6, 2008 was 32,542,747.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Documents incorporated by reference: Portions of Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.’s Proxy Statement for its 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 29, 2008 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAPITAL, INC.
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT
Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc., our logo and other trademarks of Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. are the property of Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. All other trademarks or trade names referred to in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are the property of their respective owners.
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In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, or Annual Report, the “Company,” “HTGC,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries and its affiliated securitization trusts unless the context otherwise requires.
PART I
GENERAL
We are a specialty finance company that provides debt and equity growth capital to technology-related and life-science companies at all stages of development from seed and emerging growth to expansion and established stages of development, including select publicly listed companies and lower middle market companies. We primarily finance privately-held companies backed by leading venture capital and private equity firms and also may finance certain select publicly-traded companies that lack access to public capital or are sensitive to equity ownership dilution as well as lower middle market companies. We source our investments through our principal office located in Silicon Valley, as well as our additional offices in the Boston, Boulder, Chicago, Columbus, and San Diego areas.
Our goal is to be the leading structured mezzanine capital provider of choice for venture capital and private equity-backed technology-related and life science companies requiring sophisticated and customized financing solutions. Our strategy is to evaluate and invest in a broad range of companies active in the technology and life science industries and to offer a full suite of growth capital products up and down the capital structure. We invest primarily in structured mezzanine debt and, to a lesser extent, in senior debt and equity investments. We use the term “structured mezzanine debt investment” to refer to any debt investment, such as a senior or subordinated secured loan, that is coupled with an equity component, including warrants, options or rights to purchase common or preferred stock. Our structured mezzanine debt investments will typically be secured by some or all of the assets of the portfolio company.
We focus our investments in companies active in the technology industry sub-sectors characterized by products or services that require advanced technologies, including computer software and hardware, networking systems, semiconductors, semiconductor capital equipment, information technology infrastructure or services, Internet consumer and business services, telecommunications, telecommunications equipment, renewable or alternative energy, media and life sciences. Within the life sciences sub-sector, we focus on medical devices, bio-pharmaceutical, drug discovery, drug delivery, health care services and information systems companies. We refer to all of these companies as “technology-related” companies and intend, under normal circumstances, to invest at least 80% of the value of our assets in such businesses.
Our primary business objectives are to increase our net income, net operating income and net asset value by investing in structured mezzanine debt and equity of venture capital and private equity backed technology-related companies with attractive current yields and the potential for equity appreciation and realized gains. Our structured debt investments typically include warrants or other equity interests, giving us the potential to realize equity-like returns on a portion of our investments. In some cases, we receive the right to make additional equity investments in our portfolio companies in connection with future equity financing rounds. Capital that we provide directly to venture capital and private equity backed technology-related companies is generally used for growth and in select cases for acquisitions or recapitalizations.
Our portfolio is comprised of, and we anticipate that our portfolio will continue to be comprised of, investments in technology-related companies at various stages of their development. Consistent with regulatory
requirements, we invest primarily in United States based companies and to a lesser extent in foreign companies. To date, our emphasis has been on private companies following or in connection with their first institutional
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round of equity financing, which we refer to as emerging-growth companies, private companies in later rounds of financing, which we refer to as expansion-stage companies and in private companies in one of their final rounds of equity financing prior to a liquidity event or select publicly-traded companies that lack access to public capital or are sensitive to equity ownership dilution, which we refer to as established-stage companies.
CORPORATE HISTORY AND OFFICES
We are a Maryland Corporation formed in December 2003 that began investment operations in September 2004. We are an internally managed, non-diversified, closed-end investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 Act. As a business development company, we are required to meet various regulatory tests. A business development company is required to invest at least 70% of its total assets in “qualifying assets,” including securities of private U.S. companies, cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. A business development company also must meet a coverage ratio of total net assets to total senior securities, which include all of our borrowings (including accrued interest payable) except for debentures issued by the Small Business Administration, and any preferred stock we may issue in the future, of at least 200%. See “Item 1. Business—Regulation as a Business Development Company”.
From incorporation through December 31, 2005, we were taxed as a corporation under Subchapter C of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or as amended (the “Code”). We have elected to be treated for federal income tax purposes as a regulated investment company, or “RIC,” under the Code. In order to continue to qualify as a RIC for federal income tax purposes, we must meet certain requirements, including certain minimum distribution requirements. See “Item 1. Business—Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations.”
Our principal executive offices are located at 400 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 310, Palo Alto, California 94301 and our telephone number is (650) 289-3060. We also have additional offices in the Boston, Boulder, Chicago, Columbus, and San Diego areas. We maintain a website on the Internet at www.herculestech.com. Information contained in our website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report, and you should not consider that information as part of this Annual Report. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and our current reports on Form 8-K, as well as any amendments to those reports, are available free of charge through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we file them with, or furnish them to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These reports are also available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
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OUR MARKET OPPORTUNITY
We believe that technology-related companies compete in one of the largest and most rapidly growing sectors of the U.S. economy and that continued growth is supported by ongoing innovation and performance improvements in technology products as well as the adoption of technology across virtually all industries in response to competitive pressures. We believe that an attractive market opportunity exists for a specialty finance company focused primarily on structured mezzanine investments in technology-related companies for the following reasons:
| • | Technology-related companies have generally been underserved by traditional lending sources; |
| • | Unfulfilled demand exists for structured debt financing to technology-related companies; |
| • | Structured mezzanine debt products are less dilutive and complement equity financing from venture capital and private equity funds; and |
| • | Valuations currently assigned to technology-related companies in private financing rounds, while increasing in recent years, still provide a good opportunity for attractive capital returns. |
Technology-Related Companies Underserved by Traditional Lenders. We believe many viable technology-related companies backed by financial sponsors have been unable to obtain sufficient growth financing from traditional lenders, including financial services companies such as commercial banks and finance companies, in part because traditional lenders have continued to consolidate and have adopted a more risk-averse approach to lending that has resulted in tightened credit standards in recent years. More importantly, we believe traditional lenders are typically unable to underwrite the risk associated with financial sponsor-backed emerging-growth or expansion-stage companies effectively.
The unique cash flow characteristics of many technology-related companies include significant research and development expenditures and high projected revenue growth thus often making such companies difficult to evaluate from a credit perspective. In addition, the balance sheets of emerging-growth and expansion-stage companies often include a disproportionately large amount of intellectual property assets, which can be difficult to value. Finally, the speed of innovation in technology and rapid shifts in consumer demand and market share add to the difficulty in evaluating technology-related companies.
Due to the difficulties described above, we believe traditional lenders are generally refraining from entering the structured mezzanine debt marketplace for emerging-growth and expansion-stage companies, instead preferring the risk-reward profile of senior debt. Traditional lenders generally do not have flexible product offerings that meet the needs of technology-related companies. The financing products offered by traditional lenders typically impose on borrowers many restrictive covenants and conditions, including limiting cash outflows and requiring a significant depository relationship to facilitate rapid liquidation.
Unfulfilled Demand for Structured Debt Financing to Technology-Related Companies. Private debt capital in the form of structured debt financing from specialty finance companies continues to be an important source of funding for technology-related companies. We believe that the level of demand for structured debt financing to emerging-growth and expansion-stage companies is a function of the level of annual venture equity investment activity. In 2007, venture capital-backed companies received, in approximately 2,648 transactions, equity financing in an aggregate amount of approximately $29.9 billion, representing an 8% increase over the preceding year, as reported by Dow Jones VentureOne. In addition, overall, the median round size in 2007 was $7.6 million, up from $7.0 million in 2006, and the highest annual median since 2000. For the third year in a row, equity investors are focusing more than a third of their investment activity on early-stage financings. Overall, seed- and first-round deals made up 38% of the deal flow in 2007, and later-stage deals made up roughly 50% of all capital invested. As a result, we believe a range of $23 billion to $28 billion in annual equity investments to venture-backed companies will be sustainable in future years.
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We believe that demand for structured debt financing is currently under served, in part because historically the largest debt capital providers to technology-related companies exited the market during 2001. In addition, lending requirements of traditional lenders have recently become more stringent due to the credit and liquidity crisis that impacted certain financial institutions beginning in the summer of 2007 related to the sub-prime market, real estate market and consumer debt market, which we do not have exposure to as a financial lender. We therefore believe this is an opportune time to be active in the structured lending market for technology-related companies.
Structured Mezzanine Debt Products Complement Equity Financing From Venture Capital and Private Equity Funds. We believe that technology-related companies and their financial sponsors will continue to view structured debt securities as an attractive source of capital because it augments the capital provided by venture capital and private equity funds. We believe that our structured mezzanine debt products provide access to growth capital that otherwise may only be available through incremental investments by existing equity investors. As such, we provide portfolio companies and their financial sponsors with an opportunity to diversify their capital sources. Generally, we believe emerging-growth and expansion-stage companies target a portion of their capital to be debt in an attempt to achieve a higher valuation through internal growth. In addition, because financial sponsor-backed companies have recently been more mature prior to reaching a liquidity event, we believe our investments could provide the debt capital needed to grow or recapitalize during the extended period prior to liquidity events.
Lower Valuations for Private Technology-Related Companies. During the downturn in technology industries that began in 2000, the markets saw sharp and broad declines in valuations of venture capital and private equity-backed technology-related companies. According to Dow Jones VentureOne, median pre-money valuations for venture capital-backed companies in 2000 was $25.0 million declining to a low of $10.0 million in 2003. As of December 31, 2007 median pre-money valuations for venture capital-backed companies in 2007 was $16.0 million compared to $18.5 million in 2006. This decrease was attributed to lower valuations in certain areas such as medical software, information services, software and consumer products offset by increases in other industry segments such as health care services, retail, electronics and computers. We believe the valuations currently assigned to venture capital and private equity-backed technology-related companies in private financing rounds are still reasonably valued and should allow us to continue to build a portfolio of equity-related securities at attractive valuation levels.
OUR BUSINESS STRATEGY
Our strategy to achieve our investment objective includes the following key elements:
Leverage the Experience and Industry Relationships of Our Management Team and Investment Professionals. We have assembled a team of experienced investment professionals with extensive experience as venture capitalists, commercial lenders, and originators of structured debt and equity investments in technology-related companies. Our investment professionals have, on average, more than 15 years of experience as equity investors in, and/or lenders to, technology-related companies. In addition, our team members have originated structured mezzanine investments in over 200 technology-related companies, representing over $2.0 billion in investments, and have developed a network of industry contacts with investors and other participants within the venture capital and private equity communities. In addition, members of our management team also have operational, research and development and finance experience with technology-related companies. We have established contacts with leading venture capital and private equity fund sponsors, public and private companies, research institutions and other industry participants, which should enable us to identify and attract well-positioned prospective portfolio companies.
We concentrate our investing activities in industries in which our investment professionals have investment experience. We believe that our focus on financing technology-related companies will enable us to leverage our expertise in structuring prospective investments, to assess the value of both tangible and intangible assets, to evaluate the business prospects and operating characteristics of technology-related companies and to identify and originate potentially attractive investments with these types of companies.
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Mitigate Risk of Principal Loss and Build a Portfolio of Equity-Related Securities. We expect that our investments have the potential to produce attractive risk adjusted returns through current income, in the form of interest and fee income, as well as capital appreciation from equity-related securities. We believe that we can mitigate the risk of loss on our debt investments through the combination of loan principal amortization, cash interest payments, relatively short maturities, security interests in the assets of our portfolio companies, covenants requiring prospective portfolio companies to have certain amounts of available cash at the time of our investment and the continued support from a venture capital or private equity firm at the time we make our investment.
In addition, historically our structured debt investments typically include warrants or other equity interests, giving us the potential to realize equity-like returns on a portion of our investment. In addition, we expect, in some cases, to receive the right to make additional equity investments in our portfolio companies in connection with future equity financing rounds. We believe these equity interests will create the potential for meaningful long-term capital gains in connection with the future liquidity events of these technology-related companies.
Provide Customized Financing Complementary to Financial Sponsors’ Capital. We offer a broad range of investment structures and possess expertise and experience to effectively structure and price investments in technology-related companies. Unlike many of our competitors that only invest in companies that fit a specific set of investment parameters, we have the flexibility to structure our investments to suit the particular needs of our portfolio companies. We offer customized financing solutions ranging from senior debt to equity capital, with a focus on structured mezzanine debt.
We use our relationships in the financial sponsor community to originate investment opportunities. Because venture capital and private equity funds typically invest solely in the equity securities of their portfolio companies, we believe that our debt investments will be viewed as an attractive source of capital, both by the portfolio company and by the portfolio company’s financial sponsor. In addition, we believe that many venture capital and private equity fund sponsors encourage their portfolio companies to use debt financing for a portion of their capital needs as a means of potentially enhancing equity returns, minimizing equity dilution and increasing valuations prior to a subsequent equity financing round or a liquidity event.
Invest at Various Stages of Development. We provide growth capital to technology-related companies at all stages of development, from emerging-growth companies, to expansion-stage companies and established-stage companies. We believe that this provides us with a broader range of potential investment opportunities than those available to many of our competitors, who generally focus their investments on a particular stage in a company’s development. Because of the flexible structure of our investments and the extensive experience of our investment professionals, we believe we are well positioned to take advantage of these investment opportunities at all stages of prospective portfolio companies’ development.
Benefit from Our Efficient Organizational Structure. We believe that the perpetual nature of our corporate structure enables us to be a long-term partner for our portfolio companies in contrast to traditional mezzanine and investment funds, which typically have a limited life. In addition, because of our access to the equity markets, we believe that we may benefit from a lower cost of capital than that available to private investment funds. We are not subject to requirements to return invested capital to investors nor do we have a finite investment horizon. Capital providers that are subject to such limitations are often required to seek a liquidity event more quickly than they otherwise might, which can result in a lower overall return on an investment.
Deal Sourcing Through Our Proprietary Database. We have developed a proprietary and comprehensive structured query language-based (SQL) database system to track various aspects of our investment process including sourcing, originations, transaction monitoring and post-investment performance. As of December 31, 2007, our proprietary SQL-based database system included over 14,500 technology-related companies and over 3,800 venture capital private equity sponsors/investors, as well as various other industry contacts. This proprietary SQL system allows us to maintain, cultivate and grow our industry relationships while providing us with comprehensive details on companies in the technology-related industries and their financial sponsors.
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OUR INVESTMENTS AND OPERATIONS
We invest in debt securities and, to a lesser extent, equity securities, with a particular emphasis on structured mezzanine debt.
We generally seek to invest in companies that have been operating for at least six to 12 months prior to the date of our investment. We anticipate that such entities may, at the time of investment, be generating revenues or will have a business plan that anticipates generation of revenues within 24 to 48 months. Further, we anticipate that on the date of our investment we will obtain a lien on available assets, which may or may not include intellectual property, and these companies will have sufficient cash on their balance sheet to amortize their debt for at least six to 15 months following our investment. We generally require that a prospective portfolio company, in addition to having sufficient capital to support leverage, demonstrate an operating plan capable of generating cash flows or raising the additional capital necessary to cover its operating expenses and service its debt.
We expect that our investments will generally range from $1.0 million to $30.0 million. Our debt investments generally have an average initial principal balance of between $1.0 million and $15.0 million and have maturities of two to seven years, with an expected average term of three years. We typically structure our debt securities to provide for amortization of principal over the life of the loan, but may include an interest-only period of 3 to 18 months for emerging growth and expansion-stage companies and longer for established-stage companies, and our loans will be collateralized by a security interest in the borrower’s assets, although we may not have the first claim on these assets and the assets may not include intellectual property. Our debt investments carry fixed or variable contractual interest rates typically ranging from Prime rate to 14.0%. In addition to the cash yields received on our loans, in some instances, certain loans may also include any of the following: end of term payments, exit fees, balloon payment fees, success fees, payment-in-kind (“PIK”) provisions or prepayment fees, which we may be required to include in income prior to receipt. We also generate revenue in the form of commitment and facility fees.
In addition, the majority of our venture capital-backed companies structured mezzanine debt investments generally have equity enhancement features, typically in the form of warrants or other equity-related securities designed to provide us with an opportunity for potential capital appreciation. The warrants typically will be immediately exercisable upon issuance and generally will remain exercisable for the lesser of seven years or three years after an initial public offering. The exercise prices for the warrants varies from nominal exercise prices to exercise prices that are at or above the current fair market value of the equity for which we receive warrants. We may structure warrants to provide minority rights provisions and put rights upon the occurrence of certain events. We generally target a total annualized return (including interest, fees and value of warrants) of 12% to 25% for our debt investments.
Typically, our debt and equity investments take one of the following forms:
| • | Structured Mezzanine Debt. We seek to invest a majority of our assets in structured mezzanine debt of prospective portfolio companies. Traditional “mezzanine” debt is a layer of high-coupon financing between debt and equity that most commonly takes the form of subordinated debt coupled with warrants, combining the cash flow and risk characteristics of both senior debt and equity. However, our structured mezzanine investments may be the only debt capital on the balance sheet of our portfolio companies, and in many cases we have a first priority security interest in all of our portfolio company’s assets, or in certain investments we review a negative pledge on intellectual property. Our structured mezzanine debt investments typically have maturities of between two and seven years, with full amortization for emerging-growth or expansion-stage companies and longer deferred amortization for select established-stage companies. Our structured mezzanine debt investments generally carry a contractual interest rate between Prime rate and 14% and may include an additional end-of-term payment, are in an amount between $3.0 million and $25.0 million with an average initial principal |
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| balance of between $3.0 million and $15.0 million (although this investment size may vary proportionately as the size of our capital base changes) and have an average term of three years. In some cases we collateralize our investments by obtaining security interests in our portfolio companies’ assets, which may include their intellectual property. In other cases we may prohibit a company from pledging or otherwise encumbering their intellectual property. We may structure our mezzanine debt investments with restrictive affirmative and negative covenants, default penalties, prepayment penalties, lien protection, equity calls, change-in-control provisions or board observation rights. |
| • | Senior Debt. We seek to invest a limited portion of our assets in senior debt. Senior debt may be collateralized by accounts receivable and/or inventory financing of prospective portfolio companies. Senior debt has a senior position with respect to a borrower’s scheduled interest and principal payments and holds a first priority security interest in the assets pledged as collateral. Senior debt also may impose covenants on a borrower with regard to cash flows and changes in capital structure, among other items. Our senior debt investments carry a contractual interest rate between Prime rate and 12%, are in an amount between $1.0 million and $7.0 million with an average initial principal balance of $3.0 million, and have an average term of under three years. We generally collateralize our investments by obtaining security interests in our portfolio companies’ assets, which may include their intellectual property. In other cases we may obtain a negative pledge covering a company’s intellectual property. Our senior loans, in certain instances, may be tied to the financing of specific assets. In connection with a senior debt investment, we may also provide the borrower with a working capital line-of-credit that will carry an interest rate ranging from the Prime rate to 12%, generally maturing in one to two years, and will be secured by accounts receivable and/or inventory. In connection with a senior debt investment, we may also provide the borrower with a working capital line-of-credit at fixed rates or variable rates based on the Prime rate or LIBOR plus a spread, generally maturing in one or two years, and will be secured by accounts receivable and / or inventory. |
| • | Equipment Loans. We intend to invest a limited portion of our assets in equipment-based loans to early-stage prospective portfolio companies. Equipment-based loans are secured by a first priority security interest in the assets financed. These loans are generally for amounts up to $3.0 million, carry a contractual interest rate between Prime and Prime plus 400 basis points, and have an average term between three and four years. Equipment loans may also include end of term payments. |
| • | Equity-Related Securities. The equity-related securities we hold consist primarily of warrants or other equity interests generally obtained in connection with our structured debt investments. In addition to the warrants received as a part of a structured debt financing, we typically receive the right to make equity investments in a portfolio company in connection with the next equity financing round for that company. We may also on certain debt investments have the right to convert a portion of the debt investment into equity. These rights will provide us with the opportunity to further enhance our returns over time through opportunistic equity investments in our portfolio companies. These equity-related investments are typically in the form of preferred or common equity and may be structured with a dividend yield, providing us with a current return, and with customary anti-dilution protection and preemptive rights. In the future, we may achieve liquidity through a merger or acquisition of a portfolio company, a public offering of a portfolio company’s stock or by exercising our right, if any, to require a portfolio company to buy back the equity-related securities we hold. We may also make stand alone direct equity investments into portfolio companies in which we may not have any debt investment in the company. |
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A comparison of the typical features of our various investment alternatives is set forth in the chart below.
| Senior Debt | Structured Mezzanine Debt |
Equipment Loans | Equity Securities | |||||
| Typical Structure | Term or revolving debt |
Term debt with warrants |
Term debt with warrants |
Preferred stock or common stock | ||||
| Investment Horizon | Usually under 3 years |
Long term, ranging from 2 to 7 years, with an average of 3 years |
Ranging from 3 to 4 years |
Long term | ||||
| Ranking/Security | Senior/First lien | Senior or junior lien |
Secured by underlying equipment |
None/unsecured | ||||
| Covenants | Generally borrowing base and financial |
Less restrictive; Mostly financial; Maintenance-based |
None | None | ||||
| Risk Tolerance | Low | Medium/High | High | High | ||||
| Coupon/Dividend | Cash pay—floating or fixed rate |
Cash pay—fixed and floating rate; Payment-in-kind in limited cases |
Cash pay-floating or fixed rate and may include Payment-in-kind |
Generally none | ||||
| Customization or Flexibility | Little to none | More flexible | Little to none |
Flexible | ||||
| Equity Dilution | None to low | Low | Low | High | ||||
Investment Criteria
We have identified several criteria that we believe are important in achieving our investment objective with respect to prospective portfolio companies. These criteria, while not inclusive, provide general guidelines for our investment decisions.
Portfolio Composition. While we generally focus our investments in venture capital and private equity-backed technology-related companies, we seek to diversify across various financial sponsors as well as across various stages of companies’ development and various technology industry sub-sectors and geographies.
Continuing Support from One or More Financial Sponsors. We generally invest in companies in which one or more established financial sponsors have previously invested and continue to make a contribution to the management of the business. We believe that having established financial sponsors with meaningful commitments to the business is a key characteristic of a prospective portfolio company. In addition, we look for representatives of one or more financial sponsors to maintain seats on the Board of Directors of a prospective portfolio company as an indication of such commitment.
Company Stage of Development. While we invest in companies at various stages of development, we generally require that prospective portfolio companies be beyond the seed stage of development and generally have received or anticipate to have commitments for their first institutional round of equity financing. We expect a prospective portfolio company to demonstrate progress in its product development or demonstrate a path towards its ability to commence revenue generation or increase its revenues and operating cash flow over time.
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The anticipated growth rate of a prospective portfolio company is a key factor in determining the value that we ascribe to any warrants or other equity securities that we may acquire in connection with an investment in debt securities.
Operating Plan. We generally require that a prospective portfolio company, in addition to having sufficient access to capital to support leverage, demonstrate an operating plan capable of generating cash flows or the ability to raise the additional capital necessary to cover its operating expenses and service its debt for a specific period. Specifically, we require that a prospective portfolio company demonstrate at the time of our proposed investment that it has cash on its balance sheet, or is in the process of completing a financing so that it will have cash on its balance sheet, sufficient to support its operations for a minimum of 6 to 15 months.
Security Interest. In many instances we seek a first priority security interest in all of the portfolio company’s tangible and intangible assets as collateral for our debt investment, subject in some cases to permitted exceptions. In other cases we may prohibit a company from pledging or otherwise encumbering their intellectual property. Although we do not intend to operate as an asset-based lender, the estimated liquidation value of the assets, if any, collateralizing the debt securities that we hold is an important factor in our credit analysis and subject to assumptions that may change over the life of the investment. We evaluate both tangible assets, such as accounts receivable, inventory and equipment, and intangible assets, such as intellectual property, customer lists, networks and databases.
Covenants. Our investments may include one or more of the following covenants; cross-default and material adverse change provisions, require the portfolio company to provide periodic financial reports and operating metrics and will typically limit the portfolio company’s ability to incur additional debt, sell assets, dividend recapture, engage in transactions with affiliates and consummate an extraordinary transaction, such as a merger or recapitalization without our consent. In addition, we may require other performance or financial based covenants, as we deem appropriate.
Exit Strategy. Prior to making a debt investment that is accompanied by an equity-related security in a prospective portfolio company, we analyze the potential for that company to increase the liquidity of its equity through a future event that would enable us to realize appreciation in the value of our equity interest. Liquidity events may include an initial public offering, a private sale of our equity interest to a third party, a merger or an acquisition of the company or a purchase of our equity position by the company or one of its stockholders.
Investment Process
We have organized our management team around the four key elements of our investment process:
| • | Origination; |
| • | Underwriting; |
| • | Documentation; and |
| • | Loan and Compliance Administration. |
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Our investment process is summarized in the following chart:
Origination
The origination process for our investments includes sourcing, screening, preliminary due diligence and deal structuring and negotiation, all leading to an executed non-binding term sheet. Our investment origination team, which consists of 21 investment professionals, is headed by our Senior Managing Directors of Technology and Life Science, and our Chief Executive Officer. The origination team is responsible for sourcing potential investment opportunities and members of the investment origination team use their extensive relationships with various leading financial sponsors, management contacts within technology-related companies, trade sources, technology conferences and various publications to source prospective portfolio companies. Our investment origination team is divided into technology and life-sciences sub-teams to better source potential portfolio companies.
In addition, we have developed a proprietary and comprehensive SQL-based database system to track various aspects of our investment process including sourcing, originations, transaction monitoring and post-investment performance. As of December 31, 2007, our proprietary SQL-based database system included over 14,500 technology-related companies and over 3,800 venture capital private equity sponsors/investors, as well as various other industry contacts. This proprietary SQL system allows our origination team to maintain, cultivate and grow our industry relationships while providing our origination team with comprehensive details on companies in the technology-related industries and their financial sponsors.
If a prospective portfolio company generally meets certain underwriting criteria, we perform preliminary due diligence, which may include high level company and technology assessments, evaluation of its financial sponsors’ support, market analysis, competitive analysis, evaluation of select management, risk analysis and transaction size, pricing, return analysis and structure analysis. If the preliminary due diligence is satisfactory, and the origination team recommends moving forward, we then structure, negotiate and execute a non-binding term sheet with the potential portfolio company. Upon execution of a term sheet, the investment opportunity moves to the underwriting process to complete formal due diligence review and approval.
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Underwriting
The underwriting review includes formal due diligence and approval of the proposed investment in the portfolio company.
Due Diligence. Our due diligence on a prospective investment is typically completed by two or more investment professionals which we define as the underwriting team. The underwriting team for a proposed investment consists of the deal sponsor who possesses specific industry knowledge and is responsible for originating and managing the transaction, other investment professional(s) who perform due diligence, credit and corporate financial analyses and, as needed, our Chief Legal Officer. To ensure consistent underwriting, we generally use our standardized due diligence methodologies, which include due diligence on financial performance and credit risk as well as an analysis of the operations and the legal and applicable regulatory framework of a prospective portfolio company. The members of the underwriting team work together to conduct due diligence and understand the relationships among the prospective portfolio company’s business plan, operations and financial performance.
As part of our evaluation of a proposed investment, the underwriting team prepares an investment memorandum for presentation to the investment committee. In preparing the investment memorandum, the underwriting team typically interviews with select key management of the company and select financial sponsors and assembles information necessary to the investment decision. If and when appropriate, the investment professionals may also contact industry experts and customers, vendors or, in some cases, competitors of the company.
Approval Process. The sponsoring managing director or principal presents the investment memorandum to our investment committee for consideration. The unanimous approval of our investment committee is required before we proceed with any investment. The members of our investment committee are our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Legal Officer and our Chief Financial Officer. The investment committee generally meets weekly and more frequently on an as-needed basis. Our investment committee process is generally the same at our wholly-owned subsidiary Hercules Technology II, L.P. (“HT II”) except that our two Senior Managing Directors are also members of the committee. The senior Managing Directors abstain from voting with respect to investments they originate.
Documentation
Our documentation group, headed by our Chief Legal Officer, administers the front-end documentation process for our loans. This group is responsible for documenting the term sheet approved by the investment committee to memorialize the transaction with a portfolio company. This group negotiates loan documentation and, subject to the approval of the Chief Legal Officer and/or the Associate General Counsel, final documents are prepared for execution by all parties. The documentation group generally uses the services of external law firms to complete the necessary documentation.
Loan and Compliance Administration
Our loan and compliance administration group, headed by our Chief Financial Officer, administers loans and tracks covenant compliance, if applicable, of our investments and oversees periodic reviews of our critical functions to ensure adherence with our internal policies and procedures. After funding of a loan in accordance with the investment committee’s approval, the loan is recorded in our loan administration software and our SQL-based database system. The loan and compliance administration group is also responsible for ensuring timely interest and principal payments and collateral management and advises the investment committee on the financial performance and trends of each portfolio company, including any covenant violations that occur, to aid us in assessing the appropriate course of action for each portfolio company and evaluating overall portfolio quality. In addition, the loan and compliance administration group advises the investment committee and the Valuation Committee of the board, accordingly, regarding the credit and investment grading for each portfolio company as well as changes in the value of collateral that may occur.
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The loan and compliance administration group monitors our portfolio companies in order to determine whether the companies are meeting our financing criteria and their respective business plans and also monitors the financial trends of each portfolio company from its monthly or quarterly financial statements to assess the appropriate course of action for each company and to evaluate overall portfolio quality. In addition, our management team closely monitors the status and performance of each individual company through our SQL-based database system and periodic contact with our portfolio companies’ management teams and their respective financial sponsors.
Credit and Investment Grading System. Our loan and compliance administration group uses an investment grading system to characterize and monitor our outstanding loans. Our loan and compliance administration group monitors and, when appropriate, recommends changes to investment grading. Our investment committee reviews the recommendations and/or changes to the investment grading, which are submitted on a quarterly basis to the Valuation Committee and our Board of Directors for approval.
From time to time we will identify investments that require closer monitoring or become workout assets. We develop a workout strategy for workout assets and our investment committee monitors the progress against the strategy. We will incur losses from our investing activities, however we work with our troubled portfolio companies in order to recover as much of our investments as is practicable.
We use the following investment grading system approved by our Board of Directors:
| Grade 1. | Loans involve the least amount of risk in our portfolio. The borrower is performing above expectations, and the trends and risk profile is generally favorable. |
| Grade 2. | The borrower is performing as expected and the risk profile is neutral to favorable. All new loans are initially graded 2. |
| Grade 3. | The borrower may be performing below expectations, and the loan’s risk has increased materially since origination. We increase procedures to monitor a borrower that may have limited amounts of cash remaining on the balance sheet, is approaching its next equity capital raise within the next three to six months, or if the estimated fair value of the enterprise may be lower than when the loan was originated. We will generally lower the loan grade to a level 3 even if the company is performing in accordance to plan as it approaches the need to raise additional cash to fund its operations. Once the borrower closes its new equity capital raise, we may increase the loan grade back to grade 2. |
| Grade 4. | The borrower is performing materially below expectations, and the loan risk has substantially increased since origination. Loans graded 4 may experience some partial loss or full return of principal but are expected to realize some loss of interest which is not anticipated to be repaid in full, which, to the extent not already reflected, may require the fair value of the loan to be reduced to the amount we anticipate will be recovered. Grade 4 investments are closely monitored. |
| Grade 5. | The borrower is in workout, materially performing below expectations and a significant risk of principal loss is probable. Loans graded 5 will experience some partial principal loss or full loss of remaining principal outstanding is expected. Grade 5 loans will require the fair value of the loans be reduced to the amount, if any, we anticipate will be recovered. |
At December 31, 2007, our investments had a weighted average investment grading of 2.20.
Managerial Assistance
As a business development company, we offer, and provide upon request, managerial assistance to our portfolio companies. This assistance could involve, among other things, monitoring the operations of our portfolio companies, participating in board and management meetings, consulting with and advising officers of portfolio companies and providing other organizational and financial guidance. We may receive fees for these services.
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ASSET MANAGEMENT
We may engage in the asset management business by providing investment advisory services to funds that may be formed in the future. Such funds may focus on our lower yielding assets, such as senior debt, equipment based only financing or equity only funding. We may contribute assets currently in our portfolio to the extent that our management and Board of Directors deems it appropriate. We may, from time to time, serve as the investment manager of such funds and may receive management and other fees for such services. Such funds may have overlapping investment objectives and may invest in asset classes similar to those targeted by us.
COMPETITION
Our primary competitors provide financing to prospective portfolio companies and include non-bank financial institutions, federally or state chartered banks, venture debt funds, financial institutions, venture capital funds, private equity funds, investment funds and investment banks. Many of these entities have greater financial and managerial resources than we have, and the 1940 Act imposes certain regulatory restrictions on us as a business development company to which many of our competitors are not subject. However, we believe that few of our competitors possess the expertise to properly structure and price debt investments to venture capital and private equity backed technology-related companies. We believe that our specialization in financing technology-related companies will enable us to assess the value of intellectual property assets, evaluate the business prospects and operating characteristics of prospective portfolio companies and, as a result, identify investment opportunities that produce attractive risk-adjusted returns. For additional information concerning the competitive risks we face, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors—Risks Related to our Business and Structure—We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities, and we may not be able to compete effectively.”
CORPORATE STRUCTURE
We are a Maryland corporation and an internally-managed, non-diversified, closed-end investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the 1940 Act. Hercules Technology II, L.P. (“HT II”), our wholly-owned subsidiary, is licensed under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 as a Small Business Investment Company. Hercules Technology SBIC Management, LLC (“HTM”), another wholly-owned subsidiary, functions as the general partner of our subsidiary HT II. Hercules Funding I LLC, our wholly owned subsidiary, and Hercules Funding Trust I function as vehicles to collateralize loans under our securitized credit facility with Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp. In December 2006, we established Hydra Management LLC and Hydra Management Co., Inc. an investment manager and an investment management company, respectively.
Our principal executive offices are located at 400 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 310, Palo Alto, California 94301. We also have offices in: Boston, Massachusetts; Boulder, Colorado; Chicago, Illinois; Columbus, Ohio; and San Diego, California.
BROKERAGE ALLOCATIONS AND OTHER PRACTICES
Because we generally acquire and dispose of our investments in privately negotiated transactions, we rarely use brokers in the normal course of business. In those cases where we do use a broker, we do not execute transactions through any particular broker or dealer, but will seek to obtain the best net results for Hercules, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of order, difficulty of execution, and operational facilities of the firm and the firm’s risk and skill in positioning blocks of securities. While we generally seek reasonably competitive execution costs, we may not necessarily pay the lowest spread or commission available. Subject to applicable legal requirements, we may select a broker based partly upon brokerage or research services provided to us. In return for such services, we may pay a higher commission than other brokers would charge if we determine in good faith that such commission is reasonable in
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relation to the services provided. For the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 we paid approximately $22,200 and $12,100 in brokerage commissions, respectively.
EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 2007, we had 38 employees, including 21 investment and portfolio management professionals all of whom have extensive prior experience working on financing transactions for technology-related companies. We intend to expand our management team, financial analyst group and operational personnel to support our growing portfolio of companies. We may also hire additional managing directors if our business indicates the need to expand the team to take advantage of growing market opportunities.
REGULATION AS A BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
The following discussion is a general summary of the material prohibitions and descriptions governing business development companies generally. It does not purport to be a complete description of all of the laws and regulations affecting business development companies.
A business development company is a unique kind of investment company that primarily focuses on investing in or lending to private companies and making managerial assistance available to them. A business development company provides stockholders with the ability to retain the liquidity of a publicly-traded stock, while sharing in the possible benefits of investing in emerging-growth or expansion-stage privately-owned companies. The 1940 Act contains prohibitions and restrictions relating to transactions between business development companies and their directors and officers and principal underwriters and certain other related persons and requires that a majority of the directors be persons other than “interested persons,” as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. In addition, the 1940 Act provides that we may not change the nature of our business so as to cease to be, or to withdraw our election as, a business development company unless approved by a majority of our outstanding voting securities. A majority of the outstanding voting securities of a company is defined under the 1940 Act as the lesser of: (i) 67% or more of such company’s shares present at a meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of such company are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of such company.
