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Index to Financial Statements

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 8, 2015

Securities Act File No. 333-204933

 

 

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO

FORM N-2

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

c/o TPVG Advisers LLC

2755 Sand Hill Road, Suite 150, Menlo Park, California 94025

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(650) 854-2090

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

James P. Labe

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

2755 Sand Hill Road, Suite 150, Menlo Park, California 94025

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

 

COPIES TO:

Andrew S. Epstein, Esq.

Clifford R. Cone, Esq.

Clifford Chance US LLP

31 West 52nd Street

New York, NY 10019

Tel: (212) 878-8000

Fax: (212) 878-8375

 

 

Approximate date of proposed public offering:

As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.

If any of the securities being registered on this form are offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan, check the following box.   x

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):

¨   when declared effective pursuant to section 8(c).

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Title of Securities Being Registered   Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price(1)
  Amount of
Registration Fee(1)

Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share(2)(3)

  $                        $          

Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share(2)

       

Subscription Rights(2)

       

Warrants(4)

       

Debt Securities(5)

       

Total

      $500,000,000(6)   $58,100

 

 

(1) Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933 solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee. The proposed maximum offering price per security will be determined, from time to time, by TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp. (the “Registrant”) in connection with the sale of the securities registered under this Registration Statement.
(2) Subject to note 6 below, there is being registered hereunder an indeterminate number of shares of common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, or subscription rights to purchase shares of the Registrant’s common stock as may be sold, from time to time.
(3) Includes such indeterminate number of shares of the Registrant’s common stock as may, from time to time, be issued upon conversion or exchange of other securities registered hereunder, to the extent any such securities are, by their terms, convertible or exchangeable for common stock.
(4) Subject to note 6 below, there is being registered hereunder an indeterminate number of the Registrant’s warrants as may be sold, from time to time, representing rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities of the Registrant.
(5) Subject to note 6 below, there is being registered hereunder an indeterminate number of debt securities of the Registrant as may be sold, from time to time. If any debt securities of the Registrant are issued at an original issue discount, then the offering price shall be in such greater principal amount as shall result in an aggregate price to investors not to exceed $500,000,000.
(6) In no event will the aggregate offering price of all securities issued from time to time pursuant to this Registration Statement exceed $500,000,000.

 

 

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where an offer or sale is not permitted.

 

PROSPECTUS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION JULY 8, 2015

$500,000,000

 

LOGO

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Warrants

Subscription Rights

Debt Securities

 

 

TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp. is an externally managed, closed-end, non-diversified management investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. We also intend to elect to be treated, and intend to qualify annually thereafter, as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, beginning with our taxable year ended December 31, 2014. We were formed to expand the venture growth stage business segment of TriplePoint Capital LLC’s investment platform. We refer to TriplePoint Capital LLC as “TPC” or “TriplePoint Capital.” Our investment objective is to maximize our total return to stockholders primarily in the form of current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation by primarily lending to venture growth stage companies focused in technology, life sciences and other high growth industries backed by TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors.

Our investment activities are managed by TPVG Advisers LLC, or our “Adviser,” which is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and is a subsidiary of TPC.

We may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings or series, up to $500,000,000 of our common stock, preferred stock, warrants representing rights to purchase shares of our common stock, subscription rights or debt securities, which we refer to, collectively, as the “securities”. The securities may be offered at prices and on terms to be described in one or more supplements to this prospectus.

In the event we offer common stock, the net proceeds we receive on a per share basis, before offering expenses, will generally not be less than the net asset value per share of our common stock at the time we make the offering. However, we may receive net proceeds on a per share basis, before offering expenses, that is less than our net asset value per share (i) in connection with a rights offering to our existing stockholders, (ii) with the prior approval of the majority of our common stockholders or (iii) under such other circumstances as the Securities and Exchange Commission may permit.

The securities may be offered directly to one or more purchasers, or through agents designated from time to time by us, or to or through underwriters or dealers. Each prospectus supplement relating to an offering will identify any agents or underwriters involved in the sale of the securities, and will disclose any applicable purchase price, fee, discount or commissions arrangement between us and our agents or underwriters or among our underwriters or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated. See “Plan of Distribution”. We may not sell any of the securities through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of this prospectus and a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such securities.

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “TPVG.” The reported closing price for our common stock on July 6, 2015 was $13.43 per share. The offering price per share of our common stock less any underwriting commissions or discounts will not be less than the net asset value per share of our common stock at the time we make an offering pursuant to this prospectus.

Shares of closed-end investment companies, including business development companies, frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value. If our shares trade at a discount to our net asset value, it will likely increase the risk of loss for purchasers in an offering made pursuant to this prospectus.

We are an “emerging growth company” under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended, and are subject to reduced public company reporting requirements. See “Regulation—Emerging Growth Company.”

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Before buying any shares, you should read the discussion of the material risks of investing in our common stock in “ Risk Factors ” beginning on page 24 of this prospectus.

This prospectus contains important information you should know before investing in our common stock. Please read it before you invest and keep it for future reference. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information about us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the “SEC.” The SEC also maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that contains such information. This information is also available free of charge by contacting us at 2755 Sand Hill Road, Suite 150, Menlo Park, California 94025, Attention: Investor Relations, or by calling us collect at (650) 854-2090 or on our website at http://www.tpvg.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and you should not consider that information to be part of this prospectus.

Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these shares or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

The date of this prospectus is                     , 2015


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

     ii   

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

     1   

FEES AND EXPENSES

     20   

SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA

     22   

SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA

     23   

RISK FACTORS

     24   

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     54   

USE OF PROCEEDS

     56   

PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DISTRIBUTIONS

     57   

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     60   

SENIOR SECURITIES

     79   

BUSINESS

     80   

PORTFOLIO COMPANIES

     106   

MANAGEMENT

     112   

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

     118   

MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS

     119   

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS

     127   

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

     129   

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

     131   

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

     134   

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

     136   

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

     144   

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

     145   

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

     152   

DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

     153   

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

     155   

DESCRIPTION OF OUR DEBT SECURITIES

     156   

REGULATION

     170   

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     175   

SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

     177   

CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR

     177   

BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

     177   

LEGAL MATTERS

     178   

EXPERTS

     178   

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

     178   

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     F-1   

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell these shares in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects may have changed since that date. We will update these documents to reflect material changes to the extent required by law.

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), using the “shelf” registration process. Under the shelf registration process, which constitutes a delayed offering in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), we may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings, up to $500,000,000 of common stock, preferred stock, warrants representing rights to purchase shares of our common stock, subscription rights or debt securities, on terms to be determined at the time of the offering. The securities may be offered at prices and on terms described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the offerings of securities that we may conduct pursuant to this prospectus. Each time we use this prospectus to offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. A prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.

Please carefully read this prospectus and any such supplements together with any exhibits and the additional information described under “Available Information” and in the “Prospectus Summary” and “Risk Factors” sections before you make an investment decision.

 

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This prospectus summary highlights some of the information in this prospectus. It is not complete and may not contain all of the information that you may want to consider. You should read the more detailed information set forth under “Risk Factors” and the other information included in this prospectus carefully.

Except as otherwise indicated in this prospectus, the terms:

 

   

“we,” “us” and “our” refer to TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp., a Maryland corporation, and its wholly owned subsidiaries;

 

   

“Adviser” refers to TPVG Advisers LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, our investment adviser and a subsidiary of TPC;

 

   

“Administrator” refers to TPVG Administrator LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, our administrator and a subsidiary of our Adviser;

 

   

“TPC” and “TriplePoint Capital” refer to TriplePoint Capital LLC, a Delaware limited liability company; and

 

   

“Financing Subsidiary” refers to TPVG Variable Funding Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and our wholly owned subsidiary.

Overview

We are an externally managed, closed-end, non-diversified management investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company, or “BDC,” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the “1940 Act.” We also intend to elect to be treated, and intend to qualify annually thereafter, as a regulated investment company, or “RIC,” under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the “Code,” for U.S. federal income tax purposes beginning with our taxable year ended December 31, 2014. We are an “emerging growth company” under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended, or the “JOBS Act.” For so long as we remain an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act, we will be subject to reduced public company reporting requirements.

We were formed to expand the venture growth stage business segment of TriplePoint Capital LLC’s investment platform and are the primary vehicle through which TPC focuses its venture growth stage business. Our investment objective is to maximize our total return to stockholders primarily in the form of current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation by primarily lending with warrants to venture growth stage companies focused in technology, life sciences and other high growth industries which are backed by TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors.

We categorize venture capital-backed companies into the following five lifecycle stages of development: seed, early, later, venture growth and public. For additional information on how we define each market stage, see “Business—Market Opportunity.” We originate and invest primarily in venture growth stage companies. Companies at the venture growth stage have distinct characteristics differentiating them from venture capital-backed companies at other stages in their development lifecycle. For example, the venture growth stage companies that we target generally have completed development of their primary technology and products, meaningful customer sales, experienced management teams, proprietary intellectual property, significant enterprise values and strong capital bases relative to our investments. Additionally, we believe that the credit performance of our venture growth stage companies and the returns associated with lending to these companies is enhanced through our Adviser’s focus on originating investments primarily backed by TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors. We believe these venture capital investors generally (i) have strong brand recognition and track records, respected reputations and experienced professionals; (ii) have superior selection

 

 

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processes and access to quality investment opportunities; (iii) identify and back experienced entrepreneurs with high potential for success; (iv) invest in companies with innovative and proprietary technology that will expand existing or create new market segments; (v) provide specialized knowledge, expertise and assistance in building and growing these companies into industry leading enterprises; (vi) support their companies through continued economic support or by assisting them in raising additional capital from new equity investors; (vii) encourage their companies to opportunistically and prudently utilize debt financing; and (viii) generate strong returns through sales and initial public offerings of the companies in which they invest. In addition, we believe TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors is able to raise additional funds to invest in new companies which should result in more future debt financing opportunities for us.

We originate and invest primarily in loans that have a secured collateral position and are used by venture growth stage companies to finance their continued expansion and growth, or “growth capital loans,” equipment-secured debt financings, or “equipment financings,” and, on a select basis, revolving loans, collectively “secured loans,” together with, in many cases, attached equity “kickers” in the form of warrants, and direct equity investments. We underwrite our investments seeking an unlevered yield-to-maturity on our growth capital loans and equipment financings generally ranging from 10% to 18% and on our revolving loans generally ranging from 1% above the applicable prime rate to 10%, in each case, with potential for higher returns in the event we are able to exercise warrants and realize gains or sell our related equity investments at a profit. We also generally underwrite our secured loans seeking a loan-to-enterprise value of less than 25%. We make investments that our Adviser’s senior investment team believes have a low probability of loss due to our expertise and the revenue profile, product validation, customer commitments, intellectual property, financial condition and enterprise value of the potential opportunity. We believe these investments provide us with a stable, fixed-income revenue stream along with the potential for equity-related gains on a risk-adjusted basis. We believe that the venture growth stage debt market presents a compelling growth channel for us because it has high barriers to entry and is underserved by both traditional lenders and existing debt financing providers to venture capital-backed companies given the brand, reputation and market acceptance, industry relationships, venture lending and leasing expertise, specialized skills, track record, and other factors required to lend to companies backed by leading venture capital investors. Additionally, we believe our investments are distinct compared with the investments made by more traditional lenders because our investments provide us the ability to invest alongside leading venture capital investors in companies focused in technology, life sciences and other high growth industries. We also believe that our investments are distinct compared to the investments made by existing debt financing providers to venture capital-backed companies given our primary focus on venture growth stage companies backed by TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors.

We commenced investment activities on March 5, 2014. In order to expedite the ramp-up of our investment activities and further our ability to meet our investment objectives, on March 5, 2014, we acquired our initial portfolio. The net consideration paid to acquire our initial portfolio was approximately $121.7 million, which reflected approximately $123.7 million of investments less approximately $2.0 million for the prepaid interest and the fair value of unfunded commitments. We financed the acquisition of our initial portfolio by using a portion of a $200.0 million bridge facility, or the “Bridge Facility,” provided by Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch, or “Deutsche Bank.” On March 11, 2014, we completed our initial public offering and sold 9,840,655 shares of common stock (including 1,250,000 shares of common stock through the underwriters’ exercise of their overallotment option and the concurrent private placement of 257,332 shares of common stock to our Adviser’s senior investment team and other persons associated with TPC) of our common stock at an offering price of $15.00 per share. We received $141.6 million of net proceeds in connection with the initial public offering and concurrent private placement, net of the portion of underwriting fees and offering costs we paid. We used these net proceeds to pay down all amounts outstanding under the Bridge Facility and terminated the Bridge Facility in conjunction with such repayment. In February 2014, we entered into a $150 million revolving credit facility, as amended, or “the Credit Facility,” which became effective concurrent with the completion of our initial public offering. On August 8, 2014, we amended the Credit Facility to increase the total commitments by $50 million to

 

 

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$200 million in aggregate. Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at the sum of (i) the commercial paper rate for certain specified lenders and 30-day LIBOR for other lenders or, if LIBOR is unavailable, the higher of Deutsche Bank’s commercial lending rate or the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50% plus (ii) a margin of 3.5% during the Credit Facility’s revolving period. The revolving period under the Credit Facility expires in 2016. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Credit Facility.” On April 1, 2015, we completed a follow-on public offering of 6,500,000 shares of our common stock and received net proceeds of approximately $93.7 million after offering costs.

TriplePoint Capital

TPC is widely recognized as a leading global financing provider devoted to serving venture capital-backed companies with creative, flexible and customized debt financing, equity capital and complementary services throughout their lifespan. TPC is located on Sand Hill Road in Silicon Valley and has a primary focus in technology, life sciences and other high growth industries. TPC’s portfolio of venture capital-backed companies included and/or includes widely recognized and industry-leading companies, including, among others, Facebook, YouTube, Bloom Energy, Chegg, Etsy, Gilt Groupe, Oncomed, One Kings Lane, Proteolix, Ring Central, Ruckus Wireless, Segway, Shazam, Splunk, Square, Varonis and Workday. For information regarding TPC, see “Business—TriplePoint Capital, Senior Investment Team, Adviser and Administrator—TriplePoint Capital.”

TPC utilizes a unique, relationship-based lending strategy which primarily targets companies funded by a select group of leading venture capital investors. TPC refers to this approach as the “TriplePoint Lifespan Approach.” Key elements of the TriplePoint Lifespan Approach include:

 

   

establishing debt financing relationships with select venture capital-backed companies across all five lifecycle stages of development;

 

   

working with TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors to identify debt financing opportunities within their portfolio companies that we believe have established management teams, strong investor support, large market opportunities, innovative technology or intellectual property and sufficient cash on hand and equity backing to support a potential debt financing opportunity on attractive risk-adjusted terms;

 

   

developing debt financing relationships as early as possible in a venture capital-backed company’s lifecycle in order to have a real-time understanding of the company’s capital needs and be in a strategic position to evaluate and capitalize on additional investment opportunities as the company matures;

 

   

diligently monitoring the progress and ongoing creditworthiness of a borrower; and

 

   

serving as a creative, flexible and dependable financing partner with a focus on efficiency, responsiveness and customer service.

In February 2014, our Adviser entered into a staffing agreement with TPC, or the “Staffing Agreement,” under which TPC makes its investment and portfolio management and monitoring teams available to our Adviser.

Senior Investment Team

Our Adviser’s senior investment team is led by TPC’s co-founders, James P. Labe and Sajal K. Srivastava, who are highly experienced and disciplined in providing debt financing across all stages of a venture capital-backed company’s lifecycle, and have developed long-standing relationships with, and have an established history of investing alongside, premier venture capital investors as a creative, flexible and dependable financing partner over the long-term. Our Adviser’s co-founders have worked together for more than 15 years and its senior investment team includes professionals with extensive experience and backgrounds in technology,

 

 

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life sciences and other high growth industries as well as in venture capital, private equity and credit. Our Adviser’s senior investment team has an average of more than 15 years of relevant experience and an extensive network of industry contacts and venture capital relationships. See “Business—TriplePoint Capital, Senior Investment Team, Adviser and Administrator—Senior Investment Team.”

Our Adviser

Our investment activities are managed by our Adviser, which is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, or the “Advisers Act,” and is a subsidiary of TPC. Our Adviser is responsible for sourcing, reviewing and structuring investment opportunities for us, underwriting and diligencing our investments and monitoring our investment portfolio on an ongoing basis. Our Adviser was organized in August 2013 and, pursuant to an investment advisory agreement, in February 2014, we entered into with our Adviser, or the “Investment Advisory Agreement,” we pay our Adviser a base management fee and an incentive fee for its services. For information regarding our Adviser, see “Fees and Expenses,” “Management Agreements—Investment Advisory Agreement” and “Related Party Transactions and Certain Relationships—Investment Advisory Agreement.”

Our Administrator

Our administrative functions are provided by our Administrator. Our Administrator is responsible for furnishing us with office facilities and equipment and provides us with clerical, bookkeeping, recordkeeping and other administrative services at such facilities. In February 2014, we entered into an administration agreement with our Administrator, or the “Administration Agreement,” under which we pay our Administrator an amount equal to our allocable portion (subject to the review of our Board) of our Administrator’s overhead resulting from its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent and the allocable portion of the cost of our Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Financial Officer and their respective staffs associated with performing compliance and financial reporting functions. For information regarding our Administrator, see “Fees and Expenses,” “Management Agreements—Administration Agreement” and “Related Party Transactions and Certain Relationships—Administration Agreement.”

 

 

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Our Structure

The following chart illustrates our ownership structure and relationship with TPC, our Adviser and our Administrator as of March 31, 2015:

 

LOGO

Our Portfolio

The following table shows certain information regarding the secured loans, equity and warrant investments in our portfolio as of March 31, 2015 (dollars in thousands):

 

Venture Growth Stage
Company

 

Industry

 

Type of Investment

  Outstanding
Principal
    Cost     Fair
Value
    Maturity
Date
    Percentage of
Class Held (1)
 

Debt Investments

             

AirStrip Technologies, Inc.

    3303 Oakwell Court San Antonio TX 78218

  Medical Software and Information Services   Growth Capital Loan (8.75% interest rate, 9.00% EOT payment)     4,029        4,278        4,296        10/31/2016        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (8.75% interest rate, 9.00% EOT payment)     5,000        5,163        5,183        3/31/2017        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (8.75% interest rate, 9.00% EOT payment)     4,698        4,803        4,817        7/31/2017        —     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

AirStrip Technologies, Inc. Total

        13,727        14,244        14,296       
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Birst, Inc.

    45 Fremont Street
18th Floor
San Francisco CA 94105

  Business Applications Software   Growth Capital Loan (Prime + 6.90% interest rate, 2.00% EOT payment)     10,000        9,894        9,900        11/30/2017        —     

Cambridge Broadband Network Limited (1)(3)

    Byron House Cambridge Business Park Cowley Road Cambridge CB4 0WZ
GBR

  Wireless Communications Equipment   Growth Capital Loan (11.50% interest rate, 9.50% EOT payment)     6,000        5,992        6,011        9/30/2017        —     

 

 

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Venture Growth Stage
Company

 

Industry

 

Type of Investment

  Outstanding
Principal
    Cost     Fair
Value
    Maturity
Date
    Percentage of
Class Held (1)
 

Coraid, Inc. (2)(5)

    225 Shoreline Drive Redwood City CA 94065

  Data Storage   Growth Capital Loan (10.00% interest rate, 6.00% EOT payment)     4,585        4,684        3,482        12/31/2016        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (10.00% interest rate, 6.00% EOT payment)     9,928        9,870        7,504        6/30/2017        —     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Coraid, Inc. Total

        14,513        14,554        10,986       
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

EndoChoice, Inc.

    11810 Wills Road Alpharetta GA 30009

  Medical Device and Equipment   Growth Capital Loan (11.75% interest rate, 8.00% EOT payment)     10,000        10,142        10,096        2/28/2018        —     
    Growth Capital Loan
(11.75% interest rate, 8.00% EOT payment)
    10,000        10,095        10,096        2/28/2018        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (11.75% interest rate, 8.00% EOT payment)     10,000        10,060        10,096        2/28/2018        —     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

EndoChoice, Inc. Total

        30,000        30,297        30,288       
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

(1) Percentage of class held refers only to equity held, if any.

 

Venture Growth Stage
Company

  Industry  

Type of Investment

  Outstanding
Principal
    Cost     Fair
Value
    Maturity
Date
    Percentage of
Class Held (1)
 

Harvest Power, Inc.

    221 Crescent Street, Waltham MA 02453

  Biofuels/Biomass   Growth Capital Loan (12.00% interest rate, 9.00% EOT payment)     20,000        20,767        20,678        11/30/2016        —     

Hayneedle, Inc.

    9394 West Dodge Road Suite 300 Omaha NE 98114

  E-Commerce—Household
Goods
  Growth Capital Loan (12.50% interest rate, 12.00% EOT payment)   $ 15,000      $ 15,263      $ 15,255        8/31/2017        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (12.75% interest rate, 16.00% EOT payment)     5,000        5,137        5,156        12/31/2017        —     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Hayneedle, Inc. Total

        20,000        20,400        20,411       
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

HouseTrip Limited (1)(3)

    5th & 6th Floor, Corinthian House 279 Tottenham Court Road London W1T 7RJ
GBR

  Travel and Arrangement /
Tourism
  Growth Capital Loan (10.00% interest rate, 5.00% EOT payment)     8,469        8,551        8,574        11/30/2016        —     

Lattice Engines, Inc.

    1825 South Grant Avenue Suite 510 San Mateo CA 94402

  Business Applications
Software
  Growth Capital Loan (8.50% interest rate, 8.00% EOT payment)     3,970        4,182        4,197        12/31/2016        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (8.50% interest rate, 8.00% EOT payment)     2,245        2,310        2,320        3/31/2017        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (9.50% interest rate, 8.00% EOT payment)     2,500        2,514        2,518        9/30/2017        —     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Lattice Engines, Inc. Total

        8,715        9,006        9,035       
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Mind Candy  Limited (1)(3)

    Floor 4, 15 Bonhill Street London EC2A 4DN
GBR

  Entertainment   Growth Capital Loan (12.00% interest rate, 9.50% EOT payment)     10,000        9,906        9,936        6/30/2017        —     

 

 

6


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Index to Financial Statements

Venture Growth Stage
Company

  Industry  

Type of Investment

  Outstanding
Principal
    Cost     Fair
Value
    Maturity
Date
    Percentage of
Class Held (1)
 

ModCloth, Inc.

    115 Sansome Street
San Francisco CA 94104

  E-Commerce—Clothing
and Accessories
  Growth Capital Loan (10.50% interest rate, 10.00% EOT payment)     844        906        910        6/30/2016        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (10.50% interest rate, 10.00% EOT payment)     1,792        1,910        1,917        7/31/2016        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (12.00% interest rate, 10.50% EOT payment)     2,000        2,064        2,065        8/31/2017        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (12.00% interest rate, 11.00% EOT payment)     5,000        5,130        5,127        11/30/2017        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (12.00% interest rate, 11.50% EOT payment)     5,000        5,083        5,070        2/28/2018        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (12.00% interest rate, 7.50% EOT payment)     4,563        4,554        4,563        6/30/2017        —     
    Equipment Financing (1) (7.50% interest rate, 15.00% EOT payment)     709        740        720        8/31/2016        —     
    Equipment Financing (1) (7.50% interest rate, 15.00% EOT payment)     261        271        264        10/31/2016        —     
    Equipment Financing (1) (7.50% interest rate, 15.00% EOT payment)     155        155        156        3/31/2017        —     
    Equipment Financing (1) ( 7.50% interest rate, 15.00% EOT payment)     20        20        20        6/30/2017        —     
    Equipment Financing (1) (7.50% interest rate, 15.00% EOT payment)     13        13        13        7/31/2017        —     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

ModCloth, Inc. Total

        20,357        20,846        20,825       
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

SimpliVity Corporation

    8 Technology Dr
Westborough MA 01581

  Database Software   Growth Capital Loan (10.00% interest rate, 8.50% EOT payment)     7,000        6,901        6,980        6/30/2018        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (10.00% interest rate, 8.50% EOT payment)     3,000        2,936        2,970        10/31/2018        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (11.50% interest rate, 9.00% EOT payment)     7,000        6,835        6,944        10/31/2018        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (11.50% interest rate, 9.00% EOT payment) (2)     3,000        2,915        2,965        12/31/2018        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (12.75% interest rate, 9.50% EOT payment)     10,000        9,666        9,737        1/31/2019        —     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

SimpliVity Corporation Total

        30,000        29,253        29,596       
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

TechMediaNetwork, Inc.

    2425 Lincoln Ave
Ogden UT 84401

  General Media and
Content
  Growth Capital Loan (9.25% interest rate, 8.00% EOT payment)     2,045        2,113        2,121        3/31/2017        —     

 

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Venture Growth Stage
Company

  Industry  

Type of Investment

  Outstanding
Principal
    Cost     Fair
Value
    Maturity
Date
    Percentage of
Class Held (1)
 
    Growth Capital Loan (9.25% interest rate, 8.00% EOT payment)     2,500        2,516        2,523        9/30/2017        —     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

TechMediaNetwork, Inc. Total

        4,545        4,629        4,644       
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Thrillist Media Group, Inc.

    568 Broadway St. Suite 506
New York NY 10012

  General Media
and Content
  Growth Capital Loan (Prime + 8.50% interest rate, 9.00% EOT payment)     5,000        4,694        4,708        9/30/2017        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (Prime + 8.50% interest rate, 9.00% EOT payment)     5,000        4,635        4,640        12/31/2017        —     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Thrillist MediaGroup, Inc. Total

        10,000        9,329        9,248       
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Virtual Instruments Corporation

    C/O Intertrust Corporate Services (Cayman) Limited
190 Elgin Avenue, George Town,
Grand Cayman KY1-9005, Cayman Islands

  Network
Systems
Management
Software
  Growth Capital Loan (9.50% interest rate, 9.25% EOT payment)     5,000        5,166        5,191        12/31/2016        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (9.50% interest rate, 9.25% EOT payment)     5,000        5,146        5,169        1/31/2017        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (9.50% interest rate, 9.25% EOT payment)     5,000        5,127        5,149        2/28/2017        —     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Virtual Instruments Corporation Total

        15,000        15,439        15,509       
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Xirrus, Inc.

    2101 Corporate Center Drive Thousand Oaks CA 91320

  Wireless
Communications
Equipment
  Growth Capital Loan (11.50% interest rate, 8.50% EOT payment)     1,956        2,110        2,128        6/30/2016        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (11.50% interest rate, 8.50% EOT payment)     3,649        3,862        3,895        12/31/2016        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (11.50% interest rate, 8.50% EOT payment)     4,112        4,204        4,264        3/31/2017        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (Prime + 8.25% interest rate, 8.50% EOT payment) (2)     10,000        9,805        9,819        12/31/2017        —     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Xirrus, Inc. Total

        19,717        19,981        20,106       
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total Debt Investments

      $ 241,043      $ 243,088      $ 240,143       
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

Venture Growth Stage Company

  

Industry

  

Type of Warrant

   Shares      Cost      Fair Value  

Warrants

              

Aerohive Networks, Inc.

   Wireless Communications Equipment    Common Stock      33,993       $ 153       $ 4   

AirStrip Technologies, Inc.

   Medical Software and Information Services    Preferred Stock      31,063         112         95   

Birchbox, Inc. (2)

   E-Commerce—Personal Goods    Preferred Stock      49,829         566         1,487   

Birst, Inc.

   Business Applications Software    Preferred Stock      428,491         129         600   

 

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Venture Growth Stage Company

  

Industry

  

Type of Warrant

   Shares      Cost      Fair Value  

Cambridge Broadband Network Limited (1)(3)

   Wireless Communications Equipment    Preferred Shares      33,000       $ 95       $ 95   

CipherCloud, Inc. (2)

   Business Applications Software    Preferred Stock      58,746         36         36   

ECPM Holdings, LLC

   Medical Device and Equipment    Class A Units      1,568,382         224         486   

Harvest Power, Inc.

   Biofuels/Biomass    Common Stock      350         77         *   

Hayneedle, Inc.

   E-Commerce—Household Goods    Common Stock      400,000         468         375   

HouseTrip SA (1)(3)

   Travel and Arrangement / Tourism    Preferred Share      212,804         93         60   

InMobi Pte Ltd. (1)(2)(3)

   Advertising / Marketing    Ordinary Shares      48,500         35         106   

Inspirato, LLC(2)

   Travel and Leisure    Preferred Units      1,994         37         43   

Lattice Engines, Inc.

   Business Applications Software    Preferred Stock      255,913         48         51   

Medallia, Inc. (2)

   Business Applications Software    Preferred Stock      55,814         11         11   

Mind Candy, Inc. (1)(3)

   Entertainment    Preferred Stock      287,187         751         732   

ModCloth, Inc.

   E-Commerce—Clothing and Accessories    Common Stock      419,620         546         421   

Nutanix, Inc. (2)

   Database Software    Preferred Stock      45,000         77         290   

One Kings Lane, Inc. (2)

   E-Commerce—Household Goods    Preferred Stock      13,635         29         29   

Shazam Entertainment Limited (1)(2)(3)

   MultiMedia / Streaming Software    Ordinary Share      2,669,479         134         166   

SimpliVity Corporation

   Database Software    Preferred Stock      655,639         775         1,351   

TechMediaNetwork, Inc.

   General Media and Content    Preferred Stock      72,234         31         31   

Thrillist Media Group, Inc.

   General Media and Content    Common Stock      283,401         712         712   

Virtual Instruments Corporation

   Network Systems Management Software    Preference Shares      694,788         612         593   

Xirrus, Inc.

   Wireless Communications Equipment    Preferred Stock      3,820,887         532         476   
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Warrants

            $ 6,282       $ 8,250   
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*: Less than $0.5.

 

Venture Growth Stage Company

  

Industry

  

Type of Equity

   Shares      Cost      Fair Value  

Equity Investments (2)

              

BirchBox, Inc

   E-Commerce—Personal Goods    Preferred Stock      2,839       $ 250       $ 250   

Birst, Inc

   Business Applications Software    Preferred Stock      42,801         250         250   

Inspirato, LLC (1)(4)

   Travel and Leisure    Preferred Units      1,948         250         250   

MongoDB, Inc.

   Software Development Tools    Common Stock      74,742         1,000         1,000   

Nutanix, Inc.

   Database Software    Preferred Stock      137,202         1,000         1,571   
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Equity Investments

            $ 2,750       $ 3,321   
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Portfolio Companies

            $ 252,120       $ 251,714   
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Notes applicable to the investments presented in the foregoing table:

Unless otherwise noted, all of the investments in the foregoing table are in entities that are domiciled in the United States and/or have a principal place of business in the United States.

No investment represents a 5% or greater interest in any outstanding class of voting security of the portfolio company.

As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, unless otherwise noted, certain of our debt investments and certain of our warrants, with an aggregate fair value of approximately $235.2 million and $239.8 million, respectively, were pledged for borrowings under our revolving credit facility.

Notes applicable to the debt investments presented in the foregoing table:

Interest rate is the annual interest rate on the debt investment and does not include any original issue discount, end-of-term, or “EOT”, payment, payment-in-kind interest, or any additional fees related to the investments, such as deferred interest, commitment fees or prepayment fees. No debt investments have any payment-in-kind interest provisions.

The EOT payments are contractual and fixed interest payments due in cash at the maturity date of the loan, including upon prepayment, and are a fixed percentage of the original principal balance of the loan unless otherwise noted. The EOT payment is amortized and recognized as non-cash income over the loan or lease prior to its payment.

 

 

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Notes applicable to the equipment financings presented in the foregoing table:

At the end of the term of certain equipment financings, the lessee has the option to purchase the underlying assets at fair market value in certain cases subject to a cap, return the equipment or continue to finance the assets. The fair market values for these financings have been estimated as a percentage of original cost for purposes of the EOT payment value.

Notes applicable to the warrants presented in the foregoing table:

Warrants are associated with funded debt instruments as well as certain commitments to provide future funding.

Specific notes applicable to specific investments in the foregoing table:

 

  (1) Investment is a non-qualifying asset under Section 55(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the “1940 Act”. As of March 31, 2015, non-qualifying assets as a percentage of total assets were 7.4%.

 

  (2) As of March 31, 2015, these debt investments, warrants, equity investments and short-term investments were not pledged as collateral as part of our revolving credit facility.

 

  (3) Entity is not domiciled in the United States and does not have its principal place of business in the United States.

 

  (4) Investment is owned by TPVG Investment LLC, a wholly owned taxable subsidiary of us.

 

  (5) In March 2015, we accelerated the outstanding obligations owed by Coraid Inc., and this obligor entered into a foreclosure agreement that provided for Intermodal Data, Inc. to purchase certain assets and assume the outstanding obligations owed to us.

Our Unfunded Commitments

As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, our unfunded commitments to nine and eleven portfolio companies, respectively, totaled $153.5 million and $211.0 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2015, $28.0 million of the unfunded commitments were dependent upon the companies reaching certain milestones before the debt commitment becomes available to them. Our unfunded commitments as of March 31, 2015 included $86.0 million that will expire during 2015 and $67.5 million that will expire during 2016 if not drawn prior to expiration. Our unfunded commitments included $143.5 million with technology-related companies and $10.0 million with non-technology related companies, of which $148.5 million represent commitments for growth capital loans and $5.0 million for revolving loans. Our credit agreements contain customary lending provisions which allow us relief from funding obligations for previously made commitments in instances where the underlying company experiences materially adverse events that affect the financial condition or business outlook for the company. Since these commitments may expire without being drawn upon, unfunded commitments do not necessarily represent future cash requirements or future earning assets for us.

The Staff of the Division of Investment Management has recently informed us that it views our unfunded commitments as senior securities under the 1940 Act. Although we do not agree with the Staff’s position, we intend to comply with the Staff’s position by either maintaining 200% asset coverage or otherwise segregating or setting aside liquid assets or engaging in other SEC or staff approved measures to “cover” our unfunded commitments in an amount required to comply with the 1940 Act. As required by the 1940 Act, the Credit Facility also has a requirement that we maintain a 200% asset coverage ratio. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—Credit Facility.”

Recent Developments

Dividends

On May 6, 2015, the Board announced a $0.36 per share dividend, payable on June 16, 2015, to stockholders of record on May 29, 2015.

Recent Portfolio Activity

On April 15, 2015, Intermodal Data, Inc. acquired certain assets and assumed the outstanding obligations owed to us by Coraid, Inc. and entered into a new loan agreement with us for the amounts owed.

 

 

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From April 1, 2015, through May 5, 2015, we closed $25.0 million in new debt commitments. TPC’s direct origination platform entered into $23.0 million of additional non-binding signed term sheets with venture growth stage companies, subject to due diligence, definitive documentation and investment committee approval, as well as compliance with TPC’s allocation policy.

Investment Strategy

Overview

Our investment objective is to maximize our total return to stockholders primarily in the form of current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation. We pursue our investment objective by relying on a core investment philosophy described as the “Four Rs.” The Four Rs stand for:

 

   

Relationships —We seek to develop and maintain deep, longstanding and mutually beneficial relationships with TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors, borrowers and entrepreneurs.

 

   

Reputation —We seek to preserve and extend the strong reputation of TPC’s brand and franchise as a creative, flexible and dependable financing partner with a focus on efficiency, responsiveness and customer service when interacting with venture capital investors, borrowers and entrepreneurs and when originating, structuring, underwriting and monitoring our investments.

 

   

References —We seek to make every venture capital investor, borrower and entrepreneur with whom we work a reference so that they not only work with us again but encourage others to work with us also. We believe that receiving referrals from TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors, borrowers and entrepreneurs is a critical part of our investment origination process and differentiates us from other lenders.

 

   

Returns —We believe that by focusing on relationships, reputation and references, in addition to utilizing our specialized and established credit and monitoring process, we will generate attractive risk-adjusted returns over the long-term.

We believe that our relationship-based approach to investing, which leverages our Adviser’s senior investment team’s expertise in developing strong relationships with venture capital investors and venture capital-backed companies, understanding the capital needs of a venture growth stage company, and structuring and customizing attractive financing solutions to meet the financing needs throughout a company’s growth stage, enables us to identify, attract and proactively capitalize on venture growth stage companies’ debt needs as they grow and become successful enterprises.

Target Venture Growth Stage Companies

We primarily target investment opportunities in venture growth stage companies backed by venture capital investors. However, having backing from a venture capital investor does not guarantee financing from us. Prospective borrowers must further qualify based on our Adviser’s rigorous and established investment selection and underwriting criteria and generally have many of the following characteristics:

 

   

financing from a member of TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors with whom TPC has an established history of providing secured loans alongside equity investments made by these venture capital investors;

 

   

focused in technology, life sciences or other high growth industries and targeting an industry segment with a large and/or growing market opportunity;

 

   

completion of their primary technology and product development;

 

 

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meaningful customer sales, commitments or orders and have generated or we believe are reasonably expected to generate within the current fiscal year or on an annualized run rate at least $20 million in revenues and a strong outlook for continued and/or potentially rapid revenue growth;

 

   

a leadership position in its market (or the potential to establish a leadership position) with potential and/or defensible barriers to entry;

 

   

an experienced and relatively complete senior management team with a successful track record;

 

   

support from existing venture capital investors in the form of meaningful invested equity capital relative to our investment amount and/or reserved capital or willingness to invest additional capital as needed;

 

   

strong likelihood of raising additional equity capital or achieving an exit in the form of an initial public offering or sale based on our determination;

 

   

differentiated products, unique technology, proprietary intellectual property, and/or positive clinical results that may have intrinsic value on a stand-alone and/or liquidation basis;

 

   

meaningful enterprise value relative to the size of our investment as indicated by a recent equity round valuation or as determined by a third-party with, in our Adviser’s senior investment team’s opinion, the potential for upside;

 

   

a balanced current financial condition typically with 12 months or more of operating cash runway based on its projected cash burn and/or a path to profitability typically over a three to five year period from the date of our investment; and

 

   

upcoming strategic and potential enterprise valuation-accreting business milestones that our investment can help provide operating cash runway for the company to achieve.

For many venture capital-backed companies, we believe that the venture growth stage is generally the point in their lifecycle at which they begin operational and financial preparations for a liquidity event, such as an initial public offering or private sale. For detailed information regarding the characteristics of venture growth stage companies we target, see “Business—Market Opportunity—Stages of Venture Capital-backed Companies and the Appeal of Venture Growth Stage Companies.” We believe these investments provide us with a stable, fixed-income revenue stream along with the potential for equity-related gains on a risk-adjusted basis. We invest opportunistically in venture capital-backed companies at other lifecycle stages of development when our Adviser’s senior investment team believes that they present an attractive investment opportunity for us, subject to our compliance with applicable requirements under the 1940 Act.

We believe that the profiles of the venture growth stage companies that we target mitigate our risk because we expect these companies typically have several options to repay our debt financing through:

 

   

cash flow either from achieving the strong and rapid revenue and profitability plans targeted at the time of our underwriting or in a downside risk scenario from reducing growth and associated operating expenses;

 

   

receiving additional cash from new equity investors based on the progress and development made by the company and their outlook for growth or in a downside risk scenario from existing equity investors to avoid them from otherwise losing all of their invested capital given our ability to foreclose on our collateral;

 

   

receiving acquisition offers from strategic or other financial investors or undertaking an initial public offering, given their large and growing market opportunities, the stage of development of their underlying technology and products and their financial profile; or

 

 

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Index to Financial Statements
   

in a worst case scenario, liquidating underlying assets including any proceeds from the sale of equipment, inventory, accounts receivable and/or intellectual property.

Invest with TriplePoint Capital’s Select Group of Leading Venture Capital Investors

We generally expect to (i) benefit from the relationships developed by TPC as part of its TriplePoint Lifespan Approach and (ii) target investment opportunities backed by a select group of leading venture capital investors with whom our Adviser’s senior investment team has an established history of providing secured loans alongside equity investments made by these venture capital investors. We believe these well-recognized firms have consistently generated strong returns through superior selection processes and access to experienced entrepreneurs and quality investment opportunities based upon their strong reputations and track records, specialized knowledge and experienced investment professionals. As a result of this strategy, we focus and narrow our investment sourcing efforts to those investment opportunities backed by these leading venture capital investors with established track records targeting investments in Silicon Valley, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Northern Virginia, San Diego, Seattle, the United Kingdom, Israel and other geographic areas of venture capital investments. We believe these relationships serve as an important source of investment opportunity referrals for us. We work with our select group of leading venture capital investors to identify debt financing opportunities within their portfolio companies that we believe have established management teams, strong venture capital investor support, large market opportunities, innovative technology or intellectual property, potential for meaningful warrant and/or equity returns and sufficient cash reserves to complement a potential debt financing opportunity. These leading firms manage over $110 billion of capital and continue to raise additional funds to meet the growing investment opportunities for venture capital-backed companies. Since January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2014 these leading firms have made over 4,500 venture capital investments, according to data provided to us by Dow Jones VentureSource.

Focus in Technology, Life Sciences and other High Growth Industries

We generally target technology, life sciences and other high growth industries and further specialize in subsectors within each of these industries including:

 

   

Technology —areas of focus include: big data, cloud computing, communications, consumer, data storage, electronics, energy efficiency, hardware, information services, internet and media, networking, semiconductors, software, software as a service, wireless communications and other technology related subsectors;

 

   

Life Sciences —areas of focus include: biotechnology, diagnostic testing and bioinformatics, drug delivery, drug discovery, healthcare information systems, healthcare services, medical, surgical and therapeutic devices, pharmaceuticals and other life science related subsectors; and

 

   

Other High Growth Industries —areas of focus vary depending upon our Adviser’s investment strategy.