Qualifying Assets
Under the 1940 Act, a business development company may not acquire any asset other than assets of the type listed in Section 55(a) of the 1940 Act, which are referred to as qualifying assets, unless, at the time the acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of the company’s total assets. The principal categories of qualifying assets relevant to our proposed business are the following:
| (1) | Securities purchased in transactions not involving any public offering from the issuer of such securities, which issuer (subject to certain limited exceptions) is an eligible portfolio company, or from any person who is, or has been during the preceding 13 months, an affiliated person of an eligible portfolio company, or from any other person, subject to such rules as may be prescribed by the SEC. An eligible portfolio company is defined in the 1940 Act as any issuer which: |
| (a) | is organized under the laws of, and has its principal place of business in, the United States; |
| (b) | is not an investment company (other than a small business investment company wholly owned by the business development company) or a company that would be an investment company but for certain exclusions under the 1940 Act; and |
| (c) | does not have any class of securities listed on a national securities exchange. |
| (2) | Securities of any eligible portfolio company which we control. |
| (3) | Securities purchased in a private transaction from a U.S. issuer that is not an investment company or from an affiliated person of the issuer, or in transactions incident thereto, if the issuer is in bankruptcy |
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| and subject to reorganization or if the issuer, immediately prior to the purchase of its securities was unable to meet its obligations as they came due without material assistance other than conventional lending or financing arrangements. |
| (4) | Securities of an eligible portfolio company purchased from any person in a private transaction if there is no ready market for such securities and we already own 60% of the outstanding equity of the eligible portfolio company. |
| (5) | Securities received in exchange for or distributed on or with respect to securities described in (1) through (4) above, or pursuant to the exercise of warrants or rights relating to such securities. |
| (6) | Cash, cash equivalents, U.S. Government securities or high-quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment. |
In October 2006, the SEC re-proposed rules providing for an additional definition of eligible portfolio company. As re-proposed, the rule would expand the definition of eligible portfolio company to include certain public companies that list their securities on a national securities exchange. The SEC sought comment regarding the application of this proposed rule to companies with: (1) a public float of less than $75 million; (2) a market capitalization of less than $150 million; or (3) a market capitalization of less than $250 million. There is no assurance that such proposal will be adopted or what the final proposal will entail.
Significant Managerial Assistance
In order to count portfolio securities as qualifying assets for the purpose of the 70% test discussed above, a business development company must either control the issuer of the securities or must offer to make available significant managerial assistance; except that, where the business development company purchases such securities in conjunction with one or more other persons acting together, one of the other persons in the group may make available such managerial assistance. Making available significant managerial assistance means, among other things, any arrangement whereby the business development company, through its directors, officers or employees, offers to provide and, if accepted, does so provide, significant guidance and counsel concerning the management, operations or business objectives and policies of a portfolio company through monitoring of portfolio company operations, selective participation in board and management meetings, consulting with and advising a portfolio company’s officers or other organizational or financial guidance.
Temporary Investments
Pending investment in other types of qualifying assets, as described above, our investments may consist of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or high quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment, which we refer to, collectively, as temporary investments, so that 70% of our assets are qualifying assets. Typically, we invest in U.S. treasury bills or in repurchase agreements, provided that such agreements are fully collateralized by cash or securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies. A repurchase agreement involves the purchase by an investor, such as us, of a specified security and the simultaneous agreement by the seller to repurchase it at an agreed upon future date and at a price which is greater than the purchase price by an amount that reflects an agreed-upon interest rate. There is no percentage restriction on the proportion of our assets that may be invested in such repurchase agreements. However, if more than 25% of our total assets constitute repurchase agreements from a single counterparty, we would not meet the diversification tests imposed on us by the Code in order to qualify as a RIC for federal income tax purposes. Thus, we do not intend to enter into repurchase agreements with a single counterparty in excess of this limit. We will monitor the creditworthiness of the counterparties with which we enter into repurchase agreement transactions.
Warrants and Options
Under the 1940 Act, a business development company is subject to restrictions on the amount of warrants, options, restricted stock or rights to purchase shares of capital stock that it may have outstanding at any time. In particular, the amount of capital stock that would result from the conversion or exercise of all outstanding
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warrants, options or rights to purchase capital stock cannot exceed 25% of the business development company’s total outstanding shares of capital stock. This amount is reduced to 20% of the business development company’s total outstanding shares of capital stock if the amount of warrants, options or rights issued pursuant to an executive compensation plan would exceed 15% of the business development company’s total outstanding shares of capital stock. We have received exemptive relief from the SEC permitting us to issue stock options and restricted stock to our employees and directors subject to the above conditions, among others. For a discussion regarding the conditions of this exemptive relief, see Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements.
Senior Securities; Coverage Ratio
We will be permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness and one class of stock senior to our common stock if our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, is at least equal to 200% immediately after each such issuance. In addition, while any senior securities remain outstanding, we must make provisions to prohibit any dividend distribution to our stockholders or the repurchase of such securities or shares unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratios at the time of the dividend distribution or repurchase. We may also borrow amounts up to 5% of the value of our total assets for temporary or emergency purposes. For a discussion of the risks associated with the resulting leverage, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business & Structure—Because we borrow money, there could be increased risk in investing in our company.”
Capital Structure
We are not generally able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share. We may, however, sell our common stock, at a price below the current net asset value of the common stock, or sell warrants, options or rights to acquire such common stock, at a price below the current net asset value of the common stock if our board of directors determines that such sale is in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders, and our stockholders approve our policy and practice of making such sales. We have included such a proposal in our proxy statement for our 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. In any such case, the price at which our securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price which, in the determination of our board of directors, closely approximates the market value of such securities (less any distributing commission or discount).
Code of Ethics
We have adopted and will maintain a code of ethics that establishes procedures for personal investments and restricts certain personal securities transactions. Personnel subject to the code may invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by us, so long as such investments are made in accordance with the code’s requirements. Our code of ethics will generally not permit investments by our employees in securities that may be purchased or held by us. We may be prohibited under the 1940 Act from conducting certain transactions with our affiliates without the prior approval of our directors who are not interested persons and, in some cases, the prior approval of the SEC.
Our code of ethics is posted on our website at www.herculestech.com and was filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement (Registration No. 333-126604) for our initial public offering. You may read and copy the code of ethics at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-202-942-8090. In addition, the code of ethics is available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. You may obtain copies of the code of ethics, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following email address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549.
We may not change the nature of our business so as to cease to be, or withdraw our election as, a business development company unless authorized by vote of a “majority of the outstanding voting securities,” as defined in the 1940 Act. A majority of the outstanding voting securities of a company is defined under the 1940 Act as the lesser of: (i) 67% or more of such company’s shares present at a meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding
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shares of such company are present and represented by proxy or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of such company.
Privacy Principles
We are committed to maintaining the privacy of our stockholders and safeguarding their non-public personal information. The following information is provided to help you understand what personal information we collect, how we protect that information and why, in certain cases, we may share information with select other parties.
Generally, we do not receive any non-public personal information relating to our stockholders, although certain non-public personal information of our stockholders may become available to us. We do not disclose any non-public personal information about our stockholders or former stockholders to anyone, except as permitted by law or as is necessary in order to service stockholder accounts (for example, to a transfer agent).
We restrict access to non-public personal information about our stockholders to our employees with a legitimate business need for the information. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards designed to protect the non-public personal information of our stockholders.
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
We vote proxies relating to our portfolio securities in the best interest of our stockholders. We review on a case-by-case basis each proposal submitted to a stockholder vote to determine its impact on the portfolio securities held by us. Although we generally vote against proposals that may have a negative impact on our portfolio securities, we may vote for such a proposal if there exists compelling long-term reasons to do so.
Our proxy voting decisions are made by our investment committee, which is responsible for monitoring each of our investments. To ensure that our vote is not the product of a conflict of interest, we require that: (i) anyone involved in the decision making process disclose to our Chief Compliance Officer any potential conflict that he or she is aware of and any contact that he or she has had with any interested party regarding a proxy vote; and (ii) employees involved in the decision making process or vote administration are prohibited from revealing how we intend to vote on a proposal in order to reduce any attempted influence from interested parties.
Exemptive Relief
On June 21, 2005, we filed a request with the SEC for exemptive relief to allow us to take certain actions that would otherwise be prohibited by the 1940 Act, as applicable to business development companies. Specifically, we requested that the SEC permit us to issue stock options to our non-employee directors as contemplated by Section 61(a)(3)(B)(i)(II) of the 1940 Act. On February 15, 2007, we received approval from the SEC on this exemptive request. In addition, in June 2007, we filed an amendment to the February, 2007 order to adjust the number of shares issued to the non-employee directors. On October 10, 2007, we received approval from the SEC on this amended exemptive request.
On April 5, 2007, we received an exemptive relief from the SEC that permits us to exclude the indebtedness that our wholly-owned subsidiary, HT II, which is qualified as a small business investment company, issues to the Small Business Administration from the 200% asset coverage requirement applicable to us.
On May 2, 2007, we received approval from the SEC on our exemptive request. On June 21, 2007, our shareholders approved amendments permitting us to grant restricted stock to our officers, employees and directors.
Other
We will be periodically examined by the SEC for compliance with the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act.
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We are required to provide and maintain a bond issued by a reputable fidelity insurance company to protect us against larceny and embezzlement. Furthermore, as a business development company, we are prohibited from protecting any director or officer against any liability to our stockholders arising from willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office.
We are required to adopt and implement written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation of the federal securities laws, review these policies and procedures annually for their adequacy and the effectiveness of their implementation. We have designated Mr. Harvey, our Chief Legal Officer, as our Chief Compliance Officer who is responsible for administering these policies and procedures.
Small Business Administration Regulations
HT II, our wholly-owned subsidiary, is licensed by the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) as a small business investment company (“SBIC”) under Section 301(c) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. The SBIC regulations currently limit the amount that is available to borrow by any SBIC to $127.2 million, subject to periodic adjustments by the SBA. There is no assurance that we will draw up to the maximum limit available under the SBIC program.
SBICs are designed to stimulate the flow of private capital to eligible small businesses. Under present SBA regulations, eligible small businesses include businesses that have a tangible net worth not exceeding $18 million and have average annual fully taxed net income not exceeding $6 million for the two most recent fiscal years. In addition, SBICs must devote 20% of its investment activity to “smaller” concerns as defined by the SBA. A smaller concern is one that has a tangible net worth not exceeding $6 million and has average annual fully taxed net income not exceeding $2 million for the two most recent fiscal years. SBA regulations also provide alternative size standard criteria to determine eligibility, which depend on the industry in which the business is engaged and are based on such factors as the number of employees and gross sales. According to SBA regulations, small business investment companies may make long-term loans to small businesses, invest in the equity securities of such businesses and provide them with consulting and advisory services. Through our wholly-owned subsidiary HT II, we plan to provide long-term loans to qualifying small businesses, and in connection therewith, make equity investments.
As of December 31, 2007, the assets held by HT II represented approximately 23% of the total assets of the Company.
In January 2005, we formed HT II and HTM. On September 27, 2006, HT II received final approval to be licensed as a Small Business Investment Company (“SBIC”). HT II is able to borrow funds against eligible pre-approved investments and additional deposits to regulatory capital. Currently, HT II has a commitment from the SBA to issue a total of $127.2 million of SBA guaranteed debentures, of which $55.1 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2007. There is no assurance that HT II will draw up to the maximum limit available under the SBIC program.
HT II will be periodically examined and audited by the SBA’s staff to determine its compliance with SBIC regulations.
CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a general summary of the material federal income tax considerations applicable to us.
Conversion to Regulated Investment Company Status
Prior to 2006, we were taxed as a C Corporation under the Code. We operate to qualify as a regulated investment company, or RIC, under Subchapter M of the Code. If we qualify as a RIC and annually distribute to our stockholders in a timely manner at least 90% of our investment company taxable income, we will not be subject to federal income tax on the portion of our taxable income and capital gains we distribute to our
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shareholders. Taxable income generally differs from net income as defined by generally accepted accounting principles due to temporary and permanent timing differences in the recognition of income and expenses, returns of capital and net unrealized appreciation or depreciation.
We have met the criteria specified below to qualify as a RIC, and elected to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code with the filing of our federal tax return for 2006. As a RIC, we generally will not have to pay corporate taxes on any income we distribute to our stockholders as dividends, which allows us to reduce or eliminate our corporate level tax. Prior to the effective date of our RIC election, we were taxed as a regular corporation under Subchapter C of the Code. On December 31, 2005, we held assets with “built-in gain,” which are assets whose fair market value as of the effective date of the election exceeds their tax basis. We elected to recognize all of our net built-in gains at the time of the conversion and paid tax on the built-in gain with the filing of our 2005 tax return. In making this election, we marked our portfolio to market at the time of our RIC election and paid approximately $294,000 in tax on the resulting gains.
During 2007, we distributed $1.20 per share to our shareholders of which 100% was deemed to be a distribution of income and is considered ordinary income to our shareholders in 2007.
Taxation as a Regulated Investment Company
For any taxable year in which we:
| • | qualify as a RIC; and |
| • | distribute at least 90% of our net ordinary income and realized net short-term gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any (the “Annual Distribution Requirement”); |
we generally will not be subject to federal income tax on the portion of our investment company taxable income and net capital gain (i.e., net realized long-term capital gains in excess of net realized short-term capital losses) we distribute to stockholders with respect to that year. (However, as described above, we will be subject to federal income taxes on certain dispositions of assets that had built-in gains as of the effective date of our conversion to RIC status (unless we elect to be taxed on such gains as of such date). In addition, if we subsequently acquire built-in gain assets from a C corporation in a carryover basis transaction, then we may be subject to tax on the gains recognized by us on dispositions of such assets unless we make a special election to pay corporate-level tax on such built-in gain at the time the assets are acquired.) We will be subject to United States federal income tax at the regular corporate rates on any income or capital gain not distributed (or deemed distributed) to our stockholders.
In order to qualify as a RIC for federal income tax purposes and obtain the tax benefits of RIC status, in addition to satisfying the Annual Distribution Requirement, we must, among other things:
| • | have in effect at all times during each taxable year an election to be regulated as a business development company under the 1940 Act; |
| • | derive in each taxable year at least 90% of our gross income from (a) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale of stock or other securities, or other income derived with respect to our business of investing in such stock or securities and (b) net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly traded limited partnership” (the “90% Income Test”); and |
| • | diversify our holdings so that at the end of each quarter of the taxable year: |
| • | at least 50% of the value of our assets consists of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities if such other securities of any one issuer do not represent more than 5% of the value of our assets or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer; and |
| • | no more than 25% of the value of our assets is invested in (i) securities (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs) of one issuer, (ii) securities of two or more |
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| issuers that are controlled, as determined under applicable tax rules, by us and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or (iii) securities of one or more “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (the “Diversification Tests”). |
Qualified earnings may exclude such income as management fees received in connection with our SBIC or other potential outside managed funds and certain other fees.
As a RIC, we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible federal excise tax on certain undistributed income unless we distribute in a timely manner an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of our ordinary income for each calendar year, (2) 98% of our capital gain net income for the 1-year period ending October 31 in that calendar year and (3) any income realized, but not distributed, in the preceding year (the “Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement”). We will not be subject to excise taxes on amounts on which we are required to pay corporate income tax (such as retained net capital gains). Depending on the level of taxable income earned in a tax year, we may choose to carry over taxable income in excess of current year distributions from such taxable income into the next tax year and pay a 4% excise tax on such income, as required. The maximum amount of excess taxable income that may be carried over for distribution in the next year under the Code is the total amount of dividends paid in the following year, subject to certain declaration and payment guidelines. To the extent we choose to carry over taxable income into the next tax year, dividends declared and paid by us in a year may differ from taxable income for that year as such dividends may include the distribution of current year taxable income, the distribution of prior year taxable income carried over into and distributed in the current year, or returns of capital.
We may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which we do not receive cash. For example, if we hold debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as debt instruments with payment-in-kind interest or back-end fee interest, in certain cases, increasing interest rates or issued with warrants), we must include in income each year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by us in the same taxable year. Because any original issue discount accrued will be included in our investment company taxable income for the year of accrual, we may be required to make a distribution to our stockholders in order to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, even though we will not have received any corresponding cash amount.
Gain or loss realized by us from the sale or exchange of warrants acquired by us as well as any loss attributable to the lapse of such warrants generally will be treated as capital gain or loss. Such gain or loss generally will be long-term or short-term, depending on how long we held a particular warrant.
We are authorized to borrow funds and to sell assets in order to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement and the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement (collectively, the “Distribution Requirements”). However, under the 1940 Act, we are not permitted to make distributions to our stockholders while our debt obligations and other senior securities are outstanding unless certain “asset coverage” tests are met. See “Regulation—Senior Securities; Coverage Ratio.” Moreover, our ability to dispose of assets to meet the Distribution Requirements may be limited by (1) the illiquid nature of our portfolio, or (2) other requirements relating to our status as a RIC, including the Diversification Tests. If we dispose of assets in order to meet the Distribution Requirements, we may make such dispositions at times that, from an investment standpoint, are not advantageous.
Any transactions in options, futures contracts, hedging transactions, and forward contracts will be subject to special tax rules, the effect of which may be to accelerate income to us, defer losses, cause adjustments to the holding periods of our investments, convert long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains, convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses or have other tax consequences. These rules could affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to stockholders. We do not currently intend to engage in these types of transactions.
A RIC is limited in its ability to deduct expenses in excess of its “investment company taxable income” (which is, generally, ordinary income plus net realized short-term capital gains). If our expenses in a given year
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exceed gross taxable income (e.g., as the result of large amounts of equity-based compensation), we would experience a net operating loss for that year. However, a RIC is not permitted to carry forward net operating losses to subsequent years. In addition, expenses can be used only to offset investment company taxable income, not net capital gain. Due to these limits on the deductibility of expenses, we may for tax purposes have aggregate taxable income for several years that we are required to distribute and that is taxable to our stockholders even if such income is greater than the aggregate net income we actually earned during those years. Such required distributions may be made from our cash assets or by liquidation of investments, if necessary. We may realize gains or losses from such liquidations. In the event we realize net capital gains from such transactions, you may receive a larger capital gain distribution than you would have received in the absence of such transactions.
Failure to Qualify as a Regulated Investment Company
If we were unable to qualify for treatment as a RIC, we would be subject to tax on all of our taxable income at regular corporate rates. We would not be able to deduct distributions to stockholders, nor would they be required to be made. Such distributions (if made in a taxable year beginning on or before December 31, 2008) would be taxable to our stockholders and, provided certain holding period and other requirements were met, could qualify for treatment as “qualified dividend income” eligible for the 15% maximum rate to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. Subject to certain limitations under the Code, corporate distributees would be eligible for the dividends-received deduction. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the stockholder’s tax basis, and any remaining distributions would be treated as a capital gain. To requalify as a RIC in a subsequent taxable year, we would be required to satisfy the RIC qualification requirements for that year and dispose of any earnings and profits from any year in which we failed to qualify as a RIC. Subject to a limited exception applicable to RICs that qualified as such under Subchapter M of the Code for at least one year prior to disqualification and that requalify as a RIC no later than the second year following the nonqualifying year, we could be subject to tax on any unrealized net built-in gains in the assets held by us during the period in which we failed to qualify as a RIC that are recognized within the subsequent 10 years, unless we made a special election to pay corporate-level tax on such built-in gain at the time of our requalification as a RIC.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
We determine the net asset value per share of our common stock quarterly. The net asset value per share is equal to the value of our total assets minus liabilities and any preferred stock outstanding divided by the total number of shares of common stock outstanding. As of the date of this report, we do not have any preferred stock outstanding.
At December 31, 2007, approximately 98% of our total assets represented investments in portfolio companies recorded at fair value. Value, as defined in Section 2(a) (41) of the 1940 Act, is (i) the market price for those securities for which a market quotation is readily available and (ii) for all other securities and assets, fair value is as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors in accordance with established valuation procedures and the recommendation of the Valuation Committee of the Board of Directors. Since there is typically no readily available market value for the investments in our portfolio, we value substantially all of our investments at fair value as determined in good faith by our management pursuant to a valuation policy and a consistent valuation process. Due to the inherent uncertainty in determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of our investments determined in good faith by our management may differ significantly from the value that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments, and the differences could be material.
There is no single standard for determining fair value in good faith. As a result, determining fair value requires that judgment be applied to the specific facts and circumstances of each portfolio investment. Unlike banks, we are not permitted to provide a general reserve for anticipated loan losses. Instead, we must determine the fair value of each individual investment on a quarterly basis. We will record unrealized depreciation on
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investments when we believe that an investment has decreased in value, including where collection of a loan or realization of an equity security is doubtful. Conversely, we will record unrealized appreciation if we believe that the underlying portfolio company has appreciated in value and, therefore, our investment has also appreciated in value, where appropriate.
As a business development company, we invest primarily in illiquid securities including debt and equity-related securities of private companies. Our investments are generally subject to some restrictions on resale and generally have no established trading market. Because of the type of investments that we make and the nature of our business, our valuation process requires an analysis of various factors. Our valuation methodology includes the examination of, among other things, the underlying investment performance, financial condition and market changing events that impact valuation.
With respect to private debt and equity-related securities, each investment is valued using industry valuation benchmarks and, where appropriate, equity values are assigned a discount reflecting the illiquid nature of the investment and our minority, non-control position. When a qualifying external event such as a significant purchase transaction, public offering, or subsequent debt or equity sale occurs, the pricing indicated by the external event will be used to corroborate our private debt or equity valuation.
We periodically review the valuation of our portfolio companies that have not been involved in a qualifying external event to determine if the enterprise value of the portfolio company may have increased or decreased since the last valuation measurement date. We may consider, but are not limited to, industry valuation methods such as price to enterprise value or price to equity ratios, discounted cash flow, valuation comparisons to comparable public companies or other industry benchmarks in our evaluation of the fair value of our investment. Securities that are traded in the over-the-counter market or on a stock exchange will be valued at the prevailing bid price on the valuation date.
Determinations in Connection with Offerings
In connection with each offering of shares of our common stock, our Board of Directors or a committee thereof is required to make the determination that we are not selling shares of our common stock at a price below the then current net asset value of our common stock at the time at which the sale is made. Our Board of Directors considers the following factors, among others, in making such determination:
| • | the net asset value of our common stock disclosed in the most recent periodic report we filed with the SEC; |
| • | our management’s assessment of whether any material change in the net asset value of our common stock has occurred (including through the realization of gains on the sale of our portfolio securities) from the period beginning on the date of the most recently disclosed net asset value of our common stock to the period ending two days prior to the date of the sale of our common stock; and |
| • | the magnitude of the difference between the net asset value of our common stock disclosed in the most recent periodic report we filed with the SEC and our management’s assessment of any material change in the net asset value of our common stock since the date of the most recently disclosed net asset value of our common stock, and the offering price of the shares of our common stock in the proposed offering. |
Importantly, this determination does not require that we calculate the net asset value of our common stock in connection with each offering of shares of our common stock, but instead it involves the determination by our Board of Directors or a committee thereof that we are not selling shares of our common stock at a price below the then current net asset value of our common stock at the time at which the sale is made.
Moreover, to the extent that there is even a remote possibility that we may (i) issue shares of our common stock at a price below the then current net asset value of our common stock at the time at which the sale is made
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or (ii) trigger the undertaking (which we provide to the SEC in the registration statement relating to an offering of common stock) to suspend the offering of shares of our common stock if the net asset value of our common stock fluctuates by certain amounts in certain circumstances until the prospectus relating to such offering is amended, our Board of Directors will elect, in the case of clause (i) above, either to postpone the offering until such time that there is no longer the possibility of the occurrence of such event or to undertake to determine the net asset value of our common stock within two days prior to any such sale to ensure that such sale will not be below our then current net asset value, and, in the case of clause (ii) above, to comply with such undertaking or to undertake to determine the net asset value of our common stock to ensure that such undertaking has not been triggered.
These processes and procedures are part of our compliance policies and procedures. Records will be made contemporaneously with all determinations described in this section and these records will be maintained with other records we are required to maintain under the 1940 Act.
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the risks described below and all other information contained in this Annual Report, including our financial statements and the related notes and the schedules and exhibits to this Annual Report. The risks set forth below are not the only risks we face. If any of the following risks occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In such case, our net asset value and the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Related to our Business and Structure
We have a limited operating history as a business development company, which may affect our ability to manage our business and may impair your ability to assess our prospects.
We were incorporated in December 2003 and commenced investment operations in September 2004. We are subject to all of the business risks and uncertainties associated with any new business enterprise, including the risk that we will not achieve our investment objective and that the value of our common stock could decline substantially. We have a limited operating history as a business development company. As a result, we have limited operating results under these regulatory frameworks that can demonstrate to you either their effect on the business or our ability to manage the business within these frameworks. If we fail to maintain our status as a business development company or fail to qualify as a RIC, our operating flexibility and results of operations would be significantly affected.
We are dependent upon key management personnel for our future success, particularly Manuel A. Henriquez, and if we are not able to hire and retain qualified personnel, or if we lose any member of our senior management team, our ability to implement our business strategy could be significantly harmed.
We depend upon the members of our senior management, particularly Mr. Henriquez, as well as other key personnel for the identification, final selection, structuring, closing and monitoring of our investments. These employees have critical industry experience and relationships on which we rely to implement our business plan. If we lose the services of Mr. Henriquez, or of any other senior management members, we may not be able to operate the business as we expect, and our ability to compete could be harmed, which could cause our operating results to suffer. We believe our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to identify, attract and retain sufficient numbers of highly skilled employees. If we do not succeed in identifying, attracting and retaining such personnel, we may not be able to operate our business as we expect.
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Our business model depends to a significant extent upon strong referral relationships with venture capital and private equity fund sponsors, and our inability to develop or maintain these relationships, or the failure of these relationships to generate investment opportunities, could adversely affect our business.
We expect that members of our management team will maintain their relationships with venture capital and private equity firms, and we will rely to a significant extent upon these relationships to provide us with our deal flow. If we fail to maintain our existing relationships or to develop new relationships with other firms or sources of investment opportunities, then we will not be able to grow our investment portfolio. In addition, persons with whom members of our management team have relationships are not obligated to provide us with investment opportunities and, therefore, there is no assurance that such relationships will lead to the origination of debt or other investments.
We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities, and we may not be able to compete effectively.
A large number of entities compete with us to make the types of investments that we plan to make in prospective portfolio companies. We compete with a large number of venture capital and private equity firms, as well as with other investment funds, investment banks and other sources of financing, including traditional financial services companies such as commercial banks and finance companies. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources than we do. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of funds and/or access to funding sources that are not available to us. This may enable some competitors to make commercial loans with interest rates that are comparable to or lower than the rates that we typically offer. We may lose prospective portfolio companies if we do not match competitors’ pricing, terms and structure. If we do match competitors’ pricing, terms or structure, we may experience decreased net interest income and increased risk of credit losses. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments, establish more relationships and build their market shares. Furthermore, many potential competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a business development company or that the Code would impose on us as a RIC. If we are not able to compete effectively, our business, financial condition, and results of operations will be adversely affected. As a result of this competition, there can be no assurance that we will be able to identify and take advantage of attractive investment opportunities that we identify, or that we will be able to fully invest our available capital.
Because we intend to distribute substantially all of our income to our stockholders in order to qualify as a RIC, we will continue to need additional capital to finance our growth. If additional funds are unavailable or not available on favorable terms, our ability to grow will be impaired.
In order to satisfy the tax requirements applicable to a RIC, to avoid payment of excise taxes and to minimize or avoid payment of income taxes, we intend to distribute to our stockholders substantially all of our ordinary income and realized net capital gains except for certain realized net long-term capital gains, which we currently intend to retain, pay applicable income taxes with respect thereto and elect to treat as deemed distributions to our stockholders. As a business development company, we generally are required to meet a coverage ratio of total assets to total borrowings and other senior securities, which includes all of our borrowings and any preferred stock that we may issue in the future, of at least 200%. This requirement limits the amount that we may borrow. Because we will continue to need capital to grow our loan and investment portfolio, this limitation may prevent us from incurring debt and require us to raise additional equity at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. While we expect to be able to borrow and to issue additional debt and equity securities, we cannot assure you that debt and equity financing will be available to us on favorable terms, or at all, and debt financings may be restricted by the terms of any of our outstanding borrowings. If we are unable to incur additional debt, we may be required to raise additional equity at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. In addition, shares of closed-end investment companies have in the past frequently traded at discounts to their net asset values and our stock may also be discounted in the market. This characteristic of closed-end investment companies is separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value per share may decline. We cannot predict
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whether shares of our common stock will trade above, at or below our net asset value. If our common stock trades below its net asset value, we generally will not be able to issue additional shares of our common stock at its market price without first obtaining the approval for such issuance from our stockholders and our independent directors. If additional funds are not available to us, we could be forced to curtail or cease new lending and investment activities, and our net asset value could decline.
Because we borrow money, there could be increased risk in investing in our company.
Lenders have fixed dollar claims on our assets that are superior to the claims of stockholders, and we have granted, and may in the future grant, lenders a security interest in our assets in connection with borrowings. In the case of a liquidation event, those lenders would receive proceeds before our stockholders. In addition, borrowings, also known as leverage, magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and, therefore, increase the risks associated with investing in our securities. Leverage is generally considered a speculative investment technique. If the value of our assets increases, then leveraging would cause the net asset value attributable to our common stock to increase more than it otherwise would have had we not leveraged. Conversely, if the value of our assets decreases, leveraging would cause the net asset value attributable to our common stock to decline more than it otherwise would have had we not leveraged. Similarly, any increase in our revenue in excess of interest expense on our borrowed funds would cause our net income to increase more than it would without the leverage. Any decrease in our revenue would cause our net income to decline more than it would have had we not borrowed funds and could negatively affect our ability to make distributions on common stock. Our ability to service any debt that we incur will depend largely on our financial performance and will be subject to prevailing economic conditions and competitive pressures. We and, indirectly our stockholders will bear the cost associated with our leverage activity. Our securitized credit facility with Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp. and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. which we refer to as the Credit Facility contains financial and operating covenants that could restrict our business activities, including our ability to declare dividends if we default under certain provisions.
As of December 31, 2007, we had outstanding indebtedness of $79.2 million pursuant to our securitized Credit Facility. If our portfolio of investments fails to provide adequate returns and we are unable to otherwise raise funds, we may be unable to make interest or principal payments on our indebtedness as it becomes due. In addition, we had approximately $55.1 million outstanding under our SBA debenture. We expect, in the future, to borrow from, and issue senior debt securities to, banks, insurance companies and other lenders, including additional borrowings pursuant to the Credit Facility. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition—Borrowings.”
As a business development company, we generally are required to meet a coverage ratio of total assets to total borrowings and other senior securities, which include all of our borrowings and any preferred stock that we may issue in the future, of at least 200%. If this ratio declines below 200%, we may not be able to incur additional debt and may need to sell a portion of our investments to repay some debt when it is disadvantageous to do so, and we may not be able to make distributions.
Because most of our investments typically are not in publicly-traded securities, there is uncertainty regarding the value of our investments, which could adversely affect the determination of our net asset value.
At December 31, 2007, portfolio investments, 99% of which are valued at fair value by the Board of Directors, were approximately 98% of our total assets. We expect our investments to continue to consist primarily of securities issued by privately-held companies, the fair value of which is not readily determinable. In addition, we are not permitted to maintain a general reserve for anticipated loan losses. Instead, we are required by the 1940 Act to specifically value each investment and record an unrealized gain or loss for any asset that we believe has increased or decreased in value. There is no single standard for determining fair value in good faith. We value these securities at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board of Directors, based on the recommendations of our Valuation Committee. The Valuation Committee uses its best judgment in arriving at
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the fair value of these securities. As a result, determining fair value requires that judgment be applied to the specific facts and circumstances of each portfolio investment while employing a consistently applied valuation process for the types of investments we make. However, the Board of Directors retains ultimate authority as to the appropriate valuation of each investment. Because such valuations are inherently uncertain and may be based on estimates, our determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would be assessed if a ready market for these securities existed. We adjust quarterly the valuation of our portfolio to reflect the Board of Directors’ determination of the fair value of each investment in our portfolio. Any changes in fair value are recorded in our statement of operations as net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation. Our net asset value could be adversely affected if our determinations regarding the fair value of our investments were materially higher than the values that we ultimately realize upon the disposal of such securities.
Recent accounting pronouncements may impact our future financial position and results of operations.
In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157”) which provides enhanced guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities. FAS 157 applies whenever other standards require (or permit) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value but does not expand the use of fair value in any new circumstances. FAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We adopted FAS 157 on January 1, 2008. As of December 31, 2007, we are evaluating the impact of FAS 157 on our financial position and results of operations but do not believe the adoption of FAS 157 will have a material impact on our financial position and results of operations. However, the actual impact on our consolidated financial statements in the period of adoption and subsequent to the period of adoption cannot be determined at this time as it will be influenced by the estimates of fair value for that period and the number and amount of investments we originate, acquire or exit. (See Note 1 to our accompanying consolidated financial statements).
Our financial results could be negatively affected if a significant portfolio investment fails to perform as expected.
Our total investment in companies may be significant individually or in the aggregate. As a result, if a significant investment in one or more companies fails to perform as expected, our financial results could be more negatively affected and the magnitude of the loss could be more significant than if we had made smaller investments in more companies. The following table shows the fair value of investments held at December 31, 2007 that are greater than 5% of net assets:
| December 31, 2007 | ||||||
| (in thousands) |
Fair Value |
Percentage of Net Assets |
||||
| IKANO Communications, Inc |
$ | 20,402 | 5.1 | % | ||
| Tectura Corporation |
21,090 | 5.3 | % | |||
| Zayo Bandwith Corporation |
25,000 | 6.2 | % | |||
IKANO Communications provides global IP network and application solutions; private-label Internet services, including dial-up, DSL, and high-speed wireless. Additionally, the Company offers Web and mail hosting; server-side filtering; branded dynamic portal development; branded customer service and technical support; automated accounting; and Web acceleration.
Tectura Corporation is a leading global provider of integrated business solutions to mid-market companies and large enterprise divisions specializing in Enterprise Resource Planning and Customer Relationship Management solutions built on Microsoft Business Solutions software (Axapta, Great Plains, Navision, Solomon, and CRM) and integrated with leading-edge Microsoft products and technologies.
Zayo Bandwidth Corporation owns and operates fiber optic networks in various regions of the United States and provides bandwidth services to carriers, web-centric companies, public institutions and enterprises.
Our financial results could be negatively affected if these portfolio companies or any of our other significant portfolio companies encounter financial difficulty and fail to repay their obligations or to perform as expected.
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Regulations governing our operations as a business development company affect our ability to, and the manner in which, we raise additional capital, which may expose us to risks.
Our business will require a substantial amount of capital. We may acquire additional capital from the issuance of senior securities, including borrowings, securitization transactions or other indebtedness, or the issuance of additional shares of our common stock. However, we may not be able to raise additional capital in the future on favorable terms or at all. We may issue debt securities, other evidences of indebtedness or preferred stock, and we may borrow money from banks or other financial institutions, which we refer to collectively as “senior securities,” up to the maximum amount permitted by the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act permits us to issue senior securities in amounts such that our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% after each issuance of senior securities. Our ability to pay dividends or issue additional senior securities would be restricted if our asset coverage ratio were not at least 200%. If the value of our assets declines, we may be unable to satisfy this test. If that happens, we may be required to liquidate a portion of our investments and repay a portion of our indebtedness at a time when such sales may be disadvantageous. As a result of issuing senior securities, we would also be exposed to typical risks associated with leverage, including an increased risk of loss. If we issue preferred stock, the preferred stock would rank “senior” to common stock in our capital structure, preferred stockholders would have separate voting rights and might have rights, preferences, or privileges more favorable than those of our common stockholders and the issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing a transaction or a change of control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in your best interest.
To the extent that we are constrained in our ability to issue debt or other senior securities, we will depend on issuances of common stock to finance operations. Other than in certain limited situations such as rights offerings, as a business development company, we are generally not able to issue our common stock at a price below net asset value without first obtaining required approvals from our stockholders and our independent directors. If we raise additional funds by issuing more common stock or senior securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, our common stock, then the percentage ownership of our stockholders at that time will decrease, and you might experience dilution. Moreover, we can offer no assurance that we will be able to issue and sell additional equity securities in the future, on favorable terms or at all.
In addition to issuing securities to raise capital as described above, we anticipate that, in the future, we may securitize our loans to generate cash for funding new investments. An inability to successfully securitize our loan portfolio could limit our ability to grow our business and fully execute our business strategy.
When we are a debt or minority equity investor in a portfolio company, we may not be in a position to control the entity, and management of the company may make decisions that could decrease the value of our portfolio holdings.