Our Adviser seeks to invest in those subsectors where our Adviser sees opportunities for innovation, globalization, demand and other drivers of change create significant business opportunities for venture growth stage companies with cutting edge technology, differentiated value propositions and sustainable competitive advantages. As a result, we believe that companies in these subsectors are more likely to attract significant investment from venture capital investors, private equity firms or strategic partners and are a more attractive candidate for a liquidity event than a company in a non-high growth industry.

Offer Creative Financing Solutions with Attractive Risk-Adjusted Pricing

Debt financings for venture growth stage companies are extremely diverse with use of proceeds, repayment structures and value propositions varying considerably among different company types. Our debt financings are customized based on a host of factors, including our review, assessment and analysis of each company’s

 

 

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management team, business outlook, underlying technology, support from its venture capital investors, products or services, current and future financial profile, intended use of our proceeds and anticipated payback structure, timing of a liquidity event and return potential. The diversity of debt financing possibilities requires prospective lenders to demonstrate a high degree of venture lending and leasing expertise and technology, life sciences and other high growth industries knowledge, specialization, willingness to provide customized products and flexibility. We believe the members of our Adviser’s senior investment team are uniquely situated given their extensive industry background, track record, knowledge and lending experience in the technology, life sciences and other high growth industries, as well as venture capital, private equity and credit, to analyze, structure and underwrite such debt financings. We believe that we have the ability to appropriately price the investment opportunities we originate based upon the debt structures we employ and the individual risk profiles of our borrowers to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns for us and our stockholders.

Generate Equity Upside over Time through Warrant and Equity Investments

In connection with our secured loans, we generally receive warrants to acquire preferred or common stock in a venture growth stage company with an exercise price typically equal to the same price per share paid by the company’s venture capital investors in its last round of equity financing or a recent valuation of the venture growth stage company as determined by a third-party. Our warrant coverage generally ranges from 2% to 10% of the committed loan amount. The warrants we obtain typically include a “cashless exercise” provision to allow us to exercise these rights without any additional cash investment. We also generally receive the opportunity to invest equity directly in our venture growth stage companies. We believe that making equity investments and receiving warrants in venture growth stage companies with exit events on the horizon, such as an initial public offering or private sale, increases the likelihood of equity appreciation and enhanced investment returns. As a venture growth stage company’s enterprise value changes we expect to recognize unrealized gains or losses from the fair value changes in our warrants and equity investments and in conjunction with either a sale of the company or in connection with or following an initial public offering, we expect to achieve additional investment returns and realized gains from the exercise of these warrants and the sale of the underlying stock.

Utilize a Disciplined Investment Process

Our Adviser’s senior investment team leverages the more than 25 years of experience and expertise of Mr. Labe, one of TPC’s co-founders, and the track record developed by Messrs. Labe and Srivastava at TPC since its inception for reviewing prospective borrowers and potential financings, structuring those financings and subsequently monitoring those that are pursued and made, through which our Adviser’s senior investment team has succeeded in making profitable investments and minimizing credit losses. Additionally, we believe that the credit performance of our venture growth stage companies and the returns associated with lending to these companies are enhanced through our Adviser’s focus on originating investments primarily backed by TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors and having an understanding of their outlook and/or support of our prospective and existing borrowers.

Employ Active Portfolio Management Processes

Our Adviser utilizes an extensive internal credit tracking and monitoring approach to regularly follow a venture growth stage company’s actual financial performance and achievement of business-related milestones to ensure that the internal risk rating assigned to each venture growth stage company investment is appropriate. This process has been refined and validated by Messrs. Labe and Srivastava, TPC’s co-founders, and the track record developed by TPC since its inception and is based, in part, on its expertise, familiarity and deep understanding of the risk associated with investing in various stages of a venture capital-backed company’s lifespan. The analysis focuses on both quantitative metrics, such as cash balance and cash burn, and our Adviser’s qualitative assessment in various areas, such as the outlook for the borrower’s industry segment, progress of product development, overall adherence to the business plan, financial condition, future growth potential and ability to

 

 

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raise additional equity capital. Our Adviser maintains dialogue and contact with our borrowers’ management teams to discuss, among other topics, business progress, cash flow, financial condition and capital structure issues. Our Adviser also typically engages in dialogue with the venture capital investors in our borrowers to understand and assess the company’s progress and development and the venture capital investor’s outlook and/or level of support for our borrower and in conjunction with the Four Rs, our core investment philosophy, determines the appropriate course of action for borrowers on our Credit Watch List.

Market Opportunity

We believe that the current and near-term market environment is favorable for us to continue to pursue an investment strategy focused primarily in venture growth stage companies in technology, life sciences and other high growth industries, with a primary focus on companies that have received investment capital from TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors. We and TPC have an established history of investing in companies in which these leading venture capital investors have previously invested.

Stages of Venture Capital-backed Companies and the Appeal of Venture Growth Stage Companies. We categorize venture capital-backed companies into the following five lifecycle stages of development: seed, early, later, venture growth and public. For additional information on how we define each market stage, see “Business—Market Opportunity.”

Attractive Financing Source for Venture Growth Stage Companies and Their Venture Capital Investors. By using debt financing, a venture growth stage company can (i) diversify its funding sources; (ii) augment its existing capital base and operating capital; (iii) scale its business operations and accelerate growth; (iv) fund administrative expenses ahead of anticipated corresponding revenue; (v) expand its product offerings through internal development or acquisitions; (vi) lower the upfront costs of capital expenditures; (vii) build and/or expand its leadership positions within its markets; (viii) accelerate and/or smooth out the timing of cash collections; and (ix) delay and/or postpone the need for its next round of equity financing, in each case, extending its cash available to fund operations without incurring substantial equity dilution for its existing venture capital investors and management team during a critical time in its lifecycle when it is attempting to meaningfully build enterprise value.

Large and Growing Market for Debt Financing to Venture Capital-Backed Companies. Historically, venture capital-backed companies, including venture growth stage companies, have used a combination of equity and debt financing to keep their overall cost of capital low and to increase capital availability. Venture lending and leasing is a large and growing market driven primarily by venture capital investment activity. According to the National Venture Capital Association, from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2014, U.S. venture capital firms raised nearly $116 billion. During the same time period, U.S. Venture capital firms invested more than $180 billion of capital, which provides significant debt financing opportunities for us.

Venture Capital Support Helps to Reduce Downside Risk. In many cases, venture capital-backed companies raise debt in conjunction with, or immediately after, a substantial venture capital investment in the company. This equity investment supports the secured loan by providing a source of cash to help service the company’s debt obligations in addition to potential cash flow from revenues. In addition, because the loan ranks senior in priority of payment to the equity investment, the company must repay that loan before the venture capital investor realizes a return on its equity investment. If the company subsequently becomes distressed, its venture capital investor will likely have an incentive to assist it in avoiding a payment default, which could lead to foreclosure on the secured assets.

Longer Timing from Initial Investment to Exit Through an Initial Public Offering or Private Sale. As initial public offering and private sale activity continues to rebound from the recession lows, venture capital-backed companies continue to raise more capital across their lifecycles. In the current market

 

 

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environment, we believe that successful venture growth stage candidates for initial public offerings and private sale exits increasingly require more time to achieve revenue targets, product validation and profitability. These longer timeframes put additional strain on venture capital-backed company balance sheets, leading to the need for additional financing in order to meet the desired exit opportunity criteria. For example, according to the National Venture Capital Association’s 2013 Yearbook, in 1998, the average age of a U.S. venture capital-backed company prior to its initial public offering was approximately three years; that number has steadily increased to eight years in 2012, thus increasing the need for additional funding. We expect venture growth stage companies and their venture capital investors will continue to consider debt financing as an attractive source of capital because it augments the capital provided by venture capital investors. Additionally, we believe debt financing provides both venture growth stage companies and their venture capital investors with opportunities to diversify their capital sources, supports a higher valuation through internal growth and provides capital needed to grow during an extended period prior to a liquidity event.

Highly Fragmented, Underserved Market with High Barriers to Entry. The market for debt financing for venture growth stage companies is less developed given the nontraditional financial profile of borrowers, the nature of their collateral and their unique cash flow characteristics. Debt financing for venture growth stage companies is particularly heterogeneous—the types, structures and sizes of debt financings often vary significantly depending on a particular company’s industry and its current or near-term level of development. The availability of debt financing for venture capital-backed companies is further limited by factors such as the brand, reputation and market acceptance, industry relationships, track record, and other factors required to lend to companies backed by leading venture capital investors, in addition to the distinct credit profiles of these companies and the deep experience and specialized set of skills required to (i) source deal flow and receive investment referrals; (ii) evaluate high growth industries and sectors, business prospects, operating characteristics and collateral; (iii) analyze potential transactions; and (iv) customize unconventional transaction structures for these companies.

Competitive Strengths

Experienced Senior Investment Team

Our Adviser’s senior investment team is highly experienced and disciplined in providing debt financing across all stages of a venture capital-backed company’s lifecycle and has developed long-standing relationships with, and has an established history of investing alongside, premier venture capital investors as a creative, flexible and dependable financing partner. Our Adviser’s co-founders have worked together for more than 15 years and its senior investment team includes professionals with extensive experience and backgrounds in technology, life sciences and other high growth industries as well as in venture capital, private equity and credit. Our Adviser’s senior investment team has an average of more than 15 years of relevant experience and an extensive network of industry contacts and venture capital relationships. James P. Labe, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, is a pioneer of the venture capital lending and leasing segment of the commercial finance industry. Mr. Labe has been involved in the venture capital lending and leasing segment for more than 25 years and played a key role in making venture capital lending and leasing a regular source of capital for venture capital-backed companies. In particular, Mr. Labe founded and served as Chief Executive Officer of Comdisco Ventures, a division of Comdisco, Inc., which managed more than $3 billion in loan and lease transactions for more than 870 venture capital-backed companies and generated more than $500 million in cumulative pre-tax profits over 15 years during his tenure. In addition, Mr. Srivastava worked with Mr. Labe at Comdisco Ventures where he structured, negotiated and managed over $200 million of transactions and also managed the diligence and credit analysis team and has led and overseen TPC’s investment analysis, account servicing, portfolio monitoring, legal and finance groups since its inception.

Established Platform with Strong Direct Origination Capabilities

TPC is a widely recognized leading global financing provider devoted to serving venture capital-backed companies with creative, flexible and customized debt financing, equity capital and complementary services

 

 

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throughout their lifespan, including venture growth stage companies. We were organized by TPC to expand its investment platform and serve as its publicly traded vehicle primarily focused in the venture growth stage of a venture capital-backed company’s lifecycle in order to serve the large and growing needs of these companies given their unique risk-return profile. We generally expect to benefit from the relationships developed by TPC as part of its TriplePoint Lifespan Approach and typically source investment opportunities with TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors or directly from prospective venture growth stage companies who are seeking debt financing and are attracted by TPC’s reputation and extensive track record in the venture growth stage debt market. Additional origination sources for our Adviser include its senior investment team’s extensive network of individuals associated with current and former venture growth stage companies, financial advisers, commercial and investment banks, accounting firms and law firms.

Brand Name Reputation with a Long-Term Investment Outlook

We benefit from the brand name reputation, established track record, significant deal origination channels, rigorous due diligence process, disciplined underwriting methods, creative investment structuring and hands-on portfolio management and investment and other monitoring capabilities of our Adviser’s senior investment team. We believe that the Four Rs, TPC’s core investment philosophy, enables us to continue to grow our brand name reputation and differentiate us from our competitors as it is reflective of our long-term approach to our business. By taking a long-term approach to our business, we are highly selective in the transactions we pursue, work with proven and successful venture capital investors, take a disciplined and thorough approach to analyzing, structuring and underwriting our investment opportunities such that they are mutually beneficial to us and our customers, and proactively monitor our investments. We believe that existing customers, prospective customers and venture capital investors appreciate and value our reputation and our long-term outlook when selecting a debt financing partner resulting in beneficial deal flow and potential for better long-term investment returns, while further enhancing our brand, relationships and competitive differentiation.

Differentiated Focus

We believe there are a limited number of lenders that focus on providing debt financing to venture growth stage companies due to the brand, reputation and market acceptance, industry relationships, track record and other factors required to lend to companies backed by leading venture capital investors, in addition to the distinct credit profiles of these companies and the deep experience and specialized set of skills required to (i) source deal flow and receive investment referrals; (ii) evaluate high growth industries and sectors, business prospects, operating characteristics and collateral; (iii) analyze potential transactions; and (iv) customize unconventional transaction structures for these companies. Additionally, many existing debt providers to venture capital-backed companies target specific high growth industry segments, such as life sciences, instead of our general high growth industry approach, while others target specific stages of development, such as lending to companies that are in the seed, early or later stages of development rather than companies in the venture growth stage. In addition, we believe that most existing non-traditional debt providers do not regularly or actively participate in venture growth stage lending due to their reluctance to underwrite the large financings required by venture growth stage companies, as well as the desire of these providers to structure deals with significantly higher equity upside through warrants than would be possible in the venture growth stage lending market. We believe that our focus primarily on venture growth stage companies enables us to generate current income with a lower risk of loss, along with the potential for equity-related gains, due to the revenue profile, product validation, customer traction, intellectual property, enterprise value, financial condition and equity capital base of the companies we target.

Strong Relationship-Based Approach with Leading Venture Capital Investors

Our Adviser utilizes a relationship-based lending strategy which primarily targets investment opportunities backed by TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors with established track records targeting investments in Silicon Valley, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Northern Virginia, San Diego,

 

 

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Seattle, the United Kingdom, Israel and other geographic areas of venture capital investments. We believe these investors have consistently generated strong returns through superior selection processes and access to experienced entrepreneurs and quality investment opportunities based upon strong reputations, specialized knowledge and experienced investment professionals. We believe TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors is able to raise additional funds to invest in new companies which drive greater additional future debt financing opportunities for us. Our Adviser’s senior investment team, with an established history as a creative, flexible and dependable financing partner, works with venture capital investors to (i) identify debt financing opportunities within their portfolio companies that we believe have established management teams, strong venture capital investor support, large market opportunities, innovative technology or intellectual property and sufficient cash on hand and equity backing to support a potential debt financing opportunity on attractive risk-adjusted terms and (ii) diligently monitor the progress and creditworthiness of our borrowers as well as have an understanding of their support of our borrowers.

Summary Risk Factors

An investment in our securities is subject to risks. The following is a summary of the principal risks that you should carefully consider before investing in our securities. In addition, see “Risk Factors” beginning on page 24 of this prospectus to read about factors you should consider before deciding to invest in our securities. For additional information regarding conflicts of interest that may arise out of the investment advisory activities of TPC and our Adviser, also see “Related Party Transactions and Certain Relationships—Policies and Procedures for Managing Conflicts; Co-investment Opportunities.”

 

   

We may not be able to operate our business successfully or generate sufficient revenue to make or sustain distributions to our stockholders.

 

   

We are dependent upon our executive officers and our Adviser’s senior investment team and members of its Investment Committee, in particular, Messrs. Labe and Srivastava, for our success and upon our Adviser’s access to such individuals pursuant to the Staffing Agreement. If our Adviser were to lose such access, our ability to achieve our investment objective could be significantly harmed.

 

   

Our business model depends, in part, upon TPC’s relationships with a select group of leading venture capital investors. Any inability of TPC to maintain or develop these relationships, or the failure of these relationships to result in referrals of investment opportunities for us, could materially and adversely affect our business.

 

   

Our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates and to make investments in venture growth stage companies along with our affiliates is restricted by the 1940 Act which may limit the scope of investment opportunities available to us.

 

   

We will be subject to corporate-level income tax and may default under the Credit Facility if we are unable to qualify or maintain our qualification as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code.

 

   

We may have difficulty paying our required distributions if we recognize income before, or without, receiving cash representing such income.

 

   

Because we use debt to finance certain of our investments, if market interest rates were to increase, our cost of capital could increase, which could reduce our net income. In addition, if the Credit Facility were to become unavailable, it could have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

   

Adverse developments in the credit markets may impair our ability to enter into any other future borrowing facility.

 

   

If we do not invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets, we could fail to qualify as a BDC or be precluded from investing according to our current business strategy.

 

 

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Our investment portfolio is recorded at fair value, with our Board having final responsibility for overseeing, reviewing and approving, in good faith, its estimate of fair value and, as a result, there is uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments.

 

   

Changes in laws or regulations governing our operations may adversely affect our business or cause us to alter our business strategy.

 

   

Our Board may change our investment objective, operating policies and strategies without prior notice or stockholder approval, the effects of which may be adverse.

 

   

Our Adviser or our Administrator can resign upon 60 days’ notice and we may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, or at all, resulting in a disruption in our operations that could materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

   

If we are unable to manage our growth, our results of operations could suffer.

 

   

Our incentive fee may induce our Adviser to pursue speculative investments and to use leverage when it may be unwise to do so.

 

   

Our Adviser’s liability is limited under the Investment Advisory Agreement and we have agreed to indemnify our Adviser against certain liabilities, which may lead our Adviser to act in a riskier manner on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.

 

   

Our investments are concentrated in technology, life sciences and other high growth industries, including clean technology, some of which are subject to extensive government regulation which exposes us to the risk of significant loss if any of these industry sectors experiences a downturn.

 

   

Our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows would be negatively affected if a significant portfolio investment fails to perform as expected.

 

   

If the assets securing the loans that we make decrease in value, then we may lack sufficient collateral to cover losses.

 

   

Our common stock may trade below its net asset value per share, which limits our ability to raise additional equity capital.

Operating and Regulatory Structure

We are an externally managed, closed-end, non-diversified management investment company that has elected to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act and will use leverage but will be required to maintain an asset coverage ratio, as defined in the 1940 Act, of at least 200%. See “Regulation.” We have long-term liabilities related to our borrowings under the Credit Facility we entered into in February 2014 with Deutsche Bank, acting as administrative agent and a lender, and KeyBank National Association, EverBank Commercial Finance, Inc. and AloStar Bank of Commerce, as other lenders. For a description of the Credit Facility, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Credit Facility.”

We intend to elect to be treated, and intend to qualify annually thereafter, as a RIC under the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended on December 31, 2014. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.” As a RIC, we generally will not have to pay corporate-level federal income taxes on any net ordinary income or capital gains that we timely distribute to our stockholders as dividends if we meet certain source-of-income, distribution and asset diversification requirements.

Corporate Information

Our executive offices are located at 2755 Sand Hill Road, Suite 150, Menlo Park, California 94025. We maintain a website located at http://www.tpvg.com. Information on our website is not incorporated into or a part of this prospectus.

 

 

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FEES AND EXPENSES

The following table is intended to assist you in understanding the costs and expenses that an investor in our common stock will bear directly or indirectly. We caution you that some of the percentages indicated in the table below are estimates and may vary. Except where the context suggests otherwise, whenever this prospectus contains a reference to fees or expenses paid by “you”, or “us” or that “we” will pay fees or expenses, we will pay such fees and expenses out of our net assets and, consequently, you will indirectly bear such fees or expenses as an investor in us.

 

Stockholder Transaction Expenses:

  

Sales load payable by us (as a percentage of offering price)

     —   (1)  

Offering expenses (as a percentage of offering price)

     —   (2)  

Dividend reinvestment plan expenses

     0.00 % (3)  
  

 

 

 

Total Stockholder Transaction Expenses (as a percentage of offering price)

     —  
  

 

 

 

Annual Expenses (as percentage of net assets attributable to common stock):

  

Base management fee payable under the Investment Advisory Agreement

     2.56 % (4)  

Incentive fee payable under the Investment Advisory Agreement (20% of net investment income and realized capital gains)

     2.55 % (5)  

Interest payments on borrowed funds

     3.68 % (6)  

Other expenses

     2.79 % (7)  
  

 

 

 

Total annual expenses

     11.58
  

 

 

 

 

(1) In the event that the securities to which this prospectus relates are sold to or through underwriters or agents, a corresponding prospectus supplement will disclose the applicable sales load.
(2) The prospectus supplement corresponding to each offering will disclose the applicable estimated amount of offering expenses, the offering price and the offering expenses borne by us as a percentage of the offering price.
(3) The expenses of the dividend reinvestment plan are included in “Other expenses.” See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”
(4) Our base management fee, payable quarterly in arrears, is at an annual rate of 1.75% of our average adjusted gross assets, including assets purchased with borrowed amounts and other forms of leverage.
(5) Assumes that annual incentive fees earned by our Adviser, remain consistent with the incentive fees earned by our Adviser for the 12 months ended March 31, 2015 adjusted for equity issuances. The incentive fee consists of two components, investment income and capital gains, which are largely independent of each other, with the result that one component may be payable even if the other is not payable.

 

  Under the investment income component we will pay our Adviser each quarter 20.0% of the amount by which our pre-incentive fee net investment income for the quarter exceeds a hurdle rate of 2.0% (which is 8.0% annualized) of our net assets at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter, subject to a “catch-up” provision pursuant to which our Adviser receives all of such income in excess of the 2.0% level but less than 2.5% and subject to a total return requirement. The effect of the “catch-up” provision is that, subject to the total return provision discussed below, if pre-incentive fee net investment income exceeds 2.5% in any calendar quarter, our Adviser will receive 20.0% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income as if the 2.0% hurdle rate did not apply. The foregoing incentive fee is subject to a total return requirement, which provides that no incentive fee in respect of our pre-incentive fee net investment income will be payable except to the extent that 20.0% of the cumulative net increase in net assets resulting from operations since March 5, 2014 exceeds the cumulative incentive fees accrued and/or paid since March 5, 2014. In other words, any investment income incentive fee that is payable in a calendar quarter will be limited to the lesser of (i) 20.0% of the amount by which our pre-incentive fee net investment income for such calendar quarter exceeds the 2.0% hurdle, subject to the “catch-up” provision and (ii) (x) 20.0% of the cumulative net increase in net assets resulting from operations since March 5, 2014 minus (y) the cumulative incentive fees accrued and/or paid since March 5, 2014. For the foregoing purpose, the “cumulative net increase in net assets resulting from operations” is the sum of our pre-incentive fee net investment income, realized gains and losses and unrealized appreciation and depreciation since March 5, 2014.

 

  Under the capital gains component of the incentive fee, we pay our Adviser at the end of each calendar year 20.0% of our aggregate cumulative realized capital gains from inception through the end of that year, computed net of our aggregate cumulative realized capital losses and our aggregate cumulative unrealized depreciation through the end of such year, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid capital gain incentive fees. For the foregoing purpose, our “aggregate cumulative realized capital gains” will not include any unrealized appreciation. It should be noted that we accrue an incentive fee for accounting purposes taking into account any unrealized appreciation in accordance with GAAP. The capital gains component of the incentive fee is not subject to any minimum return to stockholders.

 

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(6) “Interest payments on borrowed funds” represent our estimated annual interest payments and are based on results of operations for the four quarters ended March 31, 2015. The costs associated with any outstanding indebtedness are indirectly borne by our common stockholders. The amount of leverage we employ at any particular time will depend on, among other things, our Board and our Adviser’s assessment of the market and other factors at the time at any proposed borrowing. For information regarding the terms of our Credit Facility, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Credit Facility.” We may also issue preferred stock, subject to our compliance with applicable requirements under the 1940 Act.
(7) “Other expenses” (approximately $4.1 million) are based upon the results of our operations for the four quarters ended March 31, 2015, including payments under the Administration Agreement based on our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by our Administrator. See “Management Agreements—Administration Agreement.”

Example

The following example demonstrates the projected dollar amount of total cumulative expenses over various periods with respect to a hypothetical investment in our common stock. In calculating the following expense amounts, we have assumed we would have approximately $89.6 million of leverage at the end of the year and that our annual operating expenses would remain at the levels set forth in the table above.

 

     1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years  

You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5% annual return

   $ 90       $ 260       $ 417       $ 756   

You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5% annual return entirely from realized gains

   $ 100       $ 286       $ 454       $ 804   

While the example assumes, as required by the SEC, a 5% annual return, our performance will vary and may result in a return greater or less than 5%. As noted the example includes the realized gains fee from the Investment Advisory Agreement but does not include the income incentive fee under the Investment Advisory Agreement, which, assuming a 5% annual return, would either not be payable or have an immaterial impact on the expense amounts shown above, is not included in the example. If we achieve sufficient returns on our investments to trigger an incentive fee of a material amount, our expenses, and returns to our investors, would be higher. Further, while the example assumes reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value, participants in our dividend reinvestment plan will receive a number of shares of our common stock, determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the distribution payable to a participant by (a) 95% of the market price per share of our common stock at the close of trading on the payment date fixed by our Board or (b) the average purchase price of all shares of common stock purchased by the administrator of the dividend reinvestment plan in the event shares are purchased in the open market to satisfy the share requirements of the dividend reinvestment plan, which may be at, above or below net asset value.

This example and the expenses in the table above should not be considered a representation of our future expenses, and actual expenses (including the cost of debt, if any, and other expenses) may be greater or less than those shown.

 

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SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA

The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes thereto and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

     For the Three Months
Ended March 31, 2015
 

Statement of Operations Data:

  

Total investment and other income

   $ 9,808   

Base management fee

     1,159   

Income incentive fees

     1,162   

Capital gains incentive fees

     (296

Interest expense and amortization of fees

     1,644   

All other operating expenses

     1,194   

Net investment income

     4,945   

Net realized gains on investments

     (317

Net change in unrealized gains on investments

     (1,889

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     2,739   

Share Data:

  

Net investment income per share

   $ 0.48   

Net unrealized gains per share

   $ (0.21

Net increase in net assets per share

   $ 0.27   

Dividends per share

   $ 0.36   

Basic and diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding

     10,285,282   

Common stock outstanding at period end

     16,424,171   

Weighted average portfolio yield on debt investments during period

     14.6
     As of March 31, 2015  

Balance Sheet Data at Period End:

  

Investments at fair value

   $ 251,714   

Short-term investments at fair value

     —     

Cash and restricted cash

     18,301   

Other assets

     97,449   

Total assets

     367,464   

Revolving credit facility payable

     120,000   

Payable for U.S. Treasury bill assets

     —     

Other liabilities

     9,591   

Total liabilities

     129,591   

Net assets

     237,873   

Other data:

  

Number of portfolio companies

     26   

 

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SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA

The following table sets forth selected quarterly financial data for the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 2014 and for the three months ended June 30, 2014, September 30, 2014, December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2015. This data should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes thereto and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

    For the
Period from
March 5, 2014
(Commencement
of Operations)
to March 31,
2014
    For the Three Months Ended  

Selected Quarterly Financial Results

(in thousands, except per share data)

    June 30,
2014
    September 30,
2014
    December 31,
2014
    March 31,
2015
 

Total investment and other income

  $ 1,308      $ 5,489      $ 7,858      $ 10,690      $ 9,161   

Net investment income

  $ 569      $ 2,854      $ 3,522      $ 5,862      $ 4,945   

Net unrealized gains (losses)

  $ 1,374      $ 36      $ 1,151      $ (1,078   $ (1,889

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 1,943      $ 2,890      $ 4,673      $ 4,784      $ 2,739   

Basic and diluted net investment income per share

  $ 0.06      $ 0.29      $ 0.36      $ 0.59      $ 0.48   

Basic and diluted net increase in net assets per share

  $ 0.20      $ 0.29      $ 0.47      $ 0.48      $ 0.27   

Net asset value per commons share at period end

  $ 14.58      $ 14.49      $ 14.64      $ 14.61      $ 14.48   

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves a number of significant risks. Before you invest, you should be aware of various risks, including those described below. You should carefully consider these risk factors, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus, before you decide whether to make an investment in our securities. The risks set out below are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not presently deemed material by us may also impair our operations and performance. If any of the following events occur, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected. In such case, our net asset value and the trading price of our commone stock could decline and you may lose all or part of your investment. The risk factors presented below are those we believe to be the principal risk factors associated with our company given our investment objectives, investment policies and capital structure.

Relating to our Business and Structure

We may not be able to operate our business successfully or generate sufficient revenue to make or sustain distributions to our stockholders.

We were formed in June 2013. Our Adviser was formed in August 2013. We commenced operations in March 2014. As a result, we are subject to many of the business risks and uncertainties associated with recently formed businesses, including the risk that we will not achieve our investment objective and that the value of your investment could decline substantially. As a BDC, we are subject to the regulatory requirements of the SEC, in addition to the specific regulatory requirements applicable to BDCs under the 1940 Act and RICs under the Code. In addition, our Adviser is subject to the regulatory requirements applicable to investment advisers under the Advisory Act. We and our Adviser have limited experience operating or advising under this regulatory framework, and we may incur substantial additional costs, and expend significant time or other resources operating under this regulatory framework.

We are dependent upon our executive officers and our Adviser’s senior investment team and members of its Investment Committee, in particular, Messrs. Labe and Srivastava, for our success and upon our Adviser’s access to such individuals pursuant to the Staffing Agreement. If our Adviser were to lose such access, our ability to achieve our investment objective could be significantly harmed.

Our Adviser has entered into the Staffing Agreement with TPC. Pursuant to the Staffing Agreement, TPC has made and will continue to make, subject to the terms of the Staffing Agreement, its investment and portfolio management and monitoring teams available to our Adviser. We believe that the Staffing Agreement (i) provides us with access to deal flow generated by TPC in the ordinary course of its business; (ii) provides us with access to TPC’s investment professionals, including its senior investment team led by Messrs. Labe and Srivastava, and TPC’s non-investment employees; and (iii) commits certain key senior members of TPC’s Investment Committee to serve as members of our Adviser’s Investment Committee. TPC is obligated under the Staffing Agreement to allocate investment opportunities among its affiliates fairly and equitably over time in accordance with its allocation policy. We depend on the diligence, skill and network of business contacts of our Adviser’s senior investment team and our executive officers to achieve our investment objective. We cannot assure you that TPC will fulfill its obligations under the Staffing Agreement or its allocation policy. Further, the Staffing Agreement may be terminated with 60 days’ prior written notice, and we cannot assure you that the Staffing Agreement will not be terminated by TPC or that our Adviser will continue to have access to the professionals and Investment Committee of TPC or its information and deal flow. The loss of any such access would limit our ability to achieve our investment objective and operate as we anticipate. This could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

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Our business model depends, in part, upon TriplePoint Capital’s relationships with a select group of leading venture capital investors. Any inability of TriplePoint Capital to maintain or develop these relationships, or the failure of these relationships to result in referrals of investment opportunities for us, could materially and adversely affect our business.

We depend, in part, upon TPC to maintain industry relationships, including with a select group of leading venture capital investors, and we utilize these relationships to source and identify potential investment opportunities, although this group of leading venture capital investors, which may be modified from time to time, is not obligated to provide us with referrals for investment opportunities. If TPC fails to maintain or develop such relationships, or if we fall out of favor with such venture capital investors, it could decrease our access to these investors or their support and we may not be able to grow our investment portfolio. We can offer no assurance that these relationships will result in any investment opportunities for us in the future. In addition, any harm to the reputation of TPC and/or its select group of leading venture capital investors or their relationships could decrease our deal flow and the outlook of our investments which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Our success depends on the ability of TriplePoint Capital and our Adviser to attract and retain qualified personnel in a competitive environment.

Our growth requires that TPC and our Adviser retain and attract new investment and administrative personnel in a competitive market. Their ability to attract and retain personnel with the requisite credentials, experience and skills depends on several factors including, but not limited to, their and our reputations and their ability to offer competitive wages, benefits and professional growth opportunities. Many of the entities with whom they compete for experienced personnel, including investment funds, have greater resources than they have.

We may not replicate the historical results achieved by TriplePoint Capital or members of its senior investment team.

Our focus in making investments differs from that of TPC. For example, while TPC’s portfolio consists primarily of providing financing to venture capital-backed companies across all stages of their development, including the venture growth stage, we pursue an investment strategy that is focused primarily on the venture growth stage. The profile and underwriting characteristics of an early stage venture capital-backed company are very different from those of a later stage venture capital-backed company and/or those of a venture growth stage company. Furthermore, within venture growth stage companies, the uses, structures and value propositions of debt financing vary considerably among companies and industries and require a high degree of venture lending and leasing expertise and technology, life sciences and other high growth industries knowledge, specialization and flexibility from a lender. As a result, we cannot assure you that we will replicate the historical results achieved by TPC or members of its senior investment team and we caution you that our investment returns could be substantially lower than the returns achieved by them in prior periods.

The nature of our approach to our business may lead to volatility and variability from period to period with respect to new originations. Our financial condition and results of operations depends upon our ability to effectively manage credit, deploy capital and grow our business.

Our ability to achieve our investment objective depends on our Adviser’s ability to manage our business and to grow our investments and earnings. This depends on our Adviser’s ability to identify, invest in and monitor companies that meet our underwriting criteria. Furthermore, our Adviser may choose to slow or accelerate new business originations depending on market conditions, rate of investment of TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors, our Adviser’s knowledge, expertise and experience, and other market dynamics. The achievement of our investment objective on a cost-effective basis depends upon our Adviser’s execution of our investment process, its ability to provide competent, attentive and efficient services to us and, to a lesser extent, our access to financing on acceptable terms. Accomplishing this result on a cost-effective basis is largely a

 

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function of our Adviser’s origination capabilities, management of the investment process, ability to provide efficient services and access to financing sources on acceptable terms. Our Adviser’s senior investment team also has substantial responsibilities in connection with the management of TPC’s investment vehicles and business segments. These activities may distract them from servicing new investment opportunities for us or slow our rate of investment. Any failure to manage our business and our future growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates and to make investments in venture growth stage companies along with our affiliates is restricted by the 1940 Act which may limit the scope of investment opportunities available to us.

We are prohibited under the 1940 Act from participating in certain transactions with our affiliates without the prior approval of our independent directors and, in some cases, the SEC. Any person that owns, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of our outstanding voting securities will be our affiliate for purposes of the 1940 Act. In addition, any venture growth stage company in which we or TPC or its affiliates own 5% or more of its outstanding voting securities will be our affiliate for purposes of the 1940 Act. We are generally prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to such affiliate without the prior approval of our independent directors and, in certain cases, the SEC. The 1940 Act also prohibits certain “joint” transactions with certain of our affiliates, which could include concurrent investments in the same company, without prior approval of our independent directors and, in some cases, the SEC. We are prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to any person that controls us or who owns more than 25% of our voting securities or certain of that person’s affiliates, or entering into prohibited joint transactions with such persons, absent the prior approval of the SEC. As a result of these restrictions, we may be prohibited from (i) buying or selling any security (other than any security of which we are the issuer) from or to any company that is advised or managed by TPC or our Adviser or any of their affiliates or in which TPC or our Adviser or any of their affiliates also hold an interest or (ii) modifying any security that we hold in a company in which TPC or our Adviser or any of their affiliates also hold an interest without the prior approval of the SEC, which may limit our ability to take any action with respect to an existing investment or potential investment regardless of whether we conclude that the action may be in the best interest of our stockholders.

Our investment strategy includes investments in secured loans, together with, in many cases, attached equity “kickers” in the form of warrants, and direct equity investments. TPC also manages, and in the future may manage, other investment funds, accounts or vehicles that invest or may invest in these investments. Although we are the primary vehicle through which TPC focuses its venture growth stage business, other vehicles sponsored or managed by our Adviser’s senior investment team may also invest in venture growth stage companies or may have prior investments outstanding to our borrowers. As a result, members of our Adviser’s senior investment team and Investment Committee, in their roles at TPC, may face conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities among us and other investment vehicles managed by TPC with similar or overlapping investment objectives in a manner that is fair and equitable over time and consistent with TPC’s allocation policy. Generally, when a particular investment would be appropriate for us as well as one or more other investment funds, accounts or vehicles managed by our Adviser’s senior investment team, such investment is apportioned by our Adviser’s senior investment team in accordance with (1) our Adviser’s internal conflict of interest and allocation policies, (2) the requirements of the Advisers Act and (3) certain restrictions under the 1940 Act regarding co-investments with affiliates. Such apportionment may not be strictly pro rata , depending on the good faith determination of all relevant factors, including differing investment objectives, diversification considerations and the terms of our or the respective governing documents of such investment funds, accounts or investment vehicles. These procedures could, in certain circumstances, limit whether or not a co-investment opportunity is available to us, the timing of acquisitions and dispositions of investments, the price paid or received by us for investments or the size of the investment purchased or sold by us.

We have co-invested and, in the future, may co-invest with investment funds, accounts and vehicles managed by TPC where doing so is consistent with our investment strategy as well as applicable law and SEC

 

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staff interpretations. We generally are only permitted to co-invest with such investment funds, accounts and vehicles where the only term that is negotiated is price and generally in accordance with existing and future guidance from the SEC staff. However, we, TPC and our Adviser have filed an exemptive application with the SEC to permit greater flexibility to negotiate the terms of co-investments with investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles managed by TPC in a manner consistent with our investment objective, positions, policies, strategies and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements and other pertinent factors. There can be no assurance that we will receive exemptive relief from the SEC to permit us to co-invest with investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles managed by TPC where terms other than price are negotiated.

We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities and we may not be able to compete effectively.

Our competitors include both existing and newly formed equity and debt focused public and private funds, other BDCs, investment banks, venture-oriented banks, commercial financing companies and, to the extent they provide an alternative form of financing, private equity and hedge funds. One or more of our competitors may have or develop relationships with TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors. We may also be limited in our ability to make an investment pursuant to the restrictions under the 1940 Act to the extent one or more of our affiliates has an existing investment with such obligor. Additionally, many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than us. For example, we believe some of our competitors may have access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which expose them to a wider variety of investments. Furthermore, many of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a BDC or to the distribution and other requirements we must satisfy to maintain our qualification as a RIC.

The competitive pressures we face may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We do not compete primarily on the financing terms we offer and believe that some competitors make loans with rates that are comparable or lower than our rates. We may lose some investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure. However, if we match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure, we may experience decreased net interest income, lower yields and increased risk of credit loss. As a result of this competition, we may not be able to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities from time to time, and we may not be able to identify and make investments that are consistent with our investment objective.

We will be subject to corporate-level income tax and may default under the Credit Facility if we are unable to qualify or maintain our qualification as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code.

To qualify as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, we must meet certain source-of-income, asset diversification and distribution requirements. The distribution requirement for a RIC generally is satisfied if we distribute at least 90% of our net ordinary income and net realized short-term capital gains in excess of net realized long-term capital losses, if any, to our stockholders on an annual basis. Because we incur debt, we are subject to certain asset coverage ratio requirements under the 1940 Act and financial covenants under loan and credit agreements that could, under certain circumstances, restrict us from making distributions necessary to qualify as a RIC. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify as a RIC and, thus, may be subject to corporate-level income tax. To qualify as a RIC, we must also meet certain asset diversification requirements at the end of each calendar quarter. Failure to meet these tests may result in our having to dispose of certain investments quickly in order to prevent the loss of our qualification as a RIC. Because most of our investments are in private companies, any such dispositions may be made at disadvantageous prices and may result in substantial losses. If we fail to qualify as a RIC for any reason and become subject to corporate income tax, the resulting corporate income taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of funds available for distributions to our stockholders and the amount of funds available for new investments.

 

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We may need to raise additional capital to grow. If additional capital is not available or not available on favorable terms, our ability to grow will be impaired.

We may need additional capital to fund new investments or unfunded commitments and grow our portfolio of investments. We intend to access the capital markets periodically to issue debt or equity securities or borrow from financial institutions in order to obtain such additional capital. Unfavorable economic conditions 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. In addition, there may be fewer lenders familiar with, or willing to provide credit to, firms in our industry. The availability of debt from lenders may be more limited than it is for firms that are not in our industry due to the credit profile of our targeted borrowers or the structure and risk profile of our unrated loans. As a result, we may have difficulty raising additional capital in order to fund our loans and grow our business.

In order to maintain our qualification as a RIC, we will be required to distribute at least 90% of our net ordinary income and net realized short-term capital gains in excess of net realized long-term capital losses, if any, to our stockholders. As a result, these earnings will not be available to fund new investments. As a BDC, 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. This limitation may prevent us from incurring debt and require us to raise additional equity at a time when it may be disadvantageous for us to do so. 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.

In addition, shares of closed-end investment companies have recently traded at discounts to their net asset values. If our common stock trades below its net asset value, we 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.

A reduction in the availability of new capital or an inability on our part to access the capital markets successfully could limit our ability to grow our business and execute our business strategy fully and could decrease our earnings, if any, which would have a material and adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We may have difficulty paying our required distributions if we recognize income before, or without, receiving cash representing such income.

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, in certain circumstances, we may be required to recognize taxable income prior to when we receive cash, such as the accrual of end-of-term payments, payment-in-kind, or “PIK,” interest payments and/or original issue discount, or “OID.” Our end-of-term payments are contractual and fixed interest payments due at the maturity date of the loan, including upon prepayment, and are a fixed percentage of the original principal balance of the loan. OID decreases our loan balance by an amount equal to the cost basis of the upfront warrants received and certain capitalized fees we receive in connection with our loan and is recognized by us as non-cash income over the life of the secured loan. Our secured loans generally include an end-of-term payment and/or PIK interest payment. Such payments, which could be significant relative to our overall investment activities are included in income before we receive any corresponding cash payment. We are also required to include in income certain other amounts that we will not receive in cash, including OID.

Since, in these cases we may recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income, we may have difficulty meeting the requirement to distribute at least 90% of our net ordinary income and net realized short-term capital gains in excess of net realized long-term capital losses, if any, to maintain our qualification as a RIC and to avoid a 4% U.S. federal excise tax on certain of our undistributed income. In such a case, we may have to sell some of our investments at times we would not consider advantageous, raise additional

 

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debt or equity capital or reduce new investment originations to meet these distribution requirements. If we are not able to obtain sufficient cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify as a RIC and thus be subject to corporate-level income tax.