We make both debt and minority equity investments; therefore, we are subject to the risk that a portfolio company may make business decisions with which we disagree, and the stockholders and management of such company may take risks or otherwise act in ways that do not serve our interests. As a result, a portfolio company may make decisions that could decrease the value of our portfolio holdings.
If we do not invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets, we could fail to qualify as a business development company or be precluded from investing according to our current business strategy.
As a business development company, we may not acquire any assets other than “qualifying assets” unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such acquisition, at least 70% of our total assets are qualifying assets. See “Item 1. Business—Regulation as a Business Development Company.”
We believe that most of the senior and mezzanine loans we make will constitute qualifying assets. However, we may be precluded from investing in what we believe are attractive investments if such investments are not qualifying assets for purposes of the 1940 Act. If we do not invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying
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assets, we could lose our status as a business development company, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Similarly, these rules could prevent us from making follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies (which could result in the dilution of our position) or could require us to dispose of investments at inappropriate times in order to comply with the 1940 Act. If we need to dispose of such investments quickly, it would be difficult to dispose of such investments on favorable terms. For example, we may have difficulty in finding a buyer and, even if we do find a buyer, we may have to sell the investments at a substantial loss.
We may have difficulty paying our required distributions if we recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income.
In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and tax requirements, we include in income certain amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as contracted payment-in-kind interest, which represents contractual interest added to a loan balance and due at the end of such loan’s term. In addition to the cash yields received on our loans, in some instances, certain loans may also include any of the following: end-of-term payments, exit fees, balloon payment fees or prepayment fees. The increases in loan balances as a result of contracted payment-in-kind arrangements are included in income for the period in which such payment-in-kind interest was accrued, which is often in advance of receiving cash payment, and are separately identified on our statements of cash flows. We also may be required to include in income certain other amounts that we will not receive in cash.
Any warrants that we receive in connection with our debt investments will generally be valued as part of the negotiation process with the particular portfolio company. As a result, a portion of the aggregate purchase price for the debt investments and warrants will be allocated to the warrants that we receive. This will generally result in “original issue discount” for tax purposes, which we must recognize as ordinary income, increasing the amount that we are required to distribute to qualify for the federal income tax benefits applicable to RICs. Because these warrants would not produce distributable cash for us at the same time as we are required to make distributions in respect of the related original issue discount, we would need to obtain cash from other sources to satisfy such distribution requirements. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources to satisfy such distribution requirements, we may fail to qualify for the federal income tax benefits allowable to RICs and, thus, become subject to a corporate-level income tax on all our income.
Other features of the debt instruments that we hold may also cause such instruments to generate an original issue discount, resulting in a dividend distribution requirement in excess of current cash interest received. Since in certain cases we may recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income, we may have difficulty meeting the RIC tax requirement to distribute at least 90% of our net ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any. If we are unable to meet these distribution requirements, we will not qualify for the federal income tax benefits allowable to a RIC. Accordingly, we may have to sell some of our assets, raise additional debt or equity capital or reduce new investment originations to meet these distribution requirements. See “Item 1. Business—Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations.”
There is a risk that you may not receive distributions or that our distributions may not grow over time.
We intend to make distributions on a quarterly basis to our stockholders. We cannot assure you that we will achieve investment results, or our business may not perform in a manner that will allow us to make a specified level of cash distributions or year-to-year increases in cash distributions. In addition, due to the asset coverage test applicable to us as a business development company, we may be limited in our ability to make distributions. Also, our credit facility limits our ability to declare dividends if we default under certain provisions.
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If we are unable to manage our future growth effectively, we may be unable to achieve our investment objective, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations and cause the value of your investment to decline.
Our ability to achieve our investment objective will depend on our ability to sustain growth. Sustaining growth will depend, in turn, on our senior management team’s ability to identify, evaluate, finance and invest in suitable companies that meet our investment criteria. Accomplishing this result on a cost-effective basis is largely a function of our marketing capabilities, our management of the investment process, our ability to provide efficient services and our access to financing sources on acceptable terms. Failure to manage our future growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our quarterly and annual operating results are subject to fluctuation as a result of the nature of our business, and if we fail to achieve our investment objective, the net asset value of our common stock may decline.
We could experience fluctuations in our quarterly and annual operating results due to a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control, including, but not limited to, the interest rate payable on the debt securities that we acquire, the default rate on such securities, the level of our expenses, variations in and the timing of the recognition of realized and unrealized gains or losses, the degree to which we encounter competition in our markets and general economic conditions. As a result of these factors, results for any period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in future periods.
In addition, any of these factors could negatively impact our ability to achieve our investment objectives, which may cause our net asset value of our common stock to decline.
Fluctuations in interest rates may adversely affect our profitability.
A portion of our income will depend upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the interest rate on the debt securities in which we invest. Because we will borrow money to make investments, our net investment income is dependent upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the rate at which we invest these funds. Typically, we anticipate that our interest-earning investments will accrue and pay interest at fixed rates, and that our interest-bearing liabilities will accrue interest at variable rates. As a result, there can be no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on our net investment income. We anticipate using a combination of equity and long-term and short-term borrowings to finance our investment activities.
A significant increase in market interest rates could harm our ability to attract new portfolio companies and originate new loans and investments. We expect that most of our initial investments in debt securities will be at fixed rates. However, in the event that we make investments in debt securities at variable rates, a significant increase in market interest rates could also result in an increase in our non-performing assets and a decrease in the value of our portfolio because our floating-rate loan portfolio companies may be unable to meet higher payment obligations. In periods of rising interest rates, our cost of funds would increase, resulting in a decrease in our net investment income. In addition, a decrease in interest rates may reduce net income, because new investments may be made at lower rates despite the increased demand for our capital that the decrease in interest rates may produce. We may, but will not be required to, hedge against the risk of adverse movement in interest rates in our short-term and long-term borrowings relative to our portfolio of assets. If we engage in hedging activities, it may limit our ability to participate in the benefits of lower interest rates with respect to the hedged portfolio. Adverse developments resulting from changes in interest rates or hedging transactions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
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If we are unable to continue to borrow money in order to leverage our equity capital, then our ability to make new investments and to execute our business plan will be impaired.
As of December 31, 2007, we had outstanding borrowings of $79.2 million pursuant to the Credit Facility and outstanding borrowings of approximately $55.1 million pursuant to our Small Business Administration debenture. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in obtaining any additional debt capital on terms acceptable to us or at all. If we are unable to obtain debt capital, then our equity investors will not benefit from the potential for increased returns on equity resulting from leverage to the extent that our investment strategy is successful.
In addition, the terms of available financing may place limits on our financial and operating flexibility. If we are unable to obtain sufficient capital in the future, we may:
| • | be forced to reduce our operations; |
| • | not be able to expand or acquire complementary businesses; and |
| • | not be able to develop new services or otherwise respond to changing business conditions or competitive pressures. |
It is likely that the terms of any long-term or revolving credit or warehouse facility we may enter into in the future could constrain our ability to grow our business.
As of December 31, 2007, the Company, through Hercules Funding Trust I, an affiliated statutory trust, has a $250.0 million securitized credit facility with Citigroup and Deutsche Bank Securities. We expect to enter into additional revolving credit or warehouse facilities in the future. While there can be no assurance that we will be able to borrow from banks or other financial institutions, we expect that we will, at some time in the future, obtain a long-term or revolving credit facility or a warehouse facility. The current lenders have, and any future lender or lenders will have fixed dollar claims on our assets that are senior to the claims of our stockholders and, thus, will have a preference over our stockholders with respect to our assets. In addition, we may grant a security interest in our assets in connection with any such borrowing. We expect such a facility to contain customary default provisions such as a minimum net worth amount, a profitability test, and a restriction on changing our business and loan quality standards. An event of default under any credit facility would likely result, among other things, in termination of the availability of further funds under that facility and an accelerated maturity date for all amounts outstanding under the facility, which would likely disrupt our business and, potentially, the business of the portfolio companies whose loans that we financed through the facility. This could reduce our revenues and, by delaying any cash payment allowed to us under our facility until the lender has been paid in full, reduce our liquidity and cash flow and impair our ability to grow our business and maintain our status as a RIC.
Our cost of borrowing is increased by the warrant participation agreement we have with one of our lenders. In addition, our realized gains are reduced by amounts paid pursuant to the warrant participation agreement.
Citigroup has an equity participation right through a warrant participation agreement on the pool of loans and warrants collateralized under the Citigroup Facility. Pursuant to the warrant participation agreement, we granted to Citigroup a 10% participation in all warrants held as collateral. As a result, Citigroup is entitled to 10% of the realized gains on the warrants until the realized gains paid to Citigroup pursuant to the agreement equals $3,750,000 (the “Maximum Participation Limit”). The obligations under the warrant participation agreement continue even after the Citigroup Facility is terminated until the Maximum Participation Limit has been reached.
During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company reduced its realized gain by approximately $400,000 for Citigroup’s participation in the gain on sale of equity securities and recorded an additional liability and reduced its unrealized gains by a net amount of approximately $609,000 for Citigroup’s participation. Since
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inception of the agreement, we have paid Citigroup approximately $680,000 under the warrant participation agreement thereby reducing our realized gains. In addition, our realized gains will be reduced by the amounts owed to Citigroup under the warrant participation agreement. The value of Citigroup’s participation right on unrealized gains in the related equity investments since inception of the agreement was approximately $690,000 at December 31, 2007 and is included in accrued liabilities and reduces the unrealized gain recognized by us at December 31, 2007. Citigroup’s rights under the warrant participation agreement increase our cost of borrowing and reduce our realized gains.
One of our wholly-owned subsidiaries is licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration, and as a result, we will be subject to SBA regulations.
Our wholly-owned subsidiary HT II is licensed to act as a small business investment company and is regulated by the SBA. Under current SBA regulations, a licensed SBIC can provide capital to those entities that have a tangible net worth not exceeding $18.0 million and an average annual net income after Federal income taxes not exceeding $6.0 million for the two most recent fiscal years. In addition, a licensed SBIC must devote 20.0% of its investment activity to those entities that have a tangible net worth not exceeding $6.0 million and an average annual net income after Federal income taxes not exceeding $2.0 million for the two most recent fiscal years. The SBA regulations also provide alternative size standard criteria to determine eligibility, which depend on the industry in which the business is engaged and are based on factors such as the number of employees and gross sales. The SBA regulations permit licensed SBICs to make long term loans to small businesses, invest in the equity securities of such businesses and provide them with consulting and advisory services. The SBA also places certain limitations on the financing terms of investments by SBICs in portfolio companies and prohibits SBICs from providing funds for certain purposes or to businesses in a few prohibited industries. Compliance with SBA requirements may cause HT II to forego attractive investment opportunities that are not permitted under SBA regulations.
Further, the SBA regulations require that a licensed SBIC be periodically examined and audited by the SBA to determine its compliance with the relevant SBA regulations. The SBA prohibits, without prior SBA approval, a “change of control” of an SBIC or transfers that would result in any person (or a group of persons acting in concert) owning 10.0% or more of a class of capital stock of a licensed SBIC. If HT II fails to comply with applicable SBA regulations, the SBA could, depending on the severity of the violation, limit or prohibit HT II’s use of debentures, declare outstanding debentures immediately due and payable, and/or limit HT II from making new investments. Such actions by the SBA would, in turn, negatively affect us because HT II is our wholly owned subsidiary.
If we are unable to satisfy Code requirements for qualification as a RIC, then we will be subject to corporate-level income tax, which would adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
We elected to be treated as a RIC for federal income tax purposes with the filing of our federal corporate income tax return for 2006. We will not qualify for the tax treatment allowable to RICs if we are unable to comply with the source of income, diversification and distribution requirements contained in Subchapter M of the Code, or if we fail to maintain our election to be regulated as a business development company under the 1940 Act. If we fail to qualify for the federal income tax benefits allowable to RICs for any reason and remain or become subject to a corporate-level income tax, the resulting taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distribution to our stockholders and the actual amount of our distributions. Such a failure would have a material adverse effect on us, the net asset value of our common stock and the total return, if any, obtainable from your investment in our common stock. Any net operating losses that we incur in periods during which we qualify as a RIC will not offset net capital gains (i.e., net realized long-term capital gains in excess of net realized short-term capital losses) that we are otherwise required to distribute, and we cannot pass such net operating losses through to our stockholders. In addition, net operating losses that we carry over to a taxable year in which we qualify as a RIC normally cannot offset ordinary income or capital gains.
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One of our wholly-owned subsidiaries is licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration, and as a result, we will be subject to SBA regulations.
Our wholly-owned subsidiary, HT II, is licensed to operate as a SBIC and is regulated by the SBA. The SBA regulations require that a licensed SBIC be periodically examined and audited by the SBA to determine its compliance with the relevant SBA regulations. If HT II fails to comply with applicable SBA regulations, the SBA could, depending on the severity of the violation, limit or prohibit HT II’s use of debentures, declare outstanding debentures immediately due and payable, and/or limit HT II from making new investments. The SBA also imposes a limit on the maximum amount that may be borrowed by any single SBIC. The SBA prohibits, without prior SBA approval, a “change of control” of a SBIC or transfers that would result in any person (or a group of persons acting in concert) owning 10% or more of a class of capital stock of a licensed SBIC. See “Item 1. Business—Regulation as a Business Development Company—Small Business Administration Regulations.”
Changes in laws or regulations governing our business could negatively affect the profitability of our operations.
Changes in the laws or regulations, or the interpretations of the laws and regulations, which govern business development companies, small business investment companies, RICs or non-depository commercial lenders could significantly affect our operations and our cost of doing business. We are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations and are subject to judicial and administrative decisions that affect our operations, including our loan originations, maximum interest rates, fees and other charges, disclosures to portfolio companies, the terms of secured transactions, collection and foreclosure procedures, and other trade practices. If these laws, regulations or decisions change, or if we expand our business into jurisdictions that have adopted more stringent requirements than those in which we currently conduct business, then we may have to incur significant expenses in order to comply or we may have to restrict our operations. In addition, if we do not comply with applicable laws, regulations and decisions, then we may lose licenses needed for the conduct of our business and be subject to civil fines and criminal penalties, any of which could have a material adverse effect upon our business results of operations or financial condition.
Risks Related to Our Investments
Our investments are concentrated in a limited number of technology-related companies, which subjects us to the risk of significant loss if any of these companies default on their obligations under any of their debt securities that we hold, or if any of the technology-related industry sectors experience a downturn.
We have invested and intend to continue investing in a limited number of technology-related companies. A consequence of this limited number of investments is that the aggregate returns we realize may be significantly adversely affected if a small number of investments perform poorly or if we need to write down the value of any one investment. Beyond the asset diversification requirements to which we will be subject as a RIC, we do not have fixed guidelines for diversification or limitations on the size of our investments in any one portfolio company and our investments could be concentrated in relatively few issuers. In addition, we have invested in and intend to continue investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the value of our total assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in technology-related and life-science companies. As a result, a downturn in technology-related and life-science industry sectors could materially adversely affect us.
Our investments may be concentrated in portfolio companies which may have limited operating histories and financial resources.
We expect that our portfolio will continue to consist of investments that may have relatively limited operating histories. These companies may be particularly vulnerable to economic downturns, may have more limited access to capital and higher funding costs, may have a weaker financial position and may need more
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capital to expand or compete. These businesses also may experience substantial variations in operating results. They may face intense competition, including from companies with greater financial, technical and marketing resources. Furthermore, some of these companies do business in regulated industries and could be affected by changes in government regulation. Accordingly, these factors could impair their cash flow or result in other events, such as bankruptcy, which could limit their ability to repay their obligations to us, and may adversely affect the return on, or the recovery of, our investment in these companies. We cannot assure you that any of our investments in our portfolio companies will be successful. Our portfolio companies compete with larger, more established companies with greater access to, and resources for, further development in these new technologies. We may lose our entire investment in any or all of our portfolio companies.
Our investment strategy focuses on technology-related and life-science companies, which are subject to many risks, including volatility, intense competition, shortened product life cycles and periodic downturns, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
We have invested and will continue investing primarily in technology-related and life-science companies, many of which may have narrow product lines and small market shares, which tend to render them more vulnerable to competitors’ actions and market conditions, as well as to general economic downturns. The revenues, income (or losses), and valuations of technology-related and life-science companies can and often do fluctuate suddenly and dramatically. In addition, technology-related markets are generally characterized by abrupt business cycles and intense competition. Beginning in mid-2000, there was substantial excess production capacity and a significant slowdown in many technology-related industries. This overcapacity, together with a cyclical economic downturn, resulted in substantial decreases in the market capitalization of many technology-related and life-science companies. While such valuations have recovered to some extent, such decreases in market capitalization may occur again, and any future decreases in technology-related and life-science company valuations may be substantial and may not be temporary in nature. Therefore, our portfolio companies may face considerably more risk of loss than do companies in other industry sectors.
Because of rapid technological change, the average selling prices of products and some services provided by technology-related and life-science companies have historically decreased over their productive lives. As a result, the average selling prices of products and services offered by technology-related and life-science companies may decrease over time, which could adversely affect their operating results, their ability to meet obligations under their debt securities and the value of their equity securities. This could, in turn, materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We have invested in and may continue investing in technology-related and life-science companies that do not have venture capital or private equity firms as equity investors, and these companies may entail a higher risk of loss than do companies with institutional equity investors, which could increase the risk of loss of your investment.
Our portfolio companies will often require substantial additional equity financing to satisfy their continuing working capital and other cash requirements and, in most instances, to service the interest and principal payments on our investment. Portfolio companies that do not have venture capital or private equity investors may be unable to raise any additional capital to satisfy their obligations or to raise sufficient additional capital to reach the next stage of development. Portfolio companies that do not have venture capital or private equity investors may be less financially sophisticated and may not have access to independent members to serve on their boards, which means that they may be less successful than portfolio companies sponsored by venture capital or private equity firms. Accordingly, financing these types of companies may entail a higher risk of loss than would financing companies that are sponsored by venture capital or private equity firms.
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Economic recessions or downturns could impair the ability of our portfolio companies to repay loans, which, in turn, could increase our non-performing assets, decrease the value of our portfolio, reduce our volume of new loans and harm our operating results, which might have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
Many of our portfolio companies may be susceptible to economic slowdowns or recessions and may be unable to repay our loans during such periods. Therefore, our non-performing assets are likely to increase and the value of our portfolio is likely to decrease during such periods. Adverse economic conditions also may decrease the value of collateral securing some of our loans and the value of our equity investments. Economic slowdowns or recessions could lead to financial losses in our portfolio and a decrease in revenues, net income and assets. Unfavorable economic conditions also could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us.
A portfolio company’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, termination of the portfolio company’s loans and foreclosure on its secured assets, which could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize the portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt securities that we hold. We may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting portfolio company. In addition, if a portfolio company goes bankrupt, even though we may have structured our investment as senior debt or secured debt, depending on the facts and circumstances, including the extent to which we actually provided significant “managerial assistance,” if any, to that portfolio company, a bankruptcy court might re-characterize our debt holding and subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors. These events could harm our financial condition and operating results.
We do not control our portfolio companies. These portfolio companies may face intense competition, including competition from companies with greater financial resources, more extensive research and development, manufacturing, marketing and service capabilities and greater number of qualified and experienced managerial and technical personnel. They may need additional financing which they are unable to secure and which we are unable or unwilling to provide, or they may be subject to adverse developments unrelated to the technologies they acquire.
The inability of our portfolio companies to commercialize their technologies or create or develop commercially viable products or businesses would have a negative impact on our investment returns.
The possibility that our portfolio companies will not be able to commercialize their technology, products or business concepts presents significant risks to the value of our investment. Additionally, although some of our portfolio companies may already have a commercially successful product or product line when we invest, technology-related and life-science products and services often have a more limited market- or life-span than have products in other industries. Thus, the ultimate success of these companies often depends on their ability to continually innovate, or raise additional capital, in increasingly competitive markets. Their inability to do so could affect our investment return. In addition, the intellectual property held by our portfolio companies often represents a substantial portion of the collateral, if any, securing our investments. We cannot assure you that any of our portfolio companies will successfully acquire or develop any new technologies, or that the intellectual property the companies currently hold will remain viable. Even if our portfolio companies are able to develop commercially viable products, the market for new products and services is highly competitive and rapidly changing. Neither our portfolio companies nor we have any control over the pace of technology development. Commercial success is difficult to predict, and the marketing efforts of our portfolio companies may not be successful.
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An investment strategy focused primarily on privately-held companies presents certain challenges, including the lack of available information about these companies, a dependence on the talents and efforts of only a few key portfolio company personnel and a greater vulnerability to economic downturns.
We invest primarily in privately-held companies. Generally, very little public information exists about these companies, and we are required to rely on the ability of our management team to obtain adequate information to evaluate the potential returns from investing in these companies. If we are unable to uncover all material information about these companies, then we may not make a fully informed investment decision, and we may not receive the expected return on our investment or lose some or all of the money invested in these companies. Also, privately-held companies frequently have less diverse product lines and a smaller market presence than do larger competitors. Privately-held companies are, thus, generally more vulnerable to economic downturns and may experience more substantial variations in operating results than do larger competitors. These factors could affect our investment returns.
In addition, our success depends, in large part, upon the abilities of the key management personnel of our portfolio companies, who are responsible for the day-to-day operations of our portfolio companies. Competition for qualified personnel is intense at any stage of a company’s development, and high turnover of personnel is common in technology-related companies. The loss of one or more key managers can hinder or delay a company’s implementation of its business plan and harm its financial condition. Our portfolio companies may not be able to attract and retain qualified managers and personnel. Any inability to do so may negatively impact our investment returns.
If our portfolio companies are unable to protect their intellectual property rights, then our business and prospects could be harmed. If our portfolio companies are required to devote significant resources to protecting their intellectual property rights, then the value of our investment could be reduced.
Our future success and competitive position depend in part upon the ability of our portfolio companies to obtain and maintain proprietary technology used in their products and services, which will often represent a significant portion of the collateral, if any, securing our investment. The portfolio companies will rely, in part, on patent, trade secret and trademark law to protect that technology, but competitors may misappropriate their intellectual property, and disputes as to ownership of intellectual property may arise. Portfolio companies may, from time to time, be required to institute litigation in order to enforce their patents, copyrights or other intellectual property rights, to protect their trade secrets, to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others or to defend against claims of infringement. Such litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources. Similarly, if a portfolio company is found to infringe upon or misappropriate a third party’s patent or other proprietary rights, that portfolio company could be required to pay damages to such third party, alter its own products or processes, obtain a license from the third party and/or cease activities utilizing such proprietary rights, including making or selling products utilizing such proprietary rights. Any of the foregoing events could negatively affect both the portfolio company’s ability to service our debt investment and the value of any related debt and equity securities that we own, as well as any collateral securing our investment.
We may not be able to realize our entire investment on equipment-based loans in the case of default.
We may from time-to-time provide loans that will be collateralized only by equipment of the portfolio company. If the portfolio company defaults on the loan we would take possession of the underlying equipment to satisfy the outstanding debt. The residual value of the equipment at the time we would take possession may not be sufficient to satisfy the outstanding debt and we could experience a loss on the disposition of the equipment.
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Our investments in foreign securities may involve significant risks in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments.
Our investment strategy contemplates that a portion of our investments may be in securities of foreign companies. Investing in foreign companies may expose us to additional risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies. These risks include changes in exchange control regulations, political and social instability, expropriation, imposition of foreign taxes, less liquid markets and less available information than is generally the case in the U.S., higher transaction costs, less government supervision of exchanges, brokers and issuers, less developed bankruptcy laws, difficulty in enforcing contractual obligations, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards and greater price volatility.
Some of our portfolio companies may need additional capital, which may not be readily available.
Our portfolio companies will often require substantial additional equity financing to satisfy their continuing working capital and other requirements, and in most instances to service the interest and principal payments on our investment. Each round of venture financing is typically intended to provide a company with only enough capital to reach the next stage of development. We cannot predict the circumstances or market conditions under which our portfolio companies will seek additional capital. It is possible that one or more of our portfolio companies will not be able to raise additional financing or may be able to do so only at a price or on terms unfavorable to us, either of which would negatively impact our investment returns. Some of these companies may be unable to obtain sufficient financing from private investors, public capital markets or traditional lenders. Accordingly, financing these types of companies may entail a higher risk of loss than would financing companies that are able to utilize traditional credit sources.
We may be unable or decide not to make additional cash investments in our portfolio companies which could result in our losing our initial investment if the portfolio company fails.
We may have to make additional cash investments in our portfolio companies to protect our overall investment value in the particular company. We retain the discretion to make any additional investments as our management determines. The failure to make such additional investments may jeopardize the continued viability of a portfolio company, and our initial (and subsequent) investments. Moreover, additional investments may limit the number of companies in which we can make initial investments. In determining whether to make an additional investment our management will exercise its business judgment and apply criteria similar to those used when making the initial investment. We cannot assure you that we will have sufficient funds to make any necessary additional investments, which could adversely affect our success and result in the loss of a substantial portion or all of our investment in a portfolio company.
If our investments do not meet our performance expectations, you may not receive distributions.
We intend to make distributions on a quarterly basis to our stockholders. We may not be able to achieve operating results that will allow us to make distributions at a specific level or to increase the amount of these distributions from time to time. In addition, due to the asset coverage test applicable to us as a business development company, we may be limited in our ability to make distributions. See “Regulation.” Also, restrictions and provisions in any future credit facilities may limit our ability to make distributions. As a RIC, if we do not distribute a certain percentage of our income annually, we will suffer adverse tax consequences, including failure to obtain, or possible loss of, the federal income tax benefits allowable to RICs. See “Item 1. Business—Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation as a Regulated Investment Company.” We cannot assure you that you will receive distributions at a particular level or at all.
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Any unrealized depreciation that we experience on our loan portfolio may be an indication of future realized losses, which could reduce our income available for distribution.
As a business development company, we are required to carry our investments at market value or, if no market value is ascertainable, at the fair value as determined in good faith by our Board of Directors in accordance with procedures approved by our Board of Directors. Decreases in the market values or fair values of our investments will be recorded as unrealized depreciation. Any unrealized depreciation in our loan portfolio could be an indication of a portfolio company’s inability to meet its repayment obligations to us with respect to the affected loans. This could result in realized losses in the future and ultimately in reductions of our income available for distribution in future periods.
The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business and, if we need to sell any of our investments, we may not be able to do so at a favorable price. As a result, we may suffer losses.
We generally invest in debt securities with terms of up to seven years and hold such investments until maturity, and we do not expect that our related holdings of equity securities will provide us with liquidity opportunities in the near-term. We invest and expect to continue investing in companies whose securities have no established trading market and whose securities are and will be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or whose securities are and will be less liquid than are publicly-traded securities. The illiquidity of these investments may make it difficult for us to sell these investments when desired. In addition, if we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we had previously recorded these investments. As a result, we do not expect to achieve liquidity in our investments in the near-term. However, to maintain our qualification as a business development company and as a RIC, we may have to dispose of investments if we do not satisfy one or more of the applicable criteria under the respective regulatory frameworks. Our investments are usually subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale, or are otherwise illiquid, because there is usually no established trading market for such investments. The illiquidity of most of our investments may make it difficult for us to dispose of the investments at a favorable price and, as a result, we may suffer losses.
If the assets securing the loans that we make decrease in value, then we may lack sufficient collateral to cover losses.
We believe that our portfolio companies generally will be able to repay our loans from their available capital, from future capital-raising transactions, or from cash flow from operations. However, to attempt to mitigate credit risks, we will typically take a security interest in the available assets of these portfolio companies, including the equity interests of their subsidiaries and, in some cases, the equity interests of our portfolio companies held by their stockholders. In many cases, our loans will include a period of interest-only payments. There is a risk that the collateral securing our loans may decrease in value over time, may be difficult to sell in a timely manner, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value based upon the success of the business and market conditions, including as a result of the inability of a portfolio company to raise additional capital. In some circumstances, our lien could be subordinated to claims of other creditors. Additionally, deterioration in a portfolio company’s financial condition and prospects, including its inability to raise additional capital, may be accompanied by deterioration in the value of the collateral for the loan. Moreover, in the case of some of our structured mezzanine debt, we may not have a first lien position on the collateral. Consequently, the fact that a loan is secured does not guarantee that we will receive principal and interest payments according to the loan’s terms, or that we will be able to collect on the loan should we be forced to enforce our remedies. In addition, because we invest in technology-related companies, a substantial portion of the assets securing our investment may be in the form of intellectual property, if any, inventory and equipment and, to a lesser extent, cash and accounts receivable. Intellectual property, if any, that is securing our loan could lose value if, among other things, the company’s rights to the intellectual property are challenged or if the company’s license to the intellectual property is revoked or expires. Inventory may not be adequate to secure our loan if our valuation of the inventory at the time that we made the loan was not accurate or if there is a reduction in the demand for the inventory.
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Similarly, any equipment securing our loan may not provide us with the anticipated security if there are changes in technology or advances in new equipment that render the particular equipment obsolete or of limited value, or if the company fails to adequately maintain or repair the equipment. Any one or more of the preceding factors could materially impair our ability to recover principal in a foreclosure.
Our portfolio companies may incur debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, our investments in such companies.
We invest primarily in debt securities issued by our portfolio companies. In some cases, portfolio companies will be permitted to have other debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, the debt securities in which we invest. Such debt instruments may provide that the holders thereof are entitled to receive payment of interest or principal on or before the dates on which we are entitled to receive payments in respect of the debt securities in which we invest. Also, in the event of insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of a portfolio company, holders of debt instruments ranking senior to our investment in that portfolio company would typically be entitled to receive payment in full before we receive any distribution in respect of our investment. After repaying such senior creditors, such portfolio company might not have any remaining assets to use for repaying its obligation to us. In the case of debt ranking equally with debt securities in which we invest, we would have to share on a pari passu basis any distributions with other creditors holding such debt in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy. In addition, we would not be in a position to control any portfolio company by investing in its debt securities. As a result, we are subject to the risk that a portfolio company in which we invest may make business decisions with which we disagree and the management of such companies, as representatives of the holders of their common equity, may take risks or otherwise act in ways that do not best serve our interests as debt investors.
Our equity investments are highly speculative, and we may not realize gains from these investments. If our equity investments do not generate gains, then the return on our invested capital will be lower than it would otherwise be, which could result in a decline in the value of shares of our common stock.
When we invest in debt securities, we generally expect to acquire warrants or other equity securities as well. Our goal is ultimately to dispose of these equity interests and realize gains upon disposition of such interests. Over time, the gains that we realize on these equity interests may offset, to some extent, losses that we experience on defaults under debt securities that we hold. However, the equity interests that we receive may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline in value. Accordingly, we may not be able to realize gains from our equity interests, and any gains that we do realize on the disposition of any equity interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses that we experience.
We do not control any of our portfolio companies and therefore our portfolio companies may make decisions with which we disagree.
We do not control any of our portfolio companies, even though we may have board observation rights and our debt agreements may contain certain restrictive covenants. As a result, we are subject to the risk that a portfolio company in which we invest may make business decisions with which we disagree and the management of such company, as representatives of the holders of their common equity, may take risks or otherwise act in ways that do not serve our interests as debt investors.
Prepayments of our debt investments by our portfolio companies could adversely impact our results of operations and reduce our return on equity.
We are subject to the risk that the investments we make in our portfolio companies may be repaid prior to maturity. When this occurs, we will generally reinvest these proceeds in temporary investments, pending their future investment in new portfolio companies. These temporary investments will typically have substantially lower yields than the debt being prepaid and we could experience significant delays in reinvesting these amounts.
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Any future investment in a new portfolio company may also be at lower yields than the debt that was repaid. As a result, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected if one or more of our portfolio companies elects to prepay amounts owed to us. Additionally, prepayments could negatively impact our return on equity, which could result in a decline in the market price of our common stock.
We may not realize gains from our equity investments.
When we invest in debt securities, we generally expect to acquire warrants or other equity securities as well. However, the equity interests we receive may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline in value. Accordingly, we may not be able to realize gains from our equity interests, and any gains that we do realize on the disposition of any equity interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we experience.
Our financial results could be negatively affected if we are unable to recover our principal investment as a result of a negative pledge on the intellectual property of our portfolio companies.
In some cases, we collateralize our investments by obtaining a first priority security interest in a portfolio companies’ assets, which may include their intellectual property. In other cases, we may obtain a first priority security interest in a portion of a portfolio company’s assets and a negative pledge covering a company’s intellectual property and a first priority security interest in the proceeds from such intellectual property. In the case of a negative pledge, the portfolio company cannot encumber or pledge their intellectual property without our permission. In the event of a default on a loan, the intellectual property of the portfolio company will most likely be liquidated to provide proceeds to pay the creditors of the company. As a result, a negative pledge may affect our ability to fully recover our principal investment. In addition, there can be no assurance that our security interest in the proceeds of the intellectual property will be enforceable in a court of law or bankruptcy court.
At December 31, 2007, approximately 50% of our portfolio company loans were secured by a first priority security in all of the assets of the portfolio company and 50% portfolio company loans were prohibited from pledging or encumbering their intellectual property pursuant to negative pledges.
We may choose to waive or defer enforcement of covenants in the debt securities held in our portfolio, which may cause us to lose all or part of our investment in these companies.
We structure the debt investments in our portfolio companies to include business and financial covenants placing affirmative and negative obligations on the operation of the company’s business and its financial condition. However, from time to time we may elect to waive breaches of these covenants, including our right to payment, or waive or defer enforcement of remedies, such as acceleration of obligations or foreclosure on collateral, depending upon the financial condition and prospects of the particular portfolio company. These actions may reduce the likelihood of our receiving the full amount of future payments of interest or principal and be accompanied by a deterioration in the value of the underlying collateral as many of these companies may have limited financial resources, may be unable to meet future obligations and may go bankrupt. This could negatively impact our ability to pay dividends and cause the loss of all or part of your investment.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
Our common stock price may be volatile and may decrease substantially.
The trading price of our common stock following an offering may fluctuate substantially. The price of the common stock that will prevail in the market after an offering may be higher or lower than the price you paid and the liquidity of our common stock may be limited, in each case depending on many factors, some of which are beyond our control and may not be directly related to our operating performance. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:
| • | price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market from time to time; |
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| • | significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of securities of RICs, business development companies or other financial services companies; |
| • | any inability to deploy or invest our capital; |
| • | fluctuations in interest rates; |
| • | any shortfall in revenue or net income or any increase in losses from levels expected by investors or securities analysts; |
| • | operating performance of companies comparable to us; |
| • | changes in regulatory policies or tax guidelines with respect to RICs or business development companies; |
| • | losing RIC status; |
| • | actual or anticipated changes in our earnings or fluctuations in our operating results, or changes in the expectations of securities analysts; |
| • | changes in the value of our portfolio of investments; |
| • | realized losses in investments in our portfolio companies; |
| • | general economic conditions and trends; |
| • | loss of a major funded source; or |
| • | departures of key personnel. |
In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been brought against that company. Due to the potential volatility of our stock price, we may be the target of securities litigation in the future. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and could divert management’s attention and resources from our business.
Investing in shares of our common stock may involve an above average degree of risk.
The investments we make in accordance with our investment objective may result in a higher amount of risk, volatility or loss of principal than alternative investment options. Our investments in portfolio companies may be highly speculative and aggressive, and therefore, an investment in our common stock may not be suitable for investors with lower risk tolerance.
We cannot assure you that the market price of our common stock will not decline.
We cannot predict the price at which our common stock will trade. Shares of closed-end investment companies have in the past frequently traded at discounts to their net asset values and our stock may also be discounted in the market. This characteristic of closed-end investment companies is separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value per share may decline. We cannot predict whether shares of our common stock will trade above, at or below our net asset value. In addition, if our common stock trades below its net asset value, we will generally not be able to issue additional shares of our common stock at its market price without first obtaining the approval for such issuance from our stockholders and our independent directors.
Provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law, and of our charter and bylaws, could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse impact on the price of our common stock.