You may not receive distributions or our distributions may not grow over time.

We intend to make distributions on a quarterly basis to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. We cannot assure you that we will achieve investment results that will allow us to make a specified level of cash distributions or year-to-year increases in cash distributions. Our ability to pay distributions might be materially and adversely affected by the impact of one or more of the risk factors described in this prospectus. Due to the asset coverage test applicable to us under the 1940 Act as a BDC, we may be limited in our ability to make distributions. All distributions will be made at the discretion of our Board and will depend on our earnings, financial condition, maintenance of RIC status, compliance with applicable BDC, SBA regulations (if applicable) and such other factors as our Board may deem relevant from time to time. We cannot assure you that we will make distributions to our stockholders in the future.

Regulations governing our operation as a BDC affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital. As a BDC, the necessity of raising additional capital may expose us to risks, including the typical risks associated with leverage.

We may issue debt securities or preferred stock and/or 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. Under the provisions of the 1940 Act, we are permitted as a BDC to issue senior securities in amounts such that our asset coverage ratio, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% of our gross assets less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, after each issuance of senior securities. If the value of our assets declines, we may be unable to satisfy this test. If that happens, we may be required to sell a portion of our investments at a time when such sales may be disadvantageous to us in order to repay a portion of our indebtedness. Also, any amounts that we use to service our indebtedness would not be available for distributions to our common stockholders. If we issue senior securities, we will be exposed to typical risks associated with leverage, including an increased risk of loss.

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 or warrants, options or rights to acquire our common stock, at a price below then-current net asset value per share of our common stock if our Board determines that such sale is in our best interests, and if our stockholders approve such sale. In any such case, the price at which our securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price that, in the determination of our Board, closely approximates the market value of such securities (less any distributing commission or discount). If we raise additional funds by issuing 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 may experience dilution.

Pending legislation may allow us to incur additional leverage.

As a BDC, under the 1940 Act we generally are not permitted to incur indebtedness unless immediately after such borrowing we have an asset coverage for total borrowings of at least 200% (i.e., the amount of debt may not exceed 50% of the value of our assets). Recent legislation introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, if eventually passed, would modify this section of the 1940 Act and increase the amount of debt that BDCs may incur by modifying the asset coverage percentage from 200% to 150%. As a result, we may be able to incur additional indebtedness in the future and therefore your risk of an investment in us may increase.

We finance certain of our investments with borrowed money, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and increases the risk of investing in us.

We finance certain of our investments with borrowed money when we expect the return on our investment to exceed the cost of borrowing. The use of leverage magnifies the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested.

 

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The use of leverage is generally considered a speculative investment technique and increases the risks associated with investing in shares of our common stock. Lenders will have fixed dollar claims on our assets that are superior to the claims of our common stockholders and we would expect such lenders to seek recovery against our assets in the event of a default. We may pledge up to 100% of our assets or the assets of a subsidiary under the terms of any debt instruments we may enter into with lenders. In addition, under the terms of the Credit Facility and any borrowing facility or other debt instrument we may enter into in the future, we are or will likely be required to use the net proceeds of any investments that we sell to repay a portion of the amount borrowed under such facility or instrument before applying such net proceeds to any other uses. If the value of our assets decreases, leveraging would cause our net asset value to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had we not leveraged, thereby magnifying losses, potentially triggering mandatory debt payments or asset contributions under the Credit Facility or eliminating our stake in a leveraged investment. Similarly, any decrease in our revenue or income will cause our net income to decline more sharply than it would have had we not borrowed. Such a decline would also negatively affect our ability to make distributions with respect to our common stock. Our ability to service any debt depends largely on our financial performance and is subject to prevailing economic conditions and competitive pressures.

As a BDC, 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 (other than potential leverage in future Small Business Investment Company, or “SBIC,” subsidiaries, should we receive an SBIC license(s), subject to exemptive relief) and any preferred stock that we may issue in the future, of at least 200%. If this ratio declines below 200%, we will not be able to incur additional debt and could be required to sell a portion of our investments to repay some debt when it is otherwise disadvantageous for us to do so. This could have a material adverse effect on our operations, and we may not be able to make distributions. The amount of leverage that we employ depends on our Adviser’s and our Board’s assessment of market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain credit at all or on terms acceptable to us.

Illustration. The following table illustrates the effect of leverage on returns from an investment in our common stock assuming various annual returns, net of expenses. The calculations in the table below are hypothetical and actual results may be higher or lower than those appearing below.

 

     Assumed Return on Our Portfolio (1)
(net of expenses)
 
     (10.0)%     (5.0)%     0.0%     5.0%     10.0%  

Corresponding net return to common stockholder

     (20.20 )%      (12.47 )%      (4.75 )%      2.98       8.56

 

(1) Assumes $367.5 million in total assets, $120.0 million in debt outstanding and an average cost of funds of 6.01%. Actual interest payments may be different.

Based on an assumed outstanding indebtedness of $120.0 million and an assumed average cost of funds of 6.01%, our investment portfolio must experience an annual return of at least 1.96% to cover annual interest payments on such indebtedness.

In addition, the Credit Facility we entered into and any debt facilities we may enter into in the future impose or may impose financial and operating covenants that restrict our business activities, including limitations that hinder our ability to finance additional loans and investments or to make the distributions required to maintain our qualification as a RIC under the Code.

We may default under the Credit Facility or any future indebtedness or be unable to amend, repay or refinance any such facility on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

In the event we default under the Credit Facility or any future indebtedness or are unable to amend, repay or refinance any such future indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, our business could be

 

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materially and adversely affected as we may be forced to sell all or a portion of our investments quickly and prematurely at what may be disadvantageous prices to us in order to meet our outstanding payment obligations and/or support working capital requirements under the Credit Facility or any future indebtedness, any of which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, following any such default, the administrative agent under the Credit Facility could assume control of the disposition of any or all of our assets or restrict our utilization of any indebtedness, including the selection of such assets to be disposed and the timing of such disposition, including decisions with respect to our warrants, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Events of default under the Credit Facility include, among other things, (i) a payment default; (ii) a change of control; (iii) bankruptcy; (iv) a covenant default; and (v) our failure to maintain compliance with RIC provisions at all times.

Because we use debt to finance certain of our investments, if market interest rates were to increase, our cost of capital could increase, which could reduce our net income. In addition, if the Credit Facility were to become unavailable, it could have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Because we borrow money to finance certain of our investments, including under the Credit Facility, our net income will depend, in part, upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the rate at which we invest those funds. As a result, we can offer no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates would not have a material adverse effect on our net income in the event we use debt to finance our investments. In periods of rising interest rates, our cost of funds would increase, which could reduce our net income. In addition, if the Credit Facility were to become unavailable to us and attractive alternative financing sources were not available, it could have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, a rise in the general level of interest rates typically leads to higher interest rates applicable to our secured loans. Accordingly, an increase in interest rates may result in an increase of our income and, as a result, an increase in the incentive fee payable to our Adviser.

Provisions in the Credit Facility or any future indebtedness may limit our discretion in operating our business.

The Credit Facility is, and any future indebtedness may be, backed by all or a portion of our assets on which the lenders may have a security interest. We may pledge up to 100% of our assets or the assets of our Financing Subsidiary and may grant a security interest in all of our assets under the terms of any debt instrument we enter into with lenders. Any security interests that we grant will be set forth in a security agreement and evidenced by the filing of financing statements by the agent for the lenders. Any restrictive provision or negative covenant in the Credit Facility, including diversification and eligibility requirements, or any of our future indebtedness limits or may limit our operating discretion, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. A failure to comply with the restrictive provisions or negative covenants in the Credit Facility or any of our future indebtedness would or may result in an event of default and/or restrict our ability to control the disposition of our assets and our utilization of any indebtedness. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Credit Facility.”

Adverse developments in the credit markets may impair our ability to enter into any other future borrowing facility.

During the economic downturn in the United States that began in mid-2007, many commercial banks and other financial institutions stopped lending or significantly curtailed their lending activity. In addition, in an effort to stem losses and reduce their exposure to segments of the economy deemed to be high risk, some financial institutions limited refinancing and loan modification transactions and reviewed the terms of existing facilities to identify bases for accelerating the maturity of existing lending facilities. If these conditions recur, it

 

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may be difficult for us to enter into a new borrowing facility, obtain other financing to finance the growth of our investments or refinance any outstanding indebtedness on acceptable economic terms or at all.

If we do not invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets, we could fail to qualify as a BDC or be precluded from investing according to our current business strategy.

As a BDC, 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 “Regulation.”

We believe that most of the investments that we may acquire in the future will constitute qualifying assets. However, we may be precluded from investing in what we believe to be 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 assets, we could violate the 1940 Act provisions applicable to BDCs. As a result of such violation, specific rules under the 1940 Act could require us to dispose of investments at inappropriate times in order to come into compliance with the 1940 Act. If we need to dispose of such investments quickly, it could be difficult to dispose of such investments on favorable terms or at all. We may not be able to find a buyer for such investments and, even if we do find a buyer, we may have to sell the investments at a substantial loss. Any such outcomes would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

If we do not maintain our status as a BDC, we would be subject to regulation as a registered closed-end investment company under the 1940 Act. As a registered closed-end investment company, we would be subject to substantially more regulatory restrictions under the 1940 Act, which would significantly decrease our operating flexibility.

Our investment portfolio is recorded at fair value, with our Board having final responsibility for overseeing, reviewing and approving, in good faith, its estimate of fair value and, as a result, there is uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments.

Most of our investments take the form of secured loans, warrants and direct equity that are not publicly traded. The fair value of loans and other investments that are not publicly traded may not be readily determinable, and we value these investments at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board. Most, if not all, of our investments (other than cash and cash equivalents) are classified as Level 3 under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 157, Fair Value Measurement, or “SFAS 157” (ASC Topic 820). This means that our valuations are based on unobservable inputs and our own assumptions about how market participants would price the asset or liability in question. Inputs into the determination of the fair value of our investments require significant management judgment or estimation. We retain the services of one or more independent service providers to review the valuation of these loans and other investments. The types of factors that our Board takes into account in determining the fair value of our investments generally include, as appropriate, such factors as yield, maturity and measures of credit quality, the enterprise value of the company, the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the company’s ability to make payments and its earnings and discounted cash flow, our assessment of the support of their venture capital investors, the markets in which the company does business, comparisons to similar publicly traded companies and other relevant factors. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of private companies, are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates, our determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these loans and other investments existed. Our net asset value could be materially and adversely affected if our determinations regarding the fair value of our loans and other investments were materially higher than the values that we ultimately realize upon the disposal of such loans and other investments.

We may experience fluctuations in our quarterly operating results.

We could experience fluctuations in our quarterly operating results due to a number of factors, including our originations and underwriting processes, the interest rate payable on the secured loans we acquire, any

 

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prepayment made on our secured loans, the timing and amount of any warrant or equity returns, the timing of any draw downs requested by our borrowers, 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. In light of these factors, results for any period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in future periods.

We are an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act, and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our common stock less attractive to investors.

We are and we will remain an emerging growth company as defined in the JOBS Act for up to five years following the completion of our initial public offering or until the earliest of (i) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues exceed $1.0 billion, (ii) December 31 of the fiscal year that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the “Exchange Act,” which would occur if the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700.0 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter and we have been publicly reporting for at least 12 months or (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the preceding three-year period. For so long as we remain an emerging growth company we are eligible to take advantage of certain specified reduced disclosure and other requirements that are otherwise generally applicable to public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, or the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act,” reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. In addition, we have irrevocably opted-out of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the “Securities Act,” for complying with new or revised accounting standards. As a result, we comply with new or revised accounting standards on the same time frames as other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies.” We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive because we will rely on some or all of these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile.

Because of the exemptions from various reporting requirements provided to us as an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act and because we will have an extended transition period for complying with new or revised financial accounting standards, we may be less attractive to investors and it may be difficult for us to raise additional capital as and when we need it. Investors may be unable to compare our business with other companies in our industry if they believe that our financial accounting is not as transparent as other companies in our industry. If we are unable to raise additional capital as and when we need it, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result, stockholders could lose confidence in our financial and other public reporting, which would harm our business and the trading price of our common stock.

Effective internal controls over financial reporting are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and, together with adequate disclosure controls and procedures, are designed to prevent fraud. Any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. In addition, any testing by us conducted in connection with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, or the subsequent testing by our independent registered public accounting firm (when undertaken, as noted below), may reveal deficiencies in our internal controls over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses or that may require prospective or retroactive changes to our consolidated

 

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financial statements or identify other areas for further attention or improvement. Inferior internal controls could also cause investors and lenders to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our common stock.

We are required to disclose changes made in our internal controls and procedures on a quarterly basis and our management is required to assess the effectiveness of these controls annually. However, for as long as we are an emerging growth company under the recently enacted JOBS Act, our independent registered public accounting firm is not required to attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404. We could be an emerging growth company for up to five years following the completion of our initial public offering. An independent assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls could detect problems that our management’s assessment might not. Undetected material weaknesses in our internal controls could lead to financial statement restatements and require us to incur the expense of remediation.

Changes in laws or regulations governing our operations may adversely affect our business or cause us to alter our business strategy.

We are subject to regulation by laws at the U.S. federal, state and local levels. These laws and regulations, as well as their interpretation, may change from time to time, and new laws, regulations and interpretations may also come into effect. Any such new or changed laws or regulations or any new or changed interpretations of existing laws or regulations could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Additionally, changes to the laws and regulations governing our operations related to permitted investments may cause us to alter our investment strategy in order to avail ourselves of new or different opportunities. Such changes could result in material differences to the strategies and plans set forth in this prospectus and may shift our investment focus to other types of investments in which our Adviser’s senior investment team may have little or no expertise or experience. Any such changes, if they occur, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Our Board may change our investment objective, operating policies and strategies without prior notice or stockholder approval, the effects of which may be adverse.

Our Board has the authority, except as otherwise provided in the 1940 Act, to modify or waive certain of our operating policies and strategies without prior notice and without stockholder approval. However, absent stockholder approval, we may not change the nature of our business so as to cease to be, or withdraw our election as, a BDC. We cannot predict the effect any changes to our current operating policies and strategies would have on our business, operating results and the market price of our common stock. Nevertheless, any such changes could materially and adversely affect our business and impair our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

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, our charter and our bylaws contain provisions that may discourage, delay or make more difficult a change in control or the removal of our directors. We are subject to the Maryland Business Combination Act, or the “Business Combination Act,” the application of which is subject to and may not conflict with any applicable requirements of the 1940 Act. Our Board has adopted a resolution exempting from the Business Combination Act any business combination between us and any other person, subject to prior approval of such business combination by our Board, including approval by a majority of our directors who are not “interested persons” as such term is defined in the 1940 Act. If the resolution exempting business combinations is repealed or our Board does not approve a business combination, the Business Combination Act may discourage third-parties from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of

 

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consummating such an offer. Our bylaws exempt from the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act, or the “Control Share Acquisition Act,” acquisitions of our common stock by any person. If we amend our bylaws to repeal the exemption from the Control Share Acquisition Act, the Control Share Acquisition Act also may make it more difficult for a third-party to obtain control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating such an offer. However, we will amend our bylaws to be subject to the Control Share Acquisition Act only if our Board determines that it would be in our best interests and if the SEC staff does not object to our determination that our being subject to the Control Share Acquisition Act does not conflict with the 1940 Act. The SEC staff has issued informal guidance setting forth its position that certain provisions of the Control Share Acquisition Act would, if implemented, violate Section 18(i) of the 1940 Act.

Our charter and bylaws contain other provisions that may make it difficult for a third-party to obtain control of us, including supermajority vote requirements for business transactions that are not approved by a majority of our “continuing directors,” provisions of our charter classifying our Board in three classes serving staggered three-year terms, and provisions of our charter authorizing our Board to classify or reclassify shares of our stock in one or more classes or series and to cause the issuance of additional shares of our stock, and to amend our charter, without stockholder approval, to increase or decrease the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue. These provisions, as well as other provisions of our charter and bylaws, may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.

Our Adviser or our Administrator can resign upon 60 days’ notice and we may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, or at all, resulting in a disruption in our operations that could materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Our Adviser has the right under the Investment Advisory Agreement to resign at any time upon 60 days’ written notice, whether we have found a replacement or not. Similarly, our Administrator has the right under the Administration Agreement to resign at any time upon 60 days’ written notice, whether we have found a replacement or not. In addition, our Administrator has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Conifer Financial Services LLC to provide certain sub-administrative services to us on behalf of our Administrator. If our Adviser, our Administrator or our sub-administrator were to resign, we may not be able to find a new investment adviser, administrator or sub-administrator or hire internal management with similar expertise and ability to provide the same or equivalent services on acceptable terms within 60 days, or at all. If we are unable to do so quickly, our operations are likely to experience a disruption, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows as well as our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders are likely to be materially and adversely affected and the market price of our shares may decline. In addition, the coordination of our internal management and investment or administrative activities, as applicable, is likely to suffer if we are unable to identify and reach an agreement with a single institution or group of executives having the expertise possessed by our Adviser, our Administrator and our sub-administrator. Even if we are able to retain comparable management, whether internal or external, the integration of such management and their lack of familiarity with our investment objective may result in additional costs and time delays that may materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We are highly dependent on information systems and systems failures could significantly disrupt our business, which may, in turn, negatively affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

Our business is highly dependent on the communications and information systems of our Adviser. In addition, certain of these systems are provided to our Adviser by third-party service providers. Any failure or interruption of such systems, including as a result of the termination of an agreement with any such third-party service provider, could cause delays or other problems in our activities. This, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and negatively affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

 

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We incur significant costs as a result of being a publicly traded company.

As a publicly traded company, we incur legal, accounting and other expenses, including costs associated with the periodic reporting requirements applicable to a company whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act, as well as additional corporate governance requirements, including requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other rules implemented by the SEC.

If we are unable to manage our growth, our results of operations could suffer.

Rapid growth of our portfolio would require expanded portfolio monitoring, increased personnel, expanded operational and financial systems and new and expanded control procedures. Our Adviser may be unable to attract sufficient qualified personnel or successfully manage expanded operations. As our portfolio expands, we may periodically experience constraints that would adversely affect our Adviser’s ability to identify and capitalize on investment opportunities, conduct a thorough and efficient diligence and credit analysis, close financing transactions in a timely fashion and/or effectively monitor our portfolio companies. Failure to manage growth effectively could materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Relating to our Conflicts of Interest

There are potential conflicts of interest that could negatively affect our investment returns.

Our investment strategy includes investments in secured loans to companies, together with, in many cases, attached equity “kickers” in the form of warrants, and direct equity investments. TPC also manages, and in the future may manage, other investment funds, accounts or vehicles that invest or may invest in these companies. Although we are the primary vehicle through which TPC focuses its venture growth stage business, subject to its allocation policy and applicable law, other vehicles sponsored or managed by our Adviser’s senior investment team may also invest in venture growth stage companies or may have prior investments outstanding to our borrowers. As a result, members of our Adviser’s senior investment team and the Investment Committee, in their roles at TPC, may face conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities among us and other investment vehicles managed by TPC with similar or overlapping investment objectives in a manner that is fair and equitable over time and consistent with TPC’s allocation policy. Generally, when a particular investment would be appropriate for us as well as one or more other investment funds, accounts or vehicles managed by our Adviser’s senior investment team, such investment will be apportioned by our Adviser’s senior investment team in accordance with (1) our Adviser’s internal conflict of interest and allocation policies, (2) the requirements of the Advisers Act and (3) certain restrictions under the 1940 Act regarding co-investments with affiliates. Such apportionment may not be strictly pro rata , depending on the good faith determination of all relevant factors, including differing investment objectives, diversification considerations and the terms of our or the respective governing documents of such investment funds, accounts or investment vehicles. These procedures could, in certain circumstances, limit whether or not a co-investment opportunity is available to us, the timing of acquisitions and dispositions of investments, the price paid or received by us for investments or the size of the investment purchased or sold by us.

Our Adviser may be subject to conflicts of interest with respect to taking actions regarding many investments in which TriplePoint Capital or its affiliates also have an interest.

Although our Adviser has adopted a compliance program which includes conflicts of interest policies and procedures, that are designed to mitigate the potential actual or perceived conflicts between us, on the one hand, and TPC and its affiliates, on the other hand, it may not eliminate all potential conflicts. TPC and its affiliates may have previously made investments in secured loans, together with, in many cases, attached equity “kickers” in the form of warrants, and direct equity investments in some of the same venture growth stage companies in which we expect to invest. In certain of these circumstances, we may have rights and privileges that give us priority over others associated with the issuer, such as TPC or its affiliates. These rights, if exercised, could have

 

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a detrimental impact on the value of the investment made by TPC or its affiliates in the issuer, and as a result our Adviser may be inhibited in taking such action, even if it is in the best interests of our stockholders. In addition, our Adviser may be subject to a conflict in seeking to make an investment in an issuer in which TPC or its affiliates have already invested, and we may still choose to make such investment, where permissible, subject to the approval of a majority of our directors who have no financial interest in the investment and a majority of our independent directors. In such a scenario, our Adviser may be influenced to make an investment or take actions in order to protect the interests of TPC or its affiliates in the issuer. For additional information regarding conflicts of interest that may arise out of the investment advisory activities of TPC and our Adviser, see “Related Party Transactions and Certain Relationships—Policies and Procedures for Managing Conflicts; Co-investment Opportunities.”

The base management and incentive fee structure we have with our Adviser may create incentives that are not fully aligned with the interests of our stockholders.

In the course of our investing activities, we pay a base management fee and an incentive fee to our Adviser. The Investment Advisory Agreement that we entered into with our Adviser provides that these fees are based on the value of our adjusted gross assets. As a result, investors in our common stock will invest on a “gross” basis and receive distributions on a “net” basis after expenses, resulting in a lower rate of return than one might achieve through direct investments. Because these fees are based on the value of our total assets, our Adviser benefits when we incur debt or use leverage. This fee structure may encourage our Adviser to cause us to borrow money to finance additional investments. Our Board is charged with protecting our interests by monitoring how our Adviser addresses these and other conflicts of interest associated with its management services and compensation. While our Board does not review or approve each investment decision, borrowing or incurrence of leverage, our independent directors periodically review our Adviser’s services and fees as well as its portfolio management decisions and portfolio performance. In connection with these reviews, our independent directors consider whether our fees and expenses (including those related to leverage) remain appropriate. As a result of this arrangement, our Adviser may from time to time have interests that differ from those of our stockholders, giving rise to a conflict. For additional information, see “Management—Our Board and Its Leadership Structure.”

Our incentive fee may induce our Adviser to pursue speculative investments and to use leverage when it may be unwise to do so.

The incentive fee payable by us to our Adviser may create an incentive for our Adviser to make investments on our behalf that are risky or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of such compensation arrangement. The way in which the incentive fee payable to our Adviser is determined, which is calculated separately in two components as a percentage of the interest and other investment income in excess of a quarterly minimum hurdle rate and as a percentage of the realized gain on invested capital, may encourage our Adviser to use leverage or take additional risk to increase the return on our investments. Under certain circumstances, the use of leverage may increase the likelihood of default, which would disfavor the holders of our common stock, including investors in future offerings, or of securities convertible into our common stock or warrants representing rights to purchase our common stock or securities convertible into our common stock. In addition, our Adviser receives the incentive fee based, in part, upon net capital gains realized on our investments. Unlike the portion of the incentive fee based on investment income, there is no minimum level of gain applicable to the portion of the incentive fee based on net capital gains. As a result, our Adviser may have an incentive to invest more in investments that are likely to result in capital gains as compared to income producing securities or to advance or delay realizing a gain in order to enhance its incentive fee. This practice could result in our investing in more speculative securities than would otherwise be the case, which could result in higher investment losses, particularly during economic downturns. A rise in the general level of interest rates can be expected to lead to higher interest rates applicable to certain of our debt investments and may accordingly result in a substantial increase of the amount of incentive fees payable to our investment adviser with respect to our pre-incentive fee net investment income.

 

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We may pay our Adviser an incentive fee on certain investments that include a deferred interest feature.

We underwrite our loans to generally include an end-of-term payment, a PIK interest payment and/or OID. Our end-of-term payments are contractual and fixed interest payments due at the maturity date of the loan, including upon prepayment, and are a fixed percentage of the original principal balance of the loan. The portion of our end-of-term payments which equal the difference between our yield-to-maturity and the stated interest rate on the loan are recognized as non-cash income or OID until they are paid. In addition, in connection with our equity related investments, we may be required to accrue OID which decreases the balance on our secured loans by an amount equal to the value of the warrants we receive in connection with the applicable secured loan over its lifetime. Under these types of investments, we accrue interest during the life of the loan on the end-of-term payment, PIK interest payment and/or OID but do not receive the cash income from the investment until the end of the term. However, our pre-incentive fee net investment income, which is used to calculate the income portion of our incentive fee, includes accrued interest. Thus, a portion of this incentive fee is based on income that we have not yet received in cash, such as an end-of-term payment, a PIK interest payment and/or OID.

The valuation process for certain of our investments may create a conflict of interest.

For many of our investments, no market-based price quotations is available. As a result, our Board determines the fair value of these secured loans, warrants and equity investments in good faith as described above in “—Relating to our Business and Structure—Our investment portfolio is recorded at fair value, with our Board having final responsibility for overseeing, reviewing and approving, in good faith, its estimate of fair value and, as a result, there is uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments.” In connection with that determination, our Adviser’s senior investment team provides our Board with valuation recommendations based upon the most recent and available information, including industry outlook, capitalization, financial statements and projected financial results of each portfolio company. Other than de minimis investments of less than 1% of our gross assets (up to an aggregate of 10% of our gross assets), the valuation for each investment is reviewed by an independent valuation firm annually and the ultimate determination of fair value is made by our Board, including our interested directors, and not by such independent valuation firm. The Board, however, may request at its discretion to have such de minimis investments valued by an independent valuation firm. In addition, Messrs. Labe and Srivastava, each an interested member of our Board, have a material pecuniary interest in our Adviser. The participation of our Adviser’s senior investment team in our valuation process, and the pecuniary interest in our Adviser by certain members of our Board, could result in a conflict of interest as our Adviser’s base management fee is based, in part, on the value of our average adjusted gross assets, and our incentive fee is based, in part, on realized gains and realized and unrealized losses.

There are conflicts related to our arrangements with TriplePoint Capital and our Administrator.

In February 2014, we entered into the License Agreement with TPC under which TPC granted us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the name “TriplePoint” and the TriplePoint logo. See “Management Agreements—License Agreement.” In addition, in February 2014, we entered into the Administration Agreement with our Administrator pursuant to which we are required to pay our Administrator an amount equal to our allocable portion of our Administrator’s overhead resulting from its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent and the allocable portion of the cost of our Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Financial Officer and their respective staffs. This creates conflicts of interest that our Board will monitor. For example, under the terms of the License Agreement, we are unable to preclude TPC from licensing or transferring the ownership of the “TriplePoint” name to third-parties, some of whom may compete against us. Consequently, we are unable to prevent any damage to goodwill that may occur as a result of the activities of TPC or others. Furthermore, in the event the License Agreement is terminated, we will be required to change our name and cease using “TriplePoint” as part of our name. Any of these events could disrupt our recognition in the market place, damage any goodwill we may have generated and otherwise harm our business.

 

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The Investment Advisory Agreement was not negotiated at arm’s length and may not be as favorable to us as if it had been negotiated with an unaffiliated third-party.

Pursuant to the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, our Adviser is responsible for sourcing, reviewing and structuring investment opportunities for us, underwriting and performing diligence of our investments and monitoring our investment portfolio on an ongoing basis. The Investment Advisory Agreement was negotiated between related parties. Consequently, its terms, including fees payable to our Adviser, may not be as favorable to us as if it had been negotiated with an unaffiliated third-party. In addition, we may choose not to enforce, or to enforce less vigorously, our rights and remedies under the Investment Advisory Agreement because of our desire to maintain our ongoing relationship with our Adviser.

Our Adviser’s liability is limited under the Investment Advisory Agreement and we have agreed to indemnify our Adviser against certain liabilities, which may lead our Adviser to act in a riskier manner on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.

Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, our Adviser has not assumed any responsibility to us other than to render the services called for under that agreement. It is not responsible for any action of our Board in following or declining to follow our Adviser’s advice or recommendations. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, our Adviser and its professionals and any person controlling or controlled by our Adviser are not liable to us, any subsidiary of ours, our directors, our stockholders or any subsidiary’s stockholders or partners for acts or omissions performed in accordance with and pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, except those resulting from acts constituting gross negligence, willful misfeasance, bad faith or reckless disregard of the duties that our Adviser owes to us under the Investment Advisory Agreement. In addition, as part of the Investment Advisory Agreement, we have agreed to indemnify our Adviser and its professionals from and against any claims or liabilities, including reasonable legal fees and other expenses reasonably incurred, arising out of or in connection with our business and operations or any action taken or omitted on our behalf pursuant to authority granted by the Investment Advisory Agreement, except where attributable to gross negligence, willful misfeasance, bad faith or reckless disregard of such person’s duties under the Investment Advisory Agreement.

Risks Related to our Investments

Our investments are concentrated in technology, life sciences and other high growth industries, including clean technology, some of which are subject to extensive government regulation which exposes us to the risk of significant loss if any of these industry sectors experiences a downturn.

A consequence of our investment strategy is that our investment returns will be materially and adversely affected if the companies or the industries we target perform poorly. Beyond the asset diversification requirements to which we will be subject as a RIC and any concentration limitations we have agreed or may agree to as part of the Credit Facility or any future indebtedness, we do not have fixed guidelines for diversification or limitations on the size of our investments in any one company and our investments could be concentrated in relatively few industries.

Our investments may be subject to extensive regulation by U.S. and foreign federal, state and/or local agencies. Changes in existing laws, rules or regulations, or judicial or administrative interpretations thereof, or new laws, rules or regulations could have an adverse impact on the business and industries of our portfolio companies. In addition, changes in government priorities or limitations on government resources could also adversely impact our portfolio companies. We are unable to predict whether any such changes in laws, rules or regulations will occur and, if they do occur, the impact of these changes on our portfolio companies and our investment returns. Furthermore, if any of our portfolio companies fail to comply with applicable regulations, they could be subject to significant penalties and claims that could materially and adversely affect their operations. Our portfolio companies may be subject to the expense, delay and uncertainty of the regulatory approval process for their products and, even if approved, these products may not be accepted in the marketplace.

 

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Our portfolio is composed of investments exclusively in the technology, life sciences and other high growth industries, including clean technology. As a result, a downturn in any of these industries and particularly those in which we are heavily concentrated could materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Our portfolio may lack diversification among portfolio companies which may subject us to a risk of significant loss if one or more of these companies defaults on its obligations under any of its debt instruments.

Our portfolio consists of a limited number of portfolio companies. For example, we held 74 investments in 26 companies as of March 31, 2015, and our four largest portfolio companies represented approximately 41% of our portfolio investments. Beyond the asset diversification requirements associated with our qualification as a RIC under the Code, we do not have fixed guidelines for diversification, and our investments may be concentrated in relatively few companies. As our portfolio is currently less diversified than the portfolios of others, we are more susceptible to failure if a single loan fails. Similarly, 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.

Our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows would be negatively affected if a significant portfolio investment fails to perform as expected.

Our total investment in an individual company may be significant. As a result, if a significant investment fails to perform as expected, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows 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.

Our investment strategy includes a primary focus on venture growth stage companies, which are subject to many risks, including dependence on the need to raise additional capital, volatility, intense competition, shortened product life cycles, changes in regulatory and governmental programs, periodic downturns, below investment grade ratings, which could cause you to lose all or part of your investment in us.

We invest primarily in venture growth stage 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, compared to more mature companies. The revenues, income (or losses), and projected financial performance and valuations of venture growth stage companies can and often do fluctuate suddenly and dramatically. For these reasons, investments in our portfolio companies, if rated by one or more ratings agency, would typically be rated below “investment grade,” which refers to securities rated by ratings agencies below the four highest rating categories. Our target venture growth stage companies are geographically concentrated and are therefore highly susceptible to materially negative local political, natural and economic events. In addition, high growth industries are generally characterized by abrupt business cycles and intense competition. Overcapacity in high growth industries, together with cyclical economic downturns, may result in substantial decreases in the value of many venture growth stage companies and/or their ability to meet their current and projected financial performance to service our debt. Furthermore, venture growth stage companies also typically rely on venture capital and private equity investors, or initial public offerings, or sales for additional capital.

Venture capital firms in turn rely on their limited partners to pay in capital over time in order to fund their ongoing and future investment activities. To the extent that venture capital firms’ limited partners are unable or choose not to fulfill their ongoing funding obligations, the venture capital firms may be unable to continue operationally and/or financially supporting the ongoing operations of our portfolio companies which could materially and adversely impact our financing arrangement with the portfolio company.

 

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These companies, their industries, their products and customer demand and the outlook and competitive landscape for their industries are all subject to change which could adversely impact their ability to execute to their business plans and generate cash flow or raise additional capital which would serve as the basis for repayment of our loans. Therefore, our venture growth stage companies may face considerably more risk of loss than do companies at other stages of development.

Some of our portfolio companies may need additional capital, which may not be readily available.

Venture growth stage companies may require additional equity financing if their cash flow from operating activities is insufficient to satisfy their continuing growth, working capital and other requirements. Each round of venture financing is typically intended to provide a venture capital-backed company with only enough capital to reach the next stage of development. We cannot predict the circumstances or market conditions under which our venture growth stage companies will seek additional capital. It is possible that one or more of our venture growth stage 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, the fair value of our portfolio and our ability to restructure our investments. Some of these companies may be unable to obtain sufficient financing from private investors, public or private capital markets or traditional lenders. This may have a significant impact if the companies are unable to obtain certain federal, state or foreign agency approval for their products or the marketing thereof, of if regulatory review processes extend longer than anticipated and the companies need continued funding for their operations during these times. 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.

Our existing and/or future portfolio companies may not draw on any of our unfunded commitments or may draw our outstanding unfunded commitments at a time when our capital is not readily available.

As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, our unfunded commitments to nine and eleven portfolio companies, respectively, totaled $153.5 million and $211.0 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2015, $28.0 million of the unfunded commitments were dependent upon the companies reaching certain milestones before the debt commitment becomes available to them. Our unfunded commitments as of March 31, 2015 included $86.0 million that will expire during 2015 and $67.5 million that will expire during 2016 if not drawn prior to expiration. Our unfunded commitments included $143.5 million with technology-related companies and $10.0 million with non-technology related companies, of which $148.5 million represent commitments for growth capital loans and $5.0 million for revolving loans. Our credit agreements contain customary lending provisions which allow us relief from funding obligations for previously made commitments in instances where the underlying company experiences materially adverse events that affect the financial condition or business outlook for the company. Since these commitments may expire without being drawn upon, unfunded commitments do not necessarily represent future cash requirements or future earning assets for us. However, there can be no assurance that we will have sufficient capital available to fund these commitments as they come due. To the extent we are not able to fund commitments as they come due, we may be forced to sell assets, modify the terms of our commitments or default on our commitments, and, as a result, our business could be materially and adversely affected.

Unlike traditional lenders, we offer a flexible payment and covenant structure to our portfolio companies and may choose not to take advantage of certain opportunities due to our long-term investment philosophy to develop and maintain deep and longstanding relationships with TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors, borrowers and entrepreneurs and to preserve our reputation.

As part of the Four Rs, our core investment philosophy, we seek to develop and maintain deep and longstanding relationships with TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors, borrowers and entrepreneurs and to preserve our reputation. Accordingly, our debt-financing products generally offer borrowers a flexible payment and covenant structure which may not provide us with the same level of protection as more

 

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restrictive conditions that traditional lenders typically impose on borrowers. Furthermore, there may be situations with borrowers on our Credit Watch List where we believe that a member of TPC’s select group of venture capital investors intends to, expresses their intent to, or provides subject to milestones or contingencies, continued support, assistance and/or financial commitment to the borrower and our Adviser, based on such representation, may determine to modify or waive a provision or term of our existing loan which we would otherwise be entitled to enforce. The terms of any such modification or waiver may not be as favorable to us as we could have required, or had the right to require, and we may choose to enforce less vigorously our rights and remedies under our loans than traditional lenders due to our investment philosophy to preserve our reputation and maintain a strong relationship with the applicable venture capital investor or borrower based on their representations made to us.

Worldwide economic conditions, economic recessions or downturns, as well as political and economic conditions, could impair our venture growth stage companies and harm our operating results.

The business and operating results of our venture growth stage companies may be impacted by worldwide economic conditions. Although the U.S. economy has in recent quarters shown signs of recovery from the global recession, the strength and duration of any economic recovery will be impacted by worldwide economic growth. Any conflict or uncertainty, including due to natural disasters, public health concerns, political unrest or safety concerns, could harm their financial condition and results of operations and cash flows. In addition, if the government of any country in which products are developed, manufactured or sold sets technical or regulatory standards for products developed or manufactured in or imported into their country that are not widely shared, it may lead some of their customers to suspend imports of their products into that country, require manufacturers or developers in that country to manufacture or develop products with different technical or regulatory standards and disrupt cross-border manufacturing, marketing or business relationships which, in each case, could harm the business of our venture growth stage companies.

Many of the venture growth stage companies in which we make investments are susceptible to economic slowdowns or recessions and may be unable to repay our secured loans during such periods. Adverse economic conditions may decrease the value of collateral securing some of our secured loans. 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. These events could prevent us from increasing our investments and materially and adversely impact our financial condition, result of operations and cash flows.

If our portfolio companies are unable to protect their intellectual property rights, 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 venture growth stage companies to obtain and maintain proprietary technology used in their products and services, which will often represent a significant portion of the collateral securing our loans. Venture growth stage 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. Venture growth stage companies may have also failed to properly obtain intellectual property ownership that, under intellectual property laws, by default resides with the personnel who created the intellectual property. Consequently, venture growth stage 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 venture growth stage company is found to infringe upon or misappropriate a third-party’s patent or other proprietary rights, that 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

 

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rights. Any of the foregoing events could negatively affect both the company’s ability to service our debt obligation and the value of any equity securities that we own, as well as any collateral securing our obligation.

Our relationship with certain portfolio companies may expose us to our portfolio companies’ trade secrets and confidential information which may require us to be parties to non-disclosure agreements and restrict us from engaging in certain transactions.

Our relationship with some of our portfolio companies may expose us to our portfolio companies’ trade secrets and confidential information (including transactional data and personal data about their employees and clients) which may require us to be parties to non-disclosure agreements and restrict us from engaging in certain transactions. Unauthorized access or disclosure of such information may occur, resulting in theft, loss or other misappropriation. Any theft, loss, improper use, such as insider trading or other misappropriation of confidential information could have a material adverse impact on our competitive positions, our relationship with our portfolio companies and our reputation and could subject us to regulatory inquiries, enforcement and fines, civil litigation and possible financial liability or costs.

Our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be negatively affected if we are unable to recover our principal investment as a result of a negative pledge or lack of a security interest on the intellectual property of our venture growth stage companies.

In some cases, we collateralize our loans with a secured collateral position in a venture growth stage company’s assets, which may include a negative pledge or, to a lesser extent, no security on their intellectual property. In the case of a negative pledge, the venture growth stage 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 venture growth stage company will most likely be liquidated to provide proceeds to pay the creditors of the company. There can be no assurance that our security interest, if any, in the proceeds of the intellectual property will be enforceable in a court of law or bankruptcy court or that there will not be others with senior or pari passu credit interests.

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 borrowers generally are able to repay our loans from their available capital, future capital-raising transactions or current and/or future cash flow from operations. However, to attempt to mitigate credit risks, we typically take a secured collateral position. There is a risk that the collateral securing our secured loans may decrease in value over time, may be difficult to sell in a timely manner, may be difficult to appraise, may be liquidated at a price lower than what we consider to be fair value and may fluctuate in value based upon the success of the business and market conditions, including as a result of the inability of a borrower to raise additional capital.

In certain circumstances, other creditors have claims in priority to our senior lien. Although for certain borrowers, we are the only form of secured debt (other than potentially specific equipment financing), other borrowers may also have other senior secured debt, such as revolving loans and/or term loans, in priority to our senior lien. In underwriting our loans, we generally only consider growth capital loans for prospective borrowers with sufficient collateral that covers the value of our loan as well as the revolving and/or term loans that may be in priority to our senior lien; however, there may be instances in which we have incorrectly estimated the current or future potential value of the underlying collateral or the underlying collateral value has decreased, in which case our ability to recover our investment may be materially and adversely affected. Approximately 17.0% and 20.5% of the debt investments in our portfolio as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, based on the aggregate fair value, consisted of growth capital loans where the borrower has a term loan facility, with or without an accompanying revolving loan, in priority to our senior lien.

 

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In addition, a substantial portion of the assets securing our investment may be in the form of intellectual property, inventory and equipment and, to a lesser extent, cash and accounts receivable. Intellectual property that is securing our loan could lose value if, among other things, the borrower’s rights to the intellectual property are challenged or if the borrower’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.

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 borrower fails to adequately maintain or repair the equipment. 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. Any one or more of the preceding factors could materially impair our ability to recover our investment in a foreclosure.

Our portfolio companies may have limited operating histories and financial resources.

Our portfolio consists of investments in companies that have relatively limited operating histories. Generally, very little public information exists about these companies, and we are required to rely on the ability of our Adviser 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, we may not make a fully informed investment decision, and we may lose money on our investments. These companies may be particularly vulnerable to U.S. and foreign economic downturns such as the recent recession and may have limited access to capital. These businesses also frequently have less diverse product lines and a smaller market presence than larger competitors and may experience substantial variations in operating results. They may face intense competition, including from companies with greater financial, technical, operational and marketing resources, and typically depend upon the expertise and experience of a single individual executive or a small management team. 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. 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 affect our investment returns.