The Maryland General Corporation Law and our charter and bylaws contain provisions that may have the effect of discouraging, delaying, or making difficult a change in control of our company or the removal of our incumbent directors. We will be covered by the Business Combination Act of the Maryland General Corporation
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Law to the extent that such statute is not superseded by applicable requirements of the 1940 Act. However, our Board of Directors has adopted a resolution exempting from the Business Combination Act any business combination between us and any person to the extent that such business combination receives the prior approval of our board, including a majority of our directors who are not interested persons as defined in the 1940 Act. Our Board of Directors has already adopted a resolution exempting from the Business Combination Act any business combination between us and certain investment funds managed by JMP Asset Management, LLC and certain investment funds managed by Farallon Capital Management, L.L.C., and we have agreed with such investment funds that we will not alter or repeal such board resolution prior to the date that is two years after such investment funds cease to own at least 10% of our outstanding common stock in a manner that would make the Business Combination Act applicable to acquisitions of our stock by such investment funds without the written consent of such investment funds. In addition, our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the Control Share Acquisition Act any and all acquisitions by any person of shares of our stock. We have agreed with certain investment funds managed by JMP Asset Management, LLC and certain investment funds managed by Farallon Capital Management, L.L.C. that we will not repeal or amend such provision of our bylaws in a manner that would make the Control Share Acquisition Act applicable to acquisitions of our stock by such investment funds without the written consent of such investment funds prior to the date that is two years after such investment funds cease to own at least 10% of our outstanding common stock. If the applicable board resolution is repealed following such period of time or if our board does not otherwise approve a business combination, the Business Combination Act and the Control Share Acquisition Act (if we amend our bylaws to be subject to that Act) may discourage others from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.
Under our charter, our Board of Directors is divided into three classes serving staggered terms, which will make it more difficult for a hostile bidder to acquire control of us. In addition, our Board of Directors may, without stockholder action, authorize the issuance of shares of stock in one or more classes or series, including preferred stock. Subject to compliance with the 1940 Act, our Board of Directors may, without stockholder action, amend our charter to increase the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue. The existence of these provisions, among others, may have a negative impact on the price of our common stock and may discourage third party bids for ownership of our company. These provisions may prevent any premiums being offered to you for shares of our common stock.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Not applicable.
Neither we nor any of our subsidiaries own any real estate or other physical properties materially important to our operation or any of our subsidiaries. Currently, we lease approximately 11,200 square feet of office space in Palo Alto, California for our corporate headquarters. We also lease office space in: Boston, Massachusetts; Boulder, Colorado; Chicago, Illinois; Columbus, Ohio; and San Diego, California.
As December 31, 2007, we were not a party to any legal proceedings. However, from time to time, we may be party to certain legal proceedings incidental to the normal course of our business including the enforcement of our rights under contracts with our portfolio companies. While the outcome of these legal proceedings cannot at this time be predicted with certainty, we do not expect that these proceedings will have a material effect upon our financial condition or results of operations.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
No matters were submitted to a vote of stockholders during the fourth quarter of 2007.
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PART II
Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “HTGC.” We completed the initial public offer of our common stock in June 2005 at the price of $13.00 per share. Prior to such date there was no public market for our common stock.
The following table sets forth the range of high and low closing prices of our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market for each of the quarterly periods during 2007 and 2006.
| Price Range | ||||
| Quarter Ended |
High | Low | ||
| March 31, 2006 |
11.99 | 10.50 | ||
| June 30, 2006 |
12.53 | 10.88 | ||
| September 30, 2006 |
12.90 | 11.11 | ||
| December 31, 2006 |
14.25 | 12.59 | ||
| March 31, 2007 |
14.50 | 12.77 | ||
| June 30, 2007 |
14.71 | 12.80 | ||
| September 30, 2007 |
14.02 | 11.32 | ||
| December 31, 2007 |
13.60 | 10.87 | ||
As of February 27, 2008, we had 21 stockholders of record. Most of the shares of our common stock are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of stockholders. We believe that there are currently over 11,000 additional beneficial holders of our common stock.
Shares of business development companies may trade at a market price that is less than the value of the net assets attributable to those shares. The possibility that our shares of common stock will trade at a discount from net asset value or at premiums that are unsustainable over the long term are separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value will decrease. At times, our shares of common stock have traded at a premium to net asset value and at times our shares of common stock have traded at a discount to the net assets attributable to those shares.
SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
During the three months ended December 31, 2007, one of our Directors elected to take part of their compensation in the form of common stock in lieu of cash. We issued a total of 1,667 shares of common stock to the Director with an aggregate price for the shares of common stock of approximately $22,000.
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
During the three months ended December 31, 2007, we purchased a total of 106,995 shares of our common stock in the open market for distribution under our dividend reinvestment plan. Pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan, we primarily issue new shares of our stock in connection with distributions under the plan, although we also have the ability to purchase shares in the open market to distribute as dividends to our shareholders. Because the trading price of our common stock was lower than our current net asset value at the dividend payment date, we opted to purchase shares in the open market to distribute as dividends to our shareholders. The aggregate purchase price for the shares of common stock was approximately $1.2 million.
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DIVIDEND POLICY
As a RIC, we intend to distribute quarterly dividends to our stockholders. To the extent we do not distribute during each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of our ordinary income for the calendar year, (2) 98% of our capital gains in excess of capital losses for the one year period ending on October 31 of the calendar year, and (3) any ordinary income and net capital gains for the preceding year that were not distributed during such years we are required to pay a 4% excise tax on our undistributed income. To the extent that we earn annual taxable income in excess of dividends paid from such taxable income for the year, we may carry over the excess taxable income into the next year and such excess income will be available for distribution in the next year as permitted by the Code. We will not be subject to excise taxes on amounts on which we are required to pay corporate income tax (such as retained net capital gains). In order to obtain the tax benefits applicable to RICs, we will be required to distribute to our stockholders with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of our ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses. We currently intend to retain for investment realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses. We generally intend to make deemed distributions to our stockholders of any retained net capital gains. If this happens, you will be treated as if you received an actual distribution of the capital gains we retain and then reinvested the net after-tax proceeds in our common stock. A stockholder also may be eligible to claim a tax credit (or, in certain circumstances, a tax refund) equal to your allocable share of the tax we paid on the capital gains deemed distributed to you. Please refer to “Item 1. Business—Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” for further information regarding the consequences of our retention of net capital gains. We may, in the future, make actual distributions to our stockholders of some or all realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses. We can offer no assurance that we will achieve results that will permit the payment of any cash distributions and, if we issue senior securities, we will be prohibited from making distributions if doing so causes us to fail to maintain the asset coverage ratios stipulated by the 1940 Act or if distributions are limited by the terms of any of our borrowings. See Item 1. Business—“Regulation as a Business Development Company.”
We maintain an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan for our common stockholders. As a result, if we declare a dividend, cash dividends will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock unless you specifically “opt out” of the dividend reinvestment plan and choose to receive cash dividends.
Our ability to make distributions will be limited by the asset coverage requirements under the 1940 Act.
The following table summarizes dividends declared and paid on all shares to date:
| Date Declared |
Record Date | Payment Date | Amount per Share | ||||
| October 27, 2005 |
November 1, 2005 | November 17, 2005 | $ | 0.025 | |||
| December 9, 2005 |
January 6, 2006 | January 27, 2006 | 0.300 | ||||
| April 3, 2006 |
April 10, 2006 | May 5, 2006 | 0.300 | ||||
| July 19, 2006 |
July 31, 2006 | August 28, 2006 | 0.300 | ||||
| October 16, 2006 |
November 6, 2006 | December 1, 2006 | 0.300 | ||||
| February 7, 2007 |
February 19, 2007 | March 19, 2007 | 0.300 | ||||
| May 3, 2007 |
May 16, 2007 | June 18, 2007 | 0.300 | ||||
| August 2, 2007 |
August 16, 2007 | September 17, 2007 | 0.300 | ||||
| November 1, 2007 |
November 16, 2007 | December 17, 2007 | 0.300 | ||||
| $ | 2.425 | ||||||
On February 7, 2008, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.30 per share to shareholders of record as of February 15, 2008 and payable on March 17, 2008.
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PERFORMANCE GRAPH
This graph compares the return on our common stock with that of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P Asset Management & Custody Banks Index, for the period from June 9, 2005 (the date of our initial public offering) through December 31, 2007. The graph assumes that, on June 9, 2005, a person invested $100 in each of our common stock, the S&P 500 Index, and the S&P Asset Management & Custody Banks Index. The graph measures total shareholder return, which takes into account both changes in stock price and dividends. It assumes that dividends paid are reinvested in like securities.
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Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Selected Consolidated Financial Data
The following consolidated financial data is derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. The selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere herein. Historical data is not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any future period.
| For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| (in thousands, except per share amounts) |
2007 | 2006 | 2005 | ||||||||
| Investment income: |
|||||||||||
| Interest |
$ | 48,757 | $ | 26,278 | $ | 9,791 | |||||
| Fees |
5,127 | 3,230 | 876 | ||||||||
| Total investment income |
53,884 | 29,508 | 10,667 | ||||||||
| Operating expenses: |
|||||||||||
| Interest |
4,404 | 5,770 | 1,801 | ||||||||
| Loan fees |
1,290 | 810 | 1,098 | ||||||||
| General and administrative |
5,437 | 5,409 | 2,285 | ||||||||
| Employee Compensation: |
|||||||||||
| Compensation and benefits |
9,135 | 5,779 | 3,706 | ||||||||
| Stock-based compensation |
1,127 | 617 | 252 | ||||||||
| Total employee compensation |
10,262 | 6,396 | 3,958 | ||||||||
| Total operating expenses |
21,393 | 18,385 | 9,142 | ||||||||
| Net investment income before provision for income taxes and investment gains and losses |
32,491 | 11,123 | 1,525 | ||||||||
| Provision for income taxes |
2 | 643 | 255 | ||||||||
| Net investment income |
32,489 | 10,480 | 1,270 | ||||||||
| Net realized gain (loss) on investments |
2,791 | (1,604 | ) | 482 | |||||||
| Provision for excise tax |
(139 | ) | — | — | |||||||
| Net increase in unrealized appreciation on investments |
7,268 | 2,508 | 353 | ||||||||
| Net realized and unrealized gain |
9,920 | 904 | 835 | ||||||||
| Net increase in net assets resulting from operations |
$ | 42,409 | $ | 11,384 | $ | 2,105 | |||||
| Cash dividends declared per common share |
$ | 1.20 | $ | 0.90 | $ | 0.33 | |||||
| As of December 31, | |||||||||||
| (in thousands, except per share amounts) |
2007 | 2006 | 2005 | ||||||||
| Balance sheet data: |
|||||||||||
| Investments, at value |
$ | 529,972 | $ | 283,234 | $ | 176,673 | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents |
7,856 | 16,404 | 15,362 | ||||||||
| Total assets |
541,943 | 301,142 | 193,648 | ||||||||
| Total liabilities |
141,206 | 45,729 | 79,296 | ||||||||
| Total net assets |
400,737 | 255,413 | 114,352 | ||||||||
| Other Data: |
|||||||||||
| Total debt investments, at value |
482,123 | $ | 266,724 | $ | 166,646 | ||||||
| Total warrant investments, at value |
21,646 | 8,441 | 5,160 | ||||||||
| Total equity investments, at value |
26,203 | 8,069 | 4,867 | ||||||||
| Unfunded Commitments |
130,602 | 55,500 | 30,200 | ||||||||
| Net asset value per share(1) |
$ | 12.31 | $ | 11.65 | $ | 11.67 | |||||
| (1) | Based on common shares outstanding at period end. |
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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The matters discussed in this report, as well as in future oral and written statements by management of Hercules Technology Growth Capital, that are forward-looking statements are based on current management expectations that involve substantial risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. We generally identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “could,” “intends,” “target,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar words. Important assumptions include our ability to originate new investments, achieve certain margins and levels of profitability, the availability of additional capital, and the ability to maintain certain debt to asset ratios. In light of these and other uncertainties, the inclusion of a projection or forward-looking statement in this report should not be regarded as a representation by us that our plans or objectives will be achieved. The forward-looking statements contained in this report include statements as to:
| • | our future operating results; |
| • | our business prospects and the prospects of our prospective portfolio companies; |
| • | the impact of investments that we expect to make; |
| • | our informal relationships with third parties; |
| • | the dependence of our future success on the general economy and its impact on the industries in which we invest; |
| • | the ability of our portfolio companies to achieve their objectives; |
| • | our expected financings and investments; |
| • | our regulatory structure and tax status; |
| • | our ability to operate as a business development company and a regulated investment company; |
| • | the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital; and |
| • | the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of our portfolio companies. |
For a discussion of factors that could cause our actual results to differ from forward-looking statements contained in this report, please see the discussion under “Risk Factors.” You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made in this report relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this report.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report. In addition to historical information, the following discussion and other parts of this report contain forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated by such forward-looking information due to the factors discussed under Item 1A—“Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements” of this Item 7.
Overview
We are a specialty finance company that provides debt and equity growth capital to technology-related and life-science companies at all stages of development from seed and emerging growth to expansion and established
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stages of development. We primarily finance privately-held companies backed by leading venture capital and private equity firms, and may also finance select publicly listed companies and lower middle market companies. Our principal office is located in the Silicon Valley and we have additional offices in the Boston, Boulder, Chicago, Columbus and San Diego areas. Our goal is to be the leading structured mezzanine capital provider of choice for venture capital and private equity backed technology-related companies requiring sophisticated and customized financing solutions. Our strategy is to evaluate and invest in a broad range of companies active in the technology and life science industries and to offer a full suite of growth capital products up and down the capital structure. We invest primarily in structured mezzanine debt and, to a lesser extent, in senior debt and equity investments. We use the term “structured mezzanine debt investment” to refer to any debt investment, such as a senior or subordinated secured loan, that is coupled with an equity component, including warrants, options or rights to purchase common or preferred stock. Our structured mezzanine debt investments will typically be secured by some or all of the assets of the portfolio company.
Our investment objective is to maximize our portfolio total return by generating current income from our debt investments and capital appreciation from our equity-related investments. We are an internally managed, non-diversified closed-end investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the 1940 Act. As a business development company, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. For instance, we generally have to invest at least 70% of our total assets in “qualifying assets,” including securities of private U.S. companies, cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less.
From incorporation through December 31, 2005, we were taxed as a corporation under Subchapter C of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code). We are treated for federal income tax purposes as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code as of January 1, 2006. To qualify for the benefits allowable to a RIC, we must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification and income distribution requirements. Pursuant to this election, we generally will not have to pay corporate-level taxes on any income that we distribute to our stockholders. However, such an election and qualification to be treated as a RIC requires that we comply with certain requirements contained in Subchapter M of the Code. For example, a RIC must meet certain requirements, including source-of-income, asset diversification and income distribution requirements. The income source requirement mandates that we receive 90% or more of our income from qualified earnings, typically referred to as “good income.” Qualified earnings may exclude such income as management fees received in connection with our SBIC or other potential outside managed funds and certain other fees.
Our portfolio is comprised of, and we anticipate that our portfolio will continue to be comprised of, investments primarily in technology-related companies at various stages of their development. Consistent with regulatory requirements, we invest primarily in United States based companies and to a lesser extent in foreign companies. During 2007, our investing emphasis has been primarily on private companies following or in connection with a subsequent institutional round of equity financing, which we refer to as expansion-stage companies and private companies in later rounds of financing and certain public companies, which we refer to as established-stage companies. We have also historically focused our investment activities in private companies following or in connection with the first institutional round of financing, which we refer to as emerging-growth companies.
Asset Management
We may engage in the asset management business by providing investment advisory services to funds that may be formed in the future. We may, from time to time, serve as the investment manager of such funds and may receive management and other fees for such services. Such funds may have overlapping investment objectives and may invest in asset classes similar to those targeted by us.
Portfolio and Investment Activity
The total value of our investment portfolio was $530.0 million at December 31, 2007, as compared to $283.2 million at December 31, 2006. During the year ended December 31, 2007, we made debt commitments to
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49 portfolio companies totaling $480.5 million and funded $355.5 million to 86 companies. We also made equity investments in 17 portfolio companies totaling $12.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2007. During the year ended December 31, 2007, we also converted approximately $4.8 million of debt to equity in two portfolio companies, bringing total equity investments at fair value to approximately $26.2 million at December 31, 2007. The fair value of our warrant portfolio at December 31, 2007 and 2006, was $21.6 million and $8.4 million respectively. At December 31, 2007, we had unfunded contractual commitments of $130.6 million to 29 portfolio companies. In addition, we executed non-binding term sheets totaling $36 million for proposed future commitments.
We receive payments in our loan portfolio based on scheduled amortization of the outstanding balances. In addition, we receive repayments of some of our loans prior to their scheduled maturity date. The frequency or volume of these repayments may fluctuate significantly from period to period. During the year ended December 31, 2007, we received normal principal repayments of $66.5 million, and early repayments and working line of credit paydowns totaling 62.2 million. Total portfolio investment activity (exclusive of unearned income) as of and for each of the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 was as follows:
| (in millions) |
December 31, 2007 |
December 31, 2006 |
||||||
| Beginning Portfolio |
$ | 283.2 | $ | 176.7 | ||||
| Purchase of investments |
355.5 | 193.0 | ||||||
| Equity Investments |
12.6 | 3.0 | ||||||
| Principal payments received on investments |
(66.5 | ) | (45.7 | ) | ||||
| Early pay-offs and recoveries |
(62.2 | ) | (41.9 | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from sale of investments |
(5.9 | ) | (0.3 | ) | ||||
| Accretion of loan discounts and paid-in-kind principal |
2.5 | 1.7 | ||||||
| Net realized and unrealized change in investments |
10.8 | (3.3 | ) | |||||
| Ending Portfolio |
$ | 530.0 | $ | 283.2 | ||||
The following table shows the fair value of our portfolio of investments by asset class as of December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 (excluding unearned income):
| December 31, 2007 | December 31, 2006 | |||||||||||
| (in thousands) |
Investments at Fair Value |
Percentage of Total Portfolio |
Investments at Fair Value |
Percentage of Total Portfolio |
||||||||
| Senior secured debt with warrants |
$ | 429,760 | 81.1 | % | $ | 273,280 | 96.5 | % | ||||
| Senior secured debt |
61,483 | 11.6 | % | |||||||||
| Preferred stock |
23,265 | 4.4 | % | 8,069 | 2.8 | % | ||||||
| Senior debt-second lien with warrants |
12,078 | 2.3 | % | — | 0.0 | % | ||||||
| Common Stock |
2,938 | 0.5 | % | — | 0.0 | % | ||||||
| Subordinated debt with warrants |
448 | 0.1 | % | 1,885 | 0.7 | % | ||||||
| $ | 529,972 | 100.0 | % | $ | 283,234 | 100.0 | % | |||||
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A summary of the company’s investment portfolio at value by geographic location is as follows:
| December 31, 2007 | December 31, 2006 | |||||||||||
| (in thousands) |
Investments at Fair Value |
Percentage of Total Portfolio |
Investments at Fair Value |
Percentage of Total Portfolio |
||||||||
| United States |
$ | 512,724 | 96.8 | % | $ | 269,073 | 95.0 | % | ||||
| Canada |
15,001 | 2.8 | % | 10,497 | 3.7 | % | ||||||
| Israel |
2,247 | 0.4 | % | 3,664 | 1.3 | % | ||||||
| $ | 529,972 | 100.0 | % | $ | 283,234 | 100.0 | % | |||||
Our portfolio companies are primarily privately held expansion-and established-stage companies in the biopharmaceutical, communications and networking, consumer and business products, electronics and computers, energy, information services, internet consumer and business services, medical devices, semiconductor and software industry sectors. These sectors are characterized by high margins, high growth rates, consolidation and product and market extension opportunities. Value is often vested in intangible assets and intellectual property.
The largest companies vary from year to year as new loans are recorded and loans pay off. Loan revenue, consisting of interest, fees, and recognition of gains on equity interests, can fluctuate dramatically when a loan is paid off or a related equity interest is sold. Revenue recognition in any given year can be highly concentrated among several portfolio companies. For years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, our ten largest portfolio companies represented approximately 33.7% and 43.4% of the total fair value of our investments, respectively. At December 31, 2007 and 2006, we had three and four investments, respectively, that represented 5% or more of the fair value of our investments. At December 31, 2007, we had five equity investments representing approximately 50.0% of the total fair value of our equity investments, and each represented 5% or more of the total fair value of such investments. At December 31, 2006, we had eleven equity investments which represented 100% of the total fair value of its equity investments, and each represented 5% or more of the total fair value of such investments.
At December 31, 2007, we had investments in two portfolio companies deemed to be Affiliates. One investment is a non income producing equity investment and one portfolio company became an Affiliate on December 17, 2007 upon a restructure of the company. Income derived from these investments was less than $8,000 since these investments became Affiliates. At December 31, 2006, none of the Company’s investments were deemed to be Affiliates. No realized gains or losses related to Affiliates were recognized during the years end December 31, 2007, 2006 or 2005.
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The following table shows the fair value of our portfolio by industry sector at December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 (excluding unearned income):
| (in thousands) |
December 31, 2007 | December 31, 2006 | ||||||||||
| Investments at Fair Value |
Percentage of Total Portfolio |
Investments at Fair Value |
Percentage of Total Portfolio |
|||||||||
| Drug discovery |
$ | 95,294 | 18.0 | % | $ | 74,993 | 26.5 | % | ||||
| Communications & networking |
114,014 | 21.5 | % | 19,464 | 6.9 | % | ||||||
| Software |
38,963 | 7.4 | % | 40,457 | 14.3 | % | ||||||
| Specialty pharmaceuticals |
45,646 | 8.6 | % | 18,014 | 6.4 | % | ||||||
| Electronics & computer hardware |
50,953 | 9.6 | % | 30,586 | 10.8 | % | ||||||
| Semiconductors |
25,501 | 4.8 | % | 15,867 | 5.6 | % | ||||||
| Information services |
58,464 | 11.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | ||||||
| Therapeutic |
12,853 | 2.4 | % | 13,437 | 4.7 | % | ||||||
| Internet consumer & business services |
16,918 | 3.2 | % | 11,657 | 4.1 | % | ||||||
| Drug delivery |
22,725 | 4.3 | % | 16,600 | 5.9 | % | ||||||
| Consumer & business products |
2,817 | 0.5 | % | 21,949 | 7.7 | % | ||||||
| Biotechnology tools |
9,714 | 1.8 | % | 5,778 | 2.0 | % | ||||||
| Energy |
7,016 | 1.3 | % | 8,503 | 3.0 | % | ||||||
| Media/Content/Info |
7,193 | 1.4 | % | — | 0.0 | % | ||||||
| Surgical Devices |
16,821 | 3.2 | % | — | 0.0 | % | ||||||
| Advanced Specialty Materials & Chemicals |
2,764 | 0.5 | % | — | 0.0 | % | ||||||
| Diagnostic |
2,316 | 0.5 | % | 5,929 | 2.1 | % | ||||||
| $ | 529,972 | 100.0 | % | $ | 283,234 | 100.0 | % | |||||
We use an investment grading system, which grades each debt investment on a scale of 1 to 5, to characterize and monitor our expected level of returns on the debt investments in our portfolio with 1 being the highest quality. See “Item 1. Business—Investment Process—Loan and Compliance Administration.” The following table shows the distribution of our outstanding debt investments on the 1 to 5 investment grading scale at fair value as of December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006:
| (in thousands) |
December 31, 2007 | December 31, 2006 | ||||||||||||
| Investments at Fair Value |
Percentage of Total Portfolio |
Investments at Fair Value |
Percentage of Total Portfolio |
|||||||||||
| Investment Grading |
||||||||||||||
| 1 |
$ | 27.7 | 5.7 | % | $ | 9.2 | 3.5 | % | ||||||
| 2 |
341.6 | 70.9 | 220.4 | 82.6 | ||||||||||
| 3 |
103.4 | 21.4 | 29.3 | 11.0 | ||||||||||
| 4 |
9.4 | 2.0 | 7.8 | 2.9 | ||||||||||
| 5 |
— | — | — | — | ||||||||||
| $ | 482.1 | 100.00 | % | $ | 266.7 | 100.00 | % | |||||||
As of December 31, 2007, our investments had a weighted average investment grading of 2.20 as compared to 2.14 at December 31, 2006. Our policy is to lower the grading on our portfolio companies as they approach the point in time when they will require additional equity capital. Additionally, we may downgrade our portfolio companies if they are not meeting our financing criteria and their respective business plans. Various companies in our portfolio will require additional funding in the near term or have not met their business plans and have therefore been downgraded until their funding is complete or their operations improve. At December 31, 2007, 15 portfolio companies were graded 3 and three portfolio companies were graded 4, as compared to eight and three portfolio companies, respectively, at December 31, 2006.
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The effective yield on our debt investments during the year was 12.8% and was attributed in part to interest charges and fees related to loan restructurings and acceleration of fee income recognition from early loan repayments. The overall weighted average yield to maturity of our loan obligations was approximately 12.70% at December 31, 2007, increased slightly compared to 12.64% at December 31, 2006, attributed to increased investments to both expansion- and established-stage companies and asset based financing offered to more mature companies seeking revolver type financing solutions. The weighted average yield to maturity is computed using the interest rates in effect at the inception of each of the loans, and includes amortization of the loan facility fees, commitment fees and market premiums or discounts over the expected life of the debt investments, weighted by their respective costs when averaged and based on the assumption that all contractual loan commitments have been fully funded and held to maturity.
We generate revenue in the form of interest income, primarily from our investments in debt securities, and commitment and facility fees. Fees generated in connection with our debt investments are recognized over the life of the loan or, in some cases, recognized as earned. In addition, we generate revenue in the form of capital gains, if any, on warrants or other equity-related securities that we acquire from our portfolio companies. Our investments generally range from $1.0 million to $30.0 million, with an average initial principal balance of between $1.0 million and $15.0 million. Our debt investments have a term of between two and seven years and typically bear interest at a rate ranging from Prime rate to 14.0% (based on current interest rate conditions). In addition to the cash yields received on our loans, in some instances, our loans may also include any of the following: end-of-term payments, exit fees, balloon payment fees, PIK provisions, prepayment fees, and diligence fees, which may be required to be included in income prior to receipt. In most cases, we collateralize our investments by obtaining security interests in our portfolio companies’ assets, which may include their intellectual property. In other cases, we may obtain a negative pledge covering a company’s intellectual property. At December 31, 2007, approximately 35 portfolio company loans were secured by a first priority security in all of the assets of the portfolio company and 42 portfolio company loans were prohibited from pledging or encumbering their intellectual property. Interest on debt securities is generally payable monthly, with amortization of principal typically occurring over the term of the security for emerging-growth, expansion-stage and established-stage companies. In addition, certain loans may include an interest-only period ranging from three to eighteen months for emerging-growth and expansion-stage companies and longer for established-stage companies. In limited instances in which we choose to defer amortization of the loan for a period of time from the date of the initial investment, the principal amount of the debt securities and any accrued but unpaid interest become due at the maturity date.
Our mezzanine debt investments also generally have equity enhancement features, typically in the form of warrants or other equity-related securities designed to provide us with an opportunity for capital appreciation. As of December 31, 2007, we have received warrants in connection with the majority of our debt investments in each portfolio company, and have realized gains on ten warrant positions since inception. We currently hold warrants in 82 portfolio companies, with a fair value of approximately $21.6 million included in the investment portfolio of $530.0 million. The fair value of the warrant portfolio has increased by 156% as compared to the fair value of $8.4 million at December 31, 2006. These warrant holdings would allow us to invest approximately $50 million if such warrants are exercised. However, these warrants may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline in value. Accordingly, we may not be able to realize gains from our warrant interests.
Results of Operations
Comparison of periods ended December 31, 2007 and 2006
Operating Income
Interest income totaled approximately $48.8 million and $26.3 million for 2007 and 2006, respectively. The increase in interest income was directly related to increases in origination activity as net investments at fair value grew by $246.8 million during 2007. In 2007 and 2006, interest income included approximately $1.8 million and $713,000 of income from accrued exit fees. Income from commitment, facility and loan related fees totaled approximately $5.1 million and $3.2 million for 2007 and 2006, respectively. At December 31, 2007 and 2006,
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we had approximately $6.6 million and $3.5 million of deferred income related to commitment and facility fees, respectively.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses totaled approximately $21.4 million and $18.4 million during 2007 and 2006, respectively. Operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 included interest expense, loan fees and unused commitment fees of approximately $5.7 million and $6.6 million, respectively. The 13.5% decrease in interest expense was primarily due to a lower average debt balance of $66.3 million in 2007 as compared to $70.7 million in 2006. The weighted average cost of debt was approximately 6.5% at December 31, 2007 as compared to 6.7% at December 31, 2006 which primarily reflects a lower LIBOR rate under our Credit Facility. Employee compensation and benefits were approximately $9.1 million and $5.8 million during 2007 and 2006, respectively. The increase in employee compensation and benefits is due to increased number of employees from 26 to 38 and bonuses of approximately $3.7 million accrued in 2007 as compared to an accrual of $2.2 million in 2006. General and administrative expenses include legal and accounting fees, insurance premiums, rent and various other expenses totaling $5.4 million in both 2007 and 2006. We incurred approximately $1.1 million of stock-based compensation expense in 2007 as compared to $618,000 in 2006 due to additional option grants made in 2007. We anticipate that operating expenses will increase over the next twelve months as we continue to incur higher interest expense on higher average outstanding debt balances, increase the number of our employees to support our growth and incur additional expenses related to being a public company, including expenses related to continued compliance requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
Net Investment Income Before Income Tax Expense and Investment Gains and Losses
Net investment income before income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2007 totaled $32.5 million as compared with a net investment income before income tax expense in 2006 of approximately $11.1 million. The changes are made up of the items described above under “Operating Income” and “Operating Expenses.”
Net Investment Realized Gains and Losses and Unrealized Appreciation and Depreciation
Realized gains or losses are measured by the difference between the net proceeds from the repayment or sale and the cost basis of the investment without regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation previously recognized, and include investments charged off during the period, net of recoveries. Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation primarily reflects the change in portfolio investment values during the reporting period, including the reversal of previously recorded unrealized appreciation or depreciation when gains or losses are realized.
In 2007, we generated realized gains totaling approximately $3.6 million from the sale of common stock of two communications and networking companies, two internet consumer and business services companies and three biopharmaceutical companies. We recognized realized losses in 2007 of approximately $800,000 on the disposition of warrants in six portfolio companies. We recognized a realized gain of approximately $3.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2006 from the sale of common stock of one communications and networking company, one internet consumer and business services company and two biopharmaceutical companies. We recognized realized losses in 2006 of approximately $4.9 million on the disposition of loans to two portfolio companies. A summary of realized and unrealized gains and losses for the years end December 31, 2007 and 2006 is as follows:
| (in millions) |
December 31, 2007 | December 31, 2006 | ||||||
| Realized gains |
$ | 3.6 | $ | 3.3 | ||||
| Realized losses |
(0.8 | ) | (4.9 | ) | ||||
| Net realized gains (losses) |
$ | 2.8 | $ | (1.6 | ) | |||
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For the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, net unrealized investment appreciation totaled approximately $7.3 million and $2.5 million, respectively. The year to year increase is primarily attributable to the increased number of companies in the portfolio. The net unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments is based on portfolio asset valuations determined in good faith by our Board of Directors. As of December 31, 2007, the net unrealized investment gains recognized by the company were reduced by approximately $690,000 for a warrant participation agreement with Citigroup. For a more detailed discussion, see the discussion set forth under “Borrowings of this Item 7.” The following table itemizes the change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments for 2007 and 2006:
| 2007 | 2006 | |||||||||||
| ($ in millions) |
Companies | Amount | Companies | Amount | ||||||||
| Gross unrealized appreciation on portfolio investments |
59 | $ | 17.7 | 11 | $ | 4.9 | ||||||
| Gross unrealized depreciation on portfolio investments |
25 | (9.4 | ) | 41 | (1.6 | ) | ||||||
| Reversal of prior period net unrealized appreciation upon a realization |
(0.3 | ) | (0.4 | ) | ||||||||
| Citigroup Warrant Participation |
(0.7 | ) | (0.4 | ) | ||||||||
| Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on portfolio investments |
$ | 7.3 | $ | 2.5 | ||||||||
During 2007, we achieved thirteen liquidity events from our portfolio companies. Ten portfolio companies were acquired and three portfolio companies completed initial public offerings.
Income and Excise Taxes
We account for income taxes in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, which requires that deferred income taxes be determined based upon the estimated future tax effects of differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities given the provisions of the enacted tax law. Valuation allowances are used to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount likely to be realized.
Through December 31, 2005 we were taxed under Subchapter C of the Code. We elected to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code with the filing of our 2006 federal income tax return. Provided we continue to qualify as a RIC, our income generally will not be subject to federal income or excise taxes to the extent we make the requisite distributions to stockholders. At December 31, 2007, we elected to pay an excise tax of approximately $139,000 on approximately $4.3 million of undistributed earnings from operations and capital gains that we intend to distribute in 2008. See “Item 1. Business—Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations.”
During 2007, we distributed $1.20 per share to our shareholders, of which 100% was deemed to be a distribution of income and is considered ordinary income to our shareholders in 2007.
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations and Earnings Per Share
For the year ended December 31, 2007 net income totaled approximately $42.4 million compared to net income of approximately $11.4 million for the period ended December 31, 2006. These changes are made up of the items previously described.
Basic and fully diluted net income per share was $1.50 and $1.49, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to basic net income per share of $0.85 and fully diluted net income per share of $0.84 for the year ended December 31, 2006.
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Comparison of periods ended December 31, 2006 and 2005
Operating Income
Interest income totaled approximately $26.3 million and $9.8 million for 2006 and 2005, respectively. In 2006 and 2005, interest income included approximately $713,000 and $351,000 of income from accrued exit fees, respectively. Income from commitment and facility fees totaled approximately $3.2 million and $876,000 for 2006 and 2005, respectively. The increase in both interest and fee income was directly related to increases in origination activity, as net investments at fair value grew by $106.5 million during 2006. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, we had approximately $3.4 million and $2.7 million of deferred income related to commitment and facility fees.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses totaled approximately $18.4 million and $9.1 million during 2006 and 2005, respectively. Operating expenses for 2006 and 2005 included interest expense, loan fees and unused commitment fees under our Bridge Loan Credit Facility and the Citigroup Facility of approximately $6.6 million and $2.9 million, respectively. The increase in interest expense was due to a higher average debt balance of $70.7 million in 2006, as compared to $20.3 million in 2005. Employee compensation and benefits were approximately $5.8 million and $3.7 million during 2006 and 2005, respectively. The increase in employee compensation and benefits is due to an increased number of employees from 19 to 26, and bonuses of approximately $2.2 million accrued in 2006. General and administrative expenses increased to $5.4 million in 2006 from $2.3 million in 2005 primarily due to increased Board of Directors costs, legal expenses, professional service costs related to our status as a public company and the creation of our SBIC subsidiaries, as well as increased expenses associated with operating a business development company. In addition, we incurred approximately $618,000 of stock-based compensation expense in 2006 as compared to $252,000 in 2005. The increase in stock-based compensation expense was due to the additional stock option grants made in 2006.
Net Investment Income Before Income Tax Expense and Investment Gains and Losses
Net investment income before income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2006 totaled $11.1 million as compared with a net investment income before income tax expense in 2005 of approximately $1.5 million. This change is made up of the items described above.
Net Investment Gains
In 2006, we generated realized gains totaling approximately $3.3 million from the sale of common stock of one communications and networking company, one internet consumer and business services company and two biopharmaceutical companies. We recognized realized losses in 2006 of approximately $4.9 million on the disposition of loans to two portfolio companies. We recognized a realized gain of approximately $482,000 during the year ended December 31, 2005 from the sale of common stock of one biopharmaceutical portfolio company. During 2006, we reversed approximately $162,000 of net unrealized appreciation to realized gains. For the year ended December 31, 2006, net unrealized investment appreciation totaled approximately $2.5 million. The net unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments is based on portfolio asset valuations determined in good faith by our Board of Directors, based on the recommendations of the Valuation Committee. For the year ended December 31, 2006, we recognized approximately $4.9 million of gross unrealized appreciation on 11 of our portfolio companies and approximately $1.6 million of gross unrealized depreciation on 41 of our portfolio companies. As of December 31, 2006, the net unrealized investment appreciation recognized by the company was reduced by approximately $377,000 for a warrant participation agreement with Citigroup. For a more detailed discussion, see “Borrowings” in this Item 7 below.
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Income Taxes
Through December 31, 2005 we were taxed under Subchapter C of the Code and recorded a tax expense of $255,000 for 2005. We will elect to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code with the filing of our 2006 federal income tax return, which election was effective as of January 1, 2006. Provided we continue to qualify as a RIC, our income generally will not be subject to federal income or excise tax to the extent we make the requisite distributions to stockholders. We have distributed and currently intend to distribute sufficient dividends to eliminate our investment company taxable income for 2006. As such, no provision for Federal or state income taxes related to operations in 2006 was required. At December 31, 2005, the Company had a deferred tax asset of approximately $1,454,000, which was adjusted through operations during the first quarter of 2006. Upon the determination that Hercules would qualify as a regulated investment company, any remaining deferred tax asset was reversed. The Company elected to recognize all of its net built-in gains at the time of the conversion to a RIC and paid tax on the built-in gain with the filing of its 2005 tax return. In making this election, the portfolio was marked to market at the time of the RIC election and the Company paid approximately $294,000 in Federal and State tax on the resulting taxable gain. In addition, upon completion of the 2005 tax returns, we recorded an additional tax benefit of approximately $345,000. To qualify as a RIC we were required by December 31, 2006 to distribute our earnings and profits while we were taxable as a C corporation. During 2006, we distributed $1.20 per share to our shareholders of which approximately $0.09 was deemed to be a distribution of these accumulated earnings and profits, $0.97 was deemed to be a distribution of 2006 income and $0.14 was a return of capital. The distribution of our income and our accumulated earnings and profits is considered ordinary income to our shareholders in 2006.
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations and Earnings Per Share
For the year ended December 31, 2006 net income totaled approximately $11.4 million, compared to net income of approximately $2.1 million for the period ended December 31, 2005. These changes are made up of the items previously described.
Basic net income per share was $0.85 and fully diluted net income per share was $0.84 per share for the year ended December 31, 2006, compared to basic and diluted net income per share of $0.30 per share for the period ended December 31, 2005. The net income per share for 2006 was affected by an increase in the weighted average shares outstanding of approximately 6.4 million shares and 6.5 million shares on a basic and diluted basis, respectively, as compared to 2005.
Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
At December 31, 2007, we had approximately $7.9 million in cash and cash equivalents and available borrowing capacity of approximately $170.8 million under our Credit Facility and approximately $72.1 million available under the SBA program, subject to existing terms and advance rates. We primarily invest cash on hand in interest bearing deposit accounts.
For the year ended December 31, 2007, net cash used in operating activities totaled approximately $201.1 million as compared to $91.3 million in 2006. This increase was due primarily due to $368.1 million used for investments in our portfolio companies offset by proceeds of $128.7 million in principal repayments, as compared to $87.5 million in principal repayments offset by $196.0 million used for investments in 2006. Cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2007 totaled approximately $34,000 and was used for the purchase of capital equipment offset by a reduction in other long-term assets. Net cash provided by financing activities totaled $192.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. In 2007, we received approximately $131.4 million in net proceeds from the sale of common stock, and made cash dividend payments of $30.0 million. During the year ended December 31, 2007, we borrowed a net $38.2 million under our Credit Facility and borrowed $55.1 million of SBA debentures.
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As of December 31, 2007, net assets totaled $400.7 million, with a net asset value per share of $12.31. We intend to generate additional cash primarily from equity capital, future borrowings as well as cash flows from operations, including income earned from investments in our portfolio companies and, to a lesser extent, from the temporary investment of cash in U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. Our primary use of funds will be investments in portfolio companies and cash distributions to holders of our common stock. After we have used our current capital resources, we expect to raise additional capital to support our future growth through future equity offerings, issuances of senior securities and/or future borrowings, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.
As required by the 1940 Act, our asset coverage must be at least 200% after each issuance of senior securities. Our asset coverage as of December 31, 2007 was approximately 675%.
We anticipate that we will continue to fund our investment activities through a combination of debt and additional equity capital over the next year. As of December 31, 2007, we had $79.2 million outstanding under the Credit Facility and approximately $55.1 million under the SBA program. Through March 30, 2007, advances under the Credit Facility carried interest at one-month LIBOR plus 165 basis points. On March 30, 2007, the interest on all borrowings was reduced to LIBOR plus a spread of 1.20%. On May 2, 2007, we amended the Credit Facility to extend the expiration date to May 1, 2008, increased the borrowing capacity under the facility to $250 million, and included Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. as a participant along with Citigroup Markets Realty Corp. The credit facility is a one year facility and is renewable on May 1, 2008 with an interest rate of LIBOR plus a spread of 1.20%. We intend to initiate renewal negotiations on the Credit Facility in the first quarter of 2008. We paid a structuring fee of $375,000 which will be expensed ratably through maturity. As of December 31, 2007, there were $242.8 million of loans in the collateral pool and, based on eligible loans in the pool and existing advance rates, we have access to approximately $131.3 million of borrowing capacity available under our $250.0 million securitized credit facility. In addition, Citigroup has an equity participation right of 10% of the realized gains on warrants collateralized under the Credit Facility. However, no additional warrants are included in collateral subsequent to the facility amendment on May 2, 2007. See Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for discussion of the participation right. We anticipate that portfolio fundings entered into in succeeding periods will allow us to utilize the full borrowing capacity of the Credit Facility.
At December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, we had the following borrowing capacity and outstandings:
| December 31, 2007 | December 31, 2006 | |||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) |
Facility Amount |
Amount Outstanding |
Facility Amount |
Amount Outstanding | ||||||||
| Credit Facility |
$ | 250,000 | $ | 79,200 | $ | 150,000 | $ | 41,000 | ||||
| SBA Debenture |
127,200 | 55,050 | — | — | ||||||||
| Total |
$ | 377,200 | $ | 134,250 | $ | 150,000 | $ | 41,000 | ||||
On September 27, 2006, HT II received a license to operate as a Small Business Investment Company under the SBIC program and is able to borrow funds from the SBA against eligible previously approved investments and additional contributions to regulatory capital. On July 31, 2007, we received approval from the SBA to increase our leverage by approximately $77.0 million to a total of $127.2 million, subject to certain regulatory requirements. At December 31, 2007, we had a net investment of $63.6 million in HT II, and there are investments in 30 companies with a fair value of approximately $124.6 million. The Company is the sole limited partner of HT II and HTM is the general partner. HTM is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
Current Market Conditions
The debt and equity capital markets in the United States have been impacted by significant write-offs in the financial services sector relating to subprime mortgages and the re-pricing of credit risk in the broadly syndicated market, among other things. These events, along with the deterioration of the housing market, have led to
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worsening general economic conditions, which have impacted the broader financial and credit markets and have reduced the availability of debt and equity capital for the market as a whole and financial firms in particular. We and other commercial finance companies have previously utilized the securitization market to finance some investment activities. Due to the current dislocation of the securitization market, which we believe may continue for an extended period of time, we and other companies in the commercial finance sector may have to access alternative debt markets in order to grow. The debt capital that will be available may be at a higher cost, and terms and conditions may be less favorable which could negatively effect our financial performance and results.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
In the normal course of business, we are party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk. These consist primarily of unfunded commitments to extend credit, in the form of loans, to our portfolio companies. Unfunded commitments to provide funds to portfolio companies is not reflected on our balance sheet. Our unfunded commitments may be significant from time to time. As of December 31, 2007, we had unfunded commitments of approximately $130.6 million. These commitments will be subject to the same underwriting and ongoing portfolio maintenance as are the on-balance sheet financial instruments that we hold. Since these commitments may expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amount does not necessarily represent future cash requirements.
Contractual Obligations
The following table shows our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2007:
| Payments due by period (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||
| Contractual Obligations(1) |
Total | Less than 1 year(2)(3) |
1-3 years | 3-5 years | After 5 years | ||||||||||
| Borrowings(4) |
$ | 134,250 | $ | 79,200 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 55,050 | |||||
| Operating Lease Obligations |
3,425 | 843 | 1,430 | 1,152 | — | ||||||||||
| Total |
$ | 137,675 | $ | 80,043 | $ | 1,430 | $ | 1,152 | $ | 55,050 | |||||
| (1) | Excludes commitments to extend credit to our portfolio companies. |
| (2) | Borrowings under our Credit Facility are listed based on the contractual maturity of the facility. Actual repayments could differ significantly due to prepayments by our existing portfolio companies, modifications of our current agreements with our existing portfolio companies and modification of the credit facility. See “Borrowings.” |
| (3) | We also have a warrant participation with Citigroup. See “Borrowings.” |
| (4) | Includes borrowings under the Credit Facility and the SBA debentures. |
Borrowings
We, through Hercules Funding Trust I, an affiliated statutory trust, executed a securitized credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp. (“Citigroup”). On December 6, 2006, we amended the Credit Facility with an agreement that increased the borrowing capacity under the facility to $150.0 million. On March 30, 2007, this increase was extended to July 31, 2007, and the interest on all borrowings was reduced to LIBOR plus a spread of 1.20%. On May 2, 2007, we amended the Credit Facility to extend the expiration date to May 1, 2008, increased the borrowing capacity under the facility to $250 million and included Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. as a participant in the Credit Facility along with Citigroup. The credit facility is a one year facility and is renewable on May 1, 2008 with an interest rate of LIBOR plus a spread of 1.20%. We intend to initiate renewal negotiations on the Credit Facility in the first quarter of 2008. We paid a structuring fee of $375,000 which will be expensed ratably through maturity. At December 31, 2007, we had $79.2 million outstanding under the Credit Facility.
The Credit Facility is collateralized by loans from our portfolio companies, and includes an advance rate of approximately 55% of eligible loans. The Credit Facility contains covenants that, among other things, require us
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to maintain a minimum net worth and to restrict the loans securing the Credit Facility to certain dollar amounts, to concentrations in certain geographic regions and industries, to certain loan grade classifications, to certain security interests, and to certain interest payment terms. Citigroup has an equity participation right through a warrant participation agreement on the pool of loans and warrants collateralized under the Credit Facility. Pursuant to the warrant participation agreement, we granted to Citigroup a 10% participation in all warrants held as collateral. However, no additional warrants are included in collateral subsequent to the facility amendment on May 2, 2007. As a result, Citigroup is entitled to 10% of the realized gains on the warrants until the realized gains paid to Citigroup pursuant to the agreement equals $3,750,000 (the “Maximum Participation Limit”). The Obligations under the warrant participation agreement continue even after the Credit Facility is terminated until the Maximum Participation Limit has been reached. During the year ended December 31, 2007, we recorded an additional liability and reduced the unrealized gains by approximately $609,000 to account for Citigroup’s participation in unrealized gains in the warrant portfolio. The value of their participation right on unrealized gains in the related equity investments since inception of the agreement was approximately $690,000 at December 31, 2007 and is included in accrued liabilities and reduces the unrealized gain we recognized at December 31, 2007. We have paid Citigroup approximately $399,000 during the year ended December 31, 2007 and $680,000 since inception of the agreement under the warrant participation agreement thereby reducing our realized gains by that amount.
At December 31, 2007, we, through our SPE, had transferred pools of loans and warrants with a fair value of approximately $242.8 million to Hercules Funding Trust I and had drawn approximately $79.2 million under the Credit Facility. Transfers of loans have not met the requirements of SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities, for sales treatment and are, therefore, treated as secured borrowings, with the transferred loans remaining as investments and the related liability recorded in borrowings. The average debt outstanding under the Credit Facility for the year ended December 31, 2007 was approximately $52.1 million and the average interest rate was approximately 6.56%.
In January 2005, we formed HT II and HTM. HT II is licensed as a SBIC. HT II borrows funds from the SBA against eligible investments and additional deposits to regulatory capital. Under the Small Business Investment Act and current SBA policy applicable to SBICs, an SBIC can have outstanding at any time SBA guaranteed debentures up to twice the amount of its Regulatory Capital. As of December 31, 2007, the maximum statutory limit on the dollar amount of outstanding SBA guaranteed debentures issued by a single SBIC is $127.2 million, subject to periodic adjustments by the SBA. With $63.6 million of Regulatory Capital as of December 31, 2007, HT II has the current capacity to issue up to a total of $127.2 million of SBA guaranteed debentures. Currently, HT II has paid commitment fees of approximately $1.3 million and has a commitment from the SBA to issue a total of $127.2 million of SBA guaranteed debentures, of which approximately $55.1 million are outstanding as of December 31, 2007. There is no assurance that HT II will draw up to the maximum limit available under the SBIC program.
As of December 31, 2007, assets held by HT II represented approximately 23% of the total assets of the Company.
SBICs are designed to stimulate the flow of private equity capital to eligible small businesses. Under present SBA regulations, eligible small businesses include businesses that have a tangible net worth not exceeding $18 million and have average annual fully taxed net income not exceeding $6 million for the two most recent fiscal years. In addition, SBICs must devote 20% of their investment activity to “smaller” concerns as defined by the SBA. A smaller concern is one that has a tangible net worth not exceeding $6 million and has average annual fully taxed net income not exceeding $2 million for the two most recent fiscal years. SBA regulations also provide alternative size standard criteria to determine eligibility, which depend on the industry in which the business is engaged and are based on such factors as the number of employees and gross sales. According to SBA regulations, SBICs may make long-term loans to small businesses, invest in the equity securities of such businesses and provide them with consulting and advisory services.
Through our wholly-owned subsidiary HT II, the Company plans to provide long-term loans to qualifying small businesses, and in connection therewith, make equity investments. HT II is periodically examined and audited by the SBA’s staff to determine its compliance with SBIC regulations. As of December 31, 2007, HT II
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could draw up to $127.2 million of leverage from the SBA. Borrowings under the program are charged interest based on ten year treasury rates plus a spread and the rates are generally set for a pool of debentures issued by the SBA in six month periods. The rate for the $12.0 million of borrowings originated from March 13, 2007 to September 10, 2007 was set by the SBA as announced on September 26, 2007 at 5.528%. The rate for borrowings made after September 10, 2007 through March 13, 2008 are based on LIBOR plus a spread of 0.30% until the next interest rate set by the SBA occurs at its semi-annual meeting. In addition, the SBA charges an annual fee that is set annually, depending on the Federal fiscal year the leverage commitment was delegated by the SBA, regardless of the date that the leverage was drawn by the SBIC. The 2007 annual fee is set at 0.906%. Interest payments are payable semi-annually and there are no principal payments required on these issues prior to maturity. Debentures under the SBA generally mature ten years after being borrowed.
We plan to aggregate pools of funded loans using the Citigroup Facility or other conduits that we may seek until a sufficiently large pool of funded loans is created which can then be securitized at a later date. We expect that any loans included in a securitization facility may be securitized on a non-recourse basis with respect to the credit losses on the loans. There can be no assurance that we will be able to complete this securitization strategy, or that it will be successful. See “Item 1. Business—Capital Structure.”
Dividends
The following table summarizes our dividends declared and paid on all shares, including restricted stock, to date:
| Date Declared |
Record Date |
Payment Date |
Amount Per Share | |||
| October 27, 2005 | November 1, 2005 | November 17, 2005 | $0.025 | |||
| December 9, 2005 | January 6, 2006 | January 27, 2006 | 0.300 | |||
| April 3, 2006 | April 10, 2006 | May 5, 2006 | 0.300 | |||
| July 19, 2006 | July 31, 2006 | August 28, 2006 | 0.300 | |||
| October 16, 2006 | November 6, 2006 | December 1, 2006 | 0.300 | |||
| February 7, 2007 | February 19, 2007 | March 19, 2007 | 0.300 | |||
| May 3, 2007 | May 16, 2007 | June 18, 2007 | 0.300 | |||
| August 2, 2007 | August 16, 2007 | September 17, 2007 | 0.300 | |||
| November 1, 2007 | November 16, 2007 | December 17, 2007 | 0.300 | |||
| $2.425 | ||||||
During 2007, we distributed $1.20 per share to our shareholders of which 100% was deemed to be a distribution of income and is considered ordinary income to our shareholders in 2007.
Each year a statement on Form 1099-DIV identifying the source of the distribution (i.e., paid from ordinary income, paid from net capital gains on the sale of securities, and/or a return of paid-in-capital surplus which is a nontaxable distribution) is mailed to our stockholders. To the extent our taxable earnings fall below the total amount of our distributions for that fiscal year, a portion of those distributions may be deemed a tax return of capital to our stockholders.
We operate to qualify to be taxed as a RIC under the Code. Generally, a RIC is entitled to deduct dividends it pays to its shareholders from its income to determine “taxable income.” Taxable income includes our taxable interest, dividend and fee income, as well as taxable net capital gains. Taxable income generally differs from net income for financial reporting purposes due to temporary and permanent differences in the recognition of income and expenses, and generally excludes net unrealized appreciation or depreciation, as gains or losses are not included in taxable income until they are realized. In addition, gains realized for financial reporting purposes may differ from gains included in taxable income as a result of our election to recognize gains using installment sale treatment, which generally results in the deferment of gains for tax purposes until notes or other amounts, including amounts held in escrow, received as consideration from the sale of investments are collected in cash.
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Taxable income includes non-cash income, such as changes in accrued and reinvested interest and dividends, which includes contractual payment-in-kind interest, and the amortization of discounts and fees. Cash collections of income resulting from contractual PIK interest or the amortization of discounts and fees generally occur upon the repayment of the loans or debt securities that include such items. Non-cash taxable income is reduced by non-cash expenses, such as realized losses and depreciation and amortization expense.
We have distributed and currently intend to distribute sufficient dividends to eliminate taxable income. We are subject to a nondeductible federal excise tax if we do not distribute at least 98% of our capital gain net income for each one year period ending on October 31. At December 31, 2007 we recorded a provision for excise tax of approximately $139,000 on income and capital gains of approximately $4.3 million to be distributed in 2008. The maximum amount of excess taxable income that may be carried over for distribution in the next year under the Code is the total amount of dividends paid in the following year, subject to certain declaration and payment guidelines.
The table below shows the detail of our distributions for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006:
| December 31, 2007 |
December 31, 2006 |
|||||||||||
| Ordinary income |
$ | 1.20 | 100.0 | % | $ | 0.97 | 80.8 | % | ||||
| Accumulated earnings and profits |
— | — | 0.09 | 7.5 | % | |||||||
| Return of capital |
— | — | 0.14 | 11.7 | % | |||||||
| Total |
$ | 1.20 | 100.0 | % | 1.20 | 100.0 | % | |||||
On February 7, 2008, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.30 per share to shareholders of record as of February 15, 2008 and payable on March 17, 2008.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and revenues and expenses during the period reported. On an ongoing basis, our management evaluates its estimates and assumptions, which are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Changes in our estimates and assumptions could materially impact our results of operations and financial condition.
Valuation of Portfolio Investments. The most significant estimate inherent in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements is the valuation of investments and the related amounts of unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments recorded.
As a business development company, we invest primarily in illiquid securities, including debt and equity-related securities of private companies. Our investments are generally subject to some restrictions on resale and generally have no established trading market. Because of the type of investments that we make and the nature of our business, our valuation process requires an analysis of various factors. Our valuation methodology includes the examination of, among other things, the underlying investment performance, financial condition and market changing events that impact valuation.
At December 31, 2007, approximately 98% of our total assets represented investments in portfolio companies of which greater than 99% are valued at fair value by the Board of Directors. Value, as defined in Section 2(a) (41) of the 1940 Act, is (i) the market price for those securities for which a market quotation is readily available and (ii) for all other securities and assets, fair value is as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors. Since there is typically no readily available market value for the investments in our portfolio, we
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value substantially all of our investments at fair value as determined in good faith by our board pursuant to a valuation policy and a consistent valuation process. Due to the inherent uncertainty in determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of our investments determined in good faith by our board may differ significantly from the value that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments, and the differences could be material.
There is no single standard for determining fair value in good faith. As a result, determining fair value requires that judgment be applied to the specific facts and circumstances of each portfolio investment. Unlike banks, we are not permitted to provide a general reserve for anticipated loan losses. Instead, we must determine the fair value of each individual investment on a quarterly basis. We will record unrealized depreciation on investments when we believe that an investment has decreased in value, including where collection of a loan or realization of an equity security is doubtful. Conversely, where appropriate, we will record unrealized appreciation if we believe that the underlying portfolio company has appreciated in value and, therefore, that our investment has also appreciated in value.
As a business development company, we invest primarily in illiquid securities including debt and equity-related securities of private companies. Our investments are generally subject to some restrictions on resale and generally have no established trading market. Because of the type of investments that we make and the nature of our business, our valuation process requires an analysis of various factors. Our valuation methodology includes the examination of, among other things, the underlying investment performance, financial condition and market changing events that impact valuation.
With respect to private debt and equity securities, each investment is valued using industry valuation benchmarks, and, where appropriate, the value is assigned a discount reflecting the illiquid nature of the investment, and our minority, non-control position. When a qualifying external event such as a significant purchase transaction, public offering, or subsequent debt or equity sale occurs, the pricing indicated by the external event will be used to corroborate our private debt or equity valuation. We periodically review the valuation of our portfolio companies that have not been involved in a qualifying external event to determine if the enterprise value of the portfolio company may have increased or decreased since the last valuation measurement date. We may consider, but are not limited to, industry valuation methods such as price to enterprise value or price to equity ratios, discounted cash flow, valuation comparisons to comparable public companies or other industry benchmarks in our evaluation of the fair value of our investment. Securities that are traded in the over-the-counter market or on a stock exchange will be valued at the prevailing bid price on the valuation date.
Income Recognition. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and is recognized as earned in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement to the extent that such amounts are expected to be collected. Original Issue Discount, (“OID”), initially represents the value of detachable equity warrants obtained in conjunction with the acquisition of debt securities and is accreted into interest income over the term of the loan as a yield enhancement. When a loan becomes 90 days or more past due, or if management otherwise does not expect the portfolio company to be able to service its debt and other obligations, we will, as a general matter, place the loan on non-accrual status and cease recognizing interest income on that loan until all principal has been paid. However, we may make exceptions to this policy if the investment has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection. There were no loans on non-accrual status as of December 31, 2007, and as of December 31, 2006, we had one loan on non-accrual status with a fair value of approximately $3.8 million.
Paid-In-Kind and End of Term Income. Contractual paid-in-kind (“PIK”) interest, which represents contractually deferred interest added to the loan balance that is generally due at the end of the loan term, is generally recorded on the accrual basis to the extent such amounts are expected to be collected. We will generally cease accruing PIK interest if there is insufficient value to support the accrual or we do not expect the portfolio company to be able to pay all principal and interest due. In addition, we may also be entitled to an end-of-term payment that we amortize into income over the life of the loan. To maintain our status as a RIC, PIK and
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end-of-term income must be paid out to stockholders in the form of dividends even though we have not yet collected the cash. Amounts necessary to pay these dividends may come from available cash or the liquidation of certain investments. For the year ended December 31, 2007, approximately $381,000 in PIK income was recorded. There was no PIK income recorded in prior periods.
Fee Income. Fee income, generally collected in advance, includes loan commitment and facility fees for due diligence and structuring, as well as fees for transaction services and management services rendered by us to portfolio companies and other third parties. Loan and commitment fees are amortized into income over the contractual life of the loan. Management fees are generally recognized as income when the services are rendered. Loan origination fees are capitalized and then amortized into interest income using the effective interest rate method. In certain loan arrangements, warrants or other equity interests are received from the borrower as additional origination fees.
Stock-Based Compensation. We have issued and may, from time to time, issue additional stock options to employees under our 2004 Equity Incentive Plan. We follow Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payments (“FAS 123R”), to account for stock options granted. Under FAS 123R, compensation expense associated with stock-based compensation is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized.
Federal Income Taxes. We intend to operate so as to qualify to be taxed as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code and, as such, will not be subject to federal income tax on the portion of our taxable income and gains distributed to stockholders. To qualify as a RIC, we are required to distribute at least 90% of our investment company taxable income, as defined by the Code. We are subject to a non-deductible federal excise tax if we do not distribute at least 98% of our taxable income and 98% of our capital gain net income for each 1 year period ending on October 31. At December 31, 2007 we recorded a liability for excise tax of approximately $139,000 on income and capital gains of approximately $4.3 million to be distributed in 2008.
Because federal income tax regulations differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, distributions in accordance with tax regulations may differ from net investment income and realized gains recognized for financial reporting purposes. Differences may be permanent or temporary. Permanent differences are reclassified among capital accounts in the financial statement to reflect their tax character. Temporary differences arise when certain items of income, expense, gain or loss are recognized at some time in the future. Differences in classification may also result from the treatment of short-term gains as ordinary income for tax purposes.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. We adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. The implementation of FIN 48 did not result in any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements.
In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement on Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157”). This standard clarifies the definition of fair value for financial reporting, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires additional disclosures about the use of fair value measurements. FAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. As of December 31, 2007, the Company is evaluating the
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impact of FAS 157 on its financial position and results of operations but does not believe the adoption of FAS 157 will impact the amounts reported in the financial statements. However, additional disclosures will be required about the inputs used to develop the measurements of fair value and the effect of certain of the measurements reported in the statement of operations for a fiscal period.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“FAS 159”). Among other requirements, FAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. FAS 159 is effective for the first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of FAS 159 on its financial position and results of operations.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We are subject to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates. As of December 31, 2007, approximately 50% of our portfolio loans were at fixed rates and 50% of our loans were at variable rates. Over time additional investments may be at variable rates. We may, in the future, hedge against interest rate fluctuations by using standard hedging instruments such as futures, options, and forward contracts. While hedging activities may insulate us against changes in interest rates, they may also limit our ability to participate in the benefits of lower interest rates with respect to our borrowed funds and higher interest rates with respect to our portfolio of investments. Interest rates on our borrowings are based primarily on LIBOR. Borrowings under our SBA program are fixed at the ten-year treasury every March and September for borrowings of the preceding six months. At December 31, 2007, the borrowing rate under the Credit Facility was LIBOR plus a spread of 1.20% and the borrowing rate under the SBA facility for approximately $12.0 million of fixed rate borrowings was approximately 5.5% and $43.1 million of borrowings were based on a rate of LIBOR plus a spread of 0.30%. In addition, the SBA charges an annual fee of 0.906%.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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MANAGEMENT’S ANNUAL REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
The management of Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting and for the assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. As defined by the SEC, internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of the Company’s principal executive and principal financial and accounting officer, and effected by the Company’s Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is supported by written policies and procedures, that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the Company’s assets; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of the Company’s management and directors; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management of the Company conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007 based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“the COSO Framework”). Based on this assessment, management has concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2007.
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors and Shareholders
Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of assets and liabilities of Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc., including the consolidated schedules of investments, as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in net assets and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included correspondence with each portfolio company. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. at December 31, 2007 and 2006, the consolidated results of its operations, the changes in its net assets and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 11, 2008 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
San Francisco, California
March 11, 2008
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors and Shareholders
Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.