In addition, our existing and future portfolio companies may compete with each other for investment or business opportunities and the success of one could negatively impact the other. Furthermore, some of our portfolio 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 materially and adversely affect the return on, or the recovery of, our investment. As a result, we may lose our entire investment in any or all of our portfolio companies.

We make debt investments in venture growth stage companies that generally do not have sufficient cash resources to repay our loan in full at the time of its origination.

We invest primarily in venture growth stage companies that generally do not have sufficient cash-on-hand to satisfy our loan in full at the time we originate the loan. Following our investment, these companies may be unable to successfully scale operations and increase revenue as we had anticipated at the time we made the investment. In certain circumstances, these companies may not be able to generate meaningful customer sales, commitments or orders due to unfavorable market conditions. As a result, the company may not generate sufficient cash flow to service our loan and/or the company’s venture capital investors may no longer provide the company with meaningful invested equity capital to provide a debt financing cushion to our loan. As a consequence, the company may (i) request us to restructure our loan resulting in the delay of principal repayment, the reduction of fees and/or

 

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future interest rates and/or the possible loss of principal or (ii) experience bankruptcy, liquidation or similar financial distress. We may be unable to accommodate any such restructuring request due to the eligibility requirements under the Credit Facility. The bankruptcy, liquidation and/or recovery process has a number of significant inherent risks for us as a creditor. Many events in a bankruptcy proceeding are the product of contested matters and adversary proceedings and are beyond the control of the creditors. A bankruptcy filing by one of our portfolio companies may adversely and permanently affect our investment in that company. If the proceeding is converted to liquidation, the liquidation value of the company may not equal the fair value that was believed to exist at the time of our investment. The duration of a bankruptcy, liquidation and/or recovery proceeding is also difficult to predict, and a creditor’s return on investment can be materially and adversely affected by delays until the plan of reorganization or liquidation ultimately becomes effective. The administrative costs in connection with a bankruptcy proceeding are frequently high and would be paid out of the debtor’s estate prior to any return to creditors. Because the standards for classification of claims under bankruptcy law are vague, our influence with respect to the obligations we own may be lost by increases in the number and amount of claims or by different treatment. In the early stages of the bankruptcy process, it is often difficult to estimate the extent of, or even to identify, any contingent claims that might be made. In addition, certain claims that have priority by law (for example, claims for taxes) may be substantial.

There may be circumstances when our debt investments could be subordinated to claims of other creditors or we could be subject to lender liability claims.

Even though we structure most of our investments as secured loans, if one of our portfolio companies were to go bankrupt, depending on the facts and circumstances, and based upon principles of equitable subordination as defined by existing case law, a bankruptcy court could subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors and transfer any lien securing such subordinated claim to the bankruptcy estate. The principles of equitable subordination defined by case law have generally indicated that a claim may be subordinated only if its holder is guilty of misconduct or where the senior loan is re-characterized as an equity investment and the senior lender has actually provided significant managerial assistance to the bankrupt debtor. We may also be subject to lender liability claims for actions taken by us with respect to a borrower’s business or instances where we exercise control over the borrower. It is possible that we could become subject to a lender’s liability claim, including as a result of actions taken in rendering significant managerial assistance or actions to compel and collect payments from the borrower outside the ordinary course of business. Such risk of equitable subordination may be potentially heightened with respect to various portfolio investments that we may be deemed to control. See also “Portfolio Companies.”

The lack of liquidity in our investments may materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The majority of our assets are invested in illiquid loans and a substantial portion of our investments in leveraged companies are subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or are otherwise less liquid than more broadly traded public securities. The illiquidity of these investments may make it difficult for us to sell such investments if the need arises. 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 have previously recorded our investments.

To the extent that we invest in equity or equity-linked securities of privately-held companies, there can be no assurances that a trading market will develop for the securities that we wish to liquidate, or that the subject companies will permit their shares to be sold through such marketplaces. A lack of initial public offering opportunities for venture capital-backed companies could lead to companies staying longer in our portfolio as private entities that continue to require private funding. This situation may adversely affect the amount of available funding for venture growth stage companies. A lack of initial public offering opportunities for venture capital-backed companies can also cause some venture capital firms to change their strategies, leading some of them to reduce funding of their portfolio companies and making it more difficult for such companies to access capital and to fulfill their potential, which can result in unrealized depreciation and realized losses in such companies by other companies such as ourselves who are co-investors in such companies.

 

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Even if a subject portfolio company completes an initial public offering, we are typically subject to lock-up provisions that prohibit us from selling our investments into the public market for specified periods of time after the initial public offering. As a result, the market price of securities that we hold may decline substantially before we are able to sell these securities following an initial public offering.

Any unrealized losses we experience on our investment portfolio may be an indication of future realized losses, which could reduce our funds available for distribution and could materially and adversely affect our ability to service our outstanding borrowings.

As a BDC, we are required to carry our investments at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of our Board. Decreases in the market values or fair values of our investments are recorded as unrealized depreciation. Any unrealized losses in our investment portfolio could be an indication of a portfolio company’s inability to meet its repayment obligations to us with respect to the affected investments. This could result in realized losses in the future and ultimately in reductions of our funds available for distribution in future periods and could materially and adversely affect our ability to service our outstanding borrowings.

Our stockholders do not have any input in our Adviser’s investment decisions.

Our investments are selected by our Adviser, subject to the approval of its Investment Committee. Our stockholders do not have input into our Adviser’s investment decisions. As a result, our stockholders are unable to evaluate any of our potential portfolio investments. These factors increase the uncertainty, and thus the risk, of investing in shares of our common stock.

Because we do not hold controlling equity interests in our portfolio companies, we are not able to exercise control over our portfolio companies or prevent decisions by management that could decrease the value of our investment.

We do not hold controlling equity positions in any of our portfolio companies. As a result, we are subject to the risk that a portfolio company may make business decisions with which we disagree and that the management and/or stockholders of a portfolio company may take risks or otherwise act in ways that are materially adverse to our interests. Due to the lack of liquidity of the debt and equity investments that we hold in our portfolio, we may not be able to dispose of our investments in the event we disagree with the actions of a portfolio company and may therefore suffer a decrease in the value of our investment.

We may suffer a loss if a portfolio company defaults on a loan, including the entire or partial loss of the accrued PIK interest, the end-of-term payment and/or OID, such as warrants and facility fees due to us.

Our debt-financing products generally offer a flexible payment and covenant structure to our portfolio companies which may not provide the same level of protection to us as more restrictive conditions that traditional lenders typically impose on borrowers. For example, our secured loans generally include an end-of-term payment, PIK interest payment and/or OID, such as warrants and facility fees. If a portfolio company fails to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders, the company may default on our loan which could potentially lead to termination of its loans and foreclosure on its assets. If a portfolio company defaults under our loan, this could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize such portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the loans or equity securities that we hold, including payment to us of the end-of-term payment, PIK interest payment and/or OID, such as warrants and facility fees. We may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms, which may include the waiver of certain financial covenants, with a defaulting portfolio company.

Prepayments of our loans could materially and adversely impact our results of operations and ability to make stockholder distributions and result in a decline in the market price of our shares.

We are subject to the risk that the loans we make to our portfolio companies may be repaid prior to maturity. We expect that our investments generally allow for repayment at any time subject to penalties in certain

 

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limited circumstances. When this occurs, we generally reinvest these proceeds in temporary investments, pending their future investment in accordance with our investment strategy. These temporary investments typically have substantially lower yields than the loan being prepaid and we could experience significant delays in reinvesting these amounts. Any future investment may also be at lower yields than the loan that was repaid. As a result, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected if one or more of our portfolio companies elect to prepay amounts owed to us. Additionally, prepayments could negatively impact our ability to make, or the amount of, stockholder distributions with respect to our common stock, which could result in a decline in the market price of our shares.

Our portfolio companies may incur debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, our investments in such companies.

We invest a portion of our capital in loans that have a secured collateral position. Our portfolio companies may have, or may be permitted to incur, other debt that is secured by and ranks equally with, or senior to, all or a portion of the collateral secured by the loans in which we invest. By their terms, such debt instruments may provide that the holders 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 loans in which we invest or are entitled to receive payment from the disposition of certain collateral or all collateral senior to us. 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 senior creditors, a portfolio company may not have any remaining assets to use for repaying its obligation to us. In the case of debt ranking equally with loans in which we invest, we would have to share any distributions on an equal and ratable basis with other creditors holding such debt in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of the company.

The senior liens on the collateral secure the company’s obligations under any outstanding senior debt and may secure certain other future debt that may be permitted to be incurred by the company under the agreements governing the loans. The holders of obligations secured by senior liens on the collateral generally control the liquidation of, and are entitled to receive proceeds from, any realization of the collateral to repay their obligations in full before us. In addition, the value of the collateral in the event of liquidation depends on market and economic conditions, the availability of buyers and other factors. There can be no assurance that the proceeds, if any, from sales of all of the collateral would be sufficient to satisfy the loan obligations secured by the senior liens after payment in full of all obligations secured by other liens on the collateral. If such proceeds were not sufficient to repay amounts outstanding under the loan obligations secured by other liens, then we, to the extent not repaid from the proceeds of the sale of the collateral, will only have an unsecured claim against the company’s remaining assets, if any.

The rights we may have with respect to the collateral securing the loans we make to our portfolio companies with senior debt outstanding may also be limited pursuant to the terms of one or more intercreditor agreements that we enter into with the holders of such senior debt. Under a typical intercreditor agreement, at any time that obligations that have the benefit of the senior liens are outstanding, any of the following actions that may be taken in respect of the collateral will be at the direction of the holders of the obligations secured by the senior liens:

 

   

the ability to cause the commencement of enforcement proceedings against the collateral;

 

   

the ability to control the conduct of such proceedings;

 

   

the approval of amendments to collateral documents;

 

   

releases of liens on the collateral;

 

   

waivers of past defaults under collateral documents; and

 

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we may not have the ability to control or direct such actions, even if our rights, including our security interest in the collateral, are materially and adversely affected.

The disposition of our investments may result in contingent liabilities.

A substantial majority of our investments are loans. In connection with the disposition of an investment in loans, we may be required to make representations about the business and financial affairs of the portfolio company typical of those made in connection with the sale of a business. We may also be required to indemnify the purchasers of such investment to the extent that any such representations turn out to be inaccurate or with respect to potential liabilities. These arrangements may result in contingent liabilities that ultimately result in funding obligations that we must satisfy through our return of distributions previously made to us.

Our equity related investments are highly speculative, and we may not realize gains from these investments.

When we make a secured loan, we generally acquire warrants in the company. From time to time we may also acquire equity participation rights in connection with an investment which will allow us, at our option, to participate in current or future rounds of equity financing through direct capital investments in our portfolio companies. In addition, we may be required to accrue OID which decreases the balance on our secured loans by an amount equal to the value of the warrants we receive in connection with the applicable secured loan over its lifetime. To the extent we hold these equity related investments, we attempt to dispose of them and realize gains upon our disposition of them. However, the equity related investments we receive and make may not appreciate in value or may decline in value. We also may be unable to realize any value if a portfolio company does not have a liquidity event, such as a sale of the business or public offering, or if the portfolio company defaults under its outstanding indebtedness, which could materially decrease the value of, or prevent us from being able to sell, the underlying equity related investment. As a result, we may not be able to realize gains from our equity related investments and any gains that we do realize on the disposition of any equity related investment may not be sufficient to offset any other losses or OID we experience or accrue.

Our investments in the life sciences industry are subject to extensive government regulation, litigation risk and certain other risks particular to that industry.

We have invested and plan to continue investing in venture growth stage companies in the life sciences industry that are subject to extensive regulation by the Food and Drug Administration and, to a lesser extent, federal, state and other foreign agencies. If any of these companies fail to comply with applicable regulations, they could be subject to significant penalties and claims that could materially and adversely affect their operations. In addition, governmental budgetary constraints affecting the regulatory approval process, new laws, regulations or judicial interpretations of existing laws and regulations might materially and adversely affect a company in this industry. Venture growth stage companies in the life sciences industry may also have a limited number of suppliers of necessary components or a limited number of manufacturers for their products, and therefore face a risk of disruption to their manufacturing process if they are unable to find alternative suppliers when needed. Any of these factors could materially and adversely affect the operations of a company in this industry and, in turn, impair our ability to timely collect principal and interest payments owed to us.

Investments in secured loans to companies with foreign operations may involve significant risks in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments.

Our investment strategy contemplates making secured loans to companies with foreign operations. Investing in such companies may expose us to additional risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies or U.S. companies with no foreign operations. These risks include changes in exchange control regulations, intellectual property laws, political and social instability, limitations in our ability to perfect our security interests, expropriation, imposition of foreign taxes, less liquid markets and less available information than is generally the case in the United States, higher transaction costs, less government supervision of exchanges,

 

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brokers and issuers, less developed bankruptcy laws, difficulty in enforcing contractual obligations, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards and greater price volatility. In addition, we expect investing in such companies will expose us to higher administrative, legal and monitoring costs and expenses not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies or U.S. companies with no foreign operations.

We may expose ourselves to risks resulting from our use of interest rate hedging transactions.

A majority of our loans in our existing portfolio, as of March 31, 2015, have a fixed interest rate. Our Credit Facility bears interest at a floating rate. We may utilize instruments such as interest rate swaps, caps, collars and/or floors to seek to hedge against fluctuations in the relative values of our fixed-rate portfolio positions and/or to hedge against the impact on our net investment income from changes in market interest rates. When we engage in interest rate hedging transactions, we may expose ourselves to risks associated with such transactions. We believe that any hedging transactions that we enter into in the future will not be considered “qualifying assets” under the 1940 Act, which may limit our hedging strategy more than other companies that are not subject to the 1940 Act.

Hedging transactions do not eliminate the risks associated with possible interest rate fluctuations on the value of our investments. These risks include: (i) the possibility that the market will move in a manner or direction that would have resulted in gain for us had an interest rate hedging transaction not been utilized, in which case our performance would have been better had we not engaged in the interest rate hedging transaction; (ii) the risk of imperfect correlation between the risk sought to be hedged and the interest rate hedging transaction used; (iii) potential illiquidity for the hedging instrument used, which may make it difficult for us to close-out or unwind an interest rate hedging transaction; and (iv) the possibility that the counterparty fails to honor its obligation. Furthermore, it may not be possible to hedge against an interest rate fluctuation that is so generally anticipated that we are not able to enter into a hedging transaction at an acceptable price. Moreover, for a variety of reasons, we may not seek to establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the interest rate being hedged. Any such imperfect correlation may prevent us from achieving the intended hedge and expose us to risk of loss.

Our failure to make protective or follow-on investments in our portfolio companies could impair the value of our portfolio.

Following an initial investment in a portfolio company, we may make additional investments in that portfolio company as “protective” and/or “follow-on” investments, in order to attempt to preserve or enhance the value of our initial investment. We may elect not to make follow-on investments or otherwise lack sufficient funds to make those investments. We have the discretion to make any follow-on investments, subject to the availability of capital resources. The failure to make follow-on investments may, in some circumstances, jeopardize the continued viability of a portfolio company, result in a diminished current value or impair the ability or likelihood for a full recovery of the value of our initial investment, or may result in a missed opportunity for us to increase our participation in a successful operation. Even if we have sufficient capital to make a desired follow-on investment, we may elect not to make a follow-on investment because we do not want to increase our concentration of risk, we prefer other opportunities, we are subject to BDC requirements that would prevent such follow-on investments or the follow-on investment would affect our qualification as a RIC.

Risks Relating to Offerings Pursuant to this Prospectus

Our common stock may trade below its net asset value per share, which limits our ability to raise additional equity capital.

If our common stock is trading below its net asset value per share, we may 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 our common stock trades below net asset value, the higher cost of equity capital may result in it being unattractive to raise new equity, which may limit our ability to grow. The

 

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risk of trading below net asset value 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.

We may be unable to invest a significant portion of the net proceeds from offerings pursuant to this prospectus on acceptable terms within an attractive timeframe.

Delays in investing the net proceeds raised in any offering made pursuant to this prospectus may cause our performance to be worse than that of other fully invested BDCs or other lenders or investors pursuing comparable investment strategies. We cannot provide assurance that we will be able to identify any additional investments that meet our investment objective or that any investment that we make will produce a positive return. We may be unable to invest the net proceeds of an offering on acceptable terms within the time period that we anticipate or at all, which could harm our financial condition and operating results.

Depending on market conditions, it may take us a substantial period of time to invest substantially all of the net proceeds of an offering in investments meeting our investment objective. During this period, we will invest the net proceeds from any offering made pursuant to this prospectus primarily in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality investment grade investments that mature in one year or less from the date of investment. The income we earn on such temporary investments will generally be significantly less than what we would expect to receive from investments in the types of investments we intend to target. As a result, any distributions that we pay during this period may be substantially lower than the distributions that we may be able to pay when our portfolio is fully invested in investments meeting our investment objective. In addition, until such time as the net proceeds of any offering made pursuant to this prospectus are invested in investments meeting our investment objective, the market price for our common stock may decline. Thus, the return on an investment may be lower than when, if ever, our portfolio is fully invested in investments meeting our investment objective.

Our stockholders will experience dilution in their ownership percentage if they opt out of our dividend reinvestment plan.

All dividends declared in cash payable to stockholders that are participants in our dividend reinvestment plan may be reinvested in newly-issued shares of our common stock. As a result, our stockholders that opt out of our dividend reinvestment plan will experience dilution in their ownership percentage of our common stock over time.

Investing in our securities may involve an above average degree of risk.

The investments we make in accordance with our investment strategy may result in a higher amount of risk and higher volatility or loss of principal than alternative investment options. Our investments in venture growth stage companies with secured loans, warrants and direct equity investments may be speculative and, therefore, an investment in our common stock may not be suitable for someone with lower risk tolerance.

The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly.

The market price and liquidity of the market for shares of our common stock may be significantly affected by numerous factors, some of which are beyond our control and may not be directly related to our operating performance. These factors include:

 

   

price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market from time to time;

 

   

significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of securities of BDCs or other companies in our sector, which is not necessarily related to the operating performance of these companies;

 

   

any inability to deploy or invest our capital;

 

   

fluctuations in interest rates;

 

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any inability to access the capital markets;

 

   

realized and unrealized losses in investments in our portfolio companies;

 

   

the financial performance of the industries in which we invest;

 

   

announcement of strategic developments, acquisitions, and other material events by us or our competitors or operating performance of companies comparable to us;

 

   

changes in regulatory policies or tax guidelines, particularly with respect to RICs or BDCs;

 

   

perception or reputation of TPC;

 

   

loss of our qualification as a RIC or BDC;

 

   

changes in earnings or variations in operating results;

 

   

changes in accounting guidelines governing valuation of our investments;

 

   

any shortfall in revenue or net income or any increase in losses from levels expected by investors or securities analysts;

 

   

departure of, or loss of access to, our Adviser’s senior investment team;

 

   

operating performance of companies comparable to us; and

 

   

general economic trends and other external factors.

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.

Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.

Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock, or the availability of such common stock for sale, could adversely affect the prevailing market prices for our common stock. If this occurs and continues, it could impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of securities should we desire to do so.

If we issue preferred stock, debt securities or convertible debt securities, the net asset value and market value of our common stock may become more volatile.

We cannot provide assurance that the issuance of preferred stock and/or debt securities would result in a higher yield or return to the holders of our common stock. The issuance of preferred stock, debt securities or convertible debt would likely cause the net asset value and market value of our common stock to become more volatile. If the dividend rate on the preferred stock, or the interest rate on the debt securities, were to approach the net rate of return on our investment portfolio, the benefit of leverage to the holders of our common stock would be reduced. If the dividend rate on the preferred stock, or the interest rate on the debt securities, were to exceed the net rate of return on our portfolio, the use of leverage would result in a lower rate of return to the holders of common stock than if we had not issued the preferred stock or debt securities. Any decline in the net asset value of our investment would be borne entirely by the holders of our common stock. Therefore, if the market value of our portfolio were to decline, the leverage would result in a greater decrease in net asset value to the holders of our common stock than if we were not leveraged through the issuance of preferred stock. This decline in net asset value would also tend to cause a greater decline in the market price for our common stock.

There is also a risk that, in the event of a sharp decline in the value of our net assets, we would be in danger of failing to maintain required asset coverage ratios which may be required by the preferred stock, debt securities,

 

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convertible debt or units or of a downgrade in the ratings of the preferred stock, debt securities, convertible debt or units or our current investment income might not be sufficient to meet the dividend requirements on the preferred stock or the interest payments on the debt securities. In order to counteract such an event, we might need to liquidate investments in order to fund redemption of some or all of the preferred stock, debt securities or convertible debt. In addition, we would pay (and the holders of our common stock would bear) all costs and expenses relating to the issuance and ongoing maintenance of the preferred stock, debt securities, convertible debt or any combination of these securities. Holders of preferred stock, debt securities or convertible debt may have different interests than holders of common stock and may at times have disproportionate influence over our affairs.

Holders of any preferred stock we might issue would have the right to elect members of our board of directors and class voting rights on certain matters.

Holders of any preferred stock we might issue, voting separately as a single class, would have the right to elect two members of our board of directors at all times and in the event dividends become two full years in arrears would have the right to elect a majority of the directors until such arrearage is completely eliminated. In addition, preferred stockholders have class voting rights on certain matters, including changes in fundamental investment restrictions and conversion to open-end status, and accordingly can veto any such changes. Restrictions imposed on the declarations and payment of dividends or other distributions to the holders of our common stock and preferred stock, both by the 1940 Act and by requirements imposed by rating agencies, if any, or the terms of our credit facilities, if any, might impair our ability to maintain our qualification as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. While we would intend to redeem our preferred stock to the extent necessary to enable us to distribute our income as required to maintain our qualification as a RIC, there can be no assurance that such actions could be effected in time to meet the tax requirements.

Holders of any preferred stock that we may issue will have the right to elect members of the board of directors and have class voting rights on certain matters.

The 1940 Act requires that holders of shares of preferred stock must be entitled as a class to elect two directors at all times and to elect a majority of the directors if dividends on such preferred stock are in arrears by two years or more, until such arrearage is eliminated. In addition, certain matters under the 1940 Act require the separate vote of the holders of any issued and outstanding preferred stock, including changes in fundamental investment restrictions and conversion to open-end status and, accordingly, preferred stockholders could veto any such changes. Restrictions imposed on the declarations and payment of dividends or other distributions to the holders of our common stock and preferred stock, both by the 1940 Act and by requirements imposed by rating agencies, might impair our ability to maintain our qualification as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

An investors’ interest in us may be diluted if such investors does not fully exercise its subscription rights in any rights offering. In addition, if the subscription price is less than our net asset value per share, then an investor will experience an immediate dilution of the aggregate net asset value of its shares.

In the event we issue subscription rights, stockholders who do not fully exercise their subscription rights should expect that they will, at the completion of a rights offering made pursuant to this prospectus, own a smaller proportional interest in us than would otherwise be the case if they fully exercised their rights. We cannot state precisely the amount of any such dilution in share ownership because we do not know at this time what proportion of the shares will be purchased as a result of such rights offering.

In addition, if the subscription price is less than the net asset value per share of our common stock, then our stockholders would experience an immediate dilution of the aggregate net asset value of their shares as a result of the offering. The amount of any decrease in net asset value is not predictable because it is not known at this time what the subscription price and net asset value per share will be on the expiration date of a rights offering or what proportion of the shares will be purchased as a result of such rights offering. Such dilution could be substantial.

 

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These dilutive effects may be exacerbated if we were to conduct multiple subscription rights offerings, particularly if such offerings were to occur over a short period of time. In addition, subscription rights offerings and the prospect of future subscription rights offerings may create downward pressure on the secondary market price of our common stock due to the potential for the issuance of shares at a price below our net asset value, without a corresponding change to our net asset value.

The trading market or market value of our publicly issued debt securities may fluctuate.

Our publicly issued debt securities may or may not have an established trading market. We cannot provide assurance that a trading market for our publicly issued debt securities will ever develop or be maintained if developed. In addition to our creditworthiness, many factors may materially adversely affect the trading market for, and market value of, our publicly issued debt securities. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

   

the time remaining to the maturity of these debt securities;

 

   

the outstanding principal amount of debt securities with terms identical to these debt securities;

 

   

the ratings assigned by national statistical ratings agencies;

 

   

the general economic environment;

 

   

the supply of debt securities trading in the secondary market, if any;

 

   

the redemption or repayment features, if any, of these debt securities;

 

   

the level, direction and volatility of market interest rates generally; and

 

   

market rates of interest higher or lower than rates borne by the debt securities.

An investor should also be aware that there may be a limited number of buyers when such investor decides to sell its debt securities. This too may materially adversely affect the market value of the debt securities or the trading market for the debt securities.

Terms relating to redemption may materially adversely affect the return on any debt securities that we may issue.

If debt securities are redeemable at our option, we may choose to redeem debt securities at times when prevailing interest rates are lower than the interest rate paid on debt securities. In addition, if debt securities are subject to mandatory redemption, we may be required to redeem debt securities also at times when prevailing interest rates are lower than the interest rate paid on debt securities. In this circumstance, an investor may not be able to reinvest the redemption proceeds in a comparable security at an effective interest rate as high as the debt securities being redeemed.

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about us, our current and prospective portfolio investments, our industry, our beliefs, and our assumptions. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “may,” “continue,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “targets,” “projects,” and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus involve risks and uncertainties, including statements as to:

 

   

our future operating results;

 

   

our business prospects and the prospects of our portfolio companies;

 

   

our relationships with third-parties including venture capital investors;

 

   

the impact and timing of our unfunded commitments;

 

   

the expected market for venture capital investments;

 

   

the performance of our portfolio and other investments that we may make in the future;

 

   

the impact of investments that we expect to make;

 

   

actual and potential conflicts of interest with TPC and our Adviser and its senior investment team and Investment Committee;

 

   

our contractual arrangements and 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;

 

   

the ability of our Adviser to attract, retain and have access to highly talented professionals, including our Adviser’s senior investment team;

 

   

our ability to qualify and maintain our qualification as a RIC and as a BDC;

 

   

the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital; and

 

   

the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of our portfolio companies.

These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements, including without limitation:

 

   

an economic downturn could impair our portfolio companies’ ability to continue to operate, which could lead to the loss of some or all of our investments in such portfolio companies;

 

   

a contraction of available credit and/or an inability to access the equity markets could impair our lending and investment activities;

 

   

interest rate volatility could adversely affect our results, particularly if we elect to use leverage as part of our investment strategy;

 

   

currency fluctuations could adversely affect the results of our investments in foreign companies, particularly to the extent that we receive payments denominated in foreign currency rather than U.S. dollars; and

 

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the risks, uncertainties and other factors we identify in “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and in our filings with the SEC.

Although we believe that the assumptions on which these forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, any of those assumptions could prove to be inaccurate, and as a result, the forward-looking statements based on those assumptions also could be inaccurate. Important assumptions include our ability to originate new loans and investments, certain margins and levels of profitability and the availability of additional capital. In light of these and other uncertainties, the inclusion of a projection or forward-looking statement in this prospectus should not be regarded as a representation by us that our plans and objectives will be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include those described or identified in “Risk Factors” in this prospectus. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this prospectus. However, we will update this prospectus to reflect any material changes to the information contained herein. The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are excluded from the safe harbor protection provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E(6)(2)(B) of the Exchange Act.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, we expect to use any net proceeds we receive from the sale of securities pursuant to this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which includes making new investments in accordance with our investment objective and strategies described in this prospectus, paying operating expenses, including advisory and administrative fees and expenses, and other expenses such as due diligence expenses of potential new investments. Any supplement to this prospectus relating to an offering will more fully identify the use of the proceeds from such offering.

Pending any new investments we may make or the payment of expenses described above, we intend to invest any net proceeds, from an offering primarily in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality investment grade investments that mature in one year or less from the date of investment. The income we earn on such temporary investments will generally be significantly less than what we would expect to receive from investments in the types of investments we intend to target. See “Regulation—Temporary Investments” for additional information about temporary investments we may make while waiting to make longer-term investments in pursuit of our investment objective.

 

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PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DISTRIBUTIONS

Our common stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol “TPVG.” The following table lists the high and low closing sale price for our common stock, the closing sale price as a percentage of net asset value, or “NAV,” and dividends per share since shares of our common stock began being regularly traded on the NYSE.

 

           Closing Sales
Price (2)
    Premium/
Discount of
High Sales

Price to NAV (3)
    Premium/
Discount of
Low Sales

Price to NAV (3)
    Declared
Dividends
 

Period

  NAV (1)      High      Low        

Third Quarter of 2015 as of July 6, 2015

    *       $ 13.60       $ 13.43        *        *        —     

Second Quarter of 2015

    *       $ 14.44       $ 13.24        *        *      $ 0.36   

First Quarter of 2015

  $ 14.48       $ 15.13       $ 13.73        4.5     (5.2 )%    $ 0.36   

Fourth Quarter of 2014

  $ 14.61       $ 15.22       $ 13.30        4.2     (9.0 )%    $ 0.51 (5)  

Third Quarter of 2014

  $ 14.64       $ 16.20       $ 14.61        10.7     (0.2 )%    $ 0.32   

Second Quarter of 2014

  $ 14.49       $ 16.47       $ 14.95        13.7     3.2   $ 0.30   

First Quarter of 2014 (4)

  $ 14.58       $ 16.44       $ 15.00        12.8     2.9   $ 0.09   

 

(1) NAV per share is determined as of the last day in the relevant quarter and therefore may not reflect the NAV per share on the date of the high and low sales prices. The NAVs shown are based on outstanding shares at the end of each period.
(2) Closing sales price as provided by the NYSE.
(3) Calculated as of the respective high or low closing sales price divided by the quarter end NAV.
(4) From March 5, 2014 (initial public offering) to March 31, 2014.
(5) Includes our payment of a $0.36 per share dividend and a $0.15 per share special dividend.
* Not determinable at the time of filing.

The last reported price for our common stock on July 6, 2015 was $13.43 per share. As of June 30, 2015 we had approximately 13 stockholders of record.

Shares of BDCs may trade at a market price that is less than the value of the net assets attributable to those shares. The possibility that shares of our common stock will trade at a discount from NAV or at premiums that are unsustainable over the long term are separate and distinct from the risk that our NAV will decrease. As of July 6, 2015, shares of our common stock traded at a discount of approximately 7.3% of the NAV attributable to those shares as of March 31, 2015. It is not possible to predict whether the shares offered hereby will trade at, above or below NAV.

Distributions

To the extent that we have funds available, we intend to make quarterly distributions to our stockholders. Our stockholder distributions, if any, will be determined by our Board. Any distribution to our stockholders will be declared out of assets legally available for distribution. Our Board authorized a distribution of $0.09 per share for the period ended March 31, 2014, a distribution of $0.30 per share for the period ended June 30, 2014 and a distribution of $0.32 for the period ended September 30, 2014. In addition, on October 27, 2014, our Board announced a $0.36 per share dividend, which was paid on December 16, 2014, to stockholders of record on November 28, 2014 and on December 3, 2014, our Board announced a $0.15 per share special dividend, which was paid on December 31, 2014 to stockholders of record on December 22, 2014. On March 16, 2015, our Board announced a $0.36 per share dividend payable on April 16, 2015, to stockholders of record on March 26, 2015. On May, 2015, our Board announced a $0.36 per share dividend payable on June 16, 2015, to stockholders of record on May 29, 2015. We will not be able to determine whether any specific distribution will be treated as made out of our taxable earnings or as a return of capital until after the end of our taxable year. The amount treated as a tax-free return of capital will reduce a stockholder’s adjusted basis in his or her common stock, thereby increasing his or her potential gain or reducing his or her potential loss on the subsequent sale or other disposition of his or her common stock. For purposes of issuing and publishing the Rule 19a-1 notice required

 

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under the 1940 Act, we will calculate both our current and accumulated earnings and profits on a tax basis in order to determine the amount of any distribution that constituted a return of capital to our stockholders. While such distributions are not taxable, they reduce a shareholder’s basis in his, her, or its shares of common stock, which may result in the shareholder recognizing more taxable capital gains, or a lower capital loss, when the shares of common stock are eventually sold.

We intend to elect to be treated, and intend to qualify annually thereafter, as a RIC under the Code, beginning with our taxable year ended December 31, 2014. To obtain and maintain RIC tax treatment, we must distribute at least 90% of our net ordinary income and net realized short-term capital gains in excess of our net realized long-term capital losses, if any, to our stockholders. In order to avoid certain excise taxes imposed on RICs, we currently intend to distribute during each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of: (a) 98% of our ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gains or losses) for such calendar year; (b) 98.2% of the amount by which our capital gains exceed our capital losses (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for a one-year period ending on October 31 of the calendar year; and (c) certain undistributed amounts from previous years on which we paid no U.S. federal income tax.

We currently intend to distribute net long-term capital gains if any, at least annually out of the assets legally available for such distributions. However, we may in the future decide to retain some or all of our long-term capital gains but designate the retained amount as a “deemed distribution.” In that case, among other consequences, we will pay tax on the retained amount, each U.S. stockholder will be required to include their share of the deemed distribution in income as if it had been distributed to the U.S. stockholder, and the U.S. stockholder will be entitled to claim a credit equal to their allocable share of the tax paid on the deemed distribution by us. The amount of the deemed distribution net of such tax will be added to such stockholder’s tax basis in such stockholder’s common stock. Since we expect to pay tax on any retained capital gains at our regular corporate tax rate, and since that rate is in excess of the maximum rate currently payable by individuals on long-term capital gains, the amount of tax that individual stockholders will be treated as having paid and for which they will receive a credit will exceed the tax they owe on the retained net capital gain. Such excess generally may be claimed as a credit against such individual stockholder’s other U.S. federal income tax obligations or may be refunded to the extent it exceeds such individual stockholder’s liability for U.S. federal income tax. We cannot assure any stockholder that we will achieve results that will permit us to pay any cash distributions, and if we issue senior securities, we may be prohibited from making distributions if doing so would cause us to fail to maintain the asset coverage ratios stipulated by the 1940 Act or if such distributions are limited by the terms of any of our borrowings.

Unless a stockholder elects to receive distributions in cash, we intend to make such distributions in additional shares of our common stock under our dividend reinvestment plan. Although distributions paid in the form of additional shares of our common stock will generally be subject to U.S. federal, state and local taxes in the same manner as cash distributions, investors participating in our dividend reinvestment plan will not receive any corresponding cash distributions with which to pay any such applicable taxes. If a stockholder holds shares of our common stock in the name of a broker or financial intermediary, such stockholder should contact such broker or financial intermediary regarding the election to receive distributions in cash in lieu of shares of our common stock. Any distributions reinvested through the issuance of shares through our dividend reinvestment plan will increase our assets on which the base management fee and the incentive fee are determined and paid to our Adviser. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”

The following table summarizes our cash distributions, including dividends and returns of capital, if any, per share that have been authorized by our board of directors since our initial public offering:

 

Period Ended

   Date Declared    Record Date    Payment Date    Per Share
Amount
 

March 31, 2014

   April 3, 2014    April 15, 2014    April 30, 2014    $ 0.09 (1)  

June 30, 2014

   May 13, 2014    May 30, 2014    June 17, 2014    $ 0.30   

September 30, 2014

   August 11, 2014    August 29, 2014    September 16, 2014    $ 0.32   

 

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Period Ended

   Date Declared    Record Date    Payment Date    Per Share
Amount
 

December 31, 2014

   October 27, 2014    November 28, 2014    December 16, 2014    $ 0.36   
   December 3, 2014    December 22, 2014    December 31, 2014    $ 0.15 (2)  

March 31, 2015

   March 16, 2015    March 26, 2015    April 16, 2015    $ 0.36   

June 30, 2015

   May 6, 2015    May 29, 2015    June 16, 2015    $ 0.36   

 

(1) The amount of this initial distribution reflected a quarterly dividend rate of $0.30 per share, prorated for the 27 days for the period from the pricing of our initial public offering on March 5, 2014 through March 31, 2014.
(2) Represents a special dividend.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with the Selected Financial and Other Data and our Financial Statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. In addition to historical information, the following discussion and other parts of this prospectus 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 “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

Overview

We are an externally managed, closed-end, non-diversified management investment company that has elected to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. We also intend to elect to be treated, and intend to qualify annually thereafter, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code for U.S. federal income tax purposes beginning with our taxable year ended December 31, 2014.

Our investment objective is to maximize our total return to stockholders primarily in the form of current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation by primarily lending with warrants to venture growth stage companies focused in technology, life sciences and other high growth industries which are backed by TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors.

We were formed to expand the venture growth stage business segment of TPC’s global investment platform and are the primary vehicle through which TPC focuses its venture growth stage business. TPC is widely recognized as a leading global financing provider devoted to serving venture capital-backed companies with creative, flexible and customized debt financing, equity capital and complementary services throughout their lifespan. TPC is located on Sand Hill Road in Silicon Valley and has a primary focus in technology, life sciences and other high growth industries.

We commenced investment activities on March 5, 2014. In order to expedite the ramp-up of our investment activities and further our ability to meet our investment objectives, on March 5, 2014, we acquired our initial portfolio. The net consideration paid was approximately $121.7 million which reflected approximately $123.7 million of investments less approximately $2.0 million of prepaid interest and fair value of unfunded commitments. We financed the acquisition of our initial portfolio by using a portion of a $200.0 million bridge facility provided by Deutsche Bank. On March 11, 2014, we completed our initial public offering and sold 9,840,655 shares of common stock (including 1,250,000 shares of common stock through the underwriters’ exercise of their overallotment option and the concurrent private placement of 257,332 shares of common stock to our Adviser’s senior team and other persons associated with TPC) of our common stock at an offering price of $15.00 per share. We received $141.6 million of net proceeds in connection with the initial public offering and concurrent private placement, net of the portion of front end charges and offering costs we paid. We used a portion of these net proceeds to pay down all amounts outstanding under the Bridge Facility and terminated the Bridge Facility in conjunction with such repayment.

In February 2014, we entered into a credit agreement, or the Credit Facility, with Deutsche Bank acting as administrative agent and a lender, and KeyBank National Association, Everbank Commercial Lender Finance, Inc., and AloStar Bank of Commerce, as other lenders, which provided us with a $150.0 million commitment, subject to borrowing base requirements. In August 2014, we amended our Credit Facility to increase the total commitments by $50.0 million to $200.0 million in aggregate. In November 2014, we modified the definition and calculation of “excess concentration amount” in the Credit Facility to increase our ability to borrow under the Credit Facility against loans to non-U.S. companies.

On April 1, 2015, we completed a follow-on public offering of 6,500,000 shares of our common stock and received net proceeds of approximately $93.7 million after offering costs.

 

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Expenses

Our primary operating expenses include the payment of fees to our Adviser under the Investment Advisory Agreement, our allocable portion of overhead expenses under the Administration Agreement and other operating costs described below. We bear all other out-of-pocket costs and expenses of our operations and transactions, including:

 

   

the cost of calculating our net asset value, including the cost of any third-party valuation services;

 

   

the cost of effecting sales and repurchases of shares of our common stock and other securities;

 

   

fees payable to third-parties relating to making investments, including out-of-pocket fees and expenses associated with performing due diligence and reviews of prospective investments;

 

   

custodian, transfer and dividend paying agent and registrar fees;

 

   

fees and expenses incurred in connection with obtaining debt financing, including our Credit Facility;

 

   

fees and expenses associated with origination efforts;

 

   

federal and state registration fees and any stock exchange listing fees;

 

   

U.S. federal, state and local taxes;

 

   

independent directors’ fees and expenses;

 

   

brokerage commissions;

 

   

fidelity bond, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and other insurance premiums;

 

   

direct costs, such as printing, mailing, long distance telephone and staff;

 

   

fees and expenses associated with independent audits and outside legal costs;

 

   

costs associated with our reporting and compliance obligations under the 1940 Act and other applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws; and

 

   

other expenses incurred by our Adviser or us in connection with administering our business, including payments under the Administration Agreement that will be based upon our allocable portion (subject to the review of our Board) of overhead.

Credit Facility

On February 21, 2014, we, along with our Financing Subsidiary as borrower, entered into the Credit Facility with Deutsche Bank acting as administrative agent and a lender, and KeyBank National Association, Everbank Commercial Lender Finance, Inc., and AloStar Bank of Commerce, as other lenders, which provided us with a $150.0 million commitment, subject to borrowing base requirements. On August 8, 2014, we amended the Credit Facility to increase the total commitments available there under by $50.0 million to $200.0 million in aggregate. In November 2014, we modified the definition and calculation of “excess concentration amount” in the Credit Facility to increase our ability to borrow under the Credit Facility against loans to non-U.S. companies.

Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at the sum of (i) the commercial paper rate for certain specified lenders and 30-day LIBOR for other lenders or, if LIBOR is unavailable, the higher of Deutsche Bank’s commercial lending rate or the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50% plus (ii) a margin of 3.5% during the revolving period and 4.5% during the amortization period. Borrowings under the Credit Facility are secured only by the assets of the Financing Subsidiary. We agreed to pay to Deutsche Bank a syndication fee in 12 monthly installments of approximately 1% of the committed facility amount. We also agreed to pay Deutsche Bank a fee to act as administrative agent under the Credit Facility and to pay each lender (i) a commitment fee of 0.65% multiplied by such lender’s commitment on the effective date in 12 equal monthly installments and (ii) a fee of approximately 0.75% per annum of any unused borrowings under the Credit Facility on a monthly basis. The

 

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Credit Facility contains affirmative and restrictive covenants, including but not limited to an advance rate limitation of approximately 55% of the applicable net loan balance of assets held by the Financing Subsidiary, maintenance of minimum net worth at an agreed level, a ratio of total assets to total indebtedness of not less than approximately 2:1, a key man clause relating to Messrs. Labe and Srivastava and eligibility requirements, including but not limited to geographic and industry concentration limitations and certain loan grade classifications. The Credit Facility also has a requirement that we maintain a 200% asset coverage ratio. Furthermore, events of default under the Credit Facility include, among other things, (i) a payment default; (ii) a change of control; (iii) bankruptcy; (iv) a covenant default; and, (v) our failure to maintain compliance with RIC provisions at all times. As of December 31, 2014, we were in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Facility.