We have audited Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated statements of assets and liabilities, including the consolidated schedules of investments of Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007 of Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. and our report dated March 11, 2008 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
San Francisco, California
March 11, 2008
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HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAPITAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
(in thousands, except per share data)
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2007 | 2006 | |||||||
| Assets |
||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 7,856 | $ | 16,404 | ||||
| Investments, at fair value: |
||||||||
| Non-affiliate investments (cost of $513,106 and $279,946, respectively) |
525,725 | 283,234 | ||||||
| Affiliate investments (cost of $6,344 and $0, respectively) |
4,247 | — | ||||||
| Total investments (cost of $519,450 and $279,946 respectively) |
529,972 | 283,234 | ||||||
| Deferred loan origination revenue |
(6,593 | ) | (3,451 | ) | ||||
| Interest receivable |
6,387 | 2,907 | ||||||
| Other assets |
4,321 | 2,048 | ||||||
| Total assets |
541,943 | 301,142 | ||||||
| Liabilities |
||||||||
| Accounts payable |
180 | 540 | ||||||
| Accrued liabilities |
6,776 | 4,189 | ||||||
| Short-term credit facility |
79,200 | 41,000 | ||||||
| Long-term SBA Debentures |
55,050 | — | ||||||
| Total liabilities |
141,206 | 45,729 | ||||||
| Net assets |
$ | 400,737 | $ | 255,413 | ||||
| Net assets consist of: |
||||||||
| Common Stock, par value |
$ | 33 | $ | 22 | ||||
| Capital in excess of par value |
393,530 | 257,235 | ||||||
| Deferred stock compensation |
(78 | ) | — | |||||
| Unrealized appreciation on investments |
10,129 | 2,861 | ||||||
| Accumulated realized gains on investments |
819 | (1,972 | ) | |||||
| Distributions in excess of investment income |
(3,696 | ) | (2,733 | ) | ||||
| Total net assets |
$ | 400,737 | $ | 255,413 | ||||
| Shares of common stock issued and outstanding ($0.001 par value, 60,000 authorized) |
32,541 | 21,927 | ||||||
| Net asset value per share |
$ | 12.31 | $ | 11.65 | ||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAPITAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2007
(dollars in thousands)
| Portfolio Company |
Industry |
Type of Investment(1)(6) |
Principal Amount |
Cost(2) | Value(3) | ||||||||
| Acceleron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (0.94%)*(4) |
Drug Discovery |
Senior Debt |
$ | 3,237 | $ | 3,184 | $ | 3,184 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
69 | 472 | |||||||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
35 | 109 | |||||||||||
| Acceleron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (0.45%) |
Preferred Stock |
1,243 | 1,805 | ||||||||||
| Total Acceleron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
4,531 | 5,569 | |||||||||||
| Aveo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (3.06%)(4) |
Drug Discovery |
Senior Debt |
$ | 12,078 | 11,984 | 11,984 | |||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
144 | 204 | |||||||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
46 | 74 | |||||||||||
| Total Aveo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
12,174 | 12,262 | |||||||||||
| Elixir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (3.58%)(4) |
Drug Discovery |
Senior Debt |
$ | 13,997 | 13,836 | 13,836 | |||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
217 | 510 | |||||||||||
| Total Elixir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
14,053 | 14,347 | |||||||||||
| EpiCept Corporation (1.77%)(4) |
Drug Discovery |
Senior Debt |
$ | 7,307 | 6,878 | 6,878 | |||||||
| Common Stock Warrants |
423 | 215 | |||||||||||
| Total EpiCept Corporation |
7,301 | 7,092 | |||||||||||
| Horizon Therapeutics, Inc. (0.30%)(4) |
Drug Discovery |
Senior Debt |
$ | 12,000 | 1,022 | 1,022 | |||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
179 | 179 | |||||||||||
| Total Horizon Therapeutics, Inc. |
1,201 | 1,201 | |||||||||||
| Inotek Pharmaceuticals Corp. (0.37%) |
Drug Discovery |
Preferred Stock |
1,500 | 1,500 | |||||||||
| Total Inotek Pharmaceuticals Corp. |
1,500 | 1,500 | |||||||||||
| Memory Pharmaceticals Corp. (3.48%)(4) |
Drug Discovery |
Senior Debt |
$ | 15,000 | 13,608 | 13,608 | |||||||
| Common Stock Warrants |
1,751 | 341 | |||||||||||
| Total Memory Pharmaceticals Corp. |
15,359 | 13,949 | |||||||||||
| Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (0.37%)(4) |
Drug Discovery |
Convertible Senior Debt |
$ | 1,024 | 994 | 994 | |||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
155 | 502 | |||||||||||
| Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (0.70%) |
Preferred Stock |
2,000 | 2,787 | ||||||||||
| Total Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
3,149 | 4,283 | |||||||||||
| Neosil, Inc. (1.53%) |
Drug Discovery |
Senior Debt |
$ | 6,000 | 5,936 | 5,936 | |||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
83 | 178 | |||||||||||
| Total Neosil, Inc. |
6,018 | 6,113 | |||||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements
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HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAPITAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)
December 31, 2007
(dollars in thousands)
| Portfolio Company |
Industry |
Type of Investment(1)(6) |
Principal |
Cost(2) |
Value(3) | ||||||
| Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (0.64%)(4) |
Drug Discovery |
Senior Debt |
$ | 2,587 | 2,568 | 2,568 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
137 | — | |||||||||
| Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (0.14%) |
Preferred Stock |
550 | 550 | ||||||||
| Total Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
3,255 | 3,118 | |||||||||
| Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (3.80%)(4) |
Drug Discovery |
Senior Debt |
$ | 15,000 | 14,894 | 14,894 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
152 | 351 | |||||||||
| Total Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
15,046 | 15,245 | |||||||||
| Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2.46%)(4) |
Drug Discovery |
Senior Debt |
$ | 9,079 | 9,022 | 9,022 | |||||
| Common Stock Warrants |
89 | 818 | |||||||||
| Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (0.19%) |
Common Stock |
500 | 776 | ||||||||
| Total Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
9,610 | 10,616 | |||||||||
| Total Drug Discovery (23.78%) |
93,198 | 95,294 | |||||||||
| E-band Communications, Inc. (0.50%)(6) |
Communications & Networking | Preferred Stock |
2,000 | 2,000 | |||||||
| Total E-Band Communications, Inc. |
2,000 | 2,000 | |||||||||
| IKANO Communications, Inc. (5.09%)(4) |
Communications & Networking | Senior Debt |
$ | 19,983 | 19,983 | 19,983 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
45 | 163 | |||||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
72 | 256 | |||||||||
| Total IKANO Communications, Inc. |
20,101 | 20,402 | |||||||||
| Ping Identity Corporation (0.40%)(4) |
Communications & Networking | Senior Debt |
$ | 1,630 | 1,608 | 1,608 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
52 | 10 | |||||||||
| Total Ping Identity Corporation |
1,660 | 1,619 | |||||||||
| Purcell Systems, Inc. (2.33%) |
Communications & Networking | Senior Debt |
$ | 2,224 | 3,126 | 3,126 | |||||
| Revolving Line of Credit |
$ | 7,000 | 6,000 | 6,000 | |||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
123 | 198 | |||||||||
| Total Purcell Systems, Inc. |
9,248 | 9,324 | |||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAPITAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)
December 31, 2007
(dollars in thousands)
| Portfolio Company |
Industry |
Type of Investment(1)(6) |
Principal |
Cost(2) |
Value(3) | ||||||
| Rivulet Communications, Inc. (0.83%)(4) |
Communications & Networking | Senior Debt |
$ | 3,500 | 3,272 | 3,272 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
51 | 64 | |||||||||
| Rivulet Communications, Inc. (0.06%) |
Preferred Stock |
250 | 250 | ||||||||
| Total Rivulet Communications, Inc. |
3,572 | 3,585 | |||||||||
| Seven Networks, Inc. (2.89%)(4) |
Communications & Networking | Senior Debt |
$ | 9,419 | 9,291 | 9,291 | |||||
| Revolving Line of Credit |
$ | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | |||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
174 | 296 | |||||||||
| Total Seven Networks, Inc. |
11,465 | 11,587 | |||||||||
| Simpler Networks Corp. (1.01%)(4) |
Communications & Networking | Senior Debt |
$ | 4,112 | 4,046 | 4,046 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
160 | — | |||||||||
| Simpler Networks Corp. (0.00%) |
Preferred Stock |
500 | — | ||||||||
| Total Simpler Networks Corp. |
4,706 | 4,046 | |||||||||
| Stoke, Inc. (0.57%) |
Communications & Networking | Senior Debt |
$ | 2,250 | 2,204 | 2,204 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
53 | 79 | |||||||||
| Total Stoke, Inc. |
2,257 | 2,283 | |||||||||
| Tectura Corporation (5.26%)(4) |
Communications & Networking | Senior Debt |
$ | 9,051 | 9,007 | 9,007 | |||||
| Revolving Line of Credit |
$ | 12,000 | 12,000 | 12,000 | |||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
51 | 82 | |||||||||
| Total Tectura Corporation |
21,059 | 21,090 | |||||||||
| Teleflip, Inc. (0.25%) |
Communications & Networking | Senior Debt |
$ | 1,000 | 992 | 992 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
11 | 9 | |||||||||
| Total Teleflip, Inc. |
1,002 | 1,001 | |||||||||
| Wireless Channels, Inc. (3.02%) |
Communications & Networking | Senior Debt -Second Lien |
$ | 11,949 | 1,719 | 1,719 | |||||
| Senior Debt -Second Lien |
$ | 10,118 | 10,118 | 10,118 | |||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
155 | 241 | |||||||||
| Total Wireless Channels, Inc. |
11,992 | 12,078 | |||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAPITAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)
December 31, 2007
(dollars in thousands)
| Portfolio Company |
Industry |
Type of Investment(1)(6) |
Principal |
Cost(2) |
Value(3) | ||||||
| Zayo Bandwith, Inc. (6.24%)(4) |
Communications & Networking |
Senior Debt -Second Lien |
$ | 25,000 | 25,000 | 25,000 | |||||
| — | — | ||||||||||
| Total Zayo Bandwith, Inc. |
25,000 | 25,000 | |||||||||
| Total Communications & Networking (28.45%) |
114,062 | 114,014 | |||||||||
| Atrenta, Inc. (0.98%)(4) |
Software |
Senior Debt |
$ | 3,680 | 3,638 | 3,638 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
102 | 220 | |||||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
34 | 72 | |||||||||
| Atrenta, Inc. (0.06%) |
Preferred Stock |
250 | 250 | ||||||||
| Total Atrenta, Inc. |
4,024 | 4,181 | |||||||||
| Blurb, Inc. (0.63%) |
Software |
Senior Debt |
$ | 2,500 | 2,482 | 2,482 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
25 | 43 | |||||||||
| Total Blurb, Inc. |
2,507 | 2,526 | |||||||||
| Bullhorn, Inc. (0.25%)(4) |
Software |
Senior Debt |
$ | 1,000 | 959 | 959 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
43 | 41 | |||||||||
| Total Bullhorn, Inc. |
1,002 | 1,000 | |||||||||
| Cittio, Inc. (0.25%) |
Software |
Senior Debt |
$ | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | |||||
| Total Cittio, Inc. |
1,000 | 1,000 | |||||||||
| Compete, Inc. (0.63%)(4) |
Software |
Senior Debt |
$ | 2,409 | 2,384 | 2,384 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
62 | 136 | |||||||||
| Total Compete, Inc. |
2,446 | 2,520 | |||||||||
| Forescout Technologies, Inc. (0.64%)(4) |
Software |
Senior Debt |
$ | 1,998 | 1,970 | 1,970 | |||||
| Revolving Line of Credit |
$ | 500 | 500 | 500 | |||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
58 | 76 | |||||||||
| Total Forescout Technologies, Inc. |
2,528 | 2,546 | |||||||||
| GameLogic, Inc. (0.74%)(4) |
Software |
Senior Debt |
$ | 3,000 | 2,887 | 2,887 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
92 | 91 | |||||||||
| Total GameLogic, Inc. |
2,980 | 2,978 | |||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAPITAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)
December 31, 2007
(dollars in thousands)
| Portfolio Company |
Industry |
Type of Investment(1)(6) |
Principal |
Cost(2) |
Value(3) | ||||||
| Gomez, Inc. (0.15%)(4) |
Software |
Senior Debt |
$ | 98 | 98 | 98 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
35 | 512 | |||||||||
| Total Gomez, Inc. |
133 | 611 | |||||||||
| HighRoads, Inc. (0.01%)(4) |
Software |
Preferred Stock Warrants |
44 | 58 | |||||||
| Total HighRoads, Inc. |
44 | 58 | |||||||||
| Intelliden, Inc. (0.60%) |
Software |
Senior Debt |
$ | 2,360 | 2,349 | 2,349 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
18 | 60 | |||||||||
| Total Intelliden, Inc. |
2,367 | 2,409 | |||||||||
| Oatsystems, Inc. (1.08%)(4) |
Software |
Senior Debt |
$ | 4,374 | 4,336 | 4,336 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
67 | 4 | |||||||||
| Total Oatsystems, Inc. |
4,403 | 4,340 | |||||||||
| Proficiency, Inc. (0.38%)(4)(6) |
Software |
Senior Debt |
$ | 1,500 | 1,497 | 1,497 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
96 | — | |||||||||
| Proficiency, Inc. (0.19%) |
Preferred Stock |
2,750 | 750 | ||||||||
| Total Proficiency, Inc. |
4,343 | 2,247 | |||||||||
| PSS Systems, Inc. (0.89%)(4) |
Software |
Senior Debt |
$ | 3,500 | 3,463 | 3,463 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
51 | 86 | |||||||||
| Total PSS Systems, Inc. |
3,514 | 3,549 | |||||||||
| Savvion, Inc. (1.62%)(4) |
Software |
Senior Debt |
$ | 1,268 | 1,268 | 1,268 | |||||
| Revolving Line of Credit |
$ | 3,000 | 3,000 | 3,000 | |||||||
| Revolving Line of Credit |
$ | 1,985 | 1,985 | 1,985 | |||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
52 | 244 | |||||||||
| Total Savvion, Inc. |
6,305 | 6,496 | |||||||||
| Sportvision, Inc. (0.01%) |
Software |
Preferred Stock Warrants |
39 | 50 | |||||||
| Total Sportvision, Inc. |
39 | 50 | |||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAPITAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)
December 31, 2007
(dollars in thousands)
| Portfolio Company |
Industry |
Type of Investment(1)(6) |
Principal |
Cost(2) |
Value(3) | ||||||
| Talisma Corp. (0.11%)(4) |
Software |
Preferred Stock Warrants |
49 | 449 | |||||||
| Total Talisma Corp. |
49 | 449 | |||||||||
| WildTangent, Inc. (0.50%)(4) |
Software |
Senior Debt |
$ | 2,000 | 1,766 | 1,766 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
238 | 238 | |||||||||
| Total WildTangent, Inc. |
2,004 | 2,004 | |||||||||
| Total Software (9.72%) |
39,688 | 38,963 | |||||||||
| Agami Systems, Inc. (1.30%)(4) |
Electronics & Computer Hardware |
Senior Debt |
$ | 5,103 | 5,056 | 5,056 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
86 | 137 | |||||||||
| Total Agami Systems, Inc. |
5,141 | 5,193 | |||||||||
| Luminus Devices, Inc. (2.95%)(4) |
Electronics & Computer Hardware |
Senior Debt |
$ | 15,115 | 11,318 | 11,318 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
183 | 113 | |||||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
84 | 61 | |||||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
334 | 334 | |||||||||
| Total Luminus Devices, Inc. |
11,919 | 11,826 | |||||||||
| Maxvision Holding, LLC. (2.87%)(4) |
Electronics & Computer Hardware |
Senior Debt |
$ | 5,012 | 5,012 | 5,012 | |||||
| Senior Debt |
$ | 5,500 | 5,000 | 5,000 | |||||||
| Revolving Line of Credit |
$ | 972 | 1,472 | 1,472 | |||||||
| Total Maxvision Holding, LLC |
11,484 | 11,484 | |||||||||
| NetEffect, Inc. (0.61%) |
Electronics & Computer Hardware |
Senior Debt |
$ | 2,431 | 2,396 | 2,396 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
44 | 50 | |||||||||
| Total NetEffect, Inc. |
2,440 | 2,446 | |||||||||
| Shocking Technologies, Inc. (0.02%) |
Electronics & Computer Hardware |
Preferred Stock Warrants |
63 | 63 | |||||||
| Total Shocking Technologies, Inc. |
63 | 63 | |||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAPITAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)
December 31, 2007
(dollars in thousands)
| Portfolio Company |
Industry |
Type of Investment(1)(6) |
Principal |
Cost(2) |
Value(3) | ||||||
| SiCortex, Inc. (2.52%) |
Electronics & Computer Hardware |
Senior Debt |
$ | 10,000 | 9,861 | 9,861 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
164 | 230 | |||||||||
| Total SiCortex, Inc. |
10,025 | 10,091 | |||||||||
| Spatial Photonics, Inc. (0.93%)(4) |
Electronics & Computer Hardware |
Senior Debt |
$ | 3,751 | 3,623 | 3,623 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
130 | 126 | |||||||||
| Spatial Photonics, Inc. (0.12%) |
Preferred Stock |
500 | 500 | ||||||||
| Total Spatial Photonics Inc. |
4,253 | 4,249 | |||||||||
| VeriWave, Inc. (1.35%) |
Electronics & Computer Hardware |
Senior Debt |
$ | 4,250 | 5,340 | 5,340 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
54 | 85 | |||||||||
| Total VeriWave, Inc. |
5,394 | 5,425 | |||||||||
| ViDeOnline Communications, Inc. (0.04%)(4) |
Electronics & Computer Hardware |
Preferred Stock Warrants |
298 | 176 | |||||||
| Total ViDeOnline Communications, Inc. |
298 | 176 | |||||||||
| Total Electronics & Computer Hardware (12.71%) |
51,017 | 50,953 | |||||||||
| Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2.48%)(4) |
Specialty Pharmaceuticals |
Senior Debt |
$ | 9,735 | 9,682 | 9,682 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
69 | 243 | |||||||||
| Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (0.25%) |
Preferred Stock |
1,000 | 1,000 | ||||||||
| Total Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
10,752 | 10,925 | |||||||||
| Panacos Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (4.84%)(4) |
Specialty Pharmaceuticals |
Senior Debt |
$ | 20,000 | 19,270 | 19,270 | |||||
| Common Stock Warrants |
876 | 137 | |||||||||
| Panacos Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (0.04%) |
Common Stock |
410 | 158 | ||||||||
| Total Panacos Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
20,556 | 19,564 | |||||||||
| Quatrx Pharmaceuticals Company (3.60%)(4) |
Specialty Pharmaceuticals |
Senior Debt |
$ | 14,324 | 14,214 | 14,214 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
220 | 193 | |||||||||
| Quatrx Pharmaceuticals Company (0.19%) |
Preferred Stock |
750 | 750 | ||||||||
| Total Quatrx Pharmaceuticals Company |
15,184 | 15,157 | |||||||||
| Total Specialty Pharmaceuticals (11.40%) |
46,492 | 45,646 | |||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAPITAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)
December 31, 2007
(dollars in thousands)
| Portfolio Company |
Industry |
Type of Investment(1)(6) |
Principal |
Cost(2) |
Value(3) | ||||||
| BabyUniverse, Inc. (0.05%)(4) |
Consumer & Business Products |
Common Stock |
267 | 219 | |||||||
| Total BabyUniverse, Inc. |
267 | 219 | |||||||||
| Market Force Information, Inc. (0.34%)(4) |
Consumer & Business Products |
Senior Debt |
$ | 1,294 | 1,284 | 1,284 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
24 | 92 | |||||||||
| Market Force Information, Inc. (0.12%) |
Preferred Stock |
500 | 500 | ||||||||
| Total Market Force Information, Inc. |
1,807 | 1,875 | |||||||||
| Wageworks, Inc. (0.12%)(4) |
Consumer & Business Products |
Preferred Stock Warrants |
252 | 513 | |||||||
| Wageworks, Inc. (0.05%) |
Preferred Stock |
250 | 209 | ||||||||
| Total Wageworks, Inc. |
502 | 722 | |||||||||
| Total Consumer & Business Products (0.70%) |
2,576 | 2,817 | |||||||||
| Ageia Technologies, Inc. (1.25%)(4) |
Semiconductors | Senior Debt |
$ | 5,047 | 4,904 | 4,904 | |||||
| Convertible Debt |
124 | 124 | |||||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
99 | — | |||||||||
| Ageia Technologies, Inc. (0.00%) |
Preferred Stock |
500 | — | ||||||||
| Total Ageia Technologies |
5,627 | 5,028 | |||||||||
| Custom One Design, Inc. (0.26%) |
Semiconductors | Senior Debt |
$ | 1,000 | 984 | 984 | |||||
| Common Stock Warrants |
18 | 43 | |||||||||
| Total Custom One Design, Inc. |
1,002 | 1,027 | |||||||||
| iWatt Inc. (1.19%)(4) |
Semiconductors |
Senior Debt |
$ | 1,457 | 1,382 | 1,382 | |||||
| Revolving Line of Credit |
$ | 3,235 | 3,235 | 3,235 | |||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
46 | 100 | |||||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
51 | 51 | |||||||||
| Total iWatt Inc. |
4,714 | 4,769 | |||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAPITAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)
December 31, 2007
(dollars in thousands)
| Portfolio Company |
Industry |
Type of Investment(1)(6) |
Principal |
Cost(2) |
Value(3) | ||||||
| NEXX Systems, Inc. (3.26%)(4) |
Semiconductors |
Senior Debt |
$ | 4,557 | 4,438 | 4,438 | |||||
| Revolving Line of Credit |
$ | 5,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 | |||||||
| Revolving Line of Credit |
$ | 3,000 | 3,000 | 3,000 | |||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
165 | 623 | |||||||||
| Total NEXX Systems, Inc. |
12,602 | 13,061 | |||||||||
| Quartics, Inc. (0.09%)(4) |
Semiconductors |
Senior Debt |
$ | 300 | 254 | 254 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
53 | 114 | |||||||||
| Total Quartics, Inc. |
307 | 369 | |||||||||
| Solarflare Communications, Inc. (0.19%) |
Semiconductors |
Senior Debt |
$ | 625 | 553 | 553 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
83 | 194 | |||||||||
| Solarflare Communications, Inc. (0.12%) |
Preferred Stock |
500 | 500 | ||||||||
| Total Solarflare Communications, Inc. |
1,137 | 1,247 | |||||||||
| Total Semiconductors (6.36%) |
25,390 | 25,501 | |||||||||
| Labopharm USA, Inc. (3.74%)(4)(5) |
Drug Delivery |
Senior Debt |
$ | 15,000 | 14,547 | 14,547 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
458 | 454 | |||||||||
| Total Labopharm USA, Inc. |
15,006 | 15,001 | |||||||||
| Transcept Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (1.80%)(4) |
Drug Delivery |
Senior Debt |
$ | 6,993 | 6,944 | 6,944 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
36 | 107 | |||||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
51 | 173 | |||||||||
| Transcept Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (0.13%) |
Preferred Stock |
500 | 500 | ||||||||
| Total Transcept Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
7,530 | 7,724 | |||||||||
| Total Drug Delivery (5.67%) |
22,536 | 22,725 | |||||||||
| BARRX Medical, Inc. (0.19%) |
Therapeutic |
Preferred Stock |
1,500 | 758 | |||||||
| Total BARRX Medical, Inc. |
1,500 | 758 | |||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAPITAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)
December 31, 2007
(dollars in thousands)
| Portfolio Company |
Industry |
Type of Investment(1)(6) |
Principal |
Cost(2) |
Value(3) | ||||||
| EKOS Corporation (1.28%) |
Therapeutic |
Senior Debt |
$ | 5,000 | 4,707 | 4,707 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
175 | 282 | |||||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
153 | 150 | |||||||||
| Total EKOS Corporation |
5,035 | 5,139 | |||||||||
| Gynesonics, Inc. (0.01%)(4) |
Therapeutic | Preferred Stock Warrants |
18 | 40 | |||||||
| Gynesonics, Inc. (0.06%) |
Preferred Stock |
250 | 250 | ||||||||
| Total Gynesonics, Inc. |
268 | 290 | |||||||||
| Novasys Medical, Inc. (1.65%)(4) |
Therapeutic | Senior Debt |
$ | 6,609 | 6,609 | 6,609 | |||||
| Total Novasys Medical, Inc. |
6,609 | 6,609 | |||||||||
| Power Medical Interventions, Inc. (0.02%) |
Therapeutic | Common Stock Warrants |
21 | 58 | |||||||
| Total Power Medical Interventions, Inc. |
21 | 58 | |||||||||
| Total Therapeutic (3.21%) |
13,432 | 12,853 | |||||||||
| Invoke Solutions, Inc. (0.56%)(4) |
Internet Consumer & Business |
Senior Debt |
$ | 2,187 | 2,155 | 2,155 | |||||
| Services |
Preferred Stock Warrants |
56 | 73 | ||||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
11 | 10 | |||||||||
| Total Invoke Solutions, Inc. |
2,222 | 2,239 | |||||||||
| Prism Education Group Inc. (0.51%) |
Internet Consumer & Business |
Senior Debt |
$ | 2,000 | 1,964 | 1,964 | |||||
| Services | Preferred Stock Warrants |
43 | 66 | ||||||||
| Total Prism Education Group Inc. |
2,007 | 2,030 | |||||||||
| RazorGator Interactive Group, Inc. (1.17%)(4) |
Internet Consumer & Business |
Senior Debt |
$ | 1,134 | 1,119 | 1,119 | |||||
| Services | Preferred Stock Warrants |
13 | 3,203 | ||||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
28 | 362 | |||||||||
| RazorGator Interactive Group, Inc. (1.23%) |
Preferred Stock |
1,000 | 4,935 | ||||||||
| Total RazorGator Interactive Group, Inc. |
2,160 | 9,619 | |||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAPITAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)
December 31, 2007
(dollars in thousands)
| Portfolio Company |
Industry |
Type of Investment(1)(6) |
Principal |
Cost(2) |
Value(3) | ||||||
| Serious USA, Inc. (0.75%) |
Internet Consumer & Business Services | Senior Debt |
$ | 2,450 | 2,370 | 2,370 | |||||
| Revolving Line of Credit |
$ | 654 | 654 | 654 | |||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
93 | 5 | |||||||||
| Total Serious USA, Inc. |
3,118 | 3,029 | |||||||||
| Total Internet Consumer & Business Services (4.22%) |
9,507 | 16,918 | |||||||||
| Lilliputian Systems, Inc. (1.75%)(4) |
Energy | Senior Debt |
$ | 6,956 | 6,931 | 6,931 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
48 | 85 | |||||||||
| Total Lilliputian Systems, Inc. |
6,979 | 7,016 | |||||||||
| Total Energy (1.75%) |
6,979 | 7,016 | |||||||||
| Active Response Group, Inc. (2.50%) |
Information Services | Senior Debt |
$ | 10,000 | 9,885 | 9,885 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
92 | 83 | |||||||||
| Common Stock Warrants |
46 | 60 | |||||||||
| Total Active Response Group, Inc. |
10,023 | 10,028 | |||||||||
| Buzznet, Inc. (0.25%) |
Information Services | Senior Debt |
$ | 914 | 908 | 908 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
9 | 86 | |||||||||
| Buzznet, Inc. (0.06%) |
Preferred Stock |
250 | 250 | ||||||||
| Total Buzznet, Inc. |
1,167 | 1,244 | |||||||||
| hi5 Networks, Inc. (1.00%) |
Information Services | Senior Debt |
$ | 3,000 | 2,789 | 2,789 | |||||
| Revolving Line of Credit |
1,000 | 1,000 | |||||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
213 | 214 | |||||||||
| Total hi5 Networks, Inc. |
4,002 | 4,003 | |||||||||
| Jab Wireless, Inc. (0.78%) |
Information Services | Senior Debt |
|||||||||
| Interest rate 10.75% |
$ | 3,097 | 2,834 | 2,834 | |||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
265 | 266 | |||||||||
| Total Jab Wireless, Inc. |
3,098 | 3,099 | |||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAPITAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)
December 31, 2007
(dollars in thousands)
| Portfolio Company |
Industry |
Type of Investment(1)(6) |
Principal |
Cost(2) |
Value(3) | ||||||
| Solutionary, Inc. (1.78%) |
Information Services |
Senior Debt |
$ | 5,528 | 5,454 | 5,454 | |||||
| Revolving Line of Credit |
$ | 1,505 | 1,505 | 1,505 | |||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
94 | 150 | |||||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
2 | 4 | |||||||||
| Solutionary, Inc. (0.06%) |
Preferred Stock |
250 | 250 | ||||||||
| Total Solutionary, Inc. |
7,305 | 7,364 | |||||||||
| The Generation Networks, Inc. (4.12%) |
Information Services |
Senior Debt |
$ | 16,500 | 16,500 | 16,500 | |||||
| The Generation Networks, Inc. (0.12%) |
Preferred Stock |
500 | 500 | ||||||||
| Total The Generation Networks, Inc. |
17,000 | 17,000 | |||||||||
| Wallop Technologies, Inc. (0.06%) |
Information Services |
Senior Debt |
$ | 223 | 218 | 218 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
7 | 9 | |||||||||
| Total Wallop Technologies, Inc. |
225 | 226 | |||||||||
| Zeta Interactive Corporation (3.74%)(4) |
Information Services |
Senior Debt |
$ | 15,000 | 6,828 | 6,828 | |||||
| Senior Debt |
8,000 | 8,000 | |||||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
172 | 171 | |||||||||
| Zeta Interactive Corporation (0.12%) |
Preferred Stock |
500 | 500 | ||||||||
| Total Zeta Interactive Corporation |
15,500 | 15,499 | |||||||||
| Total Information Services (14.59%) |
58,320 | 58,464 | |||||||||
| Novadaq Technologies, Inc. (0.32%) |
Diagnostic |
Common Stock |
1,626 | 1,284 | |||||||
| Total Novadaq Technologies, Inc. |
1,626 | 1,284 | |||||||||
| Optiscan Biomedical, Corp. (0.08%)(4) |
Diagnostic |
Senior Debt |
$ | 271 | 263 | 263 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
80 | 47 | |||||||||
| Optiscan Biomedical, Corp. (0.18%) |
Preferred Stock |
1,000 | 722 | ||||||||
| Total Optiscan Biomedical, Corp. |
1,344 | 1,032 | |||||||||
| Total Diagnostic (0.58%) |
2,969 | 2,316 | |||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAPITAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)
December 31, 2007
(dollars in thousands)
| Portfolio Company |
Industry |
Type of Investment(1)(6) |
Principal |
Cost(2) |
Value(3) | ||||||
| Guava Technologies, Inc. (1.77%)(4) |
Biotechnology Tools | Senior Debt |
$ | 4,076 | 4,790 | 4,790 | |||||
| Convertible Debt |
250 | 250 | |||||||||
| Revolving Line of Credit |
$ | 2,598 | 1,778 | 1,778 | |||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
105 | 200 | |||||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
68 | 93 | |||||||||
| Total Guava Technologies, Inc. |
6,992 | 7,111 | |||||||||
| NuGEN Technologies, Inc. (0.53%) |
Biotechnology Tools | Senior Debt |
$ | 1,884 | 1,819 | 1,819 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
45 | 253 | |||||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
33 | 32 | |||||||||
| NuGEN Technologies, Inc. (0.12%) |
Preferred Stock |
500 | 500 | ||||||||
| Total NuGEN Technologies, Inc. |
2,396 | 2,603 | |||||||||
| Total Biotechnology Tools (2.42%) |
9,388 | 9,714 | |||||||||
| Rubicon Technology Inc. (0.69%)(4) |
Advanced Specialty Materials & Chemicals | Preferred Stock Warrants |
82 | 2,764 | |||||||
| Total Rubicon Technology Inc. |
82 | 2,764 | |||||||||
| Total Advanced Specialty Materials & Chemicals (0.69%) |
82 | 2,764 | |||||||||
| Crux Biomedical, Inc. (0.15%) |
Surgical Devices | Senior Debt |
$ | 600 | 565 | 565 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
37 | 36 | |||||||||
| Crux Biomedical, Inc. (0.06%) |
Preferred Stock |
250 | 250 | ||||||||
| Total Crux Biomedical, Inc. |
851 | 851 | |||||||||
| Diomed Holdings, Inc. (1.49%)(4) |
Surgical Devices | Senior Debt |
$ | 6,000 | 5,962 | 5,962 | |||||
| Common Stock Warrants |
43 | 8 | |||||||||
| Total Diomed Holdings, Inc. |
6,005 | 5,970 | |||||||||
| Light Science Oncology, Inc. (2.50%) |
Surgical Devices | Senior Debt |
$ | 10,000 | 9,605 | 9,605 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
395 | 394 | |||||||||
| Total Light Science Oncology, Inc. |
10,000 | 10,000 | |||||||||
| Total Surgical Devices (4.20%) |
16,857 | 16,820 | |||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAPITAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)
December 31, 2007
(dollars in thousands)
| Portfolio Company |
Industry |
Type of Investment(1) |
Principal |
Cost(2) |
Value(3) | ||||||||
| Waterfront Media Inc. (1.54%)(4) |
Media/Content/ Info |
Senior Debt |
$ | 3,941 | 3,898 | 3,898 | |||||||
| Revolving Line of Credit |
$ | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | |||||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
60 | 294 | |||||||||||
| Waterfront Media Inc. (0.25%) |
Preferred Stock |
1,000 | 1,000 | ||||||||||
| Total Waterfront Media Inc. |
6,958 | 7,193 | |||||||||||
| Total Media/Content/Info (1.79%) |
6,958 | 7,193 | |||||||||||
| Total Investments (132.24%) |
$ | 519,450 | $ | 529,972 | |||||||||
| * | Value as a percent of net assets |
| (1) | Preferred and common stock, warrants, and equity interests are generally non-income producing. |
| (2) | Gross unrealized appreciation, gross unrealized depreciation, and net appreciation for federal income tax purposes totaled $18,555, $8,033 and $10,522, respectively. |
| (3) | Except for warrants in ten publicly traded companies and common stock in four publicly traded companies, all investments are restricted at December 31, 2007 and were valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors. No unrestricted securities of the same issuer are outstanding. The Company uses the Standard Industrial Code for classifying the industry grouping of its portfolio companies. |
| (4) | Debt and warrant investments of this portfolio company have been pledged as collateral under the Credit Facility. Citigroup has an equity participation right on loans collateralized under the Credit Facility. The value of their participation right on unrealized gains in the related equity investments was approximately $690,000 at December 31, 2007 and is included in accrued liabilities and reduces the unrealized gain recognized by the Company at December 31, 2007. |
| (5) | Non-U.S. company or the company’s principal place of business is outside the United States. |
| (6) | Affiliate investment that is defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as companies in which HTGC owns as least 5% but not more than 25% of the voting securities of the company. All other investments are less than 5% owned. |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAPITAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2006
(dollars in thousands)
| Portfolio Company |
Industry |
Type of Investment(1) |
Principal |
Cost(2) |
Value(3) | ||||||||
| Acceleron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (1.74%)*(4) |
Biopharmaceuticals |
Senior Debt |
$ | 4,070 | $ | 3,988 | $ | 3,988 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
69 | 417 | |||||||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
35 | 34 | |||||||||||
| Acceleron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (0.44%) |
Preferred Stock |
1,000 | 1,111 | ||||||||||
| Total Acceleron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
5,092 | 5,550 | |||||||||||
| Aveo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (5.88%)(4) |
Biopharmaceuticals |
Senior Debt |
$ | 15,000 | 14,849 | 14,849 | |||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
144 | 115 | |||||||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
46 | 44 | |||||||||||
| Total Aveo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
15,039 | 15,008 | |||||||||||
| Elixir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (3.92%) |
Biopharmaceuticals |
Senior Debt |
$ | 10,000 | 9,858 | 9,858 | |||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
75 | 73 | |||||||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
75 | 73 | |||||||||||
| Total Elixir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
10,007 | 10,004 | |||||||||||
| EpiCept Corporation (3.84%) |
Biopharmaceuticals |
Senior Debt |
$ | 10,000 | 9,313 | 9,313 | |||||||
| Common Stock Warrants |
795 | 508 | |||||||||||
| Total EpiCept Corporation |
10,107 | 9,820 | |||||||||||
| Guava Technologies, Inc. (2.26%)(4) |
Biopharmaceuticals |
Senior Debt |
$ | 5,266 | 5,194 | 5,194 | |||||||
| Revolving Line of Credit |
$ | 500 | 500 | 500 | |||||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
105 | 84 | |||||||||||
| Total Guava Technologies, Inc. |
5,799 | 5,778 | |||||||||||
| Labopharm USA, Inc. (2.58%)(4)(5) |
Biopharmaceuticals |
Senior Debt |
$ | 6,675 | 6,599 | 6,599 | |||||||
| Total Labopharm USA, Inc. |
6,599 | 6,599 | |||||||||||
| Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2.61%)(4) |
Biopharmaceuticals |
Convertible Senior Debt |
$ | 6,043 | 5,968 | 6,255 | |||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
155 | 409 | |||||||||||
| Total Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
6,123 | 6,664 | |||||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAPITAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)
December 31, 2006
(dollars in thousands)
| Portfolio Company |
Industry |
Type of Investment(1) |
Principal |
Cost(2) |
Value(3) | ||||||
| Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2.62%)(4) |
Biopharmaceuticals |
Senior Debt |
$ | 6,652 | 6,587 | 6,587 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
137 | 111 | |||||||||
| Total Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
6,724 | 6,697 | |||||||||
| Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (4.41%) |
Biopharmaceuticals |
Senior Debt |
$ | 11,250 | 11,146 | 11,146 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
114 | 107 | |||||||||
| Total Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
11,259 | 11,253 | |||||||||
| Quatrx Pharmaceuticals Company (7.05%)(4) |
Biopharmaceuticals |
Senior Debt |
$ | 18,000 | 17,835 | 17,835 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
220 | 180 | |||||||||
| Total Quatrx Pharmaceuticals Company |
18,055 | 18,014 | |||||||||
| Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (3.91%)(4) |
Biopharmaceuticals |
Senior Debt |
$ | 10,000 | 9,924 | 9,924 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
89 | 71 | |||||||||
| Total Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
10,013 | 9,995 | |||||||||
| TransOral Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (3.92%)(4) |
Biopharmaceuticals |
Senior Debt |
$ | 10,000 | 9,922 | 9,922 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
36 | 28 | |||||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
51 | 51 | |||||||||
| Total TransOral Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
10,009 | 10,001 | |||||||||
| Total Biopharmaceuticals (45.18%) |
114,827 | 115,384 | |||||||||
| Atrenta, Inc. (2.03%)(4) |
Software |
Senior Debt |
$ | 5,000 | 4,929 | 4,929 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
102 | 200 | |||||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
34 | 66 | |||||||||
| Atrenta, Inc. (0.10%) |
Preferred Stock |
250 | 250 | ||||||||
| Total Atrenta, Inc. |
5,315 | 5,445 | |||||||||
| Blurb, Inc. (0.10%) |
Software |
Senior Debt |
$ | 250 | 237 | 237 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
13 | 13 | |||||||||
| Total Blurb, Inc. |
250 | 250 | |||||||||
| Compete, Inc. (1.52%)(4) |
Software |
Senior Debt |
$ | 3,884 | 3,839 | 3,839 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
62 | 49 | |||||||||
| Total Compete, Inc. |
3,901 | 3,888 | |||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAPITAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)
December 31, 2006
(dollars in thousands)
| Portfolio Company |
Industry |
Type of Investment(1) |
Principal |
Cost(2) |
Value(3) | ||||||
| Forescout Technologies, Inc. (0.78%) |
Software |
Senior Debt |
$ | 2,000 | 1,951 | 1,951 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
56 | 51 | |||||||||
| Total Forescout Technologies, Inc. |
2,006 | 2,001 | |||||||||
| GameLogic, Inc. (1.17%)(4) |
Software |
Senior Debt |
$ | 3,000 | 2,957 | 2,957 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
53 | 42 | |||||||||
| Total GameLogic, Inc. |
3,010 | 2,999 | |||||||||
| Gomez, Inc. (0.48%)(4) |
Software |
Senior Debt |
$ | 1,213 | 1,202 | 1,202 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
35 | 19 | |||||||||
| Total Gomez, Inc. |
1,237 | 1,221 | |||||||||
| HighRoads, Inc. (0.77%)(4) |
Software |
Senior Debt |
$ | 1,955 | 1,924 | 1,924 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
44 | 35 | |||||||||
| Total HighRoads, Inc. |
1,968 | 1,959 | |||||||||
| Intelliden, Inc. (1.17%) |
Software |
Senior Debt |
$ | 3,000 | 2,984 | 2,984 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
18 | 17 | |||||||||
| Total Intelliden, Inc. |
3,002 | 3,001 | |||||||||
| Inxight Software, Inc. (1.60%)(4) |
Software |
Senior Debt |
$ | 4,074 | 4,051 | 4,051 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
56 | 30 | |||||||||
| Total Inxight Software, Inc. |
4,107 | 4,081 | |||||||||
| Oatsystems, Inc. (2.36%)(4) |
Software |
Senior Debt |
$ | 6,000 | 5,973 | 5,973 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
34 | 27 | |||||||||
| Total Oatsystems, Inc. |
6,007 | 6,000 | |||||||||
| Proficiency, Inc. (1.43%)(5) |
Software |
Senior Debt |
$ | 4,000 | 3,952 | 3,548 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
96 | 116 | |||||||||
| Total Proficiency, Inc. |
4,048 | 3,664 | |||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAPITAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)
December 31, 2006
(dollars in thousands)
| Portfolio Company |
Industry |
Type of Investment(1) |
Principal |
Cost(2) |
Value(3) | ||||||
| Savvion, Inc. (1.58%)(4) |
Software |
Senior Debt |
$ | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | |||||
| Revolving Line of Credit |
$ | 3,000 | 2,991 | 2,991 | |||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
52 | 42 | |||||||||
| Total Savvion, Inc. |
4,043 | 4,033 | |||||||||
| Sportvision, Inc. (0.01%) |
Software |
Preferred Stock Warrants |
39 | 30 | |||||||
| Total Sportvision, Inc. |
39 | 30 | |||||||||
| Talisma Corp. (0.74%)(4) |
Software |
Subordinated Debt |
$ | 1,874 | 1,859 | 1,859 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
49 | 25 | |||||||||
| Total Talisma Corp. |
1,908 | 1,884 | |||||||||
| Total Software (15.84%) |
40,842 | 40,457 | |||||||||
| BabyUniverse, Inc. (1.90%)(4) |
Consumer & Business Products | Senior Debt |
$ | 5,000 | 4,729 | 4,729 | |||||
| Common Stock Warrants |
325 | 146 | |||||||||
| Total BabyUniverse, Inc. |
5,054 | 4,875 | |||||||||
| Market Force Information, Inc. (0.70%)(4) |
Consumer & Business Products | Senior Debt |
$ | 1,777 | 1,760 | 1,760 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
24 | 19 | |||||||||
| Total Market Force Information, Inc. |
1,783 | 1,779 | |||||||||
| Wageworks, Inc. (5.89%)(4) |
Consumer & Business Products | Senior Debt |
$ | 14,036 | 13,904 | 13,904 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
252 | 1,141 | |||||||||
| Wageworks, Inc. (0.10%) |
Preferred Stock |
250 | 250 | ||||||||
| Total Wageworks, Inc. |
14,406 | 15,295 | |||||||||
| Total Consumer & Business Products (8.59%) |
21,244 | 21,949 | |||||||||
| IKANO Communications, Inc. (0.03%) |
Communications |
Preferred Stock Warrants |
45 | 33 | |||||||
| & Networking |
Preferred Stock Warrants |
72 | 56 | ||||||||
| Total IKANO Communications, Inc. |
118 | 89 | |||||||||
| Interwise, Inc. (0.83%)(4) |
Communications & Networking | Senior Debt |
$ | 2,095 | 1,870 | 1,870 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
268 | 245 | |||||||||
| Total Interwise, Inc. |
2,138 | 2,114 | |||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAPITAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)
December 31, 2006
(dollars in thousands)
| Portfolio Company |
Industry |
Type of Investment(1) |
Principal |
Cost(2) |
Value(3) | ||||||
| Pathfire, Inc. (1.84%)(4) |
Communications & Networking | Senior Debt |
$ | 4,713 | 4,673 | 4,673 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
63 | 17 | |||||||||
| Total Pathfire, Inc. |
4,736 | 4,690 | |||||||||
| Ping Identity Corporation (1.05%)(4) |
Communications & Networking | Senior Debt |
$ | 2,569 | 2,531 | 2,531 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
52 | 161 | |||||||||
| Total Ping Identity Corporation |
2,583 | 2,691 | |||||||||
| Rivulet Communications, Inc. (1.37%)(4) |
Communications & Networking | Senior Debt |
$ | 3,500 | 3,460 | 3,460 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
51 | 40 | |||||||||
| Rivulet Communications, Inc. (0.10%) |
Preferred Stock |
250 | 250 | ||||||||
| Total Rivulet Communications, Inc. |
3,761 | 3,750 | |||||||||
| Simpler Networks Corp. (2.20%)(4) |
Communications & Networking | Senior Debt |
$ | 5,000 | 4,887 | 4,887 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
160 | 743 | |||||||||
| Simpler Networks Corp. (0.20%) |
Preferred Stock |
500 | 500 | ||||||||
| Total Simpler Networks Corp. |
5,547 | 6,129 | |||||||||
| Total Communications & Networking (7.62%) |
18,882 | 19,464 | |||||||||
| Adiana, Inc. (0.53%)(4) |
Medical Devices & Equipment | Senior Debt |
$ | 1,347 | 1,313 | 1,313 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
67 | 52 | |||||||||
| Adiana, Inc. (0.20%) |
Preferred Stock |
500 | 500 | ||||||||
| Total Adiana, Inc. |
1,880 | 1,865 | |||||||||
| BARRX Medical, Inc. (0.59%) |
Medical Devices & Equipment |
Preferred Stock |
1,500 | 1,500 | |||||||
| Total BARRX Medical, Inc. |
1,500 | 1,500 | |||||||||