At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had outstanding borrowings of $120.0 million and $118.0 million, respectively, under our revolving Credit Facility, which is included in our condensed consolidated statements of assets and liabilities. Interest expense on these borrowings includes the interest cost charged on borrowings, the unused fee on the Credit Facility, paying and administrative agent fees, and the amortization of deferred Credit Facility fees and expenses. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, interest expense on the revolving Credit Facility totaled approximately $1.6 million, consisting of approximately $1.2 million of interest expense, approximately $0.1 million of unused facilities expense, and approximately $0.3 million of amortization of deferred Credit Facility costs and other fees. For the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 2014, interest expense on the revolving Credit Facility totaled approximately $129 thousand, consisting of approximately $2 thousand of interest expense, approximately $65 thousand of unused facilities expense, and approximately $62 thousand of amortization of deferred Credit Facility costs and other fees.

Portfolio Composition, Investment Activity and Asset Quality

Portfolio Composition

We originate and invest primarily in venture growth stage companies. Companies at the venture growth stage have distinct characteristics differentiating them from venture capital-backed companies at other stages in their development lifecycle. We invest primarily in (i) growth capital loans that have a secured collateral position and that are used by venture growth stage companies to finance their continued expansion and growth, (ii) equipment financings, which may be structured as loans or leases, that have a secured collateral position on specified mission-critical equipment, (iii) on a select basis, revolving loans that have a secured collateral position and that are used by venture growth stage companies to advance against inventory, components, accounts receivable, contractual or future billings, bookings, revenues, sales or cash payments and collections including proceeds from a sale, financing or the equivalent and (iv) direct equity investments in venture growth stage companies. In connection with our growth capital loans, equipment financings and revolving loans, we generally receive warrants that allow us to participate in any equity appreciation of our borrowers and enhance our overall investment returns.

As of March 31, 2015, we had 74 investments in 26 companies. Our investments included 45 debt investments, 24 warrant investments, and 5 direct equity investments. The total cost and fair value of these investments were approximately $252.1 million and approximately $251.7 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2015, one of our customers was publicly traded. At March 31, 2015, the 45 debt investments with an aggregate fair value of approximately $240.1 million had a weighted average loan to enterprise value at the time of origination ratio of approximately 9.5%.

 

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The following tables provide information on the cost, fair value, and net unrealized gains of our investments in companies along with the number of companies in our portfolio as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

 

    As of March 31, 2015  

Investments by Type

(dollars in thousands)

  Cost     Fair Value     Net
Unrealized
Gains
    Number of
Investments
    Number of
Companies
 

Debt investments

  $ 243,088      $ 240,143      $ (2,945         45            16   

Warrants

    6,282        8,250        1,968        24        24   

Equity investments

    2,750        3,321        571        5        5   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Portfolio Companies

  $ 252,120      $ 251,714      $ (406     74        26
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    As of December 31, 2014  

Investments by Type

(dollars in thousands)

  Cost     Fair Value     Net
Unrealized
Gains
    Number of
Investments
    Number of
Companies
 

Debt investments

  $ 247,285      $ 247,609      $ 324            46            17   

Warrants

    6,700        7,291        591        26        26   

Equity investments

    2,500        3,071        571        4        4   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Portfolio Companies

  $ 256,485      $ 257,971      $ 1,486        76        27
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

* Represents non-duplicative number of companies.

The following table shows the fair value of the portfolio of investments, by industry and the percentage of the total investment portfolio, as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

 

     As of March 31, 2015  

Investments in Portfolio Companies by Industry

(dollars in thousands)

   At Fair
Value
     Percentage
of Total
Investments
 

Medical Device and Equipment

   $ 30,774         12.2

Wireless Communications Equipment

     26,692         10.6   

E-Commerce—Clothing and Accessories

     21,246         8.4   

E-Commerce—Household Goods

     20,815         8.3   

Biofuels/Biomass

     20,678         8.2   

Business Applications Software

     19,883         7.9   

Network Systems Management Software

     16,102         6.4   

General Media and Content

     14,735         5.9   

Medical Software and Information Services

     14,391         5.7   

Data Storage

     10,986         4.4   

Entertainment

     10,668         4.2   

Travel and Arrangement / Tourism

     8,634         3.4   

E-Commerce—Personal Goods

     1,737         0.7   

Software Development Tools

     1,000         0.4   

Travel and Leisure

     293         0.1   

Multimedia / Streaming Software

     166         0.1   

Advertising / Marketing

     106             
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments in portfolio companies

   $ 257,971         100.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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     As of December 31, 2014  

Investments in Portfolio Companies by Industry

(dollars in thousands)

   At Fair
Value
     Percentage
of Total
Investments
 

Wireless Communications Equipment

   $ 38,123         14.8

Medical Device and Equipment

     30,372         11.8   

E-Commerce—Clothing and Accessories

     21,950         8.5   

Database Software

     21,830         8.4   

E-Commerce—Household Goods

     20,621         8.0   

Biofuels/Biomass

     20,535         8.0   

Business Applications Software

     19,807         7.7   

Network Systems Management Software

     15,920         6.2   

Data Storage

     15,458         6.0   

Medical Software and Information Services

     15,117         5.9   

General Media and Content

     14,752         5.7   

Entertainment

     10,545         4.1   

Travel and Arrangement / Tourism

     9,680         3.7   

E-Commerce—Personal Goods

     1,737         0.7   

Software Development Tools

     1,000         0.4   

Travel and Leisure

     293         0.1   

Multimedia / Streaming Software

     125             

Advertising / Marketing

     106             
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments in portfolio companies

   $ 257,971         100.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* Less than 0.05%.

The following table presents the product type of our debt investments as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

 

     As of March 31, 2015  

Debt Investments By Financing Product

(dollars in thousands)

   Fair Value      Percentage
of Total Debt
Investments
 

Growth capital loans

   $ 38,970         99.5

Equipment financings

     1,173         0.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total debt investments

   $ 240,143         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     As of December 31, 2014  

Debt Investments By Financing Product

(dollars in thousands)

   Fair Value      Percentage
of Total Debt
Investments
 

Growth capital loans

   $ 246,311         99.5

Equipment financings

     1,298         0.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total debt investments

   $ 247,609         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Approximately 17.0% and 20.5% of the debt investments in our portfolio as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, based on the aggregate fair value, consisted of growth capital loans where the borrower has a term loan facility, with or without an accompanying revolving loan, in priority to our senior lien.

Investment Activity

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we did not enter into any new commitments, funded one debt investment for approximately $10.0 million in principal value, acquired warrants representing approximately $0.3 million of value and made an equity investment of approximately $0.2 million. During the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 2014, we entered into two new commitments with one new

 

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customer and one existing customer totaling $7.5 million and one commitment was reduced by $2.0 million, funded six debt investments for $18.2 million and earned warrants representing approximately $0.3 million of value.

As of March 31, 2015, our unfunded commitments to nine companies totaled $153.5 million, of which $28.0 million was dependent upon the companies reaching certain milestones before the debt commitment becomes available to them. Our unfunded commitments as of March 31, 2015 included $86.0 million that will expire during 2015 and $67.5 million that will expire during 2016 if not drawn prior to expiration. Our unfunded commitments included $143.5 million with technology-related companies and $10.0 million with non-technology related companies, of which $148.5 million represent commitments for growth capital loans and $5.0 million for revolving loans. Our credit agreements contain customary lending provisions which allow us relief from funding obligations for previously made commitments in instances where the underlying company experiences materially adverse events that affect the financial condition or business outlook for the company. Since these commitments may expire without being drawn upon, unfunded commitments do not necessarily represent future cash requirements or future earning assets for us. We generally expect approximately 75% of its gross unfunded commitments to eventually be drawn before the expiration of their corresponding availability periods.

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, $35.0 million in unfunded commitments were terminated, $12.5 million in unfunded commitments expired and $10.0 million were funded.

The fair value at the inception of the agreement of the delay draw credit agreements is equal to the fees and/or warrants received to enter into these agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the counterparties’ credit profile. The unfunded commitment liability reflects the fair value of these future funding commitments. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the fair value for these unfunded commitments totaled approximately $1.2 million and $2.1 million, respectively and was included in “other accrued expenses and liabilities” in our condensed consolidated statements of assets and liabilities.

Our level of investment activity can vary substantially from period to period as our Adviser chooses to slow or accelerate new business originations depending on market conditions, rate of investment of TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors, our Adviser’s knowledge, expertise and experience, our funding capacity (including availability under our credit facilities and our ability or inability to raise equity or debt capital), and other market dynamics.

The following table shows the debt commitments, fundings of debt investments (principal balance) and equity investments and non-binding term sheet activity for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and for the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 2014.

 

Commitments and Fundings Since Acquisition of Initial Portfolio
(dollars in thousands)

   For the Three
Months Ended
March 31,
2014
     For the Period
From March 5, 2014
(Commencement of
Operations) to
December 31,
2014
 

Debt Commitments

     

New customers

   $ —         $ 2,500   

Existing customers

     —           5,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ —         $ 7,500   

Funded Debt Investments

   $ 10,000       $ 18,156   

Equity Investments

   $ 250       $ —     

Non-Binding Term Sheets

   $ 72,500       $ 25,000   

On December 30, 2014, we acquired $50.0 million in U.S. Treasury bills which were subsequently sold on January 2, 2015. On October 1, 2014, we sold $50.0 million in U.S. Treasury bills which were acquired on September 29, 2014. For the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2014, we acquired approximately $210.0 million of U.S. Treasury bills and sold approximately $160.0 million of U.S. Treasury bills.

 

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Asset Quality

Consistent with TPC’s existing policies, our Adviser maintains a credit watch list with borrowers placed into five groups based on our Advisor’s senior investment team’s judgment, where 1 is the highest rating and all new loans are assigned a rating of 2.

 

Category

  

Category Definition

  

Action Item

Clear (1)

   Performing above expectations and/or strong financial or enterprise profile, value or coverage.    Review quarterly.

White (2)

   Performing at expectations and/or reasonably close to it. Reasonable financial or enterprise profile, value or coverage. All new loans are initially graded White.    Contact portfolio company regularly in no event less than quarterly.

Yellow (3)

   Performing generally below expectations and/or some proactive concern. Adequate financial or enterprise profile, value or coverage.    Contact portfolio company monthly or more frequently as determined by our Adviser’s Investment Committee; contact investors.

Orange (4)

   Needs close attention due to performance materially below expectations, weak financial and/or enterprise profile, concern regarding additional capital or exit equivalent.    Contact portfolio company weekly or more frequently as determined by our Adviser’s Investment Committee; contact investors regularly; our Adviser forms a workout group to minimize risk of loss.

Red (5)

   Serious concern/trouble due to pending or actual default or equivalent. May experience partial and/or full loss.    Maximize value from assets.

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, one borrower was moved to Clear (1) from White (2), one borrower was moved from Yellow (3) to Orange (4) and then to Red (5), and one borrower rated Clear (1) was removed in conjunction with prepaying all of its outstanding obligations. In March 2015, we accelerated the outstanding obligations owed by Coraid, Inc., rated Red (5), and this obligor entered into a foreclosure agreement that provided for Intermodal Data, Inc. to purchase certain assets and assume the outstanding obligations owed to us. As of both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the weighted average investment ranking of our debt investment portfolio was 2.06.

The following table shows the credit rankings for the 16 and 17 portfolio companies, respectively, that had outstanding obligations to us as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

 

     As of March 31, 2015  

Credit Category
(dollars in thousands)

   Fair Value      Percentage
of Total Debt
Investments
    Number of
Portfolio
Companies
 

Clear (1)

   $ 29,596         12.3     1   

White (2)

     189,625         79.0        13   

Yellow (3)

     9,936         4.1        1   

Orange (4)

     —           —          —     

Red (5)

     10,986         4.6        1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 240,143         100.0     16   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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     As of December 31, 2014  

Credit Category
(dollars in thousands)

   Fair Value      Percentage
of Total
Debt
Investments
    Number of
Portfolio
Companies
 

Clear (1)

   $ 10,503         4.2     1   

White (2)

     212,445         85.8        14   

Yellow (3)

     24,661         10.0        2   

Orange (4)

     —           —          —     

Red (5)

     —           —          —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 247,609         100.0     17   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Results of Operations

An important measure of our financial performance is net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations, which includes net investment income (loss), net realized gains (losses) and net unrealized gains (losses). Net investment income (loss) is the difference between our income from interest, dividends, fees and other investment income and our operating expenses including interest on borrowed funds.

Net realized gains (losses) on investments are the difference between the proceeds received from dispositions of portfolio investments and their amortized cost. Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments are the net change in the fair value of our investment portfolio.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2015

Since we commenced operations on March 5, 2014, the results of operations for the period ended March 31, 2014 represents only 27 days of operations, as compared to 90 days for the three months ended March 31, 2015, which accounts for most of the differences in operating results over these two periods.

For the three months ended March 31, 2015, our net increase in net assets resulting from operations was approximately $2.7 million which was comprised of approximately $4.9 million of net investment income, approximately $0.3 million of net realized losses and approximately $1.9 million of net unrealized losses. On a per share basis, net investment income was $0.48 per share and the net increase in net assets from operations was $0.27 per share. Our core net investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was approximately $4.6 million, or $0.45 per share.

For the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 2014, our net increase in net assets resulting from operations was approximately $1.9 million, consisting of approximately $0.5 million in net investment income and approximately $1.4 million in net change in unrealized gains on investments. On a per share basis, net investment income was $0.06 per share and the net change in net assets from operations was $0.20 per share. Our core net investment income for the same period was approximately $844 thousand, or $0.09 per share.

Our investment and other income increased from approximately $1.3 million for the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 2014, to approximately $9.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015. Operating expenses increased from approximately $0.7 million for the period March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 2014, to approximately $4.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

Net investment income increased from approximately $0.6 million for the period ended March 31, 2014 to approximately $4.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015. Net realized losses were approximately $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 due to the losses on warrants of one portfolio company.

 

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There were no realized capital gains or losses during any period in 2014. Net unrealized losses were approximately $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and net unrealized gains were approximately $1.4 million for the period ended March 31, 2014. The net unrealized losses during the three months ended March 31, 2015, included the reversal of some of the unrealized gains recognized in prior periods as the result of prepayment activity in this period. Our net increase in net assets from operations increased from approximately $1.9 million, or $0.20 per share, for the period ended March 31, 2014, to approximately $2.7 million, or $0.27 per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2015. Core net investment income increased from approximately $0.8 million, or $0.09 per share, for the period ended March 31, 2014, to approximately $4.6 million, or $0.45 per share for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

The table below presents our statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015, and for the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 2014.

 

Net Increase in Net Assets
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

   For the Three
Months Ended
March 31, 2015
    For the Period from
March 5, 2014
(Commencement
of Operations) to
March 31, 2014
 

Investment and Other Income

    

Interest income from investments

   $ 9,161      $ 1,308   

Other income

    

Expiration/termination of unfunded commitments

     611        —     

Other fees

     36        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investment and Other Income

     9,808        1,308   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating Expenses

    

Base management fee

     1,159        144   

Income incentive fee

     1,162        —     

Capital gains incentive fee

     (296     275   

Interest expense and amortization of fees

     1,644        154   

Administration agreement expenses

     371        52   

General and administrative expenses

     823        114   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Operating Expenses

     4,863        739   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

     4,945        569   

Net realized gains

     (317       

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

     (1,889     1,374   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   $ 2,739      $ 1,943   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Core net investment income per share

   $ 0.45      $ 0.09   

Net investment income per share

   $ 0.48      $ 0.06   

Net increase in net assets per share

   $ 0.27      $ 0.20   

Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding

     10,285,282        9,842,333   

The table below reconciles GAAP net income to core net investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and for the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 2014. Core net investment income, unlike GAAP net investment income, excludes accrued, but as yet unearned, capital gains incentive fees. We believe an important measure of the investment income that we will be required to distribute each year is core net investment income as capital gains incentive fees are accrued based on unrealized gains but are not earned until realized gains occur. Specifically, the capital gains component of the incentive fee is paid at the end of each calendar year and is 20.0% of our aggregate cumulative realized capital gains from commencement of operations through the end of the year, computed net of our aggregate cumulative realized capital losses and our aggregate cumulative unrealized losses through the end of such year. For the foregoing purpose, our “aggregate cumulative realized capital gains” does not include any unrealized gains. The capital

 

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gains component of the incentive fee is not subject to any minimum return to stockholders. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and during the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 2014, no capital gains were realized. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, we reported approximately $1.9 million in unrealized capital losses and we reversed previously accrued capital gains incentive fees of approximately $0.3 million. For the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 2014, we reported approximately $1.4 million in unrealized capital gains and accrued approximately $0.3 million in capital gains incentive fee.

 

Net Investment Income and Core Net Investment Income
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

   For the
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2015
    For the Period from
March 5, 2014
(Commencement of
Operations) to
March 31, 2014
 

Net Investment Income

   $ 4,945      $ 569   

Capital gains incentive fee

     (296     275   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Core Net Investment Income

   $ 4,649      $ 844   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Investment Income per Share

   $ 0.48      $ 0.06   

Capital gains incentive fee per share

     (0.03     0.03   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Core Net Investment Income per Share

   $ 0.45      $ 0.09   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment income includes interest income on our debt investments utilizing the effective yield method and includes cash interest income as well as the amortization of purchase premium, accretion of purchase discount, original issue discount, facilities fees, and the amortization and payment of the end-of-term payments. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, investment income totaled approximately $9.2 million, representing a weighted average portfolio yield of approximately 14.6% on debt investments for the period held. For the period ended March 31, 2014, investment income totaled approximately $1.3 million, representing a weighted average portfolio yield of approximately 14.3% on debt investments for the period held.

We calculate weighted average portfolio yields for periods shown as the annualized rates of the interest income recognized during the period divided by the average amortized cost of debt investments in the portfolio at the beginning of each month in the period. The weighted average yields reported for these periods are annualized and reflect the weighted average yields to maturities. Should the portfolio companies choose to repay their loans earlier, our weighted average yields will increase for those debt investments affected but may reduce our weighted average yields on the remaining portfolio in future quarters. As our portfolio grows and seasons, we expect our loans to be outstanding for shorter periods than to maturity and to reflect healthy prepayment activity.

For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the weighted average portfolio yield on our portfolio of approximately 14.6% was comprised of approximately 11.0% cash interest income, approximately 0.6% of accretion of the net purchase discount, facilities fees and the value of warrants received, approximately 2.9% of accretion of end-of-term payments and approximately 0.1% due to the accelerated receipt of end-of term payments on prepayments. For the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 2014, the weighted average portfolio yield on our portfolio of approximately 14.3% was comprised of approximately 11.2% cash interest income, approximately 0.1% of accretion of the net purchase discount, facilities fees and the value of warrants received, and approximately 3.0% of accretion of end-of-term payments.

The yield on our portfolio, excluding the impact of prepayments was approximately 14.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2015. There were no prepayments during the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 2014. The actual yields on our portfolio will be dependent on future fundings and the performance of our loans including prepayments.

For the three months ended March 31, 2015, we recognized approximately $0.6 million in other income which was almost entirely due to the termination or expiration of unfunded commitments and approximately $36

 

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thousand from amortization of certain fees paid by companies and miscellaneous income. For the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 2014, we did not recognize any other income.

For the three months ended March 31, 2015, total operating expenses were approximately $4.9 million, comprising of approximately $2.1 million in base management and incentive fees, approximately $1.6 million in interest expense, approximately $0.4 million in administrative agreement expenses, and approximately $0.8 million in general and administrative expenses. For the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 2014, total operating expenses were approximately $0.7 million, comprising of approximately $0.4 million in base management and incentive fees, approximately $0.1 million in interest expense, approximately $0.1 million in administrative agreement expenses, and approximately $0.1 million in general and administrative expenses. In determining the base management fee, our Adviser had agreed not to include the U.S. Treasury bill assets acquired at the end of each of the quarter of 2014 in the calculation of the gross assets. We anticipate operating expenses will increase over time as our portfolio continues to grow. However, we anticipate operating expenses, as a percentage of totals assets and net assets, will decrease over time as our portfolio and capital base grow. We expect management fees will increase as we grow our asset base and our earnings exceed the hurdle rate for the investment income incentive fee. Capital gains incentive fee will depend on realized and unrealized gains and losses. Interest expense will increase as we utilize more of our credit facility, and we expect fees per the administrative agreement and general and administrative agreements will increase to meet the additional requirements associated with servicing a larger portfolio.

There was $0.3 million of realized losses during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and no realized gains or losses for the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 2014.

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, our net change in unrealized losses on investments was approximately $1.9 million consisting of approximately $3.3 million net change in unrealized losses on debt and short-term investments due to changes in fair value and approximately $1.4 million net change in unrealized gains on warrants due to changes in fair value. During the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 2014, our net change in unrealized gains on investments was approximately $1.4 million, consisting of approximately $0.9 million of net change in unrealized gains on warrants due to changes in fair value and approximately $0.5 million of net change in unrealized gains on debt investments due to changes in fair value. Net change in unrealized gains or losses in subsequent periods may be volatile as it depends on changes in the market, changes in the underlying performance of our portfolio companies and their respective industries, and many other factors.

Net unrealized losses on investments as of March 31, 2015 were approximately $0.4 million, or $0.02 per share. The table below summarizes the unrealized gains and losses in our investments in portfolio companies as of March 31, 2015.

 

     As of March 31, 2015  

Unrealized Gains and Losses
(dollars in thousands)

   Debt
Investments
    Warrants     Equity
Investments
     Total
Investments
 

Unrealized gains

   $ 809      $ 2,556      $ 571       $ 3,936   

Unrealized losses

     (3,754     (588     —           (4,342
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net unrealized gains

   $ (2,945   $ 1,968      $ 571       $ (406
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

In addition to the unrealized gains and losses in our investments in portfolio companies as of March 31, 2015 summarized in the table above, there were approximately no unrealized losses on U.S. Treasury bills.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of our financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and

 

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expenses. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets and any other parameters used in determining such estimates could cause actual results to differ. In addition to the discussion below, we describe our critical accounting policies in the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Valuation of Investments

We measure the value of our investments at fair value in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure , or “ASC Topic 820,” issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or “FASB.” Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

Our Valuation Committee is also responsible for assisting our Board in valuing investments that are not publicly traded or for which current market values are not readily available. Investments for which market quotations are readily available are valued using market quotations, which are generally obtained from independent pricing services, broker-dealers or market makers. With respect to portfolio investments for which market quotations are not readily available, our Board, with the assistance of our Adviser and its senior investment team and independent valuation agents, is responsible for determining, in good faith, the fair value in accordance with the valuation policy approved by our Board. If more than one valuation method is used to measure fair value, the results are evaluated and weighted, as appropriate, considering the reasonableness of the range indicated by those results. We consider a range of fair values based upon the valuation techniques utilized and select the value within that range that was most representative of fair value based on current market conditions as well as other factors our Adviser’s senior investment team considers relevant. Our Board will make this fair value determination on a quarterly basis or at such other times when the Board feels it would be appropriate to do so given the circumstances. A determination of fair value involves subjective judgments and estimates and depends on the facts and circumstances. Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of portfolio investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a readily available market value existed for such investments, and the differences could be material.

ASC Topic 820 specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. ASC Topic 820 also provides guidance regarding a fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes information used to measure fair value and the effect of fair value measurements on earnings and provides for enhanced disclosures determined by the level within the hierarchy of information used in the valuation. In accordance with ASC Topic 820, these inputs are summarized in the three levels listed below.

Level 1—Valuations are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that are accessible at the measurement date.

Level 2—Valuations are based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant inputs are observable.

Level 3—Valuations are based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models incorporating significant unobservable inputs, such as discounted cash flow models and other similar valuations techniques. The valuation of Level 3 assets and liabilities generally requires significant management judgment due to the inability to observe inputs to valuation.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an investment’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of observable input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the investment.

 

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Under ASC Topic 820, the fair value measurement also assumes that the transaction to sell an asset occurs in the principal market for the asset or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset, which may be a hypothetical market, and excludes transaction costs. The principal market for any asset is the market with the greatest volume and level of activity for such asset in which the reporting entity would or could sell or transfer the asset. In determining the principal market for an asset or liability under ASC Topic 820, it is assumed that the reporting entity has access to such market as of the measurement date. Market participants are defined as buyers and sellers in the principal or most advantageous market that are independent, knowledgeable and willing and able to transact.

With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available, our Board undertakes a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:

 

   

Our quarterly valuation process begins with each portfolio company or investment being initially valued by our Adviser’s professionals that are responsible for the portfolio investment;

 

   

Preliminary valuation conclusions are then documented and discussed with our Adviser’s senior investment team;

 

   

Our Valuation Committee then reviews these preliminary valuations and makes fair value recommendations to the Board;

 

   

At least once annually, the valuation for each portfolio investment will be reviewed by an independent valuation firm. However, our Board does not intend to have de minimis investments of less than 1.0% of our gross assets (up to an aggregate of 10.0% of our gross assets) independently reviewed; and

 

   

Our Board then discusses valuations and determines, in good faith, the fair value of each investment in our portfolio based on the input of our Adviser, the respective independent valuation firms and our Valuation Committee.

Debt Investments

The debt investments are primarily loans and equipment financings made to venture growth stage companies focused in technology, life sciences and other high growth industries which are backed by leading venture capital investors. These investments are considered Level 3 assets under ASC Topic 820 because there is no known or accessible market or market indices for these type of debt instruments and thus our Adviser’s senior investment team must estimate the fair value of these investment securities based on models utilizing unobservable inputs.

To estimate the fair value of our debt investments, we compare the cost basis of the debt investment, which includes original issue discount, to the resulting fair value determined using a discounted cash flow model, unless another model is more appropriate based on the circumstances at the measurement date. The discounted cash flow approach entails analyzing the interest rate spreads for recently completed financing transactions which are similar in nature to our investments, in order to determine a comparable range of effective market interest rates for our investments. The range of interest rate spreads utilized is based on borrowers with similar credit profiles. All remaining expected cash flows of the investment are discounted using this range of interest rates to determine a range of fair values for the debt investment.

This valuation process includes, among other things, evaluating the underlying investment performance, the portfolio company’s current financial condition and ability to raise additional capital, as well as macro-economic events that may impact valuations. These events include, but are not limited to, current market yields and interest rate spreads of similar securities as of the measurement date. Increases (decreases) in these unobservable inputs could result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement.

Under certain circumstances, we may use an alternative technique to value the debt investments that better reflects the fair value of the investment, such as the price paid or realized in a recently completed transaction or a

 

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binding offer received in an arm’s length transaction, the use of multiple probability weighted cash flow models when the expected future cash flows contain elements of variability or estimates of proceeds that would be received in a liquidation scenario.

Warrants

Fair values of the warrants are primarily estimated using a Black Scholes option pricing model. Privately held warrant and equity-related securities are valued based on an analysis of various factors including, but not limited to, the following:

 

   

Underlying enterprise value of the issuer is estimated based on information available, including any information regarding the most recent rounds of borrower funding. Valuation techniques to determine enterprise value include market multiple approaches, income approaches or approaches that utilize recent rounds of financing and the portfolio company’s capital structure to determine enterprise value. Valuation techniques are also utilized to allocate the enterprise fair value of a portfolio company to the specific class of common or preferred stock exercisable in the warrant. Such techniques take into account the rights and preferences of the portfolio company’s securities, expected exit scenarios, and volatility associated with such outcomes to allocate the fair value to the specific class of stock held in the portfolio. Such techniques include option pricing models, including back solve techniques, probability weighted expected return models, and other techniques as determined to be appropriate.

 

   

Volatility, or the amount of uncertainty or risk about the size of the changes in the warrant price, is based on comparable publicly-traded companies within indices similar in nature to the underlying company issuing the warrant. Increases (decreases) in this unobservable input could result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value.

 

   

The risk-free interest rates are derived from the U.S. Treasury yield curve. The risk-free interest rates are calculated based on a weighted average of the risk-free interest rates that correspond closest to the expected remaining life of the warrant. Increases (decreases) in this unobservable input could result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value.

 

   

Other adjustments, including a marketability discount on private company warrants, are estimated based on our judgment about the general industry environment. Increases (decreases) in this unobservable input could result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value.

 

   

Historical portfolio experience on cancellations and exercises of warrants are utilized as the basis for determining the estimated life of the warrants in each financial reporting period. Warrants may be exercised in the event of acquisitions, mergers or initial public offerings, and cancelled due to events such as bankruptcies, restructuring activities or additional financings. These events cause the expected remaining life assumption to be shorter than the contractual term of the warrants. Increases (decreases) in this unobservable input could result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value.

Under certain circumstances we may use an alternative technique to value warrants that better reflects the warrants’ fair values, such as an expected settlement of a warrant in the near term, a model that incorporates a put feature associated with the warrant, or the price paid or realized in a recently completed transaction or binding offer received in an arm’s length transaction. The fair value may be determined based on the expected proceeds to be received from such settlement or based on the net present value of the expected proceeds from the put option.

These valuation methodologies involve a significant degree of judgment. There is no single standard for determining the estimated fair value of investments which do not have an active public market. Valuations of privately held investments are inherently uncertain, as they are based on estimates, and their values may fluctuate over time. The determination of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if an active market for these investments existed. In some cases, the fair value of such investments is best expressed as a range of values derived utilizing different methodologies from which a single estimate may then be determined.

 

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Equity Investments

The fair value of an equity investment in a privately held company is initially the amount invested. We adjust the fair value of equity investments in private companies upon the completion of a new third party round of equity financing subsequent to our investment. We may make adjustments to fair value, absent a new equity financing event, based upon positive or negative changes in a portfolio company’s financial or operational performance. We may also reference comparable transactions and/or secondary market transactions to estimate fair value. The fair value of an equity investment in a publicly traded company is based upon the closing public share price on the date of measurement. These assets are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. These valuation methodologies involve a significant degree of judgment. There is no single standard for determining the estimated fair value of investments which do not have an active public market. Valuations of privately held investments are inherently uncertain, as they are based on estimates, and their values may fluctuate over time. The determination of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if an active market for these investments existed. In some cases, the fair value of such investments is best expressed as a range of values derived utilizing different methodologies from which a single estimate may then be determined.

Income Recognition

Interest income, adjusted for amortization of market premium and accretion of market discount, is recorded on an accrual basis to the extent that we expect to collect such amounts. Original issue discount, principally representing the estimated fair value of detachable equity or warrants obtained in conjunction with our debt investments, and market discount or premium are capitalized and accreted or amortized into interest income over the life of the respective security using the effective interest method. Loan origination fees received in connection with the closing of investments are reported as unearned income which is included as amortized cost of the investment; the unearned income from such fees is accreted over the contractual life of the loan based on the effective interest method as interest income. Upon prepayment of a loan or debt security, any prepayment penalties, unamortized loan origination fees, and unamortized market discounts are recorded as interest income. Upon prepayment of a loan or debt security, unamortized loan origination fees and unamortized market discounts are recorded as interest income. EOT payments are contractual and fixed interest payments due in cash at the maturity date of the loan, including upon prepayment, and are a fixed percentage of the original principal balance of the loan unless otherwise noted. Interest is accrued during the life of the loan on the EOT payment using the effective interest method as non-cash income. The EOT payment generally ceases accruing to the extent the borrower is unable to pay the remaining principal and interest due.

Other income includes certain fees paid by portfolio companies and the recognition of the value of unfunded commitments that expired during the reporting period.

Realized/Unrealized Gains or Losses

We measure realized gains or losses from the repayment or sale of investments using the specific identification method. The amortized cost basis of investments represents the original cost adjusted for the accretion/amortization of discounts and premiums and upfront loan origination fees. We report changes in fair value of investments that are measured at fair value as a component of net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Management Fees

We accrue for the base management fee and incentive fee. The accrual for incentive fee includes the recognition of incentive fee on unrealized capital gains, even though such incentive fee is neither earned nor payable to the Adviser until the gains are both realized and in excess of unrealized losses on investments.

 

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U.S. Federal Income Taxes

We intend to elect to be treated, and intend to qualify annually thereafter, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, beginning with our taxable year ended December 31, 2014. Generally, a RIC is not subject to U.S. federal income taxes on distributed income and gains if it distributes at least 90% of its net ordinary income and net short-term capital gains in excess of its net long-term capital losses, if any, to its stockholders. Additionally, a RIC must distribute at least 98% of its ordinary income and 98.2% of its capital gain net income on an annual basis and any net ordinary income and net capital gains for preceding years that were not distributed during such years and on which the RIC previously paid no U.S. federal income tax to avoid a U.S. federal excise tax. We intend to distribute sufficient dividends to maintain our RIC status each year and do not anticipate paying any material U.S. federal income taxes in the future.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

For the three months ended March 31, 2015, cash provided by operating activities, consisting primarily of purchases, sales and repayments of investments and the items described in “Results of Operations,” was approximately $1.4 million. Cash provided by financing activities mainly due to net borrowings, was approximately $1.5 million. As of March 31, 2015, cash, including restricted cash, was approximately $18.3 million.

On April 1, 2015, we completed a follow-on public offering of 6,500,000 shares of our common stock and received net proceeds of approximately $93.7 million after offering costs. On April 1, 2015, upon receipt of proceeds from the public equity offering of common stock, our cash balance was $112.9 million.

As a BDC, we generally have an ongoing need to raise additional capital for investment purposes. As a result, we expect, from time to time, to access the debt and equity markets when we believe it is necessary and appropriate to do so. In this regard, we continue to explore various options for obtaining additional debt or equity capital for investments. This may include expanding or extending our credit facility, or the issuance of additional shares of our common stock of debt securities. If we are unable to obtain leverage or raise equity capital on terms that are acceptable to us, our ability to grow our portfolio could be substantially impacted.

Contractual Obligations

In February 2014, we entered into a credit agreement with Deutsche Bank, acting as administrative agent and a lender, and KeyBank National Association, Everbank Commercial Lender Finance, Inc., and AloStar Bank of Commerce, as other lenders, which provided us with a $150.0 million commitment, subject to borrowing base requirements. In August 2014, we amended our Credit Facility to increase the total commitments available there under by $50.0 million to $200.0 million in aggregate. In November 2014, we modified the definition and calculation of “excess concentration amount” in the Credit Facility to increase our ability to borrow under the Credit Facility against loans to non-U.S. companies.

As of March 31, 2015, we had outstanding borrowings of $120.0 million under our Credit Facility, which is included in the condensed consolidated statements of assets and liabilities. We had $80.0 million of remaining capacity on our Credit Facility as of March 31, 2015. The tables below provide a summary of when payments are due under our Credit Facility as of March 31, 2015.

 

     As of March 31, 2015  

Payments Due By Period
(dollars in thousands)

   Total      Less than
1 year
     1 - 3 years      3 - 5 years      More than
5 years
 

Credit Facility

   $ 120,000       $ —         $ 120,000       $ —         $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 120,000       $ —         $ 120,000       $ —         $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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We are a party to certain delay draw credit agreements with our portfolio companies, which require us to make future advances at the companies’ discretion during a defined loan availability period. Our credit agreements contain customary lending provisions which allow us relief from funding obligations for previously made commitments in instances where the underlying company experiences materially adverse events that affect the financial condition or business outlook for the company. As of March 31, 2015, our unfunded commitments to nine companies and eleven companies totaled $153.5 million. Out of $153.5 million as of March 31, 2015, $28.0 million was dependent upon the companies reaching certain milestones before the debt commitment becomes available to them. In addition, these commitments are available for a limited time and $86.0 million will expire during 2015 and $67.5 million will expire during 2016 if not drawn prior to expiration. Since these commitments may expire without being drawn upon, unfunded commitments do not necessarily represent future cash requirements or future earning assets for us. Over time, we generally expect approximately 75% of our gross unfunded commitments to be drawn before the expiration of their corresponding availability periods. We evaluate funding needs and expectations for each company at the time of commitment and as the company progresses and develops during the availability period.

The Staff of the Division of Investment Management has recently informed us that it views our unfunded commitments as senior securities under the 1940 Act. Although we do not agree with the Staff’s position, we intend to comply with the Staff’s position by either maintaining 200% asset coverage or otherwise segregating or setting aside liquid assets or engaging in other SEC or staff-approved measures to “cover” our unfunded commitments in an amount required to comply with the 1940 Act. As required by the 1940 Act, the Credit Facility also has a requirement that we maintain a 200% asset coverage ratio.

As of December 31, 2014, we had a payable of approximately $50.0 million due January 2, 2015, for the acquisition of U.S. Treasury bills. On January 2, 2015, we sold the U.S. Treasury bills and settled the payable in full.

In addition to the contractual obligations set forth above, we have certain obligations with respect to the investment advisory and administration services we received during the three months ended March 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2015, the outstanding obligations totaled approximately $2.3 million.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We are a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financial needs of our portfolio companies. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, our off-balance sheet arrangements consisted of $153.5 million and $211.0 million, respectively, of unfunded commitments, of which $28.0 million and $40.5 million was dependent upon the companies reaching certain milestones before the debt commitment becomes available to them. Our credit agreements contain customary lending provisions which allow us relief from funding obligations for previously made commitments in instances where the underlying company experiences materially adverse events that affect the financial condition or business outlook for the company.

The table below provides our unfunded commitments by customer as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

 

     As of
March 31,
2015
 

Unfunded Commitments
(dollars in thousands)

   Principal
Balance
 

Birst, Inc.

   $ 22,500   

Cambridge Broadband Network Limited

     1,000   

CipherCloud, Inc.

     25,000   

Inspirato LLC

     10,000   

 

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     As of
March 31,
2015
 

Unfunded Commitments
(dollars in thousands)

   Principal
Balance
 

Medallia, Inc.

   $ 20,000   

Mind Candy Limited

     15,000   

Nutanix, Inc.

     20,000   

Shazam Entertainment Limited

     20,000   

SimpliVity Corporation

     20,000   

Tintri, Inc.

     —     

Virtual Instruments Corporation

     —     
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 153,500   
  

 

 

 

Dividends and Distributions

In order to qualify as a RIC and to avoid corporate level tax on the income we distribute to our stockholders, we are required, under Subchapter M of the Code, to distribute at least 90% of our ordinary income and net realized short-term capital gains in excess of net realized long-term capital losses to our stockholders on an annual basis. Additionally, we must distribute at least 98% of our ordinary income and 98.2% of our capital gain net income on an annual basis and any net ordinary income and net capital gains for preceding years that were not distributed during such years and on which we previously paid no U.S. federal income tax to avoid a U.S. federal excise tax. To the extent our earnings fall below the total amount of our distributions for a taxable year, a portion of those distributions may be deemed a tax-free return of capital to our stockholders. Our Adviser monitors available taxable earnings, including net investment income and realized capital gains, to determine if a tax-free return of capital may occur for the year. The tax character of distributions will be determined at the end of the taxable year. Stockholders should read any written disclosure accompanying a dividend payment carefully and should not assume that the source of any distribution is our taxable ordinary income or capital gains. The specific tax characteristics of our distributions will be reported to stockholders after the end of the taxable year.

Related Parties

We have entered into a number of business relationships with affiliated or related parties, including the following:

 

   

We have entered into the Advisory Agreement with our Adviser. Certain of our officers are also principals of the Adviser.

 

   

We have entered into the Administration Agreement with our Administrator. Pursuant to the terms of the Administration Agreement, our Administrator provides us with the office facilities and administrative services necessary to conduct our day-to-day operations. Certain of our officers are also principals of the Administrator.

 

   

We have entered into a license agreement with TPC pursuant to which TPC has agreed to grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the name “TriplePoint.”

We have also adopted a Code of Ethics which applies to our senior officers, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as well as all of our officers, directors and employees. Our Code of Ethics requires that all employees and directors avoid any conflict, or the appearance of a conflict, between an individual’s personal interests and our interests. Pursuant to our Code of Ethics, each employee and director must disclose any conflicts of interest, or actions or relationships that might give rise to a conflict, to our Chief Compliance Officer. Our Audit Committee is charged with approving any waivers under our Code of Ethics. As required by the New York Stock Exchange corporate governance listing standards, the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors is also required to review and approve any transactions with related parties (as such term is defined in Item 404 of Regulation S-K).

 

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Recent Developments

Equity Offerings

On April 29, 2015, we raised an additional approximately $2.2 million through the issuance of 154,018 shares of our common stock as the result of the underwriters’ partial exercise of their overallotment option.

Dividends

On May 6, 2015, our Board of Directors announced a $0.36 per share dividend, payable on June 16, 2015, to stockholders of record on May 29, 2015.

Recent Portfolio Activity

On April 15, 2015, Intermodal Data, Inc. acquired certain assets and assumed the outstanding obligations owed to us by Coraid, Inc. and entered into a new loan agreement with us for the amounts owed.

From April 1, 2015, through May 5, 2015, we closed $25.0 million in new debt commitments. TPC’s direct origination platform entered into $23.0 million of additional non-binding signed term sheets with venture growth stage companies, subject to due diligence, definitive documentation and investment committee approval, as well as compliance with TPC’s allocation policy.

 

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SENIOR SECURITIES

Information about our senior securities is shown in the following table as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The report of Deloitte & Touche, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, on the Senior Securities table as of December 31, 2014 is included in this prospectus.

 

Class and Year

   Total Amount
Outstanding
Exclusive of
Treasury
Securities (1)
     Asset Coverage
per Unit (2)
     Involuntary
Liquidating
Preference per
Unit (3)
     Average Market
Value per Unit (4)
 

Credit Facility as of March 31, 2015 (5)

     $120,000         $2.98         —           $N/A   

Credit Facility as of December 31, 2014

     $118,000         $2.23         —           $N/A   

 

(1) Total amount of senior securities outstanding at the end of the period presented.
(2) Asset coverage per unit is the ratio of the carrying value of our total assets, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, in relation to the aggregate amount of senior securities representing indebtedness. Asset coverage per unit is expressed in terms of dollar amounts per $1,000 of indebtedness.
(3) The amount to which such class of senior security would be entitled upon the involuntary liquidation of the issuer in preference to any security junior to it. The “—” indicates information which the SEC expressly does not require to be disclosed for certain types of senior securities.
(4) Not applicable because senior securities are not registered for public trading.
(5) Unaudited.

 

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BUSINESS

Overview

We are an externally managed, closed-end, non-diversified management investment company that has elected to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. We also intend to elect to be treated, and intend to qualify annually thereafter as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code for U.S. federal income tax purposes, beginning with our taxable year ended December 31, 2014. We are an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act. For so long as we remain an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act, we will be subject to reduced public company reporting requirements.

We were formed to expand the venture growth stage business segment of TPC’s global investment platform and are the primary vehicle through which TPC focuses its venture growth stage business. Our investment objective is to maximize our total return to stockholders primarily in the form of current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation by primarily lending with warrants to venture growth stage companies focused in technology, life sciences and other high growth industries which are backed by TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors.

TPC, widely recognized as a leading global financing provider, is located on Sand Hill Road in Silicon Valley, and provides venture capital-backed companies with creative, flexible and customized debt financing, equity capital and complementary services throughout their lifecycle. Our Adviser’s senior investment team, including TPC’s co-founders James P. Labe and Sajal K. Srivastava, are highly experienced and disciplined in providing debt financing across all stages of a venture capital-backed company’s lifecycle, and have developed long-standing relationships with, and have an established history of investing alongside, premier venture capital investors as a creative, flexible and dependable financing partner. Additionally, TPC has a strong reputation and proven track record within its markets, significant deal origination channels, rigorous due diligence process, disciplined underwriting methods, creative investment structuring and hands-on portfolio management and investment monitoring capabilities. We believe such relationships and capabilities enables us to generate meaningful deal flow and investment opportunities.

Since the launch of its investment platform in 2006 through December 31, 2013, TPC has successfully raised approximately $1.25 billion of capital commitments from institutional investors, which may be increased to approximately $1.75 billion at the option of one of TPC’s existing institutional investors. To supplement these capital commitments, TPC has secured approximately $1.4 billion of cumulative warehouse-based and other multi-year credit facilities from international banking firms over the same period. Since the launch of TPC’s global investment platform in 2006 through December 31, 2013, our Adviser’s senior investment team committed and funded approximately $2.3 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively, of capital to more than 355 companies, generating more than $415.3 million of cumulative total investment income and $81.4 million of cumulative net realized warrant and equity gains (excluding potential gains relating to $18.3 million of publicly traded securities held as of December 31, 2013) while incurring less than $42.1 million of cumulative net realized credit losses.

We categorize venture capital-backed companies into the following five lifecycle stages of development: seed, early, later, venture growth and public. For additional information on how we define each market stage, see “—Market Opportunity.” We originate and invest primarily in venture growth stage companies. Companies at the venture growth stage have distinct characteristics differentiating them from venture capital-backed companies at other stages in their development lifecycle. For example, the venture growth stage companies that we target generally have completed development of their primary technology and products, meaningful customer sales, experienced management teams, proprietary intellectual property, significant enterprise values and strong capital bases relative to our investments. Additionally, we believe that the credit performance of our venture growth stage companies and the returns associated with lending to these companies is enhanced through our Adviser’s focus on originating investments primarily backed by TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors. We believe these venture capital investors generally (i) have strong brand recognition and track records, respected

 

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reputations and experienced professionals; (ii) have superior selection processes and access to quality investment opportunities; (iii) identify and back experienced entrepreneurs with high potential for success; (iv) invest in companies with innovative and proprietary technology that will expand existing or create new market segments; (v) provide specialized knowledge, expertise and assistance in building and growing these companies into industry-leading enterprises; (vi) support their companies through continued economic support or by assisting them in raising additional capital from new equity investors; (vii) encourage their companies to opportunistically and prudently utilize debt financing; and (viii) generate strong returns through sales and initial public offerings of the companies in which they invest. In addition, we believe TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors is able to raise additional funds to invest in new companies which should result in more future debt financing opportunities for us.

We originate and invest primarily in loans that have a secured collateral position and are used by venture growth stage companies to finance their continued expansion and growth, equipment financings and, on a select basis, revolving loans, together with, in many cases, attached equity “kickers” in the form of warrants, and direct equity investments. We underwrite our investments seeking an unlevered yield-to-maturity on our growth capital loans and equipment financings generally ranging from 10% to 18% and on our revolving loans generally ranging from 1% above the applicable prime rate to 10%, in each case, with potential for higher returns in the event we are able to exercise warrants and realize gains or sell our related equity investments at a profit. We also generally underwrite our secured loans seeking a loan-to-enterprise value of less than 25%. We make investments that our Adviser’s senior investment team believes have a low probability of loss due to our expertise and the revenue profile, product validation, customer commitments, intellectual property, financial condition and enterprise value of the potential opportunity. We believe these investments provide us with a stable, fixed-income revenue stream along with the potential for equity-related gains on a risk-adjusted basis. We believe that the venture growth stage debt market presents a compelling growth channel for us because it has high barriers to entry and is underserved by both traditional lenders and existing debt financing providers to venture capital-backed companies given the brand, reputation and market acceptance, industry relationships, venture lending and leasing expertise, specialized skills, track record, and other factors required to lend to companies backed by leading venture capital investors. Additionally, we believe our investments are distinct compared with the investments made by more traditional lenders because our investments provide us the ability to invest alongside leading venture capital investors in companies focused in technology, life sciences and other high growth industries. We also believe that our investments are distinct compared to the investments made by existing debt financing providers to venture capital backed companies given our primary focus on venture growth stage companies backed by TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors.

We believe we are able to successfully structure these investments as a result of the strong value proposition our secured loans offer to both borrowers and their venture capital investors. Our secured loans provide venture growth stage companies with an opportunity to:

 

   

diversify their funding sources;

 

   

augment their existing capital base and extend operating capital;

 

   

scale business operations and accelerate growth;

 

   

fund administrative expenses ahead of anticipated corresponding revenue;

 

   

expand product offerings through internal development or acquisitions;

 

   

lower the upfront costs of capital expenditures;

 

   

build and/or expand their leadership positions within their respective markets;

 

   

accelerate and/or smooth out the timing of cash collections; and

 

   

delay and/or postpone the need for its next round of equity financing,

in each case, extending its cash available to fund operations without incurring substantial equity dilution during a critical time in their lifecycle when they are meaningfully building enterprise value.

 

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We commenced investment activities on March 5, 2014. In order to expedite the ramp-up of our investment activities and further our ability to meet our investment objectives, on March 5, 2014, we acquired our initial portfolio. The net consideration paid to acquire our initial portfolio was approximately $121.7 million, which reflected approximately $123.7 million of investments less approximately $2.0 million for the prepaid interest and the fair value of unfunded commitments. We financed the acquisition of our initial portfolio by using a portion of a $200.0 million bridge facility, or the “Bridge Facility,” provided by Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch, or “Deutsche Bank.” On March 11, 2014, we completed our initial public offering and sold 9,840,655 shares of common stock (including 1,250,000 shares of common stock through the underwriters’ exercise of their overallotment option and the concurrent private placement of 257,332 shares of common stock to our Adviser’s senior investment team and other persons associated with TPC) of our common stock at an offering price of $15.00 per share. We received $141.6 million of net proceeds in connection with the initial public offering and concurrent private placement, net of the portion of underwriting fees and offering costs we paid. We used these net proceeds to pay down all amounts outstanding under the Bridge Facility and terminated the Bridge Facility in conjunction with such repayment. In February 2014, we entered into a $150 million revolving credit facility, as amended, or “the Credit Facility,” which became effective concurrent with the completion of our initial public offering. On August 8, 2014, we amended the Credit Facility to increase the total commitments by $50 million to $200 million in aggregate. Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at the sum of (i) the commercial paper rate for certain specified lenders and 30-day LIBOR for other lenders or, if LIBOR is unavailable, the higher of Deutsche Bank’s commercial lending rate or the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50% plus (ii) a margin of 3.5% during the Credit Facility’s revolving period. The revolving period under the Credit Facility expires in 2016. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Credit Facility.” On April 1, 2015, we completed a follow-on public offering of 6,500,000 shares of our common stock and received net proceeds of approximately $93.7 million after offering costs.

Triplepoint Capital, Senior Investment Team, Adviser and Administrator

Triplepoint Capital

TPC is widely recognized as a leading global financing provider devoted to serving venture capital-backed companies with creative, flexible and customized debt financing, equity capital and complementary services throughout their lifespan. TPC is located on Sand Hill Road in Silicon Valley and has a primary focus in technology, life sciences and other high growth industries. TPC’s portfolio of venture capital-backed companies included and/or includes widely recognized and industry-leading companies, including, among others, Facebook, YouTube, Bloom Energy, Chegg, Etsy, Gilt Groupe, Oncomed, One Kings Lane, Proteolix, Ring Central, Ruckus Wireless, Segway, Shazam, Splunk, Square, Varonis and Workday.

TPC’s global investment platform serves venture capital-backed companies backed by its select group of leading venture capital investors across all five stages of development of a venture capital-backed company’s lifecycle with dedicated business segments focused on providing creative, flexible and customized debt financings and complementary services at each stage. In addition, TPC has a business segment targeting equity investing in seed, early and later stage venture capital-backed companies called TriplePoint Ventures. TPC also has a “fund of funds” business segment which seeks to selectively invest in venture capital funds established by certain of its select group of leading venture capital investors.

TPC utilizes a unique, relationship-based lending strategy which primarily targets companies funded by a select group of leading venture capital investors. TPC refers to this approach as the “TriplePoint Lifespan Approach.” Key elements of the TriplePoint Lifespan Approach include:

 

   

establishing debt financing relationships with select venture capital-backed companies across all five lifecycle stages of development;

 

   

working with TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors to identify debt financing opportunities within their portfolio companies that we believe have established management teams,

 

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strong investor support, large market opportunities, innovative technology or intellectual property and sufficient cash on hand and equity backing to support a potential debt financing opportunity on attractive risk-adjusted terms;

 

   

developing debt financing relationships as early as possible in a venture capital-backed company’s lifecycle in order to have a real-time understanding of the company’s capital needs and be in a strategic position to evaluate and capitalize on additional investment opportunities as the company matures;

 

   

diligently monitoring the progress and ongoing creditworthiness of a borrower; and

 

   

serving as a creative, flexible and dependable financing partner with a focus on efficiency, responsiveness and customer service.

In February 2014, our Adviser entered into the Staffing Agreement with TPC, under which TPC has made and will continue to make, its investment and portfolio management and monitoring teams available to our Adviser. We believe that the Staffing Agreement (i) provides us with access to deal flow generated by TPC in the ordinary course of its business; (ii) provides us with access to TPC’s investment professionals, including its senior investment team led by Messrs. Labe and Srivastava, and TPC’s non-investment employees; and (iii) commits certain key senior members of TPC’s Investment Committee to serve as members of our Adviser’s Investment Committee. TPC is obligated under the Staffing Agreement to allocate investment opportunities among its affiliates fairly and equitably over time in accordance with its allocation policy. Our Adviser is responsible for determining if we will participate in deal flow generated by TPC. Our Adviser takes advantage of the significant deal origination channels, rigorous due diligence process, disciplined underwriting methods, creative investment structuring and hands-on portfolio management and investment monitoring capabilities of TPC’s senior investment team.

Senior Investment Team

Our Adviser’s senior investment team is led by TPC’s co-founders, James P. Labe and Sajal K. Srivastava, who are highly experienced and disciplined in providing debt financing across all stages of a venture capital-backed company’s lifecycle and have developed long-standing relationships with, and have an established history of investing alongside, premier venture capital investors as a creative, flexible and dependable financing partner over the long-term. Our Adviser’s co-founders have worked together for more than 15 years and its senior investment team includes professionals with extensive experience and backgrounds in technology, life sciences and other high growth industries as well as in venture capital, private equity and credit. Our Adviser’s senior investment team has an average of more than 15 years of relevant experience and an extensive network of industry contacts and venture capital relationships.

James P. Labe, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, is a pioneer of the venture capital lending and leasing segment of the commercial finance industry. Mr. Labe has been involved in the venture capital lending and leasing segment for more than 25 years and played a key role in making venture capital lending and leasing a regular source of capital for venture capital-backed companies. In particular, Mr. Labe founded and served as Chief Executive Officer of Comdisco Ventures, a division of Comdisco, Inc., which managed more than $3 billion in loan and lease transactions for more than 870 venture capital-backed companies and generated more than $500 million in cumulative pre-tax profits over 15 years during his tenure. Mr. Labe has served as a voting member of TPC’s Investment Committee and has led and overseen TPC’s investment originations and venture capital relationship management efforts since its inception.

Sajal K. Srivastava, our Chief Investment Officer and President, contributes strong investment and operating leadership experience along with a venture lending, leasing and technology finance background. Since its inception, Mr. Srivastava has served as a voting member of TPC’s Investment Committee and has led and overseen TPC’s investment analysis, account servicing, portfolio monitoring, legal and finance groups. Prior to co-founding TPC, Mr. Srivastava worked with Mr. Labe at Comdisco Ventures where he structured, negotiated and managed over $200 million of transactions and also managed the diligence and credit analysis team.

 

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Our Adviser

Our investment activities are managed by our Adviser, which is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and is a subsidiary of TPC. Our Adviser is responsible for sourcing, reviewing and structuring investment opportunities for us, underwriting and diligencing our investments and monitoring our investment portfolio on an ongoing basis. Our Adviser was organized in August 2013 and, pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, we pay our Adviser a base management fee and an incentive fee for its services. Our Adviser has retained Mr. Carl M. Rizzo to act as its Chief Compliance Officer under the terms of an agreement between our Adviser and Alaric Compliance Services LLC. For information regarding our Adviser, see “Fees and Expenses,” “Management Agreements—Investment Advisory Agreement” and “Related Party Transactions and Certain Relationships—Investment Advisory Agreement.”

Our Administrator

Our administrative functions are provided by our Administrator. Our Administrator is responsible for furnishing us with office facilities and equipment and provides us with clerical, bookkeeping, recordkeeping and other administrative services at such facilities. Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, we pay our Administrator an amount equal to our allocable portion (subject to the review of our Board) of our Administrator’s overhead resulting from its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent and the allocable portion of the cost of our Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Financial Officer and their respective staffs associated with performing compliance and financial reporting functions. For information regarding our Administrator, see “Fees and Expenses,” “Management Agreements—Administration Agreement” and “Related Party Transactions and Certain Relationships—Administration Agreement.”

Investment Strategy

Overview

Our investment objective is to maximize our total return to stockholders primarily in the form of current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation. We pursue our investment objective by relying on a core investment philosophy described as the “Four Rs.” The Four Rs stand for:

 

   

Relationships —We seek to develop and maintain deep, longstanding and mutually beneficial relationships with TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors, borrowers and entrepreneurs.

 

   

Reputation —We seek to preserve and extend the strong reputation of TPC’s brand and franchise as a creative, flexible and dependable financing partner with a focus on efficiency, responsiveness and customer service when interacting with venture capital investors, borrowers and entrepreneurs and when originating, structuring, underwriting and monitoring our investments.

 

   

References —We seek to make every venture capital investor, borrower and entrepreneur with whom we work a reference so that they not only work with us again but encourage others to work with us also. We believe that receiving referrals from TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors, borrowers and entrepreneurs is a critical part of our investment origination process and differentiates us from other lenders.

 

   

Returns —We believe that by focusing on relationships, reputation and references, in addition to utilizing our specialized and established credit and monitoring process, we will generate attractive risk-adjusted returns over the long-term.

We invest primarily in (i) growth capital loans that have a secured collateral position and that are used by venture growth stage companies to finance their continued expansion and growth, (ii) equipment financings, which may be structured as loans or leases, that have a secured collateral position on specified mission-critical equipment, (iii) on a select basis, revolving loans that have a secured collateral position and that are used by

 

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venture growth stage companies to advance against inventory, components, accounts receivable, contractual or future billings, bookings, revenues, sales or cash payments and collections including proceeds from a sale, financing or equivalent and (iv) direct equity investments in venture growth stage companies. We also generally underwrite our secured loans seeking a loan-to-enterprise value of less than 25%. In connection with our growth capital loans, equipment financings and revolving loans, we generally receive warrants that allow us to participate in any equity appreciation of our borrowers and enhance our overall investment returns.

We believe that our relationship-based approach to investing, which leverages our Adviser’s senior investment team’s expertise in developing strong relationships with venture capital investors and venture capital-backed companies, understanding the capital needs of a venture growth stage company, and structuring and customizing attractive financing solutions to meet the financing needs throughout a company’s growth stage, enables us to identify, attract and proactively capitalize on venture growth stage companies’ debt needs as they grow and become successful enterprises.

Target Venture Growth Stage Companies

We primarily target investment opportunities in venture growth stage companies backed by venture capital investors. However, having backing from a venture capital investor does not guarantee financing from us. Prospective borrowers must further qualify based on our Adviser’s rigorous and established investment selection and underwriting criteria and generally have many of the following characteristics:

 

   

financing from a member of TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors with whom TPC has an established history of providing secured loans alongside equity investments made by these venture capital investors;

 

   

focused in technology, life sciences or other high growth industries and targeting an industry segment with a large and/or growing market opportunity;

 

   

completion of their primary technology and product development;

 

   

meaningful customer sales, commitments or orders and have generated or we believe are reasonably expected to generate within the current fiscal year or on an annualized run rate at least $20 million in revenues and a strong outlook for continued and/or potentially rapid revenue growth;

 

   

a leadership position in its market (or the potential to establish a leadership position) with potential and/or defensible barriers to entry;

 

   

an experienced and relatively complete senior management team with a successful track record;

 

   

support from existing venture capital investors in the form of meaningful invested equity capital relative to our investment amount and/or reserved capital or willingness to invest additional capital as needed;

 

   

strong likelihood of raising additional equity capital or achieving an exit in the form of an initial public offering or sale based on our determination;

 

   

differentiated products, unique technology, proprietary intellectual property, and/or positive clinical results that may have intrinsic value on a stand-alone and/or liquidation basis;

 

   

meaningful enterprise value relative to the size of our investment as indicated by a recent equity round valuation or as determined by a third-party with, in our Adviser’s senior investment team’s opinion, the potential for upside;

 

   

a balanced current financial condition typically with 12 months or more of operating cash runway based on its projected cash burn and/or a path to profitability typically over a three to five year period from the date of our investment; and

 

   

upcoming strategic and potential enterprise valuation-accreting business milestones that our investment can help provide operating cash runway for the company to achieve.

 

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For many venture capital-backed companies, we believe that the venture growth stage is generally the point in their lifecycle at which they begin operational and financial preparations for a liquidity event, such as an initial public offering or private sale. For detailed information regarding the characteristics of venture growth stage companies we target, see “Business—Market Opportunity—Stages of Venture Capital-backed Companies and the Appeal of Venture Growth Stage Companies.” We believe these investments provide us with a stable, fixed-income revenue stream along with the potential for equity-related gains on a risk-adjusted basis. We invest opportunistically in venture capital-backed companies at other lifecycle stages of development when our Adviser’s senior investment team believes that they present an attractive investment opportunity for us, subject to our compliance with applicable requirements under the 1940 Act.

We believe that the profiles of the venture growth stage companies that we target mitigate our risk because we expect these companies typically have several options to repay our debt financing through:

 

   

cash flow either from achieving the strong and rapid revenue and profitability plans targeted at the time of our underwriting or in a downside risk scenario from reducing growth and associated operating expenses;

 

   

receiving additional cash from new equity investors based on the progress and development made by the company and their outlook for growth or in a downside risk scenario from existing equity investors to avoid them from otherwise losing all of their invested capital given our ability to foreclose on our collateral;

 

   

receiving acquisition offers from strategic or other financial investors or undertaking an initial public offering, given their large and growing market opportunities, the stage of development of their underlying technology and products and their financial profile; or

 

   

in a worst case scenario, liquidating underlying assets including any proceeds from the sale of equipment, inventory, accounts receivable and/or intellectual property.

Invest with TriplePoint Capital’s Select Group of Leading Venture Capital Investors

We generally expect to (i) benefit from the relationships developed by TPC as part of its TriplePoint Lifespan Approach and (ii) target investment opportunities backed by a select group of leading venture capital investors with whom our Adviser’s senior investment team has an established history of providing secured loans alongside equity investments made by these venture capital investors. We believe these well-recognized firms have consistently generated strong returns through superior selection processes and access to experienced entrepreneurs and quality investment opportunities based upon their strong reputations and track records, specialized knowledge and experienced investment professionals. As a result of this strategy, we focus and narrow our investment sourcing efforts to those investment opportunities backed by these leading venture capital investors with established track records targeting investments in Silicon Valley, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Northern Virginia, San Diego, Seattle, the United Kingdom, Israel and other geographic areas of venture capital investments. We believe these relationships serve as an important source of investment opportunity referrals for us. We work with our select group of leading venture capital investors to identify debt financing opportunities within their portfolio companies that we believe have established management teams, strong venture capital investor support, large market opportunities, innovative technology or intellectual property, potential for meaningful warrant and/or equity returns and sufficient cash reserves to complement a potential debt financing opportunity.

Focus in Technology, Life Sciences and other High Growth Industries

We generally target technology, life sciences and other high growth industries and further specialize in subsectors within each of these industries including:

 

   

Technology —areas of focus include: big data, cloud computing, communications, consumer, data storage, electronics, energy efficiency, hardware, information services, internet and media, networking, semiconductors, software, software as a service, wireless communications and other technology related subsectors;

 

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Life Sciences —areas of focus include: biotechnology, diagnostic testing and bioinformatics, drug delivery, drug discovery, healthcare information systems, healthcare services, medical, surgical and therapeutic devices, pharmaceuticals and other life science related subsectors; and

 

   

Other High Growth Industries —areas of focus vary depending upon our Adviser’s investment strategy.

Our Adviser seeks to invest in those subsectors where our Adviser sees opportunities for innovation, globalization, demand and other drivers of change create significant business opportunities for venture growth stage companies with cutting edge technology, differentiated value propositions and sustainable competitive advantages. As a result, we believe that companies in these subsectors are more likely to attract significant investment from venture capital investors, private equity firms or strategic partners and are a more attractive candidate for a liquidity event than a company in a non-high growth industry.

Offer Creative Financing Solutions with Attractive Risk-Adjusted Pricing

Debt financings for venture growth stage companies are extremely diverse with use of proceeds, repayment structures and value propositions varying considerably among different company types. Our debt financings are customized based on a host of factors, including our review, assessment and analysis of each company’s management team, business outlook, underlying technology, support from its venture capital investors, products or services, current and future financial profile, intended use of our proceeds and anticipated payback structure, timing of a liquidity event and return potential. The diversity of debt financing possibilities requires prospective lenders to demonstrate a high degree of venture lending and leasing expertise and technology, life sciences and other high growth industries knowledge, specialization, willingness to provide customized products and flexibility. We believe the members of our Adviser’s senior investment team are uniquely situated given their extensive industry background, track record, knowledge and lending experience in the technology, life sciences and other high growth industries, as well as venture capital, private equity and credit, to analyze, structure and underwrite such debt financings. We believe that we have the ability to appropriately price the investment opportunities we originate based upon the debt structures we employ and the individual risk profiles of our borrowers to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns for us and our stockholders.

Generate Equity Upside over Time through Warrant and Equity Investments

In connection with our secured loans, we generally receive warrants to acquire preferred or common stock in a venture growth stage company with an exercise price typically equal to the same price per share paid by the company’s venture capital investors in its last round of equity financing or a recent valuation of the venture growth stage company as determined by a third-party. Our warrant coverage generally ranges from 2% to 10% of the committed loan amount. The warrants we obtain typically include a “cashless exercise” provision to allow us to exercise these rights without any additional cash investment. We also generally receive the opportunity to invest equity directly in our venture growth stage companies. We believe that making equity investments and receiving warrants in venture growth stage companies with exit events on the horizon, such as an initial public offering or private sale, increases the likelihood of equity appreciation and enhanced investment returns. As a venture growth stage company’s enterprise value changes we expect to recognize unrealized gains or losses from the fair value changes in our warrants and equity investments and in conjunction with either a sale of the company or in connection with or following an initial public offering, we expect to achieve additional investment returns and realized gains from the exercise of these warrants and the sale of the underlying stock.

Utilize a Disciplined Investment Process

Our Adviser’s senior investment team leverages the more than 25 years of experience and expertise of Mr. Labe, one of TPC’s co-founders, and the track record developed by Messrs. Labe and Srivastava at TPC since its inception for reviewing prospective borrowers and potential financings, structuring those financings and subsequently monitoring those that are pursued and made, through which our Adviser’s senior investment team

 

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has succeeded in making profitable investments and minimizing credit losses. Additionally, we believe that the credit performance of our venture growth stage companies and the returns associated with lending to these companies are enhanced through our Adviser’s focus on originating investments primarily backed by TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors and having an understanding of their outlook and/or support of our prospective and existing borrowers.

Employ Active Portfolio Management Processes

Our Adviser utilizes an extensive internal credit tracking and monitoring approach to regularly follow a venture growth stage company’s actual financial performance and achievement of business-related milestones to ensure that the internal risk rating assigned to each venture growth stage company investment is appropriate. This process has been refined and validated by Messrs. Labe and Srivastava, TPC’s co-founders, and the track record developed by TPC since its inception and is based, in part, on its expertise, familiarity and deep understanding of the risk associated with investing in various stages of a venture capital-backed company’s lifespan. The analysis focuses on both quantitative metrics, such as cash balance and cash burn, and our Adviser’s qualitative assessment in various areas, such as the outlook for the borrower’s industry segment, progress of product development, overall adherence to the business plan, financial condition, future growth potential and ability to raise additional equity capital. Our Adviser maintains dialogue and contact with our borrowers’ management teams to discuss, among other topics, business progress, cash flow, financial condition and capital structure issues. Our Adviser also typically engages in dialogue with the venture capital investors in our borrowers to understand and assess the company’s progress and development and the venture capital investor’s outlook and/or level of support for our borrower and in conjunction with the Four Rs, our core investment philosophy, determines the appropriate course of action for borrowers on our Credit Watch List.

Market Opportunity

We believe that the current and near-term market environment is favorable for us to continue to pursue an investment strategy focused primarily in venture growth stage companies in technology, life sciences and other high growth industries, with a primary focus on companies that have received investment capital from TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors. We and TPC have an established history of investing in companies in which these leading venture capital investors have previously invested.

 

   

Stages of Venture Capital-backed Companies and the Appeal of Venture Growth Stage Companies. We categorize venture capital-backed companies into the following five lifecycle stages of development:

 

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Seed Stage —Seed stage companies are true “start-ups” and may be in a purely conceptual phase where product development has not yet begun. These companies are typically funded by angel and seed investors and may have received small investments from venture capital investors to fund operations.

 

   

Early Stage —Early stage companies are typically actively building their management teams and designing and developing products, some of which may be in beta tests with potential customers or in initial clinical trials. These companies typically have received one or more rounds of equity financing from one or more venture capital investors. Early stage venture capital-backed companies typically rely on additional equity capital from venture capital investors to fund operations. Some of these companies may have begun to generate revenues.

 

   

Later Stage —Later stage companies are typically finishing product development or transitioning beyond their initial beta customers and include companies that have passed through one or more phases or stages of a clinical trial or approval process. Typically, these companies generate some revenues and often have received several rounds of venture capital or private equity financing. Later stage venture capital-backed companies typically rely on additional equity capital from venture capital funds, private equity funds or strategic partners, as well as potentially third-party licensing revenue, to fund operations.

 

   

Venture Growth Stage —Venture growth stage companies are focused on broadly marketing their products, optimizing production capacity for existing products and expanding production capacity for newer or upcoming products. These companies generally have many, if not all, of the following characteristics: (i) venture capital equity financing; (ii) completion of their primary technology and product development; (iii) meaningful customer sales, commitments or orders and have generated or we believe are reasonably expected to generate within the current fiscal year at least $20 million in annual revenues; (iv) an experienced management team; and (v) proprietary intellectual property.

 

   

Public Stage —Public companies have shares publicly traded.

 

   

Attractive Financing Source for Venture Growth Stage Companies and Their Venture Capital Investors. By using debt financing, a venture growth stage company can (i) diversify its funding sources; (ii) augment its existing capital base and operating capital; (iii) scale its business operations and accelerate growth; (iv) fund administrative expenses ahead of anticipated corresponding revenue; (v) expand its product offerings through internal development or acquisitions; (vi) lower the upfront costs of capital expenditures; (vii) build and/or expand its leadership positions within its markets; (viii) accelerate and/or smooth out the timing of cash collections; and (ix) delay and/or postpone the need for its next round of equity financing, in each case, extending its cash available to fund operations without incurring substantial equity dilution for its existing venture capital investors and management team during a critical time in its lifecycle when it is attempting to meaningfully build enterprise value.

 

   

Large and Growing Market for Debt Financing to Venture Capital-Backed Companies. Historically, venture capital-backed companies, including venture growth stage companies, have used a combination of equity and debt financing to keep their overall cost of capital low and to increase capital availability. Venture lending and leasing is a large and growing market driven primarily by venture capital investment activity.

 

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The following chart illustrates U.S. venture capital firm fund raising, by total dollar amount and number of funds.

 

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Source: Thomson Reuters & National Venture Capital Association

The following chart illustrates the total number of U.S. venture capital investments, by the number of deals, and the total dollar amount invested in those deals during the respective time period.

 

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Source: Thomson Reuters & National Venture Capital Association

 

   

Venture Capital Support Helps to Reduce Downside Risk. In many cases, venture capital-backed companies raise debt in conjunction with, or immediately after, a substantial venture capital investment in the company. This equity investment supports the secured loan by providing a source of cash to help service the company’s debt obligations in addition to potential cash flow from revenues. In addition, because the loan ranks senior in priority of payment to the equity investment, the company must repay that loan before the venture capital investor realizes a return on its equity investment. If the company subsequently becomes distressed, its venture capital investor will likely have an incentive to assist it in avoiding a payment default, which could lead to foreclosure on the secured assets.

In addition, we believe that the structure of debt financing to venture capital-backed companies generally provides (i) collateral to the lender against the downside risk of loss; (ii) return of capital to

 

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the lender in a relatively short timeframe compared to an equity investment; and (iii) a senior position in the capital structure compared to an equity investor. Further, debt financing to venture capital-backed companies does not require a liquidity event such as an initial public offering or private sale in order for the lender to realize a return. We believe that the support of venture capital investors increases the likelihood that a debt financing will be repaid in full because such investor will be incentivized to avoid a secured loan payment default.

 

   

Longer Timing from Initial Investment to Exit Through an Initial Public Offering or Private Sale. As initial public offering and private sale activity continues to rebound from the recession lows, venture capital-backed companies continue to raise more capital across their lifecycles. In the current market environment, we believe that successful venture growth stage candidates for initial public offerings and private sale exits increasingly require more time to achieve revenue targets, product validation and profitability. These longer timeframes put additional strain on venture capital-backed company balance sheets, leading to the need for additional financing in order to meet the desired exit opportunity criteria. For example, according to the National Venture Capital Association’s 2013 Yearbook, in 1998, the average age of a U.S. venture capital-backed company prior to its initial public offering was approximately three years; that number has steadily increased to eight years in 2012, thus increasing the need for additional funding. We expect venture growth stage companies and their venture capital investors will continue to consider debt financing as an attractive source of capital because it augments the capital provided by venture capital investors. Additionally, we believe debt financing provides both venture growth stage companies and their venture capital investors with opportunities to diversify their capital sources, supports a higher valuation through internal growth and provides capital needed to grow during an extended period prior to a liquidity event.

The following chart illustrates the average number of years it took a U.S. venture growth stage company to complete an initial public offering from 1998 through 2012.

 

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Source: Thomson Reuters & National Venture Capital Association

 

   

Highly Fragmented, Underserved Market with High Barriers to Entry. The market for debt financing for venture growth stage companies is less developed given the nontraditional financial profile of borrowers, the nature of their collateral and their unique cash flow characteristics. Debt financing for venture growth stage companies is particularly heterogeneous—the types, structures and sizes of debt financings often vary significantly depending on a particular company’s industry and its current or near-term level of development. The availability of debt financing for venture capital-backed companies is further limited by factors such as the brand, reputation and market acceptance, industry relationships, track record, and other factors required to lend to companies backed by leading venture capital investors, in addition to the distinct credit profiles of these companies and the deep experience and specialized set of skills required to (i) source deal flow and receive investment referrals;

 

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(ii) evaluate high growth industries and sectors, business prospects, operating characteristics and collateral; (iii) analyze potential transactions; and (iv) customize unconventional transaction structures for these companies.

This market has generally been underserved by traditional lending sources, such as commercial banks and finance firms, and existing providers of debt financing to venture capital-backed companies. Traditional lenders prefer to lend to large, established businesses with traditional credit profiles, including profitability, but more importantly, traditional lenders typically have difficulty and lack experience in assessing venture capital backed-companies and are reluctant to underwrite the risk associated with venture capital-backed companies, especially given regulatory restrictions. Accordingly, we have observed that venture-oriented banks tend to be the primary form of traditional lenders participating in the market for venture growth stage companies and that they generally focus on providing lower risk and lower return financings which tend to require and impose many restrictive covenants and conditions on borrowers, such as limitations on cash outflows and borrowing formulas and requiring a significant depository relationship to facilitate rapid liquidation. As a comparison, according to Thomson Reuters, middle market lenders generally receive all-in yields ranging from 6% to 10% for their first and second lien financings and have debt-to-EBITDA ratios generally ranging from 3.9x to 5.2x. We believe we complement the venture-oriented banks with our growth capital loans and equipment financings. While our revolving loans resemble those of the venture-oriented banks, our loans tend to be less restrictive and limiting and are intended to be financed out by a loan from a venture-oriented bank after we have established payment and operational history with our borrower. In certain cases, we may collaborate with a venture-oriented bank to provide a joint debt financing solution consisting of a revolving loan from the bank and a growth capital loan from us.

There are a limited number of existing providers of debt financing in the venture growth market today. We believe that most existing debt providers to venture capital-backed companies do not regularly or actively participate in venture growth stage lending due to their reluctance to underwrite the large financings required by venture growth stage companies, as well as the desire of these providers to structure deals with lower current return but with the potential for significantly higher equity upside through warrants by lending to companies with lower valuations than would be possible in the venture growth stage lending market. As a result, we believe existing providers of debt financing tend to focus on seed, early and late stage venture capital-backed companies instead of venture growth stage companies.

Competitive Strengths

Experienced Senior Investment Team

Our Adviser’s senior investment team is highly experienced and disciplined in providing debt financing across all stages of a venture capital-backed company’s lifecycle and has developed long-standing relationships with, and has an established history of investing alongside, premier venture capital investors as a creative, flexible and dependable financing partner. Our Adviser’s co-founders have worked together for more than 15 years and its senior investment team includes professionals with extensive experience and backgrounds in technology, life sciences and other high growth industries as well as in venture capital, private equity and credit. Our Adviser’s senior investment team has an average of more than 15 years of relevant experience and an extensive network of industry contacts and venture capital relationships. James P. Labe, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, is a pioneer of the venture capital lending and leasing segment of the commercial finance industry. Mr. Labe has been involved in the venture capital lending and leasing segment for more than 25 years and played a key role in making venture capital lending and leasing a regular source of capital for venture capital-backed companies. In particular, Mr. Labe founded and served as Chief Executive Officer of Comdisco Ventures, a division of Comdisco, Inc., which managed more than $3 billion in loan and lease transactions for more than 870 venture capital-backed companies and generated more than $500 million in cumulative pre-tax profits over 15 years during his tenure. In addition, Mr. Srivastava worked with Mr. Labe at

 

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Comdisco Ventures where he structured, negotiated and managed over $200 million of transactions and also managed the diligence and credit analysis team and has led and overseen TPC’s investment analysis, account servicing, portfolio monitoring, legal and finance groups since its inception.

Established Platform with Strong Direct Origination Capabilities

TPC is a widely recognized leading global financing provider devoted to serving venture capital-backed companies with creative, flexible and customized debt financing, equity capital and complementary services throughout their lifespan, including venture growth stage companies. We were organized by TPC to expand its investment platform and serve as its publicly traded vehicle primarily focused in the venture growth stage of a venture capital-backed company’s lifecycle in order to serve the large and growing needs of these companies given their unique risk-return profile. We generally expect to benefit from the relationships developed by TPC as part of its TriplePoint Lifespan Approach and typically source investment opportunities with TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors or directly from prospective venture growth stage companies who are seeking debt financing and are attracted by TPC’s reputation and extensive track record in the venture growth stage debt market. Additional origination sources for our Adviser include its senior investment team’s extensive network of individuals associated with current and former venture growth stage companies, financial advisers, commercial and investment banks, accounting firms and law firms.

Brand Name Reputation with a Long-Term Investment Outlook

We benefit from the brand name reputation, established track record, significant deal origination channels, rigorous due diligence process, disciplined underwriting methods, creative investment structuring and hands-on portfolio management and investment and other monitoring capabilities of our Adviser’s senior investment team. We believe that the Four Rs, TPC’s core investment philosophy, enables us to continue to grow our brand name reputation and differentiate us from our competitors as it is reflective of our long-term approach to our business. By taking a long-term approach to our business, we are highly selective in the transactions we pursue, work with proven and successful venture capital investors, take a disciplined and thorough approach to analyzing, structuring and underwriting our investment opportunities such that they are mutually beneficial to us and our customers, and proactively monitor our investments. We believe that existing customers, prospective customers and venture capital investors appreciate and value our reputation and our long-term outlook when selecting a debt financing partner resulting in beneficial deal flow and potential for better long-term investment returns, while further enhancing our brand, relationships and competitive differentiation.

Differentiated Focus

We believe there are a limited number of lenders that focus on providing debt financing to venture growth stage companies due to the brand, reputation and market acceptance, industry relationships, track record and other factors required to lend to companies backed by leading venture capital investors, in addition to the distinct credit profiles of these companies and the deep experience and specialized set of skills required to (i) source deal flow and receive investment referrals; (ii) evaluate high growth industries and sectors, business prospects, operating characteristics and collateral; (iii) analyze potential transactions; and (iv) customize unconventional transaction structures for these companies. Additionally, many existing debt providers to venture capital-backed companies target specific high growth industry segments, such as life sciences, instead of our general high growth industry approach, while others target specific stages of development, such as lending to companies that are in the seed, early or later stages of development rather than companies in the venture growth stage. In addition, we believe that most existing non-traditional debt providers do not regularly or actively participate in venture growth stage lending due to their reluctance to underwrite the large financings required by venture growth stage companies, as well as the desire of these providers to structure deals with significantly higher equity upside through warrants than would be possible in the venture growth stage lending market. We believe that our focus primarily on venture growth stage companies enables us to generate current income with a lower risk of

 

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loss, along with the potential for equity-related gains, due to the revenue profile, product validation, customer traction, intellectual property, enterprise value, financial condition and equity capital base of the companies we target.

Strong Relationship-Based Approach with Leading Venture Capital Investors

Our Adviser utilizes a relationship-based lending strategy which primarily targets investment opportunities backed by TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors with established track records targeting investments in Silicon Valley, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Northern Virginia, San Diego, Seattle, the United Kingdom, Israel and other geographic areas of venture capital investments. We believe these investors have consistently generated strong returns through superior selection processes and access to experienced entrepreneurs and quality investment opportunities based upon strong reputations, specialized knowledge and experienced investment professionals. We believe TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors is able to raise additional funds to invest in new companies which drive greater additional future debt financing opportunities for us. Our Adviser’s senior investment team, with an established history as a creative, flexible and dependable financing partner, works with venture capital investors to (i) identify debt financing opportunities within their portfolio companies that we believe have established management teams, strong venture capital investor support, large market opportunities, innovative technology or intellectual property and sufficient cash on hand and equity backing to support a potential debt financing opportunity on attractive risk-adjusted terms and (ii) diligently monitor the progress and creditworthiness of our borrowers as well as have an understanding of their support of our borrowers.

Investment Structure

We offer a full range of creative, flexible and customized secured financing products. While each product is different, an illustration of the usual timing for a product’s initial facility fee, interest and principal payments, end-of-term payments and warrant and/or equity sale proceeds, if any, is set forth below:

 

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Although the general components for each type of our debt financing products are substantially the same, we select and customize the specific debt financing product on a case-by-case basis based on our Adviser’s senior investment team’s experience and their analysis of a prospective borrower, its financing needs and its intended use of the proceeds from our debt financing product. For example, the type of debt financing transaction, the total repayment period, the interest-only period, the amortization period, the collateral position, the warrant coverage and the overall yield-to-maturity may vary. We make investments that our Adviser’s senior investment team believes have a low probability of loss due to our expertise and the revenue profile, product validation, customer commitments, intellectual property, financial condition and enterprise value of the potential opportunity. Our debt financing products are typically structured as lines of credit, whereby a prospective borrower may be required to draw some of the commitment amount at close but may have up to 12 months from document execution to access the debt financing capital and in limited cases future advances may be subject to certain predetermined performance milestones.