| Gynesonics, Inc. (0.80%) |
Medical Devices & Equipment | Senior Debt |
$ | 2,000 | 1,986 | 1,986 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
18 | 55 | |||||||||
| Total Gynesonics, Inc. |
2,004 | 2,041 | |||||||||
| Novasys Medical, Inc. (3.13%)(4) |
Medical Devices & Equipment | Senior Debt |
$ | 8,000 | 8,000 | 8,000 | |||||
| Total Novasys Medical, Inc. |
8,000 | 8,000 | |||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAPITAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)
December 31, 2006
(dollars in thousands)
| Portfolio Company |
Industry |
Type of Investment(1) |
Principal |
Cost(2) |
Value(3) | ||||||
| Optiscan Biomedical, Corp. (0.40%)(4) |
Medical Devices & Equipment | Senior Debt |
$ | 1,006 | 967 | 967 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
80 | 64 | |||||||||
| Optiscan Biomedical, Corp. (0.39%) |
Preferred Stock |
1,000 | 1,000 | ||||||||
| Total Optiscan Biomedical, Corp. |
2,048 | 2,032 | |||||||||
| Power Medical Interventions, Inc. (0.01%) |
Medical Devices & Equipment | Common Stock Warrants |
21 | 30 | |||||||
| Total Power Medical Interventions, Inc. |
21 | 30 | |||||||||
| Xillix Technologies Corp. (1.53%)(4)(5)(6) |
Medical Devices & Equipment | Senior Debt |
$ | 3,976 | 3,775 | 3,775 | |||||
| Common Stock Warrants |
313 | 122 | |||||||||
| Total Xillix Technologies Corp. |
4,089 | 3,898 | |||||||||
| Total Medical Devices & Equipment (7.58%) |
19,541 | 19,366 | |||||||||
| Hedgestreet, Inc. (1.67%)(4) |
Internet Consumer & Business | Senior Debt |
$ | 4,264 | 4,227 | 4,227 | |||||
| Services |
Preferred Stock Warrants |
55 | 45 | ||||||||
| Total Hedgestreet, Inc. |
4,282 | 4,272 | |||||||||
| Invoke Solutions, Inc. (0.97%)(4) |
Internet Consumer & Business | Senior Debt |
$ | 2,467 | 2,439 | 2,439 | |||||
| Services |
Preferred Stock Warrants |
44 | 36 | ||||||||
| Total Total Invoke Solutions, Inc. |
2,482 | 2,474 | |||||||||
| RazorGator Interactive Group, Inc. (1.25%)(4) |
Internet Consumer & Business | Senior Debt |
$ | 2,638 | 2,633 | 2,633 | |||||
| Services |
Preferred Stock Warrants |
13 | 570 | ||||||||
| RazorGator Interactive Group, Inc. (0.67%) |
Preferred Stock |
1,000 | 1,708 | ||||||||
| Total RazorGator Interactive Group, Inc. |
3,646 | 4,911 | |||||||||
| Total Internet Consumer & Business Services (4.56%) |
10,410 | 11,657 | |||||||||
| Agami Systems, Inc. (2.75%)(4) |
Electronics & Computer Hardware | Senior Debt |
$ | 7,000 | 6,924 | 6,924 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
86 | 79 | |||||||||
| Total Agami Systems, Inc. |
7,010 | 7,003 | |||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAPITAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)
December 31, 2006
(dollars in thousands)
| Portfolio Company |
Industry |
Type of Investment(1) |
Principal |
Cost(2) |
Value(3) | ||||||
| Cornice, Inc. (1.44%)(4) |
Electronics & Computer Hardware | Senior Debt |
$ | 3,525 | 3,460 | 3,460 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
102 | 80 | |||||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
35 | 28 | |||||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
135 | 107 | |||||||||
| Total Cornice, Inc. |
3,732 | 3,674 | |||||||||
| Luminus Devices, Inc. (5.88%)(4) |
Electronics & Computer Hardware | Senior Debt |
$ | 15,000 | 14,766 | 14,766 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
183 | 161 | |||||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
84 | 83 | |||||||||
| Total Luminus Devices, Inc. |
15,032 | 15,010 | |||||||||
| NeoScale Systems, Inc. (1.17%)(4) |
Electronics & Computer Hardware | Senior Debt |
$ | 3,000 | 2,978 | 2,978 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
24 | 23 | |||||||||
| Total NeoScale Systems, Inc. |
3,002 | 3,001 | |||||||||
| Sling Media, Inc. (0.56%) |
Electronics & Computer Hardware | Preferred Stock Warrants |
39 | 937 | |||||||
| Preferred Stock |
500 | 500 | |||||||||
| Total Sling Media, Inc. |
539 | 1,437 | |||||||||
| ViDeOnline Communications, Inc. (0.18%)(4) |
Electronics & Computer Hardware | Senior Debt |
$ | 461 | 461 | 461 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
— | — | |||||||||
| Total ViDeOnline Communications, Inc. |
461 | 461 | |||||||||
| Total Electronics & Computer Hardware (11.98%) |
29,776 | 30,586 | |||||||||
| Ageia Technologies, Inc. (2.76%)(4) |
Semiconductors |
Senior Debt |
$ | 7,028 | 6,975 | 6,975 | |||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
99 | 74 | |||||||||
| Ageia Technologies, Inc. (0.20%) |
Preferred Stock |
500 | 500 | ||||||||
| Total Ageia Technologies |
7,575 | 7,549 | |||||||||
| Cradle Technologies (0.02%) |
Semiconductors |
Preferred Stock Warrants |
79 | 64 | |||||||
| Total Cradle Technologies |
79 | 64 | |||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAPITAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)
December 31, 2006
(dollars in thousands)
| Portfolio Company |
Industry |
Type of Investment(1) |
Principal |
Cost(2) |
Value(3) | ||||||||
| iWatt Inc. (1.27%)(4) |
Semiconductors |
Senior Debt |
$ | 2,000 | 1,960 | 1,960 | |||||||
| Revolving Line of Credit |
$ | 1,250 | 1,250 | 1,250 | |||||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
46 | 41 | |||||||||||
| Total iWatt Inc. |
3,255 | 3,251 | |||||||||||
| NEXX Systems, Inc. (1.96%)(4) |
Semiconductors |
Senior Debt |
$ | 4,000 | 3,919 | 3,919 | |||||||
| Revolving Line of Credit |
$ | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | |||||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
83 | 84 | |||||||||||
| Total NEXX Systems, Inc. |
5,002 | 5,003 | |||||||||||
| Total Semiconductors (6.21%) |
15,911 | 15,867 | |||||||||||
| Lilliputian Systems, Inc. (3.33%)(4) |
Energy |
Senior Debt |
$ | 8,500 | 8,463 | 8,463 | |||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
48 | 40 | |||||||||||
| Total Lilliputian Systems, Inc. |
8,512 | 8,503 | |||||||||||
| Total Energy (3.33%) |
8,512 | 8,503 | |||||||||||
| Total Investments (110.89%) |
$ | 279,946 | $ | 283,234 | |||||||||
| * | Value as a percent of net assets |
| (1) | Preferred and common stock, warrants, and equity interests are generally non-income producing. |
| (2) | Gross unrealized appreciation, gross unrealized depreciation, and net appreciation totaled $4,919,518, $1,632,232 and $3,287,286, respectively. |
| (3) | Except for warrants in three publicly traded companies, all investments are restricted at December 31, 2006 and were valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors. No unrestricted securities of the same issuer are outstanding. The Company uses the Standard Industrial Code for classifying the industry grouping of its portfolio companies. |
| (4) | Debt and warrant investments of this portfolio company have been pledged as collateral under the Citigroup Facility. Citigroup has an equity participation right on loans collateralized under the Citigroup Facility. The value of their participation right on unrealized gains in the related equity investments was approximately $377,000 at December 31, 2006 and is included in accrued liabilities and reduces the unrealized gain recognized by the Company at December 31, 2006. |
| (5) | Non-U.S. company or the company’s principal place of business is outside the United States. |
| (6) | Debt is on non-accrual status at December 31, 2006, and is therefore considered non-income producing. |
| (7) | All investments are less than 5% owned. |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAPITAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share data)
| For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | |||||||||
| Investment income: |
|||||||||||
| Interest |
$ | 48,757 | $ | 26,278 | $ | 9,791 | |||||
| Fees |
5,127 | 3,230 | 876 | ||||||||
| Total investment income |
53,884 | 29,508 | 10,667 | ||||||||
| Operating expenses: |
|||||||||||
| Interest |
4,404 | 5,770 | 1,801 | ||||||||
| Loan fees |
1,290 | 810 | 1,098 | ||||||||
| General and administrative |
5,437 | 5,409 | 2,285 | ||||||||
| Employee Compensation: |
|||||||||||
| Compensation and benefits |
9,135 | 5,779 | 3,706 | ||||||||
| Stock-based compensation |
1,127 | 617 | 252 | ||||||||
| Total employee compensation |
10,262 | 6,396 | 3,958 | ||||||||
| Total operating expenses |
21,393 | 18,385 | 9,142 | ||||||||
| Net investment income before provision for income taxes and investment gains and losses |
32,491 | 11,123 | 1,525 | ||||||||
| Provision for income taxes |
2 | 643 | 255 | ||||||||
| Net investment income |
32,489 | 10,480 | 1,270 | ||||||||
| Net realized gains (losses) on investments |
2,791 | (1,604 | ) | 482 | |||||||
| Provision for excise tax |
(139 | ) | — | — | |||||||
| Net increase in unrealized appreciation on investments |
7,268 | 2,508 | 353 | ||||||||
| Net realized and unrealized gain |
9,920 | 904 | 835 | ||||||||
| Net increase in net assets resulting from operations |
$ | 42,409 | $ | 11,384 | $ | 2,105 | |||||
| Net investment income before provision for income taxes and investment gains and losses per common share: |
|||||||||||
| Basic |
$ | 1.15 | $ | 0.83 | $ | 0.22 | |||||
| Diluted |
$ | 1.14 | $ | 0.82 | $ | 0.22 | |||||
| Change in net assets per common share: |
|||||||||||
| Basic |
$ | 1.50 | $ | 0.85 | $ | 0.30 | |||||
| Diluted |
$ | 1.49 | $ | 0.84 | $ | 0.30 | |||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding |
|||||||||||
| Basic |
28,295 | 13,352 | 6,939 | ||||||||
| Diluted |
28,387 | 13,527 | 7,016 | ||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAPITAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
(in thousands)
| Common Stock | Capital in excess of par value |
Deferred Stock Compensation |
Net Unrealized Appreciation on Investments |
Net Accumulated Realized Gains (Losses) on Investments |
Net Distributions in Excess of Investment Income |
Provision for Income Taxes Investment Gains |
Net Assets |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Par Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at January 1, 2005 |
2,059 | 2 | $ | 27,118 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (2,042 | ) | $ | — | $ | 25,078 | |||||||||||||||
| Net increase in net assets resulting from operations |
— | — | — | — | 353 | 482 | 1,270 | — | 2,105 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs |
268 | — | 3,870 | — | — | — | — | — | 3,870 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of stock in lieu of 5 year warrants |
299 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of stock on exercise of 1 year warrants |
1,176 | 2 | 12,429 | — | — | — | — | — | 12,431 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock in IPO, net of offering costs |
6,000 | 6 | 70,856 | — | — | — | — | — | 70,862 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends declared |
— | — | — | — | — | — | (245 | ) | — | (245 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation |
— | — | 252 | — | — | — | — | — | 252 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2005 |
9,802 | 10 | 114,525 | — | 353 | 482 | (1,017 | ) | — | 114,353 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net increase in net assets resulting from operations |
— | — | — | — | 2,508 | (1,604 | ) | 10,480 | — | 11,384 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock |
456 | 1 | 5,288 | — | — | — | — | — | 5,289 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock in Rights Offering, net of offering costs |
3,412 | 3 | 33,826 | — | — | — | — | — | 33,829 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common shares in Public Offerings, net of offering costs |
8,200 | 8 | 104,171 | — | — | — | — | — | 104,179 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock under dividend reinvestment plan |
57 | — | 723 | — | — | — | — | — | 723 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends declared |
— | — | (1,719 | ) | — | — | — | (13,243 | ) | — | (14,962 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Conversion to a regulated investment company and other tax items |
— | — | (197 | ) | — | — | (850 | ) | 1,047 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation |
— | — | 618 | — | — | — | — | — | 618 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2006 |
21,927 | 22 | 257,235 | — | 2,861 | (1,972 | ) | (2,732 | ) | — | 255,413 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net increase in net assets resulting from operations |
— | — | — | — | 7,268 | 2,791 | 32,488 | (139 | ) | 42,409 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock |
26 | — | 371 | — | — | — | — | — | 371 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock in public offerings, net of offering costs |
10,040 | 11 | 128,331 | — | — | — | — | — | 128,342 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock from warrant exercises |
291 | — | 3,071 | — | — | — | — | — | 3,071 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock under dividend reinvestment plan |
250 | — | 3,304 | — | — | — | — | — | 3,304 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock under restricted stock plan |
7 | — | 91 | (91 | ) | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends declared |
— | — | — | — | — | — | (33,313 | ) | — | (33,313 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation |
— | — | 1,127 | 13 | — | — | — | — | 1,140 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2007 |
32,541 | $ | 33 | $ | 393,530 | $ | (78 | ) | $ | 10,129 | $ | 819 | $ | (3,557 | ) | $ | (139 | ) | $ | 400,737 | ||||||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAPITAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
| For the Years Ended December 31, |
||||||||||||
| 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | ||||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: |
||||||||||||
| Net increase in net assets resulting from operations |
$ | 42,409 | $ | 11,384 | $ | 2,105 | ||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash used in operating activities: |
||||||||||||
| Purchase of investments |
(368,118 | ) | (195,988 | ) | (177,834 | ) | ||||||
| Principal payments received on investments |
128,683 | 87,539 | 18,823 | |||||||||
| Proceeds from sale of investments |
5,966 | 4,588 | 531 | |||||||||
| Net unrealized appreciation on investments |
(7,268 | ) | (2,508 | ) | (353 | ) | ||||||
| Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments due to lender |
(82 | ) | 34 | (342 | ) | |||||||
| Net realized (gains) losses on investments |
(2,791 | ) | 1,604 | (482 | ) | |||||||
| Accretion of paid-in-kind principal |
(321 | ) | — | — | ||||||||
| Accretion of loan discounts |
(2,115 | ) | (1,795 | ) | (359 | ) | ||||||
| Accretion of loan exit fees |
(974 | ) | (597 | ) | (351 | ) | ||||||
| Depreciation |
204 | 65 | 24 | |||||||||
| Stock-based compensation |
1,127 | 618 | 252 | |||||||||
| Amortization of restricted stock |
13 | — | — | |||||||||
| Common stock issued in lieu of Director compensation |
371 | 289 | — | |||||||||
| Amortization of deferred loan origination revenue |
(3,016 | ) | (2,356 | ) | (790 | ) | ||||||
| Change in operating assets and liabilities: |
||||||||||||
| Interest receivable |
(2,506 | ) | (830 | ) | (1,048 | ) | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other assets |
(421 | ) | 806 | (1,290 | ) | |||||||
| Income tax receivable |
34 | (34 | ) | — | ||||||||
| Deferred tax asset |
— | 1,454 | (1,454 | ) | ||||||||
| Accounts payable |
(360 | ) | 390 | 148 | ||||||||
| Income tax payable |
139 | (1,709 | ) | 1,709 | ||||||||
| Accrued liabilities |
1,758 | 2,718 | 1,284 | |||||||||
| Deferred loan origination revenue |
6,158 | 3,077 | 3,277 | |||||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities |
(201,110 | ) | (91,251 | ) | (156,150 | ) | ||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: |
||||||||||||
| Purchases of capital equipment |
(181 | ) | (817 | ) | (66 | ) | ||||||
| Other long-term assets |
215 | (660 | ) | (18 | ) | |||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
34 | (1,477 | ) | (84 | ) | |||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: |
||||||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net |
131,413 | 143,009 | 87,163 | |||||||||
| Dividends paid |
(30,009 | ) | (14,239 | ) | (245 | ) | ||||||
| Borrowings of credit facilities |
246,550 | 50,000 | 76,000 | |||||||||
| Repayments of credit facilities |
(153,300 | ) | (85,000 | ) | — | |||||||
| Fees paid for credit facilities and debentures |
(2,126 | ) | — | — | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities |
192,528 | 93,770 | 162,918 | |||||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash |
(8,548 | ) | 1,042 | 6,684 | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
16,404 | 15,362 | 8,678 | |||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
$ | 7,856 | $ | 16,404 | $ | 15,362 | ||||||
| Supplemental Disclosure: |
||||||||||||
| Interest paid |
$ | 2,812 | $ | 5,661 | $ | 1,704 | ||||||
| Income taxes paid |
2 | 933 | — | |||||||||
| Stock issued under dividend reinvestment plan |
3,304 | 723 | — | |||||||||
| Restricted stock issued to Board of Direcotrs |
91 | — | — | |||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAPITAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. (the “Company”) is a specialty finance company that provides debt and equity growth capital to technology-related and life-science companies at all stages of development from seed and emerging growth to expansion and established stages of development, including expanding into select publicly listed companies and lower middle market companies. The Company sources its investments through its principal office located in Silicon Valley, as well as through its additional offices in the Boston, Massachusetts, Boulder, Colorado, Chicago, Illinois, San Diego, California and Columbus, Ohio areas. The Company was incorporated under the General Corporation Law of the State of Maryland in December 2003. The Company commenced operations on February 2, 2004 and commenced investment activities in September 2004.
The Company is an internally managed, non-diversified closed-end investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). From incorporation through December 31, 2005, the Company was taxed as a corporation under Subchapter C of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, (the “Code”). Effective January 1, 2006, the Company has elected to be treated for tax purposes as a regulated investment company, or RIC, under the Code (see Note 4).
The Company formed Hercules Technology II, L.P. (“HT II”), which was licensed on September 27, 2006, to operate as a Small Business Investment Company (“SBIC”) under the authority of the Small Business Administration (“SBA”). As an SBIC, the Fund is subject to a variety of regulations concerning, among other things, the size and nature of the companies in which it may invest and the structure of those investments. The Company also formed Hercules Technology SBIC Management, LLC (“HTM”), a limited liability company. HTM is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The Company is the sole limited partner of HT II and HTM is the general partner (see Note 3).
In December 2006, the Company established Hydra Management LLC and Hydra Management Co. Inc., a general partner and investment management group, respectively, should it determine in the future to pursue a relationship with an externally managed fund. These entities are currently inactive.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Company does not consolidate portfolio company investments.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Use of Estimates
The accompanying consolidated financial statements are presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. This requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts and disclosures reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Such estimates and assumptions could change in the future as more information becomes known, and actual results could differ from those estimates.
Valuation of Investments
All investments are recorded at fair value with any changes in fair value recognized in the statement of consolidated operations as net increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation. Value is defined in Section 2(a)(41)
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of the 1940 Act, as (i) the market price for those securities for which a market quotation is readily available and (ii) for all other securities and assets, fair value is as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors. Because the Company invests primarily in structured mezzanine debt investments (“debt”) and equity growth capital (“equity”) of privately-held technology-related and life-science companies backed by leading venture capital and private equity firms, the Company values substantially all of its investments at fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors in accordance with established valuation policies and consistently applied procedures and the recommendations of the Valuation Committee of the Board of Directors. At December 31, 2007, approximately 98% of the Company’s total assets represented investments in portfolio companies of which greater than 99% are valued at fair value by the Board of Directors.
Estimating fair value requires that judgment be applied to the specific facts and circumstances of each portfolio investment. Fair value is the amount for which an investment could be exchanged in an orderly disposition over a reasonable period of time between willing parties other than in a forced or liquidation sale. Due to the inherent uncertainty in the valuation of debt and equity investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value established in good faith by the Board of Directors may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the securities existed, and the differences could be material. In addition, changes in the market environment and other events that may occur over the life of the investments may cause the gains or losses ultimately realized on these investments to be different than the valuations currently assigned.
When originating a debt instrument, the Company generally receives warrants or other equity-related securities from the borrower. The Company determines the cost basis of the warrants or other equity-related securities received based upon their respective fair values on the date of receipt in proportion to the total fair value of the debt and warrants or other equity-related securities received. Any resulting discount on the loan from recordation of the warrant or other equity instruments is accreted into interest income over the life of the loan.
At each reporting date, privately held debt and equity securities are valued based on an analysis of various factors including, but not limited to, the portfolio company’s operating performance and financial condition and general market conditions that could impact the valuation. When an external event occurs, such as a purchase transaction, public offering, or subsequent equity sale, the pricing indicated by that external event is utilized to corroborate the Company’s valuation of the debt and equity securities. The Company periodically reviews the valuation of its portfolio companies that have not been involved in a qualifying external event to determine if the enterprise value of the portfolio company may have increased or decreased since the last valuation measurement date. The Company may consider, but is not limited to, industry valuation methods such as price to enterprise value or price to equity ratios, discounted cash flow, valuation comparisons to comparable public companies or other industry benchmarks in its evaluation of the fair value of its investment.
An unrealized loss is recorded when an investment has decreased in value, including: where collection of a loan is doubtful, there is an adverse change in the underlying collateral or operational performance, there is a change in the borrower’s ability to pay, or there are other factors that lead to a determination of a lower valuation for the debt or equity security. Conversely, unrealized appreciation is recorded when the investment has appreciated in value. Securities that are traded in the over the counter markets or on a stock exchange will be valued at the prevailing bid price at period end. The Board of Directors estimates the fair value of warrants and other equity-related securities in good faith using a Black-Scholes pricing model and consideration of the issuer’s earnings, sales to third parties of similar securities, the comparison to publicly traded securities, and other factors.
As required by the 1940 Act, the Company classifies its investments by level of control. “Control Investments” are defined in the 1940 Act as investments in those companies that the Company is deemed to “Control.” Generally, under the 1940 Act, the Company is deemed to “Control” a company in which it has invested if it owns 25% or more of the voting securities of such company or has greater than 50% representation on its board. “Affiliate Investments” are investments in those companies that are “Affiliated Companies” of the
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Company, as defined in the 1940 Act, which are not Control Investments. The Company is deemed to be an “Affiliate” of a company in which it has invested if it owns 5% or more but less than 25% of the voting securities of such company. “Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Investments” are those investments that are neither Control Investments nor Affiliate Investments. At December 31, 2006, all of the Company’s investments were in Non-Control/Non-Affiliate companies.
At December 31, 2007, the Company had investments in two portfolio companies deemed to be Affiliates. One investment is a non income producing equity investment and one portfolio company became an Affiliate on December 17, 2007 upon a restructure of the company. Income derived from these investments was less than $8,000 since these investments became Affiliates. At December 31, 2006, none of the Company’s investments were deemed to be Affiliates. No realized gains or losses related to Affiliates were recognized during the years end December 31, 2007, 2006 or 2005.
Security transactions are recorded on the trade-date basis.
Income Recognition
Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis to the extent it is expected to be collected, and is recognized as earned in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement to the extent that such amounts are expected to be collected. Original Issue Discount (“OID”), initially represents the estimated fair value of detachable equity warrants obtained in conjunction with the acquisition of debt securities and is accreted into interest income over the term of the loan as a yield enhancement. When a loan becomes 90 days or more past due, or if management otherwise does not expect the portfolio company to be able to service its debt and other obligations, the Company will, as a general matter, place the loan on non-accrual status and cease recognizing interest income on that loan until all principal has been paid. However, Hercules may make exceptions to this policy if the investment has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection. There were no loans on non-accrual status as of December 31, 2007, and as of December 31, 2006, the Company had one loan on non-accrual status with a fair value of approximately $3.8 million.
Contractual paid-in-kind (“PIK”) interest, which represents contractually deferred interest added to the loan balance that is generally due at the end of the loan term, is generally recorded on the accrual basis to the extent such amounts are expected to be collected. The Company will generally cease accruing PIK interest if there is insufficient value to support the accrual or if it does not expect the portfolio company to be able to pay all principal and interest due. To maintain its status as a RIC, PIK income must be paid out to stockholders in the form of dividends even though the Company has not yet collected the cash. Amounts necessary to pay these dividends may come from available cash or the liquidation of certain investments. For the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company recognized approximately $381,000 in PIK income. There was no PIK income recorded in prior periods.
Loan origination and commitment fees received in full at the inception of a loan are deferred and amortized into fee income as an enhancement to the related loan’s yield over the contractual life of the loan. Loan exit fees to be paid at the termination of the loan are accreted into fee income over the contractual life of the loan. These fees are reflected as adjustments to the loan yield in accordance with Statement of Financial Standards No. 91, Accounting for Nonrefundable Fees and Costs Associated with Originating or Acquiring loans and Initial Direct Costs of Leases (“FAS 91”). The Company had approximately $6.6 million and $3.5 million of unamortized fees at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and approximately $2.0 million and $1.0 million in exit fees receivable at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
In certain investment transactions, the Company may provide advisory services. For services that are separately identifiable and external evidence exists to substantiate fair value, income is recognized as earned, which is generally when the investment transaction closes. The Company had no income from advisory services in 2007, 2006 or 2005.
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Financing costs
Debt financing costs are fees and other direct incremental costs incurred by the Company in obtaining debt financing and are recognized as prepaid expenses or accrued liabilities in the case of back end fees, and are amortized into the consolidated statement of operations as loan fees over the term of the related debt instrument. As part of the Credit Facility, at December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company had prepaid debt financing costs of approximately $280,000 and $187,000, net of accumulated amortization. In addition, as part of the SBA debenture, the Company had approximately $2.5 million, net of accumulated amortization, of prepaid commitment and leverage fees as of December 31, 2007. There were no fees related to the SBA debenture as of December 31, 2006.
Cash Equivalents
The Company considers money market funds and other highly liquid short-term investments with a maturity of less than 90 days to be cash equivalents.
Stock Based Compensation
The Company follows Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (“FAS 123R”), to account for stock options granted. Under FAS 123R, compensation expense associated with stock based compensation is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized over the vesting period. Determining the appropriate fair value model and calculating the fair value of stock-based awards at the grant date requires judgment, including estimating stock price volatility, forfeiture rate and expected option life.
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income applicable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing such net income by the sum of weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period and the dilutive effect of potential shares that could occur upon exercise of warrants and common stock options.
Income Taxes
We operate to qualify to be taxed as a RIC under the Internal Revenue Code. Generally, a RIC is entitled to deduct dividends it pays to its shareholders from its income to determine “taxable income.” Taxable income includes our net taxable interest, dividend and fee income, as well as our net realized capital gains. Taxable income includes our net taxable interest, dividend and fee income, as well as our net realized capital gains. Taxable income generally differs from net income for financial reporting purposes due to temporary and permanent differences in the recognition of income and expenses. In addition, taxable income generally excludes any unrealized appreciation or depreciation in our investments, because gains and losses are not included in taxable income until they are realized and required to be recognized. Taxable income includes certain income, such as contractual payment-in-kind interest and amortization of discounts and fees, that is required to be accrued for tax purposes even though cash collections of such income are generally deferred until repayment of the loans or debt securities that gave rise to such income.
We have distributed and currently intend to distribute sufficient dividends to eliminate taxable income. We are subject to a nondeductible federal excise tax if we do not distribute at least 98% of our investment company taxable income in any calendar year and 98% of our capital gain net income for each one year period ending on October 31. At December 31, 2007, we recorded a provision for excise tax of approximately $139,000 on income and capital gains of approximately $4.3 million to be distributed in 2008. The maximum amount of excess taxable income that may be carried over for distribution in the next year under the Code is the total amount of dividends paid in the following year, subject to certain declaration and payment guidelines.
Dividends
Dividends and distributions to common stockholders are approved by the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis and the dividend payable is recorded on the ex-dividend date.
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We have adopted an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan that provides for reinvestment of our distribution on behalf of our stockholders, unless a stockholder elects to receive cash. As a result, if our Board of Directors authorizes, and we declare a cash dividend, then our stockholders whom have not ‘opted out’ of our dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash dividend automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, rather than receiving the cash dividends. During 2007 and 2006, the Company issued approximately 250,000 and 57,000 shares, respectively, of common stock to shareholders in connection with the dividend reinvestment plan.
Segments
The Company lends to and invests in portfolio companies in various sectors of technology-related and life-science sectors. The Company separately evaluates the performance of each of its lending and investment relationships. However, because each of these loan and investment relationships has similar business and economic characteristics, they have been aggregated into a single lending and investment segment. All segment disclosures are included in or can be derived from the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Reclassifications
Certain prior period information has been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. We adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. The implementation of FIN 48 did not result in any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements.
In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement on Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157”). This standard clarifies the definition of fair value for financial reporting, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires additional disclosures about the use of fair value measurements. FAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. As of December 31, 2007, the Company is evaluating the impact of FAS 157 on its financial position and results of operations but does not believe the adoption of FAS 157 will impact the amounts reported in the financial statements. However, additional disclosures will be required about the inputs used to develop the measurements of fair value and the effect of certain of the measurements reported in the statement of operations for a fiscal period.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“FAS 159”). Among other requirements, FAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. FAS 159 is effective for the first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of FAS 159 on its financial position and results of operations.
2. Investments
Investments consist of securities issued by privately- and publicly-held companies consisting of senior debt, subordinated debt, warrants and preferred equity securities. Our investments are identified in the accompanying consolidated schedule of investments. Our debt securities are payable in installments with final maturities generally from 3 to 7 years and are generally collateralized by all assets of the borrower.
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A summary of the composition of the Company’s investment portfolio as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 at fair value is shown as follows:
| December 31, 2007 | December 31, 2006 | |||||||||||
| (in thousands) |
Investments at Fair Value |
Percentage of Total Portfolio |
Investments at Fair Value |
Percentage of Total Portfolio |
||||||||
| Senior secured debt with warrants |
$ | 429,760 | 81.1 | % | $ | 273,280 | 96.5 | % | ||||
| Senior secured debt |
61,483 | 11.6 | % | — | — | |||||||
| Preferred stock |
23,265 | 4.4 | % | 8,069 | 2.8 | % | ||||||
| Senior debt-second lien with warrants |
12,078 | 2.3 | % | — | 0.0 | % | ||||||
| Common Stock |
2,938 | 0.5 | % | — | 0.0 | % | ||||||
| Subordinated debt with warrants |
448 | 0.1 | % | 1,885 | 0.7 | % | ||||||
| $ | 529,972 | 100.0 | % | $ | 283,234 | 100.0 | % | |||||
A summary of the Company’s investment portfolio, at value, by geographic location is as follows:
| December 31, 2007 | December 31, 2006 | |||||||||||
| (in thousands) |
Investments at Fair Value |
Percentage of Total Portfolio |
Investments at Fair Value |
Percentage of Total Portfolio |
||||||||
| United States |
$ | 512,724 | 96.8 | % | $ | 269,073 | 95.0 | % | ||||
| Canada |
15,001 | 2.8 | % | 10,497 | 3.7 | % | ||||||
| Israel |
2,247 | 0.4 | % | 3,664 | 1.3 | % | ||||||
| $ | 529,972 | 100.0 | % | $ | 283,234 | 100.0 | % | |||||
The following table shows the fair value of our portfolio by industry sector as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 (excluding unearned income):
| December 31, 2007 | December 31, 2006 | |||||||||||
| (in thousands) |
Investments at Fair Value |
Percentage of Total Portfolio |
Investments at Fair Value |
Percentage of Total Portfolio |
||||||||
| Drug discovery |
$ | 95,924 | 18.0 | % | $ | 74,993 | 26.5 | % | ||||
| Communications & networking |
114,014 | 21.5 | % | 19,464 | 6.9 | % | ||||||
| Software |
38,963 | 7.4 | % | 40,457 | 14.3 | % | ||||||
| Specialty pharmaceuticals |
45,646 | 8.6 | % | 18,014 | 6.4 | % | ||||||
| Electronics & computer hardware |
50,953 | 9.6 | % | 30,586 | 10.8 | % | ||||||
| Semiconductors |
25,501 | 4.8 | % | 15,867 | 5.6 | % | ||||||
| Information services |
58,464 | 11.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | ||||||
| Therapeutic |
12,853 | 2.4 | % | 13,437 | 4.7 | % | ||||||
| Internet consumer & business services |
16,918 | 3.2 | % | 11,657 | 4.1 | % | ||||||
| Drug delivery |
22,725 | 4.3 | % | 16,600 | 5.9 | % | ||||||
| Consumer & business products |
2,817 | 0.5 | % | 21,949 | 7.7 | % | ||||||
| Biotechnology tools |
9,714 | 1.8 | % | 5,778 | 2.0 | % | ||||||
| Energy |
7,016 | 1.3 | % | 8,503 | 3.0 | % | ||||||
| Media/Content/Info |
7,193 | 1.4 | % | — | 0.0 | % | ||||||
| Surgical Devices |
16,821 | 3.2 | % | — | 0.0 | % | ||||||
| Advanced Specialty Materials & Chemicals |
2,764 | 0.5 | % | — | 0.0 | % | ||||||
| Diagnostic |
2,316 | 0.5 | % | 5,929 | 2.1 | % | ||||||
| $ | 529,972 | 100.0 | % | $ | 283,234 | 100.0 | % | |||||
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During the periods ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company made investments in debt securities totaling $355.5 million and $193.0 million, respectively, and made investments in equity securities of approximately $12.6 million and $3.0 million, respectively. In addition, during the period ended December 31, 2007, the Company converted approximately $4.8 million of debt to equity in two portfolio companies. The Company exercised an equity participation right with one portfolio company and converted $1.0 million of debt to equity during the period ended December 31, 2006. No single portfolio investment represents more than 10% of the fair value of the investments as of December 31, 2007 and 2006.
3. Borrowings
The Company, through Hercules Funding Trust I, an affiliated statutory trust, executed a securitized credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp. (“Citigroup”). On December 6, 2006, the Company amended the Credit Facility with an agreement that increased the borrowing capacity under the facility to $150.0 million. On March 30, 2007, this increase was extended to July 31, 2007, and the interest on all borrowings was reduced to LIBOR plus a spread of 1.20%. On May 2, 2007, the Company amended the Credit Facility to extend the expiration date to May 1, 2008, increased the borrowing capacity under the facility to $250.0 million and included Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. as a participant in the Credit Facility along with Citigroup Markets Realty Corp. The credit facility is a one year facility and is renewable on May 1, 2008 with an interest rate of LIBOR plus a spread of 1.20%. The Company paid a structuring fee of $375,000 which will be expensed ratably through maturity. At December 31, 2007, the Company had $79.2 million outstanding under the Credit Facility.
The Credit Facility is collateralized by loans from the Company’s portfolio companies, and includes an advance rate of approximately 55% of eligible loans. The Credit Facility contains covenants that, among other things, require the Company to maintain a minimum net worth and to restrict the loans securing the Credit Facility to certain dollar amounts, to concentrations in certain geographic regions and industries, to certain loan grade classifications, to certain security interests, and to certain interest payment terms. Citigroup has an equity participation right through a warrant participation agreement on the pool of loans and warrants collateralized under the Credit Facility. Pursuant to the warrant participation agreement, the Company granted to Citigroup a 10% participation in all warrants held as collateral. However, no additional warrants are included in collateral subsequent to the facility amendment on May 2, 2007. As a result, Citigroup is entitled to 10% of the realized gains on the warrants until the realized gains paid to Citigroup pursuant to the agreement equals $3,750,000 (the “Maximum Participation Limit”). The Obligations under the warrant participation agreement continue even after the Credit Facility is terminated until the Maximum Participation Limit has been reached. During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company recorded an additional liability and reduced its unrealized gains by approximately $609,000 to account for Citigroup’s participation in unrealized gains in the warrant portfolio. The value of their participation right on unrealized gains in the related equity investments since inception of the agreement was approximately $690,000 at December 31, 2007 and is included in accrued liabilities and reduces the unrealized gain recognized by the Company at December 31, 2007. Since inception of the agreement, the Company has paid Citigroup approximately $680,000 under the warrant participation agreement, thereby reducing its realized gains by that amount.
At December 31, 2007, the Company, through its special purpose entity (SPE), had transferred pools of loans and warrants with a fair value of approximately $242.8 million to Hercules Funding Trust I and had drawn $79.2 million under the Credit Facility. Transfers of loans have not met the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities, for sales treatment and are, therefore, treated as secured borrowings, with the transferred loans remaining in investments and the related liability recorded in borrowings. The average debt outstanding under the Credit Facility for the year ended December 31, 2007 was approximately $52.1 million and the average interest rate was approximately 6.56%.