 

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Growth Capital Loans

Key typical attributes of our growth capital loans include:

 

   

Size ranges from $5 million to $50 million. We generally target and balance our growth capital loan size to the total equity capital base, the current or near term enterprise value, revenue run rate and current and near team cash and liquidity profile of a prospective borrower;

 

   

Short total repayments typically ranging from 36 to 60 months or less and provide for interest only or moderate loan amortization in the early period of the loan, with the majority of the amortization deferred until 24 to 48 months after the loan’s funding date or a large lump sum payment on its maturity;

 

   

Unlevered yield-to-maturity generally ranging from 10% to 18%, which may include current interest payments, upfront and facility fees, an end-of-term payment and/or a PIK interest payment. Our end-of-term payments are contractual and fixed interest payments due at the maturity date of the loan, including upon prepayment, and are a fixed percentage of the original principal balance of the loan. A meaningful portion of the difference between our yield-to-maturity and the stated interest rate on the loan is recognized as non-cash income until it is paid;

 

   

Equity “kickers” in the form of warrants to acquire preferred or common stock in the prospective borrower that allow us to participate in any equity appreciation and enhance our overall returns;

 

   

Secured by a senior secured lien on all of the prospective borrower’s assets including a pledge or negative pledge on its intellectual property. For certain prospective borrowers we are the only form of secured debt (other than potentially specific equipment financing). Other prospective borrowers may also have a revolving loan, typically from a bank, to finance receivables, cash, billings, bookings or inventory, and the collateral for such financing may be the underlying financed asset, bank accounts and/or a senior lien in priority to our senior lien. In addition, there may be prospective borrowers that have a term loan facility, with or without an accompanying revolving loan, typically from a bank, that may be in priority to our senior lien; and

 

   

Limited and/or flexible covenant structures and with certain affirmative and negative covenants, default penalties, lien protection, investor abandonment provisions, material adverse change provisions, change-of-control provisions, restrictions on additional use of leverage, reimbursement for upfront and regular internal and third party expenses as well as prepayment penalties.

Equipment Financings

Key typical attributes of our equipment financings include:

 

   

Size ranges from $5 million to $25 million. We generally target the size of our equipment financing to anticipate the capital equipment needs for a prospective borrower over a twelve month period balanced by the total equity capital base, the current or near term enterprise value, revenue run rate and current and near team cash and liquidity profile of a prospective borrower;

 

   

Short total repayments typically ranging from 36 to 48 months or less and provide for short interest only periods followed by full amortization;

 

   

Structured as full payout loans or leases with either buyout provisions based on the fair market value of the financed equipment or a fixed end-of term payment;

 

   

Unlevered yield-to-maturity generally ranging from 10% to 15%, which may include current interest payments, upfront and facility fees, an end-of-term payment and/or a PIK interest payment. Our end-of-term payments are contractual and fixed interest payments due at the maturity date of the loan, including upon prepayment, and are a fixed percentage of the original principal balance of the loan. The portion of our end-of-term payments which equal the difference between our yield-to-maturity and the stated interest rate on the loan are recognized as non-cash income until they are paid;

 

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Equity “kickers” in the form of warrants to acquire preferred or common stock in the prospective borrower that allow us to participate in any equity appreciation and enhance our overall returns;

 

   

Secured solely by the underlying equipment being financed. We expect that much of the equipment financed by us will consist of standard, off-the-shelf equipment, such as computers, electronic test and measurement, telecommunications, laboratory equipment, manufacturing or production equipment. In certain cases, a portion of an equipment financing may finance customized equipment, software and/or expenses or soft-costs which may not have any substantial resale value; and

 

   

Limited and/or flexible covenant structures with certain affirmative and negative covenants, default penalties, lien protection, investor abandonment provisions, material adverse change provisions, change-of-control provisions, reimbursement for upfront and regular internal and third party expenses as well as prepayment penalties.

Revolving Loans

On a select basis we offer revolving loans. Key typical attributes of our revolving loans include:

 

   

Size ranges from $1 million to $25 million. We generally structure our revolving loans subject to an advance rate against the company’s inventory, components, accounts receivable, contractual or future billings, bookings, revenues, sales or cash payments and collections including proceeds from a sale, financing or equivalent, that serve as our sole or primary collateral in support of the repayment of such loans;

 

   

Short total repayments typically ranging from 12 to 36 months or less and typically provide for interest only periods and/or moderate loan amortization in the early period of the loan, with the majority of the amortization deferred until 12 to 24 months after the loan’s funding date or on its maturity date;

 

   

Unlevered yield-to-maturity generally ranging from 1% above the applicable prime rate to 10%, which may include current interest payments, upfront and facility fees, an end-of-term payment and/or a PIK interest payment. Our end-of-term payments are contractual and fixed interest payments due at the maturity date of the loan, including upon prepayment, and are a fixed percentage of the original principal balance of the loan. The portion of our end-of-term payments which equal the difference between our yield-to-maturity and the stated interest rate on the loan are recognized as non-cash income until they are paid;

 

   

Equity “kickers” in the form of warrants to acquire preferred or common stock in the prospective borrower that allow us to participate in any equity appreciation and enhance our overall returns;

 

   

Secured by a senior secured lien on all of the prospective borrower’s assets including a pledge or negative pledge on its intellectual property or on all of the specific assets financed specifically by the revolving loan such as the company’s inventory, components, accounts receivable, contractual or future billings, bookings, revenues, sales or cash payments and collections including proceeds from a sale, financing or equivalent; and

 

   

Some financial covenants which may include advance rates, borrowing formulas, excess concentrations, cash requirements, business contracts or milestones along with certain affirmative and negative covenants, default penalties, lien protection, investor abandonment provisions, material adverse change provisions, change-of-control provisions, restrictions on additional use of leverage, reimbursement for upfront and regular internal and third party expenses as well as prepayment penalties.

Warrants

In connection with our secured loans, we generally receive warrants to acquire preferred or common stock in a venture growth stage company typically at the same price per share paid by the company’s venture capital investors in its last round of equity financing, a recent valuation of the venture growth stage company as determined by a third-party or in its next round of equity financing. As a venture growth stage company’s

 

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enterprise value changes we recognize unrealized gains or losses from the fair value changes in our warrants and in conjunction with either a sale of the company or in connection with or following an initial public offering, we achieve additional investment returns and realized gains from the exercise of these warrants and the sale of the underlying stock. Warrants granted in connection with our secured loans are typically based on a percentage of the committed loan amount, are treated as OID and may be earned at document execution and/or as the loan is funded. Warrant coverage generally ranges from 2% to 10% of the committed loan amount.

Direct Equity Investments

In connection with our secured loans, we may obtain equity investment rights that allow us to invest in a venture growth stage company’s current or next round of private equity financing on the same terms and conditions as the company’s venture capital investors and/or other equity investors in the round. As a venture growth stage company’s enterprise value changes we recognize unrealized gains or losses from the fair value changes in our direct equity investments and in conjunction with either a sale of the company or in connection with or following an initial public offering, we achieve additional investment returns and realized gains from the sale of the underlying stock. These equity investment rights to typically range from $100,000 to $5 million in size (generally not exceeding 5% of the company’s total equity), although we are under no obligation to make any such investment. Typically, these are passive investments (we do not take a board of director seat in the company) but can be strategically valuable and beneficial as an enhancement to our relationship with the venture growth stage company and to our economic return by generating meaningful return on capital committed.

Investment Criteria

Our Adviser (i) benefits from the relationships developed by TPC as part of its TriplePoint Lifespan Approach and (ii) typically sources investment opportunities with TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors or directly from prospective borrowers who are seeking debt financing. Many of these prospective borrowers are attracted to TPC’s reputation, extensive track record in the venture growth stage debt market, Four Rs’ core investment philosophy, and/or may have previously had a lending relationship with TPC. Additional origination sources for our Adviser include an extensive network of strategic industry contacts, including former and current venture growth stage companies, financial advisers, commercial banks and accounting and law firms. Our Adviser also identifies companies with strong management teams and innovative technology to proactively generate debt financing opportunities.

We primarily target investment opportunities in venture growth stage companies backed by venture capital investors. However, having backing from a venture capital investor does not guarantee financing from us. Prospective borrowers must further qualify based on our Adviser’s rigorous and established investment selection and underwriting criteria and generally have many of the following characteristics:

 

   

financing from a member of TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors with whom TPC has an established history of providing secured loans alongside equity investments made by these venture capital investors;

 

   

focused in technology, life sciences or other high growth industries and targeting an industry segment with a large and/or growing market opportunity;

 

   

completion of their primary technology and product development;

 

   

meaningful customer sales, commitments or orders and have generated or we believe are reasonably expected to generate within the current fiscal year or on an annualized run rate at least $20 million in revenues and a strong outlook for continued and/or potentially rapid revenue growth;

 

   

a leadership position in its market (or the potential to establish a leadership position) with potential and/or defensible barriers to entry;

 

   

an experienced and relatively complete senior management team with a successful track record;

 

   

support from existing venture capital investors in the form of meaningful invested equity capital relative to our investment amount and/or reserved capital or willingness to invest additional capital as needed;

 

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strong likelihood of raising additional equity capital or achieving an exit in the form of an initial public offering or sale based on our determination;

 

   

differentiated products, unique technology, proprietary intellectual property, and/or positive clinical results that may have intrinsic value on a stand-alone and/or liquidation basis;

 

   

meaningful enterprise value relative to the size of our investment as indicated by a recent equity round valuation or as determined by a third-party with, in our Adviser’s senior investment team’s opinion, the potential for upside;

 

   

a balanced current financial condition typically with 12 months or more of operating cash runway based on its projected cash burn and/or a path to profitability typically over a three to five year period from the date of our investment; and

 

   

upcoming strategic and potential enterprise valuation-accreting business milestones that our investment can help provide operating cash runway for the company to achieve.

We underwrite our transactions to ensure that our customers have a strategic and balanced intended use of our investment proceeds without us taking excessive risk and with a low likelihood of default. We believe that the profiles of the venture growth stage companies that we target mitigate our risk because we expect these companies have several options to repay our debt financing through:

 

   

cash flow either from achieving the strong and rapid revenue and profitability plans targeted at the time of our underwriting or in a downside risk scenario from reducing growth and associated operating expenses;

 

   

receiving additional cash from new equity investors based on the progress and development made by the company and their outlook for growth or in a downside risk scenario from existing equity investors to avoid them from otherwise losing all of their invested capital given our ability to foreclose on our collateral;

 

   

receiving acquisition offers from strategic or other financials investors or undertaking an initial public offering, given their large and growing market opportunities, the stage of development of their underlying technology and products and their financial profile; or

 

   

in a worst case scenario, liquidating underlying assets including any proceeds from the sale of equipment, inventory, accounts receivable and/or intellectual property.

Upon referral or contact, a prospective borrower is added to our Adviser’s on-line client management system and assigned to one of our Adviser’s Originations professionals who becomes the prospective borrower’s primary contact with us. The Originations professional evaluates the prospective borrower in more depth to understand its debt financing needs and to determine whether or not it is qualified under our criteria. Upon initial screening, the Originations professional generally meets with the prospective borrower and performs a preliminary investigation of the prospective borrower’s management, operations and business outlook. The Originations professional generally consults with, and gathers information from, a wide variety of industry sources to assess the prospective borrower and its industry. In addition, the Originations professional may reach out to the prospective borrower’s venture capital investors to understand the background of their investment in the company, their outlook for the company, the company’s market and products, the company’s goals and objectives associated with the proposed debt financing and the venture capital investor’s level of support for the company. If the Originations professional is satisfied with the preliminary assessment of the prospective borrower’s management, operations and business prospects, the Originations professional submits an internal pre-screen memorandum of the proposed debt transaction to our Adviser’s senior investment team for discussion and review, as well as for pricing and structuring guidance. Each potential investment opportunity that our Adviser’s Originations professionals determine merits investment consideration is presented and evaluated at a weekly meeting in which our Adviser’s senior investment team discusses the merits and risks of a potential investment opportunity, as well as the due diligence process and the pricing and structure. If our Adviser’s senior investment team believes an investment opportunity fits our investment profile, the Originations professional submits a non-binding term sheet to the prospective borrower.

 

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Diligence Process

Assuming the non-binding term-sheet submitted to the prospective borrower is subsequently executed, the investment opportunity is then subject to our Adviser’s rigorous diligence and credit analysis process, which is based on its senior investment team’s extensive experience and tailored specifically for venture growth stage companies. This process differs notably from traditional lending analysis, combining both qualitative and quantitative analysis and assessment, versus traditional, purely quantitative credit analyses. There is a heavy orientation towards a qualitative and subjective investment-oriented review, taking into account such factors as:

 

   

investor quality, track record and expected level of participation in future financing events;

 

   

management team experience, completeness, performance to date, and ability to perform;

 

   

industry segment/market attractiveness and outlook, competitive dynamics, and growth potential;

 

   

detailed assessment and analysis of the venture growth stage company’s current products or technology and future products or technology, including value proposition and return on investment to its customers and its ability to expand and grow its customer base;

 

   

current and future financial position, including financial projections and sensitivity analyses, historical performance, cash balance and burn analysis, capitalization structure, feasibility of financial plan and underlying assumptions, break-even/profitability timing, future cash needs and future financing plans;

 

   

stage of development and execution timeline and milestones and the likelihood and feasibility of achieving such milestones; and

 

   

transaction risk/return profile—assessing the strengths, weaknesses, risks, loan-to-value, liquidation values and outlook of the borrower compared to the structure, pricing, potential returns, likelihood of repayment and collateral structure of the proposed debt financing.

Our Adviser’s diligence and credit analysis process typically includes on-site visits by one of our Adviser’s Investment and Credit Analysis professionals to a prospective borrower’s headquarters and other facilities, interviews with key management and board members and reference checks on senior management. In addition, the diligence process may include discussions with key industry research analysts, other industry participants, customers and suppliers, where appropriate. One of our Adviser’s professionals also typically reviews the prospective borrower’s organizational documents and structure, capital structure, assets, liabilities, employee plans, key customer or supplier contracts, legal and tax matters and other relevant legal documentation. The Investment and Credit Analysis professional submits a detailed credit and due diligence memorandum describing and analyzing the proposed transaction, as well as the outcome of the diligence and credit analysis activities. This memorandum is circulated to members of our Adviser’s Investment Committee in advance of its meetings.

Investment Committee

The objective of our Adviser’s Investment Committee is to leverage its members’ broad historical experience, including significant entrepreneurial, credit, venture capital, venture lending and leasing expertise and technology, life sciences and other high growth industries knowledge assessing the risk and needs of venture growth stage companies and appropriateness of prospective transactions, assessing the risk/return profile of proposed transactions, assessing the independent diligence and credit analysis and providing a forum for independent and unbiased thought, discussion, and assessment.

Our Adviser’s Investment Committee is comprised of Messrs. Labe and Srivastava. Some or all of the members of our Adviser’s senior investment team are asked to attend the Investment Committee meeting and are asked for a “vote,” which the Investment Committee members uses as a factor in the formal Investment Committee vote. The Investment Committee meets weekly and more frequently on an as-needed basis. The applicable Originations and Investment and Credit Analysis professional presents the transaction, results of the professional’s diligence review and credit analysis and the professional’s recommendations to the Investment

 

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Committee. During the presentation, Investment Committee members typically ask questions, ask for clarifications, state opinions and assessments and make other comments. When there are no further questions and the discussions have concluded, the Investment Committee holds a vote and typically only approves the proposed transaction if it receives unanimous consent from all of the Investment Committee members. In certain situations, the Investment Committee may ask the Originations and Investment and Credit Analysis professional to perform additional analysis and resubmit the transaction at a later Investment Committee meeting. No single criterion determines a decision to invest. The Investment Committee members weigh all the factors, both qualitative and quantitative, when making an investment decision. Our Adviser has the discretion to modify the members of the Investment Committee and its approval process at any time without our consent.

Set forth below is an illustration of our investment selection process:

 

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Investment Monitoring and Portfolio Management

Our Adviser utilizes an extensive internal credit tracking and monitoring approach to follow a borrower’s actual financial performance and achievement of business-related milestones to ensure that the internal risk rating assigned to each borrower is appropriate. This process has been refined and validated by Messrs. Labe and Srivastava, TPC’s co-founders, and the track record developed by TPC since its inception and is based in part on its expertise and deep understanding of the risk associated with investing in various stages of a venture capital-backed company’s lifespan. The analysis focuses on both quantitative metrics, such as cash balance and cash burn, and our Adviser’s qualitative assessment in various areas, such as the progress of product development, overall adherence to the business plan, future growth potential and ability to raise additional equity capital. Our Adviser maintains dialogue and contact with our borrowers’ management teams to discuss, among other topics, business progress, cash flow, financial condition and capital structure issues. Our Adviser also typically engages in dialogue with the venture capital investors in our borrowers to understand and assess the company’s progress and development and the venture capital investor’s outlook and/or level of support for our borrower.

Each of our borrowers has assigned a “Customer Team” consisting of staff from our Adviser’s Originations, Investment and Credit Analysis, Customer Monitoring and Legal teams. We believe having a dedicated Customer Team for each borrower further strengthens the relationship we have with the borrower, which is a key component of our Adviser’s strategy and affords our Adviser consistent and continuous interaction with our borrowers. A Customer Monitoring professional is assigned to all borrowers to ensure compliance with financial statement reporting, insurance filing and timely payment requirements. These professionals review the various financial statements, compliance reports and other documents received from our borrowers on a monthly or quarterly basis, as well as publicly filed financing statements, such as UCC financing statements and press releases, and enter them into our Adviser’s online platform for review by the rest of the Customer Team. In the event of a missed payment or if other credit issues arise, the Customer Monitoring professional contacts other members of the Customer Team to initiate escalation procedures.

On a weekly basis, our Adviser’s Investment Committee and our Adviser’s senior investment team review material events and information on our borrowers and discuss in detail those borrowers that are performing below expectations. On a quarterly basis, or more frequently as needed, our Originations and Investment and Credit Analysis undertakes an extensive re-evaluation of each borrower and prepares a portfolio update. Key topics that are reviewed include timing/status of the next equity financing round, cash balance and burn rate, financial and operational progress, and covenant adherence. All of these meetings are attended by each member of our Adviser’s Investment Committee, senior investment team and the “Customer Team” for the specific borrower being reviewed.

If the outlook for a borrower, its industry or a borrower’s available cash balance or credit rating is deteriorating, or there is material downturn in the borrower’s standing since our last review, we change the standing of the borrower on our Credit Watch List and our Originations and Investment and Credit Analysis professionals contact the borrower and its venture capital investors to discuss and understand any changes. Our Originations and Investment and Credit Analysis professionals generally actively work to maintain an open dialogue with borrowers on the Credit Watch List to work to limit the likelihood of a default. Utilizing the Four Rs, our core investment philosophy, our Adviser assesses each borrower on our Credit Watch List and, based on the recommendations from our Originations and Investment and Credit Analysis professionals and potentially from our discussions with and representations made from the borrower’s venture capital investors, determines the appropriate course of action, including decisions to enforce our rights and remedies, modify or waive a provision of our investments, declare a default, request early pay-off, or wait for an external event, such as an acquisition or financing, to restructure a secured loan or receive additional consideration in the form of fees or warrants. In a worst case scenario, a member of our Customer Team sells collateral with the help of management, repossess and auction assets or negotiate and structure other potential outcomes. If bankruptcy is a possibility, a member of our Customer Team may utilize outside counsel to provide advice on avoiding this outcome or to minimize the adverse effects on us.

 

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Consistent with TPC’s existing policies, our Adviser maintains a Credit Watch List with borrowers placed into five groups based upon our Adviser’s senior investment team’s judgment:

 

Category

  

Category Definition

  

Action Item

Clear (1)

   Performing above expectations and/or strong financial or enterprise profile, value or coverage.    Review quarterly.

White (2)

   Performing at expectations and/or reasonably close to it. Reasonable financial or enterprise profile, value or coverage. All new loans are initially graded White.    Contact portfolio company regularly in no event less than quarterly.

Yellow (3)

   Performing generally below expectations and/or some proactive concern. Adequate financial or enterprise profile, value or coverage.    Contact portfolio company monthly or more frequently as determined by our Adviser’s Investment Committee; contact investors.

Orange (4)

   Needs close attention due to performance materially below expectations, weak financial and/or enterprise profile, concern regarding additional capital or exit equivalent.    Contact portfolio company weekly or more frequently as determined by our Adviser’s Investment Committee; contact investors regularly; our Adviser forms a workout group to minimize risk of loss.

Red (5)

   Serious concern/trouble due to pending or actual default or equivalent. May experience partial and/or full loss.    Maximize value from assets.

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, one borrower was moved to Clear (1) from White (2), one borrower was moved from Yellow (3) to Orange (4) and then to Red (5), and one borrower rated Clear (1) was removed in conjunction with prepaying all of its outstanding obligations. In March 2015, we accelerated the outstanding obligations owed by Coraid, Inc., rated Red (5), and this obligor entered into a foreclosure agreement that provided for Intermodal Data, Inc. to purchase certain assets and assume the outstanding obligations owed to us. As of both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the weighted average investment ranking of our debt investment portfolio was 2.06. The following table shows the credit rankings for the 16 and 17 portfolio companies, respectively, that had outstanding obligations to us as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

 

     As of March 31, 2015  

Credit Category
(dollars in thousands)

   Fair Value      Percentage of Total
Debt Investments
    Number of
Portfolio
Companies
 

Clear (1)

   $ 29,596         12.3     1   

White (2)

     189,625         79.0     13   

Yellow (3)

     9,936         4.1     1   

Orange (4)

     —           —          —     

Red (5)

     10,986         4.6     1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 240,143         100.0     16   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Set forth below is an illustration of our investment monitoring and portfolio management process:

 

LOGO

SBIC

We may apply for a Small Business Investment Company, or “SBIC,” license from the U.S. Small Business Administration if we believe that it will further our investment strategy and enhance our returns. SBICs are exempt from registration as investment companies under Section 3(c)(1) or Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act. If this application is approved, our SBIC subsidiary would be a wholly owned subsidiary and able to rely on an exclusion from the definition of “investment company” under the 1940 Act. Our SBIC subsidiary would have an investment objective substantially similar to ours and would be able to make similar types of investments in accordance with SBIC regulations.

 

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Competition

Debt financing for venture capital-backed companies is particularly heterogeneous—the type, structures and sizes of debt financings often vary significantly depending on a particular company’s industry and its current or near-term stage of development. The profile and underwriting characteristics of an early stage venture capital-backed company are very different from those of a later stage venture capital-backed company and/or those of a venture growth stage company. Furthermore, within venture growth stage companies, the uses, structures and value propositions of debt financing vary considerably among companies and industries and require a high degree of venture lending and leasing expertise and technology, life sciences and other high growth industries knowledge, specialization and flexibility from a lender. The availability of debt financing for venture growth stage companies is further limited by factors such as the brand, reputation and market acceptance, industry relationships, track record, and other factors required to lend to companies backed by leading venture capital investors, in addition to the distinct credit profiles of these companies and the deep experience and specialized set of skills required to (i) source deal flow and receive investment referrals; (ii) evaluate high growth industries and sectors, business prospects, operating characteristics and collateral; (iii) analyze potential transactions; and (iv) customize unconventional transaction structures for these companies.

We believe that venture-oriented banks tend to be the primary form of traditional lenders participating in the market for venture growth stage companies and that they generally focus on providing lower risk and lower return financings, which tend to require and impose many restrictive covenants and conditions on borrowers, such as limitations on outflows and borrowing formulas and requiring a significant depository relationship to facilitate rapid liquidation. In addition, we believe that most existing non-traditional debt providers do not regularly or actively participate in venture growth stage lending due to their reluctance to underwrite the large financings required by venture growth stage companies, as well as the desire of these providers to structure deals with lower current return but with the potential for significantly higher equity upside through warrants by lending to companies with lower valuations than would be possible in the venture growth stage lending market. As a result, most existing providers of debt financing tend to focus on seed, early and late stage venture capital-backed companies instead of venture growth stage companies.

Our competitors include both existing and newly formed equity and debt focused public and private funds, other BDCs, investment banks, venture-oriented banks, commercial financing companies and, to the extent they provide an alternative form of financing, private equity and hedge funds. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than us. For example, we believe some of our competitors may have access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which expose them to a wider variety of investments. Furthermore, many of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a BDC or to the distribution and other requirements we must satisfy to maintain our qualification as a RIC.

We believe we compete effectively with these entities primarily on the basis of TPC’s reputation, track record, experience, industry knowledge and relationships and our Adviser’s senior investment team’s contacts, efficient investment analysis, decision-making processes, creative financing products and highly customized investment terms. We believe that the Four Rs, our core investment philosophy, enable us to continue to grow our brand name reputation and differentiate us from our competitors. We do not compete primarily on the financing terms we offer and believe that some competitors make loans with rates that are comparable or lower than our rates. We also believe that our relationship-based approach to investing, which leverages our Adviser’s senior investment team’s expertise in developing strong relationships with venture capital investors and venture capital-backed companies, understanding the capital needs of venture growth stage companies, structuring and customizing attractive financing solutions to meet the financing needs throughout a company’s growth stage, enables us to identify, attract and proactively capitalize on venture growth stage companies’ debt needs as they grow and become successful enterprises.

 

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Emerging Growth Company

We are an emerging growth company as defined in the JOBS Act and we are eligible to take advantage of certain specified reduced disclosure and other requirements that are otherwise generally applicable to public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. Although we have not made a determination whether to take advantage of any or all of these exemptions, we expect to remain an emerging growth company for up to five years following the completion of our initial public offering or until the earliest of (i) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues exceed $1.0 billion, (ii) December 31 of the fiscal year that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act which would occur if the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700.0 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter and we have been publicly reporting for at least 12 months or (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the preceding three-year period. In addition, we have irrevocably opted-out of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. As a result, we comply with new or revised accounting standards on the same time frames as other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies.”

Properties

Our executive offices are located at 2755 Sand Hill Road, Suite 150, Menlo Park, California 94025. These offices are provided by our Administrator pursuant to the Administration Agreement. We believe that our facilities are suitable and adequate for our business. TPC is in the process of exploring additional offices in other locations as we continue to expand our business.

Legal Proceedings

We, our Adviser or our Administrator are not currently subject to any material legal proceedings, nor, to our knowledge, is any material legal proceeding threatened against us, our Adviser or our Administrator. From time to time, we, our Adviser or our Administrator may be a party to certain legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, including proceedings relating to the enforcement of our rights under contracts with our portfolio companies. While the outcome of these legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not expect that these proceedings will have a material effect upon our financial condition or results of operations.

 

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PORTFOLIO COMPANIES

The following table sets forth certain information for each company in our investment portfolio as of March 31, 2015. We do not “control” any of our portfolio companies, as defined in the 1940 Act. In general, under the 1940 Act, we would “control” a company if we owned more than 25% of its voting securities and would be an “affiliate” of a company if we owned 5% or more of its voting securities.

The following table shows certain information regarding the secured loans, equity and warrant investments in our portfolio as of March 31, 2015 (dollars in thousands):

 

Venture Growth Stage
Company

 

Industry

 

Type of Investment

  Outstanding
Principal
    Cost     Fair
Value
    Maturity
Date
    Percentage of
Class Held (1)
 

Debt Investments

             

AirStrip Technologies, Inc.

    3303 Oakwell Court San Antonio TX 78218

  Medical Software and Information Services   Growth Capital Loan (8.75% interest rate, 9.00% EOT payment)     4,029        4,278        4,296        10/31/2016        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (8.75% interest rate, 9.00% EOT payment)     5,000        5,163        5,183        3/31/2017        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (8.75% interest rate, 9.00% EOT payment)     4,698        4,803        4,817        7/31/2017        —     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

AirStrip Technologies, Inc. Total

        13,727        14,244        14,296       
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Birst, Inc.

    45 Fremont Street 18th Floor
San Francisco CA 94105

  Business Applications Software   Growth Capital Loan (Prime + 6.90% interest rate, 2.00% EOT payment)     10,000        9,894        9,900        11/30/2017        —     

Cambridge Broadband Network Limited (1)(3)

    Byron House Cambridge Business Park
Cowley Road
Cambridge CB4 0WZ
GBR

  Wireless Communications Equipment   Growth Capital Loan (11.50% interest rate, 9.50% EOT payment)     6,000        5,992        6,011        9/30/2017        —     

Coraid, Inc. (2)(5)

    225 Shoreline Drive Redwood City CA 94065

  Data Storage   Growth Capital Loan (10.00% interest rate, 6.00% EOT payment)     4,585        4,684        3,482        12/31/2016        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (10.00% interest rate, 6.00% EOT payment)     9,928        9,870        7,504        6/30/2017        —     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Coraid, Inc. Total

        14,513        14,554        10,986       
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

EndoChoice, Inc.

    11810 Wills Road
Alpharetta GA 30009

  Medical Device and Equipment   Growth Capital Loan (11.75% interest rate, 8.00% EOT payment)     10,000        10,142        10,096        2/28/2018        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (11.75% interest rate, 8.00% EOT payment)     10,000        10,095        10,096        2/28/2018        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (11.75% interest rate, 8.00% EOT payment)     10,000        10,060        10,096        2/28/2018        —     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

EndoChoice, Inc. Total

        30,000        30,297        30,288       
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

(1) Percentage of class held refers only to equity held, if any.

 

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Venture Growth Stage
Company

  Industry  

Type of Investment

  Outstanding
Principal
    Cost     Fair
Value
    Maturity
Date
    Percentage of
Class  Held (1)
 

Harvest Power, Inc.

    221 Crescent Street, Waltham MA 02453

  Biofuels/ Biomass   Growth Capital Loan (12.00% interest rate, 9.00% EOT payment)     20,000        20,767        20,678        11/30/2016        —     

Hayneedle, Inc.

    9394 West Dodge Road Suite 300 Omaha NE 98114

  E-Commerce—Household
Goods
  Growth Capital Loan (12.50% interest rate, 12.00% EOT payment)   $ 15,000      $ 15,263      $ 15,255        8/31/2017        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (12.75% interest rate, 16.00% EOT payment)     5,000        5,137        5,156        12/31/2017        —     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Hayneedle, Inc. Total

        20,000        20,400        20,411       
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

HouseTrip  Limited (1)(3)

    5th & 6th Floor, Corinthian House
279 Tottenham Court Road
London W1T 7RJ
GBR

  Travel and Arrangement /
Tourism
  Growth Capital Loan (10.00% interest rate, 5.00% EOT payment)     8,469        8,551        8,574        11/30/2016        —     

Lattice Engines, Inc.

    1825 South Grant Avenue Suite 510
San Mateo CA 94402

  Business Applications
Software
  Growth Capital Loan (8.50% interest rate, 8.00% EOT payment)     3,970        4,182        4,197        12/31/2016        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (8.50% interest rate, 8.00% EOT payment)     2,245        2,310        2,320        3/31/2017        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (9.50% interest rate, 8.00% EOT payment)     2,500        2,514        2,518        9/30/2017        —     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Lattice Engines, Inc. Total

        8,715        9,006        9,035       
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Mind Candy Limited (1)(3)

    Floor 4, 15 Bonhill Street
London EC2A 4DN
GBR

  Entertainment   Growth Capital Loan (12.00% interest rate, 9.50% EOT payment)     10,000        9,906        9,936        6/30/2017        —     

ModCloth, Inc.

    115 Sansome Street San Francisco CA 94104

  E-Commerce—Clothing
and Accessories
  Growth Capital Loan (10.50% interest rate, 10.00% EOT payment)     844        906        910        6/30/2016        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (10.50% interest rate, 10.00% EOT payment)     1,792        1,910        1,917        7/31/2016        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (12.00% interest rate, 10.50% EOT payment)     2,000        2,064        2,065        8/31/2017        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (12.00% interest rate, 11.00% EOT payment)     5,000        5,130        5,127        11/30/2017        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (12.00% interest rate, 11.50% EOT payment)     5,000        5,083        5,070        2/28/2018        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (12.00% interest rate, 7.50% EOT payment)     4,563        4,554        4,563        6/30/2017        —     
    Equipment Financing (1) (7.50% interest rate, 15.00% EOT payment)     709        740        720        8/31/2016        —     

 

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Venture Growth Stage
Company

  Industry  

Type of Investment

  Outstanding
Principal
    Cost     Fair
Value
    Maturity
Date
    Percentage of
Class  Held (1)
 
   

Equipment Financing (1)

(7.50% interest rate,

15.00% EOT payment)

    261        271        264        10/31/2016        —     
   

Equipment Financing (1)

(7.50% interest rate,

15.00% EOT payment)

    155        155        156        3/31/2017        —     
   

Equipment Financing (1)

(7.50% interest rate,

15.00% EOT payment)

    20        20        20        6/30/2017        —     
   

Equipment Financing (1)

(7.50% interest rate,

15.00% EOT payment)

    13        13        13        7/31/2017        —     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

ModCloth, Inc. Total

        20,357        20,846        20,825       
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

SimpliVity Corporation

    8 Technology Dr
Westborough MA 01581

  Database
Software
  Growth Capital Loan (10.00% interest rate, 8.50% EOT payment)     7,000        6,901        6,980        6/30/2018        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (10.00% interest rate, 8.50% EOT payment)     3,000        2,936        2,970        10/31/2018        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (11.50% interest rate, 9.00% EOT payment)     7,000        6,835        6,944        10/31/2018        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (11.50% interest rate, 9.00% EOT payment) (2)     3,000        2,915        2,965        12/31/2018        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (12.75% interest rate, 9.50% EOT payment)     10,000        9,666        9,737        1/31/2019        —     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

SimpliVity Corporation Total

        30,000        29,253        29,596       
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

TechMediaNetwork, Inc.

    2425 Lincoln Ave
Ogden UT 84401

  General
Media and
Content
  Growth Capital Loan (9.25% interest rate, 8.00% EOT payment)     2,045        2,113        2,121        3/31/2017        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (9.25% interest rate, 8.00% EOT payment)     2,500        2,516        2,523        9/30/2017        —     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

TechMediaNetwork, Inc. Total

        4,545        4,629        4,644       
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Thrillist Media Group, Inc.

    568 Broadway St. Suite 506 New York NY 10012

  General
Media and
Content
  Growth Capital Loan (Prime + 8.50% interest rate, 9.00% EOT payment)     5,000        4,694        4,708        9/30/2017        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (Prime + 8.50% interest rate, 9.00% EOT payment)     5,000        4,635        4,640        12/31/2017        —     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Thrillist MediaGroup, Inc. Total

        10,000        9,329        9,248       
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Virtual Instruments Corporation

    C/O Intertrust Corporate Services (Cayman) Limited 190 Elgin Avenue, George Town, Grand Cayman KY1-9005, Cayman Islands

  Network
Systems
Management
Software
  Growth Capital Loan (9.50% interest rate, 9.25% EOT payment)     5,000        5,166        5,191        12/31/2016        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (9.50% interest rate, 9.25% EOT payment)     5,000        5,146        5,169        1/31/2017        —     

 

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Venture Growth Stage
Company

  Industry  

Type of Investment

  Outstanding
Principal
    Cost     Fair
Value
    Maturity
Date
    Percentage of
Class  Held (1)
 
    Growth Capital Loan (9.50% interest rate, 9.25% EOT payment)     5,000        5,127        5,149        2/28/2017        —     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Virtual Instruments Corporation Total

        15,000        15,439        15,509       
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Xirrus, Inc.

    2101 Corporate Center Drive Thousand Oaks CA 91320

  Wireless
Communications
Equipment
  Growth Capital Loan (11.50% interest rate, 8.50% EOT payment)     1,956        2,110        2,128        6/30/2016        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (11.50% interest rate, 8.50% EOT payment)     3,649        3,862        3,895        12/31/2016        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (11.50% interest rate, 8.50% EOT payment)     4,112        4,204        4,264        3/31/2017        —     
    Growth Capital Loan (Prime + 8.25% interest rate, 8.50% EOT payment) (2)     10,000        9,805        9,819        12/31/2017        —     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Xirrus, Inc. Total

        19,717        19,981        20,106       
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total Debt Investments

      $ 241,043      $ 243,088      $ 240,143       
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

Venture Growth Stage Company

  

Industry

  

Type of Warrant

   Shares      Cost      Fair
Value
 

Warrants

              

Aerohive Networks, Inc.

   Wireless Communications Equipment    Common Stock      33,993       $ 153       $ 4   

AirStrip Technologies, Inc.

   Medical Software and Information Services    Preferred Stock      31,063         112         95   

Birchbox, Inc. (2)

   E-Commerce—Personal Goods    Preferred Stock      49,829         566         1,487   

Birst, Inc.

   Business Applications Software    Preferred Stock      428,491         129         600   

Cambridge Broadband Network Limited (1)(3)

   Wireless Communications Equipment    Preferred Shares      33,000         95         95   

CipherCloud, Inc. (2)

   Business Applications Software    Preferred Stock      58,746         36         36   

ECPM Holdings, LLC

   Medical Device and Equipment    Class A Units      1,568,382         224         486   

Harvest Power, Inc.

   Biofuels/Biomass    Common Stock      350         77         *   

Hayneedle, Inc.

   E-Commerce—Household Goods    Common Stock      400,000         468         375   

HouseTrip SA (1)(3)

   Travel and Arrangement / Tourism    Preferred Share      212,804         93         60   

InMobi Pte Ltd. (1)(2)(3)

   Advertising / Marketing    Ordinary Shares      48,500         35         106   

Inspirato, LLC (2)

   Travel and Leisure    Preferred Units      1,994         37         43   

Lattice Engines, Inc.

   Business Applications Software    Preferred Stock      255,913         48         51   

Medallia, Inc. (2)

   Business Applications Software    Preferred Stock      55,814         11         11   

Mind Candy, Inc. (1)(3)

   Entertainment    Preferred Stock      287,187         751         732   

ModCloth, Inc.

   E-Commerce—Clothing and Accessories    Common Stock      419,620         546         421   

Nutanix, Inc. (2)

   Database Software    Preferred Stock      45,000         77         290   

One Kings Lane, Inc. (2)

   E-Commerce—Household Goods    Preferred Stock      13,635         29         29   

Shazam Entertainment Limited (1)(2)(3)

   MultiMedia / Streaming Software    Ordinary Share      2,669,479         134         166   

SimpliVity Corporation

   Database Software    Preferred Stock      655,639         775         1,351   

TechMediaNetwork, Inc.

   General Media and Content    Preferred Stock      72,234         31         31   

Thrillist Media Group, Inc.

   General Media and Content    Common Stock      283,401         712         712   

Virtual Instruments Corporation

   Network Systems Management Software    Preference Shares      694,788         612         593   

Xirrus, Inc.

   Wireless Communications Equipment    Preferred Stock      3,820,887         532         476   
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Warrants

            $ 6,282       $ 8,250   
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*: Less than $0.5.

 

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Venture Growth Stage Company

  

Industry

  

Type of Equity

   Shares      Cost      Fair
Value
 

Equity Investments (2)

              

BirchBox, Inc

   E-Commerce—Personal Goods    Preferred Stock      2,839       $ 250       $ 250   

Birst, Inc

   Business Applications Software    Preferred Stock      42,801         250         250   

Inspirato, LLC (1)(4)

   Travel and Leisure    Preferred Units      1,948         250         250   

MongoDB, Inc.

   Software Development Tools    Common Stock      74,742         1,000         1,000   

Nutanix, Inc.

   Database Software    Preferred Stock      137,202         1,000         1,571   
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Equity Investments

            $ 2,750       $ 3,321   
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Portfolio Companies

            $ 252,120       $ 251,714   
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Notes applicable to the investments presented in the foregoing table:

Unless otherwise noted, all of the investments in the foregoing table are in entities that are domiciled in the United States and/or have a principal place of business in the United States.

No investment represents a 5% or greater interest in any outstanding class of voting security of the portfolio company.

As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, unless otherwise noted, certain of our debt investments and certain of our warrants, with an aggregate fair value of approximately $235.2 million and $239.8 million, respectively, were pledged for borrowings under our revolving credit facility.

Notes applicable to the debt investments presented in the foregoing table:

Interest rate is the annual interest rate on the debt investment and does not include any original issue discount, end-of-term, or “EOT”, payment, payment-in-kind interest, or any additional fees related to the investments, such as deferred interest, commitment fees or prepayment fees. No debt investments have any payment-in-kind interest provisions.

The EOT payments are contractual and fixed interest payments due in cash at the maturity date of the loan, including upon prepayment, and are a fixed percentage of the original principal balance of the loan unless otherwise noted. The EOT payment is amortized and recognized as non-cash income over the loan or lease prior to its payment.

Notes applicable to the equipment financings presented in the foregoing table:

At the end of the term of certain equipment financings, the lessee has the option to purchase the underlying assets at fair market value in certain cases subject to a cap, return the equipment or continue to finance the assets. The fair market values for these financings have been estimated as a percentage of original cost for purposes of the EOT payment value.

Notes applicable to the warrants presented in the foregoing table:

Warrants are associated with funded debt instruments as well as certain commitments to provide future funding.

Specific notes applicable to specific investments in the foregoing table:

 

  (1) Investment is a non-qualifying asset under Section 55(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the “1940 Act”. As of March 31, 2015, non-qualifying assets as a percentage of total assets were 7.4%.

 

  (2) As of March 31, 2015, these debt investments, warrants, equity investments and short-term investments were not pledged as collateral as part of our revolving credit facility.

 

  (3) Entity is not domiciled in the United States and does not have its principal place of business in the United States.

 

  (4) Investment is owned by TPVG Investment LLC, a wholly owned taxable subsidiary of us.

 

  (5) In March 2015, we accelerated the outstanding obligations owed by Coraid Inc., and this obligor entered into a foreclosure agreement that provided for Intermodal Data, Inc. to purchase certain assets and assume the outstanding obligations owed to us.

Our Unfunded Commitments

As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, our unfunded commitments to nine and eleven portfolio companies, respectively, totaled $153.5 million and $211.0 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2015, $28.0 million of the unfunded commitments were dependent upon the companies reaching certain milestones

 

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before the debt commitment becomes available to them. Our unfunded commitments as of March 31, 2015 included $86.0 million that will expire during 2015 and $67.5 million that will expire during 2016 if not drawn prior to expiration. Our unfunded commitments included $143.5 million with technology-related companies and $10.0 million with non-technology related companies, of which $148.5 million represent commitments for growth capital loans and $5.0 million for revolving loans. Our credit agreements contain customary lending provisions which allow us relief from funding obligations for previously made commitments in instances where the underlying company experiences materially adverse events that affect the financial condition or business outlook for the company. Since these commitments may expire without being drawn upon, unfunded commitments do not necessarily represent future cash requirements or future earning assets for us.

Set forth below is a brief description of each portfolio company in our portfolio that constitutes 5% or more of our total assets, as of December 31, 2014:

EndoChoice, Inc. develops technologies and solutions for specialists for the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases.

Harvest Power, Inc. provides industry leading technology and project development capability to harness the renewable energy in organic waste.

Hayneedle, Inc. is an online retail company that owns and operates its flagship website, hayneedle.com, as well as more than 200 online specialty stores with a focus on home products.

ModCloth, Inc. is an online clothing, accessories, and decor retailer that aims to provide an engaging and social shopping atmosphere.

SimpliVity Corporation delivers server, storage, and networking services through one converged network appliance.

Xirrus, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and provider of wireless networking equipment for indoor and outdoor wireless coverage and provides cloud-based centralized management software for the deployment, provisioning, management and control of wireless networks and applications.

 

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MANAGEMENT

Our Board and Its Leadership Structure

Our business and affairs are managed under the direction of our Board. Our Board is divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms and consists of five members, three of whom are not “interested persons” of our Adviser or its affiliates as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. We refer to these individuals as our “independent directors.” Our Board elects our officers, who serve at the discretion of our Board. The responsibilities of our Board include quarterly valuation of our assets, corporate governance activities, oversight of our financing arrangements and oversight of our investment activities.

Oversight of our investment activities extends to oversight of the risk management processes employed by our Adviser as part of its day-to-day management of our investment activities. Our Board reviews risk management processes at both regular and special board meetings throughout the year, consulting with appropriate representatives of our Adviser as necessary and periodically requesting the production of risk management reports or presentations. The goal of our Board’s risk oversight function is to ensure that the risks associated with our investment activities are accurately identified, thoroughly investigated and responsibly addressed. Investors should note, however, that our Board’s oversight function cannot eliminate all risks or ensure that particular events do not adversely affect the value of investments.

Our Board has established an Audit Committee, a Valuation Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and may establish additional committees from time to time as necessary. The scope of the responsibilities assigned to each of these committees is discussed in greater detail below. Mr. Labe serves as Chairman of the Board and a member of our Adviser’s Investment Committee. We believe that Mr. Labe’s history with our Adviser, his familiarity with its investment platform and his extensive knowledge of and experience in the venture lending and leasing industry qualify him to serve as the Chairman of the Board.

Our Board does not have a lead independent director. We are aware of the potential conflicts that may arise when a non-independent director is Chairman of the Board, but believe these potential conflicts are offset by our strong corporate governance practices. Our corporate governance practices include regular meetings of the independent directors in executive session without the presence of interested directors and management, the establishment of an Audit Committee, a Valuation Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, each of which is comprised solely of independent directors and the appointment of a Chief Compliance Officer with whom the independent directors meet without the presence of interested directors and other members of management for administering our compliance policies and procedures.

Our Board believes that its leadership structure is appropriate in light of our characteristics and circumstances because the structure allocates areas of responsibility among the individual directors and the committees in a manner that affords effective oversight. Specifically, our Board believes that the relationship of Mr. Labe with our Adviser provides an effective bridge between our Board and management, and encourages an open dialogue between management and our Board, ensuring that these groups act with a common purpose. Our Board also believes that its small size creates a highly efficient governance structure that provides ample opportunity for direct communication and interaction between our management, our Adviser and our Board.

Our Board considers whether each of the directors is qualified to serve as a director, based on a review of the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of each director, including those described below. Our Board also considers whether each director has significant experience in the investment or financial services industries and has held management, board or oversight positions in other companies and organizations. For the purposes of this presentation, our directors have been divided into two groups—independent directors and interested directors. Interested directors are “interested persons” as defined in the 1940 Act.

 

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Information regarding our Board is as follows:

 

Name

  Age     

Position

  Director
Since
    Term
Expires
 

Interested Directors

        

James P. Labe

    58       Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board     2013        2017   

Sajal K. Srivastava

    40       Chief Investment Officer, President and Director     2013        2018   

Independent Directors

        

Gilbert E. Ahye

    67       Director     2013        2016   

Steven P. Bird

    59       Director     2013        2016   

Stephen A. Cassani

    48       Director     2013        2018   

The address for each of our directors is c/o TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp., 2755 Sand Hill Road, Suite 150, Menlo Park, California 94025.

Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors

Information regarding our executive officers who are not directors is as follows:

 

Name

   Age     

Position

Harold F. Zagunis

     57       Chief Financial Officer

Carl M. Rizzo

     63       Chief Compliance Officer

The address for each of our executive officers is c/o TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp., 2755 Sand Hill Road, Suite 150, Menlo Park, California 94025.

Biographical Information

Independent Directors

Gilbert E. Ahye, an independent director since 2013, became Vice Chairman of American Express Global Business Travel, a joint venture with American Express and a group of private investors, in September 2014. At that time he also became a partner of the private equity firm of Certares. While at American Express he had a longstanding career as a senior executive in finance, business development, investment, and mergers and acquisitions, and was at American Express for more than 30 years. Mr. Ahye served as the Executive Vice President—Chief Development Officer at American Express from May 2003 through August 2014 where he lead the Corporate Development / M&A and Innovation group and was a member of American Express’s Global Management Team. During his time at American Express, Mr. Ahye also served as Chief Financial Officer of the U.S. Consumer Card Business from 1996 to 1999 and Treasurer of International and Domestic Treasury from 1985 to 1988. Prior to joining American Express, Mr. Ahye was head of Capital Budgeting for International Paper Company from 1978 to 1981. From 1977 to 1978, Mr. Ahye served as a Manager at Union Carbide Corporation. From 1971 to 1977, Mr. Ahye served as Senior Auditor at Ernst & Young. Mr. Ahye is a member of both the American and New York State Societies of CPAs and serves on the board of directors of the Henry Street Settlement. Mr. Ahye also serves as an advisor to a payments company in China. Mr. Ahye was named to Black Enterprise Magazine’s 75 Most Powerful Blacks on Wall Street in 2006. Mr. Ahye received a Bachelor of Science degree from Manhattan College, a Master of Business Administration degree from St. John’s University and has a Certified Public Accountant accreditation. We believe that Mr. Ahye’s extensive practical experience with executing successful investment strategies and his long-term focus on business development qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.

Steven P. Bird, an independent director since 2013, is a well known veteran of the Silicon Valley venture capital community as a result of a twenty year career working with leading venture capital funds in both venture capital investing as well as venture capital debt financing. Mr. Bird is a co-founder and has been a General

 

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Partner of Focus Ventures, located in Palo Alto, California, since its founding in 1997 and as of 2013 had over $830 million in assets under management. Focus Ventures invests in privately held, expansion stage technology companies, and Mr. Bird focuses on investments in enterprise software and internet services. Prior to co-founding Focus Ventures, from 1994 to 1996, Mr. Bird was a Managing Director at Comdisco Ventures Inc. where he was involved with debt and equity capital investments for emerging growth companies. From 1984 to 1992, Mr. Bird was a General Partner at First Century Partners, a venture capital fund affiliated with Smith Barney Inc. From 1992 to 1994, Mr. Bird was a Manager at Bain & Company, a management consulting firm where he worked with companies in the communications, software, and semiconductor industries. From 1977 to 1991, Mr. Bird worked as a Senior Development Engineer in software development at Battelle Northwest Laboratories. Mr. Bird received a Bachelor of Science degree from Stanford University, a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree from Stanford University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. We believe that Mr. Bird’s extensive experience with venture capital investing and venture capital debt financing qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.

Stephen A. Cassani, an independent director since 2013, has had a long-standing career of over twenty years in investment banking and finance relating to growth stage venture capital and private equity backed companies and in real estate. Mr. Cassani is a co-founder of Haven Capital Partners, a real estate investment, development and management company founded in 2009 and located in Palo Alto, California. At Haven Capital Partners, Mr. Cassani oversees a family office with extensive real estate holdings, where his duties include managing commercial development projects as well as new investment opportunities. Prior to co-founding Haven Capital Partners, Mr. Cassani spent most of his career in investment banking, most recently serving as a Managing Director at Citigroup Global Markets, where from 2001 to 2008 he led the firm’s west coast private capital markets business focusing primarily on expansion and growth stage venture capital and private equity backed companies. From 2000 to 2001, Mr. Cassani served as Vice President of Client Management for Brand3, a venture-backed software company. From 1996 to 2000, Mr. Cassani was a Principal in the investment banking group at Montgomery Securities / Banc of America Securities, with a focus on the consumer sector. Prior to that, Mr. Cassani began his investment banking career in the Private Equity Placements Group at Chase Securities, Inc. Mr. Cassani received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley and a Master of Business Administration degree from Columbia Business School. We believe that Mr. Cassani’s extensive investment banking and finance experience relating to growth stage venture capital and private equity backed companies qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.

Interested Directors

James P. Labe, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, is a pioneer of the venture capital lending and leasing segment of the commercial finance industry. Mr. Labe has been involved in the venture capital lending and leasing segment for more than 25 years and played a key role in making venture capital lending and leasing a regular source of capital for venture capital-backed companies. In particular, Mr. Labe founded and served as Chief Executive Officer of Comdisco Ventures, a division of Comdisco, Inc., which managed more than $3 billion in loan and lease transactions for more than 870 venture capital-backed companies and generated more than $500 million in cumulative pre-tax profits over 15 years during his tenure. Prior to joining Comdisco, Mr. Labe was employed by Equitec Financial Group. Mr. Labe has served as a voting member of TPC’s Investment Committee and has led and overseen TPC’s investment originations and venture capital relationship management efforts since its inception in 2006. Mr. Labe received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Middlebury College and received an Executive Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Chicago. We believe that Mr. Labe’s extensive venture capital lending and leasing experience qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.

Sajal K. Srivastava, our President and Chief Investment Officer, contributes strong investment and operating leadership experience along with a venture lending, leasing and technology finance background. Since its inception in 2006, Mr. Srivastava has served as a voting member of TPC’s Investment Committee and has led and overseen TPC’s investment analysis, account servicing, portfolio monitoring, legal and finance groups. Prior

 

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to co-founding TPC, Mr. Srivastava worked with Mr. Labe at Comdisco Ventures where he, as head of their Investment and Credit Analyst team, structured, negotiated and managed over $200 million of transactions and also managed the diligence and credit analysis team. Before joining Comdisco, Mr. Srivastava was part of Prudential Securities, Technology Investment Banking Group. Mr. Srivastava received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University and received a Master of Science degree in Engineering Economic Systems and Operations Research from Stanford University. We believe that Mr. Srivastava’s strong investment and operating leadership experience qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.

Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors

Harold F. Zagunis, our Chief Financial Officer is also Chief Financial Officer of TPC. Before joining TPC, Mr. Zagunis served as a Managing Director of Redwood Trust Inc., an internally-managed operating company focused on engaging in residential mortgage banking and commercial mortgage lending activities and investing in mortgage- and other real estate-related assets since 2008, and as Chief Risk Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Controller, Treasurer, Vice-President and Secretary of Redwood Trust Inc. at different times between 1995 and 2011. Prior to joining Redwood Trust Inc., from 1986 to 1995, Mr. Zagunis served as the Vice President of Finance for Landmark Land Company, Inc., a publicly traded company owning savings and loan and real estate development interests. Mr. Zagunis received Bachelor of Arts degrees in mathematics and economics from Willamette University and a Masters of Business Administration degree from Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

Carl M. Rizzo, our Chief Compliance Officer, has served as a Director at Alaric Compliance Services LLC since 2011 and performs his functions as our Chief Compliance Officer under the terms of the agreements between us and Alaric Compliance Services LLC and our Adviser and Alaric Compliance Services LLC. At Alaric Compliance Services LLC, Mr. Rizzo served from May 2011 to November 2011 as interim Chief Compliance Officer for AEGON USA Investment Management, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser then with assets under management of approximately $110 billion. From 2006 to 2009, Mr. Rizzo served as Senior Principal Consultant with ACA Compliance Group, a regulatory compliance consulting firm. From 1994 to 2005, he served as principal in-house regulatory compliance attorney for the investment management units of several firms in the bank and insurance channels of the U.S. asset management industry, most recently (from 2001 to 2005) as Assistant General Counsel at Bank of America Corporation in Charlotte, NC. Mr. Rizzo received a Masters of Law degree in federal securities regulation from Georgetown University. Mr. Rizzo received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Davidson College and received a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Richmond’s T.C. Williams School of Law.

Audit Committee

The members of our Audit Committee are Gilbert E. Ahye, Steven P. Bird and Stephen A. Cassani, each of whom meets the independence standards established by the SEC and the NYSE for audit committees and is independent for purposes of the 1940 Act. Gilbert E. Ahye serves as Chairman of our Audit Committee. Our Board has determined that Gilbert E. Ahye is an “audit committee financial expert” as that term is defined under Item 407 of Regulation S-K of the Exchange Act. Our Audit Committee is responsible for approving our independent accountants, reviewing with our independent accountants the plans and results of the audit engagement, approving professional services provided by our independent accountants, reviewing the independence of our independent accountants and reviewing the adequacy of our internal accounting controls. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, our Audit Committee met five times.

Compensation Committee

The members of our Compensation Committee are Steven P. Bird, Gilbert E. Ahye and Stephen A. Cassani, each of whom is independent for purposes of the 1940 Act and the NYSE corporate governance regulations. Steven P. Bird serves as Chairman of our Compensation Committee. Our Compensation Committee is responsible for

 

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overseeing our compensation policies generally and making recommendations to our Board with respect to any incentive compensation or equity-based plans that are subject to Board approval, evaluating executive officer performance, overseeing and setting compensation for our directors and, as applicable, our executive officers and, as applicable, preparing the report on executive officer compensation that SEC rules require to be included in our annual proxy statement. Currently, none of our executive officers are compensated by us and as such our Compensation Committee is not required to produce a report on executive officer compensation for inclusion in our annual proxy statement.

Our Compensation Committee has the sole authority to retain and terminate any compensation consultant assisting our Compensation Committee, including sole authority to approve all such compensation consultants’ fees and other retention terms. Our Compensation Committee may delegate its authority to subcommittees or the Chairman of the Compensation Committee when it deems appropriate and in our best interests. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, our Compensation Committee met one time.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The members of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are Stephen A. Cassani, Gilbert E. Ahye and Steven P. Bird, each of whom is independent for purposes of the 1940 Act and the NYSE corporate governance regulations. Stephen A. Cassani serves as Chairman of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for selecting, researching and nominating directors for election by our stockholders, selecting nominees to fill vacancies on our Board or a committee of our Board, developing and recommending to our Board a set of corporate governance principles and overseeing the evaluation of our Board and our management. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may consider nominating an individual recommended by a stockholder for election as a director if such stockholder complies with the advance notice provisions of our bylaws. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met one time.

Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has not adopted a formal policy with regard to the consideration of diversity in identifying individuals for election as members of our Board, but the committee considers such factors as it may deem are in our best interests and those of our stockholders. Those factors may include a person’s differences of viewpoint, professional experience, education and skills, as well as his or her race, gender and national origin. In addition, as part of our Board’s annual-self assessment, the members of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee evaluates the membership of our Board and whether our Board maintains satisfactory policies regarding membership selection.

Valuation Committee

The members of our Valuation Committee are Gilbert E. Ahye, Steven P. Bird, Stephen A. Cassani, James P. Labe and Sajal K. Srivastava. Mr. Ahye serves as Chairman of our Valuation Committee. Our Valuation Committee is responsible for assisting our Board in valuing investments that are not publicly traded or for which current market values are not readily available. Our Board and Valuation Committee utilizes the services of an independent valuation firm to help them determine the fair value of these securities. However, our Board does not have de minimis investments of less than 1% of our gross assets (up to an aggregate of 10% of our gross assets) independently reviewed. The Board, however, may request at its discretion to have such investments valued by an independent valuation firm. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, our Valuation Committee met six times.

Compensation of Directors

No compensation is expected to be paid to our directors who are “interested persons,” as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. The independent directors receive an annual fee of $60,000. They also receive $2,500 plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with

 

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attending in-person each regular Board meeting and $1,500 for attending any regular Board meeting telephonically. They also receive $1,000 plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with each committee meeting attended in-person and $500 for attending any Committee meeting telephonically. In addition, they receive $500 plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending each special Board meeting. The Chairman of our Audit Committee receives an annual fee of $5,000. We have obtained directors’ and officers’ liability insurance on behalf of our directors and officers. Independent directors have the option of having their directors’ fees paid in shares of our common stock issued at a price per share equal to the greater of net asset value or the market price at the time of payment. No compensation is paid to directors who are “interested persons,” as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. See “Management Agreements—Investment Advisory Agreement.”

Compensation of Executive Officers

None of our officers receives direct compensation from us. However, Messrs. Labe and Srivastava, through their financial interests in our Adviser, are entitled to a portion of any investment advisory fees paid by us under the Investment Advisory Agreement. Our other executive officers are paid by our Administrator, subject to reimbursement by us of our allocable portion of such compensation for services rendered by such persons to us under the Administration Agreement. To the extent that our Administrator outsources any of its functions, we reimburse our Administrator for the fees associated with such functions without profit or benefit to our Administrator. The Investment Advisory Agreement will be reapproved within two years of its effective date, and thereafter on an annual basis, by our Board, including a majority of our directors who are not parties to such agreement or who are not “interested persons” of any such party, as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. See “Management Agreements—Investment Advisory Agreement;—Administration Agreement.”

Indemnification Agreements

In February 2014, we entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers. The indemnification agreements are intended to provide our directors and executive officers the maximum indemnification permitted under Maryland law and the 1940 Act. Each indemnification agreement provides that we shall indemnify the director or executive officer who is a party to the agreement, or an “Indemnitee,” including the advancement of legal expenses, if, by reason of his or her corporate status, the Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be, made a party to or a witness in any threatened, pending, or completed proceeding, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and the 1940 Act.

 

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PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

Each investment opportunity requires the unanimous approval of our Adviser’s Investment Committee. Follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies require the Investment Committee’s approval beyond that obtained when the initial investment in the company was made. The day-to-day management of investments approved by the Investment Committee are overseen by Messrs. Labe and Srivastava.

The members of our Adviser’s Investment Committee and other advisory personnel employed by our Adviser receive compensation from our Adviser that include an annual base salary, an annual individual performance bonus and a portion of the incentive fee or carried interest earned in connection with their services.

Each of Messrs. Labe and Srivastava has a material ownership and financial interest in, and receive compensation and/or profit distributions from, our Adviser. Messrs. Labe and Srivastava are also primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of TPC. As of March 31, 2015, TPC managed over $650 million of outstanding assets.

Portfolio Managers

We consider Messrs. Labe and Srivastava, who are the members of our Adviser’s Investment Committee, to be our portfolio managers. The table below shows the dollar range of shares of our common stock to be beneficially owned by each of our portfolio managers as of March 31, 2015.

 

Name of Portfolio Manager

   Dollar Range of Equity
Securities Owned in
TriplePoint Venture
Growth BDC Corp. (1)
 

James P. Labe

   $ 500,001 - $1,000,000   

Sajal K. Srivastava

   $ 500,001 - $1,000,000   

 

(1) Dollar ranges are as follows: none, $1-$10,000, $10,001-$50,000, $50,001-$100,000, $100,001-$500,000, $500,001-$1,000,000, or over $1,000,000.

Investment Committee

The Investment Committee of our Adviser meets regularly to consider our investments, direct our strategic initiatives and supervise the actions taken by our Adviser on our behalf. In addition, the Investment Committee reviews and determines by unanimous vote whether to make prospective investments identified by our Adviser and monitors the performance of our investment portfolio. The members of our Adviser’s Investment Committee are Messrs. Labe and Srivastava. Our Adviser may increase the size of its Investment Committee from time to time.

Members of our Advisor’s Senior Investment Team

The members of our Adviser’s senior investment team consist of Messrs Labe and Srivastava and members of our Adviser’s Originations team.

 

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MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS

Investment Advisory Agreement

Subject to the overall supervision of our Board and in accordance with the 1940 Act, our Adviser manages our day-to-day operations and provides investment advisory services to us. Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, our Adviser:

 

   

determines the composition of our portfolio, the nature and timing of the changes to our portfolio and the manner of implementing such changes;

 

   

identifies, evaluates and negotiates the structure of the investments we make;

 

   

executes, closes, services and monitors the investments we make;

 

   

determines the securities and other assets that we will purchase, retain or sell;

 

   

performs due diligence on prospective investments; and

 

   

provides us with such other investment advisory, research and related services as we may, from time to time, reasonably require for the investment of our funds.

Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, we have agreed to pay our Adviser a fee for its investment advisory and management services consisting of two components—a base management fee and an incentive fee. The cost of both the base management fee and the incentive fee are ultimately borne by our stockholders.

Base Management Fee

The base management fee is calculated at an annual rate of 1.75% of our average adjusted gross assets, including assets purchased with borrowed funds. For services rendered under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the base management fee is payable quarterly in arrears. The base management fee is calculated based on the average value of our gross assets at the end of our two most recently completed calendar quarters. Such amount is appropriately adjusted (based on the actual number of days elapsed relative to the total number of days in such calendar quarter) for any share issuances or repurchases during a calendar quarter. Base management fees for any partial month or quarter are appropriately pro-rated.

Incentive Fee

The incentive fee, which provides our Adviser with a share of the income that it generates for us, consists of two components—investment income and capital gains—which are largely independent of each other, with the result that one component may be payable even if the other is not payable.

Under the investment income component, we pay our Adviser each quarter 20.0% of the amount by which our pre-incentive fee net investment income for the quarter exceeds a hurdle rate of 2.0% (which is 8.0% annualized) of our net assets at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter, subject to a “catch-up” provision pursuant to which our Adviser receives all of such income in excess of the 2.0% level but less than 2.5% and subject to a total return requirement. The effect of the “catch-up” provision is that, subject to the total return provision discussed below, if pre-incentive fee net investment income exceeds 2.5% in any calendar quarter, our Adviser receives 20.0% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income as if the 2.0% hurdle rate did not apply. The foregoing incentive fee is subject to a total return requirement, which provides that no incentive fee in respect of our pre-incentive fee net investment income is payable except to the extent that 20.0% of the cumulative net increase in net assets resulting from operations since the effective date of our election to be regulated as a BDC (March 5, 2014) exceeds the cumulative incentive fees accrued and/or paid since March 5, 2014. In other words, any investment income incentive fee that is payable in a calendar quarter is limited to the lesser of (i) 20.0% of the amount by which our pre-incentive fee net investment income for such calendar quarter

 

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exceeds the 2.0% hurdle, subject to the “catch-up” provision and (ii) (x) 20.0% of the cumulative net increase in net assets resulting from operations since March 5, 2014 minus (y) the cumulative incentive fees accrued and/or paid since March 5, 2014. For the foregoing purpose, the “cumulative net increase in net assets resulting from operations” is the sum of our pre-incentive fee net investment income, realized gains and losses and unrealized appreciation and depreciation since March 5, 2014.

Pre-incentive fee net investment income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation. Because of the structure of the incentive fee, it is possible that we may pay an incentive fee in a quarter where we incur a loss, subject to the total return requirement described in the preceding paragraph. For example, if we receive pre-incentive fee net investment income in excess of the quarterly minimum hurdle rate, we will pay the applicable incentive fee even if we have incurred a loss in that quarter due to realized and unrealized capital losses. Our net investment income used to calculate this component of the incentive fee is also included in the amount of our assets used to calculate the 1.75% base management fee. These calculations are appropriately pro-rated for any period of less than three months and adjusted for any share issuance or repurchase during the current quarter.

The following is a graphical representation of the calculation of the income-related portion of the incentive fee:

Quarterly Incentive Fee Based on Net Investment Income

Pre-incentive fee net investment income (expressed as a percentage of the value of net assets)

 

LOGO

Percentage of pre-incentive fee net investment income allocated to first component of incentive fee

Under the capital gains component of the incentive fee, we pay our Adviser at the end of each calendar year 20.0% of our aggregate cumulative realized capital gains from inception through the end of that year, computed net of our aggregate cumulative realized capital losses and our aggregate cumulative unrealized depreciation through the end of such year, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid capital gain incentive fees. For the foregoing purpose, our “aggregate cumulative realized capital gains” does not include any unrealized appreciation. It should be noted that we accrue an incentive fee for accounting purposes taking into account any unrealized appreciation in accordance with GAAP. The capital gains component of the incentive fee is not subject to any minimum return to stockholders. If such amount is negative, then no capital gains incentive fee is payable for such year. Additionally, if the Investment Advisory Agreement is terminated as of a date that is not a calendar year end, the termination date is treated as though it were a calendar year end for purposes of calculating and paying the capital gains incentive fee.

Examples of Quarterly Incentive Fee Calculation

Example 1: Income Portion of Incentive Fee before Total Return Requirement Calculation:

Assumptions

 

   

Hurdle rate(1) = 2.0%

 

   

Base management fee(2) = 0.4375%

 

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Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)(3) = 0.2%

Alternative 1

Additional Assumptions

 

   

Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 1.25%

 

   

Pre-incentive fee net investment income (investment income – (base management fee + other expenses)) = 0.6125%

Pre-incentive fee net investment income does not exceed hurdle rate, therefore there is no incentive fee.

Alternative 2

Additional Assumptions

 

   

Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 2.90%

 

   

Pre-incentive fee net investment income (investment income – (base management fee + other expenses)) = 2.2625%

Pre-incentive fee net investment income exceeds hurdle rate, therefore there is an incentive fee

Incentive Fee = (100% × “Catch-Up”) + (the greater of 0% AND (20.0% × (pre-incentive fee net investment income – 2.0%)))

= (100% × (2.2625% – 2.0%)) + 0%

= 100% × 0.2625%

= 0.2625%

Alternative 3

Additional Assumptions

 

   

Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 3.50%

 

   

Pre-incentive fee net investment income (investment income – (base management fee + other expenses)) = 2.8625%

Pre-incentive fee net investment income exceeds hurdle rate, therefore there is an incentive fee

 

(1) Represents 8.0% annualized hurdle rate.
(2) Represents 1.75% annualized base management fee.
(3) Excludes organizational and offering expenses.

Incentive Fee = (100% × “Catch-Up”) + (the greater of 0% AND (20.0% × (pre-incentive fee net investment income – 2.5%)))

= (100% × (2.5% – 2.0%)) + (20.0% × (2.8625% – 2.5%))

= 0.5% + (20.0% × 0.3625%)

= 0.5% + 0.0725%

= 0.5725%

Example 2: Income Portion of Incentive Fee with Total Return Requirement Calculation:

Assumptions

 

   

Hurdle rate(4) = 2.0%

 

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Base management fee(5) = 0.4375%

 

   

Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)(6) = 0.2%

 

   

Cumulative incentive compensation accrued and/or paid since March 5, 2014 = $9,000,000

Alternative 1

Additional Assumptions

 

   

Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 3.50%

 

   

Pre-incentive fee net investment income (investment income – (base management fee + other expenses)) = 2.8625%

 

   

20.0% of cumulative net increase in net assets resulting from operations since March 5, 2014 = $8,000,000

Although our pre-incentive fee net investment income exceeds the hurdle rate of 2.0% (as shown in Alternative 3 of Example 1 above), no incentive fee is payable because 20.0% of the cumulative net increase in net assets resulting from operations since March 5, 2014 did not exceed the cumulative income and capital gains incentive fees accrued and/or paid since March 5, 2014.

Alternative 2

Additional Assumptions

 

   

Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 3.50%

 

   

Pre-incentive fee net investment income (investment income – (management fee + other expenses)) = 2.8625%.

 

   

20.0% of cumulative net increase in net assets resulting from operations since March 5, 2014 = $10,000,000

Because our pre-incentive fee net investment income exceeds the hurdle rate of 2.0% and because 20.0% of the cumulative net increase in net assets resulting from operations since March 5, 2014 exceeds the cumulative income and capital gains incentive fees accrued and/or paid since March 5, 2014, an incentive fee would be payable, as shown in Alternative 3 of Example 1 above.

 

(4) Represents 8.0% annualized hurdle rate.
(5) Represents 1.75% annualized base management fee.
(6) Excludes organizational and offering expenses.

Example 3: Capital Gains Portion of Incentive Fee:

Alternative 1:

Assumptions

 

   

Year 1: $20.0 million investment made in Company A, or “Investment A,” and $30.0 million investment made in Company B, or “Investment B.”

 

   

Year 2: Investment A sold for $50.0 million and fair market value, or “FMV,” of Investment B determined to be $32.0 million

 

   

Year 3: FMV of Investment B determined to be $25.0 million

 

   

Year 4: Investment B sold for $31.0 million

 

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The capital gains portion of the incentive fee would be:

 

   

Year 1: None

 

   

Year 2: Capital gains incentive fee of $6 million ($30 million realized capital gains on sale of Investment A multiplied by 20.0%)

 

   

Year 3: None; $5 million (20.0% multiplied by ($30 million cumulative capital gains less $5 million cumulative capital depreciation)) less $6 million (previous capital gains fee paid in Year 2)

 

   

Year 4: Capital gains incentive fee of $0.2 million; $6.2 million ($31 million cumulative realized capital gains multiplied by 20.0%) less $6 million (capital gains fee paid in Year 2)

Alternative 2

Assumptions

 

   

Year 1: $20.0 million investment made in Company A, or “Investment A,” $30.0 million investment made in Company B, or “Investment B,” and $25.0 million investment made in Company C, or “Investment C.”

 

   

Year 2: Investment A sold for $50.0 million, FMV of Investment B determined to be $25.0 million and FMV of Investment C determined to be $25.0 million

 

   

Year 3: FMV of Investment B determined to be $27.0 million and Investment C sold for $30.0 million

 

   

Year 4: FMV of Investment B determined to be $35.0 million

 

   

Year 5: Investment B sold for $20.0 million

The capital gains portion of the incentive fee would be:

 

   

Year 1: None

 

   

Year 2: Capital gains incentive fee of $5 million; 20.0% multiplied by $25 million ($30 million realized capital gains on Investment A less $5 million unrealized capital depreciation on Investment B)

 

   

Year 3: Capital gains incentive fee of $1.4 million; $6.4 million (20.0% multiplied by $32 million ($35 million cumulative realized capital gains less $3 million unrealized capital depreciation on Investment B)) less $5 million capital gains fee received in Year 2

 

   

Year 4: None

 

   

Year 5: None; $5 million of capital gains incentive fee (20.0% multiplied by $25 million (cumulative realized capital gains of $35 million less realized capital losses of $10 million)) less $6.4 million cumulative capital gains fee paid in Year 2 and Year 3

Payment of Our Expenses

All professionals of our Adviser, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory and management services to us, and the compensation and routine overhead expenses of personnel allocable to these services to us, are provided and paid for by TPC and not by us. We bear all other out-of-pocket costs and expenses of our operations and transactions, including, without limitation, those relating to:

 

   

organization;

 

   

calculating our net asset value (including the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firm);

 

   

indemnification payments;

 

   

providing managerial assistance to those portfolio companies that request it;

 

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marketing expenses;

 

   

expenses relating to the development and maintenance of our website;

 

   

fees and expenses payable to third-parties, including agents, consultants or other advisors, in connection with monitoring financial and legal affairs for us and in monitoring our investments and performing due diligence on our prospective portfolio companies or otherwise relating to, or associated with, evaluating and making investments;

 

   

fees and expenses incurred in connection with obtaining debt financing, including our Credit Facility;

 

   

interest payable on debt, if any, incurred to finance our investments and expenses related to unsuccessful portfolio acquisition efforts;

 

   

offerings of our common stock and other securities, including any offering made pursuant to this prospectus;

 

   

investment advisory and management fees;

 

   

administration fees, expenses and/or payments payable under the Administration Agreement;

 

   

fees payable to third parties, including agents, consultants and other advisors, relating to, or associated with, evaluating and making investments, including costs associated with meeting potential financial sponsors;

 

   

transfer and dividend paying agents and custodial fees and expenses;

 

   

federal and state registration fees;

 

   

all costs of registration of listing our securities with appropriate regulatory agencies;

 

   

all cost of listing our securities on any securities exchange;

 

   

U.S. federal, state and local taxes;

 

   

independent directors’ fees and expenses;

 

   

costs of preparing and filing reports or other documents required by the SEC, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority or other regulators;

 

   

costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to stockholders, including printing costs;

 

   

costs associated with individual or groups of stockholders;

 

   

our allocable portion of any fidelity bond, directors and officers’ errors and omissions liability insurance, and any other insurance premiums;

 

   

direct costs and expenses of administration, including printing, mailing, long distance telephone, copying, secretarial and other staff, independent auditors and outside legal costs;

 

   

and all other expenses incurred by us, our Administrator or our Adviser in connection with administering our business, including payments under the Administration Agreement based on our allocable portion of our Administrator’s overhead in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent and the allocable portion of the cost of our Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Financial Officer and their respective staffs.

Duration and Termination

Unless terminated earlier as described below, the Investment Advisory Agreement will continue in effect for a period of two years from its effective date. It will remain in effect from year to year thereafter if (i) (A) approved annually by our Board or (B) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities and (ii) approved by a majority of our directors who are not “interested persons.” The

 

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Investment Advisory Agreement automatically terminates in the event of its assignment, as defined in the 1940 Act, by our Adviser and may be terminated by either party without penalty upon 60 days’ written notice to the other. The holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities may also terminate the Investment Advisory Agreement without penalty upon 60 days’ written notice. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to our Business and Structure—We are dependent upon our executive officers and our Adviser’s senior investment team and members of its Investment Committee, in particular Messrs. Labe and Srivastava, for our future success and upon our Adviser’s access to such individuals pursuant to the Staffing Agreement. If our Adviser were to lose such access, our ability to achieve our investment objective could be significantly harmed.”

The Investment Advisory Agreement provides that, absent criminal conduct, willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of its duties and obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement, our Adviser and its professionals and any other person or entity affiliated with it are entitled to indemnification from us for any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) arising from the rendering of our Adviser’s services under the Investment Advisory Agreement or otherwise as our investment adviser.

Board Approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement

Our Board approved the Investment Advisory Agreement at its first in-person meeting, held on November 22, 2013. In reaching a decision to approve the investment advisory agreement, the Board reviewed a significant amount of information and considered, among other things:

 

   

the nature, quality and extent of the advisory and other services to be provided to us by TPVG Advisers LLC;

 

   

the performance relative to comparable business development companies managed by other advisers;

 

   

the fee structures of comparable externally managed business development companies that engage in similar investing activities;

 

   

any breakpoints under the Investment Advisory Agreement and economies of scale;

 

   

the profitability of TPVG Advisers LLC and its affiliates; and

 

   

various other matters.

Based on the information reviewed and the discussions detailed above, the Board, including all of the directors who are not “interested persons” as defined in the 1940 Act, concluded that the investment advisory fee rates and terms are reasonable in relation to the services provided and approved the investment advisory agreement as being in the best interests of our stockholders.

Administration Agreement

The Administration Agreement provides that our Administrator is responsible for furnishing us with office facilities and equipment and providing us with clerical, bookkeeping, recordkeeping and other administrative services at such facilities. Under the Administration Agreement, our Administrator performs, or oversees, or arranges for, the performance of, our required administrative services, which includes being responsible for the financial and other records that we are required to maintain and preparing reports to our stockholders and reports and other materials filed with the SEC or any other regulatory authority. In addition, our Administrator assists us in determining and publishing our net asset value, oversees the preparation and filing of our tax returns and the printing and dissemination of reports and other materials to our stockholders, and generally oversees the payment of our expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to us by others. Under the Administration Agreement, our Administrator also provides managerial assistance on our behalf to those companies that have accepted our offer to provide such assistance.

 

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Payments under the Administration Agreement are equal to an amount equal to our allocable portion (subject to the review of our Board) of our Administrator’s overhead resulting from its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent and the allocable portion of the cost of our Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Financial Officer and their respective staffs. In addition, if requested to provide significant managerial assistance to our portfolio companies, our Administrator is paid an additional amount based on the services provided, which shall not exceed the amount we receive from such companies for providing this assistance. The Administration Agreement has an initial term of two years and may be renewed with (i) (A) the approval of our Board or (B) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities and (ii) the approval by a majority of our directors who are not “interested persons.” The Administration Agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty upon 60 days’ written notice to the other party. Stockholder approval is not required to amend the Administration Agreement.

The Administration Agreement provides that, absent criminal conduct, willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of its duties and obligations, our Administrator and any person or entity affiliated with it are entitled to indemnification from us for any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) arising from the rendering of our Administrator’s services under the Administration Agreement or otherwise as our administrator.

Pursuant to a sub-administration agreement, our Administrator has engaged Conifer Financial Services LLC to provide certain administrative services to us on behalf of our Administrator.

Staffing Agreement

In February 2014, our Adviser entered into the Staffing Agreement with TPC. Pursuant to the Staffing Agreement, TPC has made and will continue to make, subject to the terms of the Staffing Agreement, its investment and portfolio management and monitoring teams available to our Adviser. We believe that the Staffing Agreement (i) provides us with access to deal flow generated by TPC in the ordinary course of its business; (ii) provides us with access to TPC’s investment professionals, including its senior investment team led by Messrs. Labe and Srivastava, and TPC’s non-investment employees; and (iii) commits certain key senior members of TPC’s Investment Committee to serve as members of our Adviser’s Investment Committee. Our Adviser is responsible for determining if we will participate in deal flow generated by TPC. Our Adviser takes advantage of the significant deal origination channels, rigorous due diligence process, disciplined underwriting methods, creative investment structuring and hands-on portfolio management and investment monitoring capabilities of TPC’s senior investment team. The Staffing Agreement may be terminated with 60 days’ prior written notice.

License Agreement

In February 2014, we entered into the License Agreement with TPC under which TPC granted us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the name “TriplePoint” and the TriplePoint logo. Under the License Agreement, we have a right to use the “TriplePoint” name for so long as our Adviser or one of its affiliates remains our investment adviser. Other than with respect to this limited license, we have no legal right to the “TriplePoint” name. The License Agreement remains in effect for so long as the Investment Advisory Agreement with our Adviser is in effect.

 

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RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS

Policies and Procedures for Managing Conflicts; Co-investment Opportunities

Certain members of our Adviser’s senior investment team and Investment Committee serve, or may serve, as officers, directors, members or principals of entities that operate in the same or a related line of business as we do, or of investment vehicles managed by TPC with similar investment objectives. Similarly, TPC may have other clients with similar, different or competing investment objectives. See “Risk Factors—Relating to our Conflicts of Interest—There are potential conflicts of interest that could negatively affect our investment returns.”

Our investment strategy includes investments in secured loans, together with, in many cases, attached equity “kickers” in the form of warrants, and direct equity investments. TPC also manages, and in the future may manage, other investment funds, accounts or vehicles that invest or may invest in these investments. Although we are the primary vehicle through which TPC focuses its venture growth stage business, other vehicles sponsored or managed by our Adviser’s senior investment team may also invest in venture growth stage companies or may have prior investments outstanding to our borrowers. As a result, members of our Adviser’s senior investment team and Investment Committee, in their roles at TPC, may face conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities among us and other investment vehicles managed by TPC with similar or overlapping investment objectives in a manner that is fair and equitable over time and consistent with TPC’s allocation policy. Generally, when a particular investment would be appropriate for us as well as one or more other investment funds, accounts or vehicles managed by our Adviser’s senior investment team, such investment is apportioned by our Adviser’s senior investment team in accordance with (1) our Adviser’s internal conflict of interest and allocation policies, (2) the requirements of the Advisers Act and (3) certain restrictions under the 1940 Act regarding co-investments with affiliates. Such apportionment may not be strictly pro rata , depending on the good faith determination of all relevant factors, including differing investment objectives, diversification considerations and the terms of our or the respective governing documents of such investment funds, accounts or investment vehicles. These procedures could, in certain circumstances, limit whether or not a co-investment opportunity is available to us, the timing of acquisitions and dispositions of investments, the price paid or received by us for investments or the size of the investment purchased or sold by us.

We have co-invested and, in the future, may co-invest with investment funds, accounts and vehicles managed by TPC where doing so is consistent with our investment strategy as well as applicable law and SEC staff interpretations. We generally are only permitted to co-invest with such investment funds, accounts and vehicles where the only term that is negotiated is price. However, we, TPC and our Adviser have filed an exemptive application with the SEC to permit greater flexibility to negotiate the terms of co-investments with investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles managed