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In January 2005, the Company formed HT II and HTM. HT II is licensed as a SBIC. HT II borrows funds from the SBA against eligible investments and additional deposits to regulatory capital. Under the Small Business Investment Act and current SBA policy applicable to SBICs, an SBIC can have outstanding at any time SBA guaranteed debentures up to twice the amount of its Regulatory Capital. As of December 31, 2007, the maximum statutory limit on the dollar amount of outstanding SBA guaranteed debentures issued by a single SBIC is $127.2 million, subject to periodic adjustments by the SBA. With $63.6 million of Regulatory Capital as of December 31, 2007, HT II has the current capacity to issue up to a total of $127.2 million of SBA guaranteed debentures, subject to the payment of a 1% commitment fee to the SBA on the amount of the commitment. Currently, HT II has paid commitment fees of approximately $1.3 million and has a commitment from the SBA to issue a total of $127.2 million of SBA guaranteed debentures, of which approximately $55.1 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2007. There is no assurance that HT II will draw up to the maximum limit available under the SBIC program.
SBICs are designed to stimulate the flow of private equity capital to eligible small businesses. Under present SBA regulations, eligible small businesses include businesses that have a tangible net worth not exceeding $18 million and have average annual fully taxed net income not exceeding $6.0 million for the two most recent fiscal years. In addition, SBICs must devote 20.0% of its investment activity to “smaller” concerns as defined by the SBA. A smaller concern is one that has a tangible net worth not exceeding $6.0 million and has average annual fully taxed net income not exceeding $2.0 million for the two most recent fiscal years. SBA regulations also provide alternative size standard criteria to determine eligibility, which depend on the industry in which the business is engaged and are based on such factors as the number of employees and gross sales. According to SBA regulations, SBICs may make long-term loans to small businesses, invest in the equity securities of such businesses and provide them with consulting and advisory services.
Through our wholly-owned subsidiary HT II, the Company plans to provide long-term loans to qualifying small businesses, and in connection therewith, make equity investments. HT II is periodically examined and audited by the SBA’s staff to determine its compliance with SBIC regulations. As of December 31, 2007, HT II could draw up to $127.2 million of leverage from the SBA. Borrowings under the program are charged interest based on ten year treasury rates plus a spread and the rates are generally set for a pool of debentures issued by the SBA in six month periods. The rate for the $12 million of borrowings originated from March 13, 2007 to September 10, 2007 was set by the SBA as announced on September 26, 2007 at 5.528%. The rate for the $43.1 million borrowings made after September 10, 2007 through March 13, 2008 are based on LIBOR plus a spread of 0.30% until the next interest rate set by the SBA occurs at its semi-annual meeting. In addition, the SBA charges an annual fee that is set annually, depending on the Federal fiscal year the leverage commitment was delegated by the SBA, regardless of the date that the leverage was drawn by the SBIC. The 2007 annual fee is set at 0.906%. Interest payments are payable semi-annually and there are no principal payments required on these issues prior to maturity. Debentures under the SBA generally mature ten years after being borrowed.
The Company plans to aggregate pools of funded loans using the Citigroup Facility or other conduits that it may seek until a sufficiently large pool of unfunded loans is created which can then be securitized at a later date. The Company expects that any loans included in a securitization facility will be securitized on a non-recourse basis with respect to the credit losses on the loans. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to complete this securitization strategy, or that it will be successful.
At December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the Company had the following borrowing capacity and outstandings:
| December 31, 2007 | December 31, 2006 | |||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) |
Facility Amount |
Amount Outstanding |
Facility Amount |
Amount Outstanding | ||||||||
| Credit Facility |
$ | 250,000 | $ | 79,200 | $ | 150,000 | $ | 41,000 | ||||
| SBA Debenture |
127,200 | 55,050 | — | — | ||||||||
| Total |
$ | 377,200 | $ | 134,250 | $ | 150,000 | $ | 41,000 | ||||
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4. Income Taxes
The Company intends to operate so as to qualify to be taxed as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code and, as such, will not be subject to federal income tax on the portion of taxable income and gains distributed to stockholders.
To qualify as a RIC, the Company is required to meet certain income and asset diversification tests in addition to distributing at least 90% of its investment company taxable income, as defined by the Code. Because federal income tax regulations differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, distributions in accordance with tax regulations may differ from net investment income and realized gains recognized for financial reporting purposes. Differences may be permanent or temporary in nature. Permanent differences are reclassified among capital accounts in the financial statements to reflect their tax character. Differences in classification may also result from the treatment of short-term gains as ordinary income for tax purposes. During the year ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company reclassified for book purposes amounts arising from permanent book/tax differences primarily related to accelerated revenue recognition for income tax purposes and return of capital distributions, respectively, as follows:
| (in thousands) |
2007 | 2006 | ||||||
| Distributions in excess of investment income |
$ | (642 | ) | $ | 2,767 | |||
| Accumulated realized gains (losses) |
1,463 | (850 | ) | |||||
| Additional paid-in capital |
(821 | ) | (1,917 | ) | ||||
For income tax purposes, distributions paid to shareholders are reported as ordinary income, return of capital, long term capital gains or a combination thereof. The tax character of distributions paid for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 was as follows:
| (in thousands) |
2007 | 2006 | ||||
| Ordinary Income(a) |
$ | 33,313 | $ | 13,243 | ||
| Capital gains |
— | — | ||||
| Return of capital |
— | 1,719 | ||||
| Total reported on tax Form 1099-DIV |
$ | 33,313 | $ | 14,962 | ||
| (a) | Ordinary income is reported on form 1099-DIV as non-qualified. |
For federal income tax purposes, the cost of investments owned at December 31, 2007 and 2006 were approximately $532.1 million and $283.0 million, respectively.
At December 31, 2007 and 2006, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis detailed below differ from the amounts reflected in the Company’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities by temporary book/tax differences primarily arising from the treatment of loan related yield enhancements.
| (in thousands) |
2007 | 2006 | ||||||
| Accumulated Capital Gains (Losses) |
$ | 3,258 | $ | (89 | ) | |||
| Other Temporary Difference |
(2,988 | ) | (1,593 | ) | ||||
| Undistributed Ordinary Income |
915 | — | ||||||
| Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
4,857 | (161 | ) | |||||
| Components of Distributable Earnings |
$ | 6,042 | $ | (1,843 | ) | |||
At December 31, 2005, the Company had a deferred tax asset of approximately $1.5 million which was adjusted through operations during the first quarter of 2006. Upon the determination that Hercules would qualify as a regulated investment company, any remaining deferred tax asset was reversed. The Company elected to
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recognize all of its net built-in gains at the time of the conversion to a RIC and paid tax on the built-in gain with the filing of its 2005 tax return. In making this election, the portfolio was marked to market at the time of the RIC election and the Company paid approximately $294,000 in Federal and State tax on the resulting taxable gain. In addition, upon completion of the 2005 tax returns, the Company recorded an additional tax benefit of approximately $345,000.
For the years prior to January 1, 2006, the benefit from (provision for) taxes on earnings was as follows:
| (in thousands) |
2005 | |||
| Federal: |
||||
| Current |
$ | 1,365 | ||
| Deferred |
(1,266 | ) | ||
| 99 | ||||
| State: |
||||
| Current |
344 | |||
| Deferred |
(188 | ) | ||
| 156 | ||||
| Foreign withholding tax |
— | |||
| Total benefit from (provision for) income taxes |
$ | 255 | ||
For the year ended December 31, 2005, a reconciliation of the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate to the Company’s effective rate is as follows:
| 2005 | |||
| Tax at federal statutory rate |
35.0 | % | |
| State, net of federal benefit |
5.7 | ||
| Other Items |
3.4 | ||
| Change in valuation allowance |
(33.3 | ) | |
| Total |
10.8 | % | |
As of December 31, 2005, the Company had no net operating loss carryforwards.
5. Shareholders’ Equity
The Company is authorized to issue 60,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.001. Each share of common stock entitles the holder to one vote.
In January 2005, the Company notified its shareholders of its intent to elect to be regulated as a BDC. In conjunction with the Company’s decision to elect to be regulated as a BDC, approximately 55% of the 5 Year Warrants were subject to mandatory cancellation under the terms of the Warrant Agreement with the warrant holder receiving one share of common stock for every two warrants cancelled and the exercise price of all warrants was adjusted to the then current net asset value of the common stock, subject to certain adjustments described in the Warrant Agreement. In addition, the 1 Year Warrants became subject to expiration immediately prior to the Company’s election to become a BDC, unless exercised. Concurrent with the announcement of the BDC election, the Company reduced the exercise price of all remaining 1 and 5 Year Warrants from $15.00 to $10.57. On February 22, 2005, the Company cancelled 47% of all outstanding 5 Year Warrants and issued 298,598 shares of common stock to holders of warrants upon exercise. In addition, the majority of shareholders owning 1 Year Warrants exercised them, and purchased 1,175,963 of common shares at $10.57 per share, for total consideration to the Company of $12,429,920. All unexercised 1 Year Warrants were then cancelled. The outstanding 5 Year Warrants will expire in June 2009.
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A summary of activity in the 1 Year and 5 Year Warrants initially attached to units issued for each of the three periods ended December 31, 2007 is as follows:
| One-Year Warrants |
Five-Year Warrants |
|||||
| Outstanding at January 1, 2005 |
1,029,635 | 1,029,635 | ||||
| Warrants issued |
134,067 | 134,067 | ||||
| Warrants cancelled |
(83,334 | ) | (547,030 | ) | ||
| Warrants exercised |
(1,080,368 | ) | — | |||
| Outstanding at December 31, 2005 |
— | 616,672 | ||||
| Warrants issued |
— | — | ||||
| Warrants cancelled |
— | — | ||||
| Warrants exercised |
— | — | ||||
| Outstanding at December 31, 2006 |
— | 616,672 | ||||
| Warrants issued |
— | — | ||||
| Warrants cancelled |
— | — | ||||
| Warrants exercised |
— | (244,735 | ) | |||
| Outstanding at December 31, 2007 |
— | 371,937 | ||||
The Company received net proceeds of approximately $3.1 million from the exercise of the 5-Year Warrants in the period ended December 31, 2007.
On March 7, 2006, the Company issued 432,900 shares of common stock for approximately $5.0 million in a private placement. The shares of common stock are subject to a registration rights agreement between the Company and the purchasers. The shares were registered pursuant to a registration statement that was declared effective on June 7, 2006.
During 2007 and 2006, the Board of Directors elected to receive approximately $371,000 and $288,000, respectively, of their compensation in the form of common stock and the Company issued 28,335 and 23,334 shares, respectively to the directors based on the closing prices of the common stock on the specified election dates.
On April 21, 2006, the Company raised approximately $33.8 million, net of issuance costs, from a rights offering of 3,411,992 shares of its common stock. The shares were sold at $10.55 per share which was equivalent to 95% of the volume weighted average price of shares traded during the ten days immediately prior to the expiration date of the offering.
On October 20, 2006, the Company raised approximately $30.0 million, net of issuance costs, in a public offering of 2.5 million shares of its common stock.
On December 12, 2006, the Company raised approximately $74.1 million, net of issuance costs, in a public offering of 5.7 million shares of its common stock.
On January 3, 2007, in connection with the December 12, 2006 common stock issuance, the underwriters exercised their overallotment option and purchased an additional 840,000 shares of common stock for additional net proceeds of approximately $10.9 million.
On June 4, 2007, the Company raised approximately $102.2 million, net of issuance costs, in a public offering of 8.0 million shares of its common stock. On June 19, 2007, in connection with the same common stock issuance, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option and purchased an additional 1.2 million shares of common stock for additional net proceeds of approximately $15.4 million.
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Common stock subject to future issuance is as follows:
| 2007 | 2006 | |||
| Stock options and warrants |
2,911,205 | 1,937,564 | ||
| Warrants issued in June 2004 |
371,937 | 616,672 | ||
| Common stock reserved |
3,283,142 | 2,554,236 | ||
6. Equity Incentive Plan
The Company and its stockholders have authorized and adopted an equity incentive plan (the “2004 Plan”) for purposes of attracting and retaining the services of its executive officers and key employees. Under the 2004 Plan, the Company is authorized to issue 7,000,000 shares of common stock. Unless terminated earlier by the Company’s Board of Directors, the 2004 Plan will terminate on June 9, 2014, and no additional awards may be made under the 2004 Plan after that date.
The Company and its stockholders have authorized and adopted the 2006 Non-Employee Director Plan (the “2006 Plan”) for purposes of attracting and retaining the services of its Board of Directors. Under the 2006 Plan, the Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of common stock. Unless terminated earlier by the Company’s Board of Directors, the 2006 Plan will terminate on May 29, 2016 and no additional awards may be made under the 2006 Plan after that date. The Company filed an exemptive relief request with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to allow options to be issued under the 2006 Plan which was approved on October 10, 2007.
On June 21, 2007, the shareholders approved amendments to the 2004 Plan and the 2006 Plan allowing for the grant of restricted stock. The amended Plans limit the combined maximum amount of restricted stock that may be issued under both Plans to 10% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s stock on the effective date of the Plans plus 10% of the number of shares of stock issued or delivered by Hercules during the terms of the Plans. The proposed amendments further specify that no one person shall be granted awards of restricted stock relating to more than 25% of the shares available for issuance under the 2004 Plan. Further, the amount of voting securities that would result from the exercise of all of the Company’s outstanding warrants, options and rights, together with any restricted stock issued pursuant to the Plans, at the time of issuance shall not exceed 25% of its outstanding voting securities, except that if the amount of voting securities that would result from such exercise of all of the Company’s outstanding warrants, options and rights issued to Hercules directors, officers and employees, together with any restricted stock issued pursuant to the Plans, would exceed 15% of the Company’s outstanding voting securities, then the total amount of voting securities that would result from the exercise of all outstanding warrants, options and rights, together with any restricted stock issued pursuant to the Plans, at the time of issuance shall not exceed 20% of our outstanding voting securities.
In conjunction with the amendment and in accordance with the exemptive order, on June 21, 2007 the Company made an automatic grant of shares of restricted common stock to Messrs. Badavas, Chow and Woodward, its independent Board of Directors, in the amounts of 1,667, 1,667 and 3,334 shares, respectively. The shares were issued pursuant to the 2006 Plan on July 31, 2007 and vest 33% on an annual basis from the date of grant. Deferred compensation cost of approximately $91,000 will be recognized ratably over the three year vesting period. As of December 31, 2007, no restricted stock has been granted pursuant to the 2004 Plan.
In 2004, each employee stock option to purchase two shares of common stock was accompanied by a warrant to purchase one share of common stock within one year and a warrant to purchase one share of common stock within five years. Both options and warrants had an exercise price of $15.00 per share on date of grant. On January 14, 2005, the Company notified all shareholders of its intent to elect to be regulated as a BDC and reduced the exercise price of all remaining 1 and 5 Year Warrants from $15.00 to $10.57 but did not reduce the strike price of the options (see Note 5). The unexercised one-year warrants expired and 55% of the five-year warrants were cancelled immediately prior to the Company’s election to become a BDC.
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A summary of common stock options and warrant activity under the Company’s 2006 and 2004 Plans for each of the three periods ended December 31, 2007 is as follows:
| Common Stock Options |
One-Year Warrants |
Five-Year Warrants |
||||||||||
| Outstanding at January 1, 2005 |
273,436 | 106,718 | 106,718 | |||||||||
| Granted |
1,270,000 | — | ||||||||||
| Exercised |
— | (95,595 | ) | — | ||||||||
| Cancelled |
(206,000 | ) | (11,123 | ) | (50,167 | ) | ||||||
| Outstanding at December 31, 2005 |
1,337,436 | — | 56,551 | |||||||||
| Granted |
663,500 | — | — | |||||||||
| Exercised |
— | — | — | |||||||||
| Cancelled |
(119,923 | ) | — | — | ||||||||
| Outstanding at December 31, 2006 |
1,881,013 | — | 56,551 | |||||||||
| Granted |
1,151,000 | — | — | |||||||||
| Exercised |
— | — | (45,859 | ) | ||||||||
| Cancelled |
(111,500 | ) | — | — | ||||||||
| Outstanding at December 31, 2007 |
2,920,513 | — | 10,692 | |||||||||
| Weighted-average exercise price at December 31, 2007 |
$ | 13.02 | $ | — | $ | 10.57 | ||||||
Options generally vest 33% one year after the date of grant and ratably over the succeeding 24 months. All options may be exercised for a period ending seven years after the date of grant. At December 31, 2007, options for approximately 1.4 million shares were exercisable at a weighted average exercise price of approximately $13.02 per share with a weighted average exercise term of 4.5 years. The outstanding five year warrants have an expected life of five years.
The Company determined that the fair value of options and warrants granted under the 2006 and 2004 Plan during the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 was approximately $1.6 million and $843,000, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, approximately $1.1 million and $618,000 of share-based cost was expensed, respectively. As of December 31, 2007, there was $1.5 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to stock options. These costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.0 years. The fair value of options granted is based upon a Black-Scholes option pricing model using the assumptions in the following table for each of the three periods ended December 31, 2007:
| 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | |||||||
| Expected Volatility |
24 | % | 24 | % | 25 | % | |||
| Expected Dividends |
8 | % | 8 | % | 8 | % | |||
| Expected term (in years) |
4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | ||||||
| Risk-free rate |
4.29 - 4.92 | % | 4.53 - 5.05 | % | 3.88 - 4.06 | % |
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7. Earnings per Share
Shares used in the computation of the Company’s basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows:
| Year ended December 31, | |||||||||
| (in thousands, except per share data) |
2007 | 2006 | 2005 | ||||||
| Net increase in net assets resulting from operations |
$ | 42,409 | $ | 11,384 | $ | 2,105 | |||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding |
28,295 | 13,352 | 6,939 | ||||||
| Change in net assets per common share—basic |
$ | 1.50 | $ | 0.85 | $ | 0.30 | |||
| Net increase in net assets resulting from operations |
$ | 42,409 | $ | 11,384 | $ | 2,105 | |||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding |
28,295 | 13,352 | 6,939 | ||||||
| Dilutive effect of warrants and stock options |
58 | 175 | 77 | ||||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution |
28,353 | 13,527 | 7,016 | ||||||
| Change in net assets per common share—assuming dilution |
$ | 1.50 | $ | 0.84 | $ | 0.30 | |||
The calculation of change in net assets per common share—assuming dilution, excludes all anti-dilutive shares. For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, the number of anti-dilutive shares, as calculated based on the weighted average closing price of the Company’s common stock for the periods, was approximately 2,217,000, 2,142,000, and 1,858,000 shares, respectively.
8. Related-Party Transactions
In conjunction with the Company’s rights offering completed on April 21, 2006, the Company agreed to pay JMP Securities LLC a fee of approximately $700,000 as co-manager of the offering.
In conjunction with the Company’s public offering completed on December 7, 2006, the Company agreed to pay JMP Securities LLC a fee of approximately $1.2 million as co-manager of the offering.
During February 2007, Farallon Capital Management, L.L.C and its related affiliates and Manuel Henriquez, the Company’s CEO, exercised warrants to purchase 132,480 and 75,075 shares of the Company’s common stock, respectively. The exercise price of the warrants was $10.57 per share resulting in net proceeds to the company of approximately $2.2 million.
In conjunction with the Company’s public offering completed on June 4, 2007 and the related over-allotment exercise, the Company agreed to pay JMP Securities LLC a fee of approximately $1.6 million as co-manager of the offering.
In connection with the sale of public equity investments, the Company paid JMP Securities LLC approximately $22,200 and $12,100 in brokerage commissions during the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
9. Commitments and Contingencies
In the normal course of business, the Company is party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk. These instruments consist primarily of unused commitments to extend credit, in the form of loans, to the Company’s portfolio companies. The balance of unused commitments to extend credit at December 31, 2007 totaled approximately $130.6 million. Since this commitment may expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amount does not necessarily represent future cash requirements.
Certain premises are leased under agreements which expire at various dates through December 2013. Total rent expense amounted to approximately $749,000, $380,000 and $221,000 during the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
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Future commitments under the credit facility and operating leases were as follows at December 31, 2007:
| Payments due by period (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||
| Contractual Obligations(1) |
Total | Less than 1 year (2)(3) |
1-3 years |
4-5 years |
After 5 years | ||||||||||
| Borrowings(4) |
$ | 134,250 | $ | 79,200 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 55,050 | |||||
| Operating Lease Obligations |
3,425 | 843 | 1,430 | 1,152 | — | ||||||||||
| Total |
$ | 137,675 | $ | 80,043 | $ | 1,430 | $ | 1,152 | $ | 55,050 | |||||
| (1) | Excludes commitments to extend credit to our portfolio companies. |
| (2) | Borrowings under the Credit Facility are listed based on the contractual maturity of the credit facility. Actual repayments could differ significantly due to prepayments by our existing portfolio companies, modifications of current agreements with existing portfolio companies and modification of the credit facility. |
| (3) | The Company also has a warrant participation agreement with Citigroup. See Note 3. |
| (4) | Includes borrowings under the Credit Facility and the SBA debentures. |
10. Indemnification
The Company and its executives are covered by Directors and Officers Insurance, with the directors and officers being indemnified by the Company to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law subject to the restrictions in the 1940 Act.
11. Concentrations of Credit Risk
The Company’s customers are primarily small and medium sized companies in the biopharmaceutical, communications and networking, consumer and business products, electronics and computers, energy, information services, internet consumer and business services, medical devices, semiconductor and software industry sectors. These sectors are characterized by high margins, high growth rates, consolidation and product and market extension opportunities. Value is often vested in intangible assets and intellectual property.
The largest portfolio companies vary from year to year as new loans are recorded and loans pay off. Loan revenue, consisting of interest, fees, and recognition of gains on equity interests, can fluctuate dramatically when a loan is paid off or a related equity interest is sold. Revenue recognition in any given year can be highly concentrated among several portfolio companies. For the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company’s ten largest portfolio companies represented approximately 33.7% and approximately 43.4% of the total fair value of its investments. At December 31, 2007, we had five equity investments representing approximately 50.0% of the total fair value of our equity investments and each represents 5% or more of the total fair value of such investments. At December 31, 2006, we had eleven equity investments which represented 100% of the total fair value of its equity investments and each represents 5% or more of the total fair value of such investments.
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12. Financial Highlights
Following is a schedule of financial highlights for years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005:
| Year Ended December 31, | Period from February 2, 2004 (commencement of operations) to December 31, |
|||||||||||||||
| 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |||||||||||||
| Per share data: |
||||||||||||||||
| Net asset value at beginning of period |
$ | 11.65 | $ | 11.67 | $ | 12.18 | $ | 13.19 | (1) | |||||||
| Net investment income (loss) |
1.15 | 0.78 | 0.18 | (0.99 | ) | |||||||||||
| Net realized gain (loss) on investments |
0.09 | (0.12 | ) | 0.07 | — | |||||||||||
| Net unrealized appreciation on investments |
0.26 | 0.19 | 0.05 | — | ||||||||||||
| Total from investment operations |
1.50 | 0.85 | 0.30 | (0.99 | ) | |||||||||||
| Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions |
0.32 | 0.28 | (0.82 | ) | (0.35 | )(2) | ||||||||||
| Distributions from net investment income |
(1.20 | ) | (1.08 | ) | (0.03 | ) | — | |||||||||
| Distributions from return of capital |
— | (0.12 | ) | — | — | |||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense included in investment income(3) |
0.04 | 0.05 | 0.04 | 0.33 | ||||||||||||
| Net asset value at end of period |
$ | 12.31 | $ | 11.65 | $ | 11.67 | $ | 12.18 | ||||||||
| Ratios and supplemental data: |
||||||||||||||||
| Per share market value at end of period(4) |
$ | 12.42 | $ | 14.25 | 11.99 | $ | — | (6) | ||||||||
| Total return |
-4.42 | %(5) | 28.86 | %(5) | -7.58 | %(6) | N/A | |||||||||
| Shares outstanding at end of period |
32,541 | 21,927 | 9,802 | 2,059 | ||||||||||||
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding |
28,295 | 13,352 | 6,939 | 1,187 | ||||||||||||
| Net assets at end of period |
$ | 400,737 | $ | 255,413 | $ | 114,352 | $ | 25,078 | ||||||||
| Ratio of operating expense to average net assets |
6.46 | % | 13.11 | % | 11.57 | % | 8.81 | %(7) | ||||||||
| Ratio of net investment income before provision for income tax expense and investment gains and losses to average net assets |
9.81 | % | 7.93 | % | 1.93 | % | 7.95 | %(7) | ||||||||
| Average debt outstanding |
$ | 66,334 | $ | 77,795 | $ | 20,285 | $ | — | ||||||||
| Weighted average debt per common share |
$ | 2.34 | $ | 5.83 | $ | 2.92 | $ | — | ||||||||
| Portfolio turnover |
0.42 | % | 1.50 | % | 0.60 | % | 0.00 | % | ||||||||
| (1) |
On June 29, 2004, the Company completed its sale of common stock in a private placement at $15.00 per share ($13.19 per share net of offering costs). |
| (2) |
Immediately after the sale of common stock in June 2004, 600 convertible preferred shares were converted into 125,000 units. |
| (3) |
Stock option expense is a non-cash expense that has no effect on net asset value. Pursuant to FAS 123R, net investment loss includes the expense associated with the granting of stock options which is offset by a corresponding increase in paid-in capital. |
| (4) |
The Company completed the initial public offering of its common stock in June 2005, therefore, no market value data is presented as of December 31, 2004. |
| (5) |
The total return for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 equals the change in the ending market value over the beginning of period price per share plus dividends paid per share during the period, divided by the beginning price. |
| (6) |
The total return for the year ended December 31, 2005 is for a shareholder who owned common shares throughout the period, and received one additional common share for every two 5 Year Warrants cancelled. Shareholders who purchased common shares on January 26, 2005, exercised 1 Year Warrants, or purchased common shares in the initial public offering will have a different total return. The Company completed its initial public offering on June 11, 2005; prior to that date shares were issued in private placements. |
| (7) |
Not annualized. |
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13. Selected Quarterly Data (Unaudited)
The following tables set forth certain quarterly financial information for each of the eight quarters ended December 31, 2007. This information was derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements. Results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year or for any further quarter.
| Quarter Ended | ||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except per share data) |
3/31/07 | 6/30/07 | 9/30/07 | 12/31/07 | ||||||||
| Total investment income |
$ | 9,679 | $ | 13,275 | $ | 15,141 | $ | 15,790 | ||||
| Net investment income before provision for income taxes and investment gains and losses |
5,225 | 7,240 | 10,044 | 9,981 | ||||||||
| Net income |
6,331 | 8,270 | 7,178 | 20,632 | ||||||||
| Net income per common share (basic) |
$ | 0.28 | $ | 0.33 | $ | 0.22 | $ | 0.63 | ||||
| Quarter Ended | ||||||||||||
| 3/31/06 | 6/30/06 | 9/30/06 | 12/31/06 | |||||||||
| Total investment income |
$ | 6,487 | $ | 6,788 | $ | 7,544 | $ | 8,689 | ||||
| Net investment income before provision for income taxes and investment gains and losses |
2,046 | 2,468 | 3,117 | 3,492 | ||||||||
| Net income |
2,505 | 3,366 | 1,573 | 3,940 | ||||||||
| Net income per common share (basic) |
$ | 0.25 | $ | 0.26 | $ | 0.12 | $ | 0.23 | ||||
14. Subsequent Events
On February 7, 2008, the Board of Directors announced a dividend of $0.30 per share to shareholders of record as of February 15, 2008 and payable on March 17, 2008.
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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Not applicable.
Item 9a. Controls and Procedures
1. Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial and Accounting Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial and Accounting Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them of material information relating to us that is required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
2. Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
a. Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and for the assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting is set forth under the heading “Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” in this Annual Report.
b. Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm
Our independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP has issued an attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting, which is included at the beginning of Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
c. Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2007 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
None.
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PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Information in response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the information provided in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “2008 Proxy Statement”) to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 under the headings “PROPOSAL I: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS,” “INFORMATION ABOUT EXECUTIVE OFFICERS WHO ARE NOT DIRECTORS” and “CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND TRANSACTIONS.”
We have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to directors, officers and employees. The code of business conduct and ethics is available on our website at http//www.herculestech.com. We will report any amendments to or waivers of a required provision of the code of business conduct and ethics on our website or in a Form 8-K.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information with respect to compensation of executives and directors is contained under the caption “Compensation of Executive Officers and Directors” in our 2008 Proxy Statement and is incorporated in this Annual Report by reference in response to this item.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information with respect to security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is contained under the captions “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and “Compensation of Executive Officers and Directors” in our 2008 Proxy Statement and is incorporated in this Annual Report by reference in response to this item.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
The information with respect to certain relationships and related transactions is contained under the caption “Certain Relationships and Transactions” and the caption “Proposal I: Election of Directors” in our 2008 Proxy Statement and is incorporated in this Annual Report by reference in response to this item.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information with respect to principal accountant fees and services is contained under the captions “Principal Accountant Fees and Services” and “Proposal II: Ratification of Selection of Independent Auditors” in our 2008 Proxy Statement and is incorporated in this Annual Report by reference to this item.
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PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statements
1. Financial Statements
The following financial statements of Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. (the “Company” or the “Registrant”) are filed herewith:
2. The following financial statement schedule is filed herewith:
Schedule 12-14 Investments In and Advances to Affiliates
3. Exhibits required to be filed by Item 601 of Regulation S-K.
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Board of Directors and Shareholders
Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.
We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc., including the consolidated schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007, and have issued our report thereon dated March 11, 2008 (included elsewhere in the Form 10-K). Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in Item 15 of this Form 10-K. This schedule is the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits.
In our opinion, the financial statement schedule referred to above, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
San Francisco, California
March 11, 2008
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Schedule 12-14
HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAPITAL, INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS IN AND ADVANCES TO AFFILIATES
| Year Ended December 31, 2007 |
||||||||||||||||||
| Portfolio Company (in thousands) |
Investment(1) |
Amount of Interest or Dividends Credited to Income(2) |
As of December 31, 2006 Fair Value |
Gross Additions(3) |
Gross Reductions(4) |
As of December 31, 2007 Fair Value | ||||||||||||
| Affiliate Investments |
||||||||||||||||||
| E-band Communications, Inc. |
Preferred Stock |
$ | — | $ | — | $ | 2,000 | $ | — | $ | 2,000 | |||||||
| Proficiency, Inc. |
Senior Debt |
8 | 3,548 | 449 | (2,500 | ) | 1,497 | |||||||||||
| Preferred Stock Warrants |
— | 116 | — | (116 | ) | — | ||||||||||||
| Preferred Stock |
— | — | 2,750 | (2,000 | ) | 750 | ||||||||||||
| Total Affiliate Investments |
$ | 8 | $ | 3,664 | $ | 5,199 | $ | (4,616 | ) | $ | 4,247 | |||||||
| (1) | Preferred stock and warrants are generally non-income producing and restricted. The principal amount for debt is shown in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments as of December 31, 2007. |
| (2) | Represents the total amount of interest or dividends credited to income for the portion of the year an investment was an affiliate investment (5% to 25% owned). |
| (3) | Gross additions include increases in investments resulting from new portfolio company investments, the amortization of discounts and fees, and the exchange of one or more existing securities for one or more new securities. |
| (4) | Gross reductions include decreases in investments resulting from the exchange of one or more existing securities for one or more new securities and net increases in unrealized depreciation or net decreases in unrealized appreciation. |
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3. Exhibits
| Exhibit |
Description | |
| 3(a)* | Articles of Amendment and Restatement. | |
| 3(b)* | Amended and Restated Bylaws. | |
| 4(a)* | Specimen certificate of the Company’s common stock, par value $.001 per share. | |
| 4(b)* | Form of Dividend Reinvestment Plan. | |
| 4(c)** | Indenture between Hercules Funding Trust I and U.S. Bank National Association dated as of August 1, 2005. | |
| 4(d)* | Registration Rights Agreement dated June 22, 2004 between the Company and JMP Securities LLC. | |
| 4(e)*** | Registration Rights Agreement dated March 2, 2006 between the Company and affiliates of Farallon Management, L.L.C. | |
| 5(a)* | Opinion of Venable LLP. | |
| 5(b)* | Consent of Venable LLP (included in Exhibit 1). | |
| 10(a)* | Credit Agreement dated as of April 12, 2005 between Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. and Alcmene Funding, L.L.C. | |
| 10(b)* | Pledge and Security Agreement dated as of April 12, 2005 between Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. and Alcmene Funding, L.L.C. | |
| 10(c)** | First Amendment to Credit and Pledge Security Agreement dated August 1, 2005 between Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. and Alcmene Funding L.L.C. | |
| 10(d)** | Loan Sale Agreement between Hercules Funding LLC and Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. dated as of August 1, 2005. | |
| 10(e)** | Sale and Servicing Agreement among Hercules Funding Trust I, Hercules Funding LLC, Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc., U.S. Bank National Association and Lyon Financial Services, Inc. dated as of August 1, 2005. | |
| 10(f)** | Note Purchase Agreement among Hercules Funding Trust I, Hercules Funding I LLC, Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp. dated as of August 1, 2005. | |
| 10(g)* | Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (2005 Amendment and Restatement). | |
| 10(h)* | Form of Incentive Stock Option Award under the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan. | |
| 10(i)* | Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Award under the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan. | |
| 10(j)* | Form of Registrar Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company. | |
| 10(k)* | Warrant Agreement dated June 22, 2004 between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent. | |
| 10(l)* | Side Letter dated February 2, 2004 between the Company and Jolson Merchant Partners Group LLC (now known as JMP Group LLC). | |
| 10(m)* | Letter Agreement dated February 22, 2005 between the Company and JMP Asset Management LLC. | |
| 10(n)* | Letter Agreement dated February 22, 2005 between the Company and Farallon Capital Management, L.L.C. | |
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| Exhibit |
Description | |
| 10(o)* | Subscription Agreement dated February 2, 2004 between the Company and the subscribers named therein | |
| 10(p)**** | Lease Agreement dated June 19, 2006 between the Company and 400 Hamilton Associates. | |
| 10(q)***** | Third Amendment to Sale and Servicing Agreement among Hercules Funding Trust I, Hercules Funding LLC, Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc., U.S. Bank National Association and Lyon Financial Services, Inc. dated as of August 1, 2005. | |
| 10(r)****** | Second Omnibus Amendment between the Company and Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp. dated December 6, 2006. | |
| 14* | Code of Ethics. | |
| 21 | List of Subsidiaries. | |
| 23 | Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting firm | |
| 31(a) | Chief Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
| 31(b) | Principal Financial and Accounting Officer Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
| 32(a) | Chief Executive Officer Certification pursuant to Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
| 32(b) | Principal Financial and Accounting Officer Certification pursuant to Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
| * | Previously filed as part of a Registration Statement filed with the Commission on June 8, 2005 (Registration No. 333-122950). |
| ** | Previously filed as part of a Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 5, 2005. |
| *** | Previously filed as part of a Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 2, 2006. |
| **** | Previously filed as part of a Form 8-K filed with the Commission on June 13, 2006. |
| ***** | Previously filed as part of a Form 8-K filed with the Commission on July 28, 2006. |
| ****** | Previously filed as part of a Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 6, 2006. |
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Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAPITAL, INC. | ||||
| Date: March 12, 2008 | By: | /S/ MANUEL A. HENRIQUEZ | ||
| Manuel A. Henriquez Chief Executive Officer | ||||
In accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the following capacities on March 9, 2007.
| Signature |
Title |
Date | ||
| /S/ MANUEL A. HENRIQUEZ Manuel A. Henriquez |
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) | March 12, 2008 | ||
| /S/ DAVID M. LUND David M. Lund |
Chief Financial Officer (principal financial and accounting officer) |
March 12, 2008 | ||
| /S/ ALLYN C. WOODWARD, JR. Allyn C. Woodward, Jr. |
Director | March 12, 2008 | ||
| /S/ JOSEPH W. CHOW Joseph W. Chow |
Director | March 12, 2008 | ||
| /S/ ROBERT P. BADAVAS Robert P. Badavas |
Director | March 12, 2008 | ||
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EXHIBIT INDEX
| Exhibit |
Description | |
| 21 |
List of Subsidiaries. | |
| 23 |
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm. | |
| 31(a) |
Chief Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
| 31(b) |
Principal Financial and Accounting Officer Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
| 32(a) |
Chief Executive Officer Certification pursuant to Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
| 32(b) |
Principal Financial and Accounting Officer Certification pursuant to Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |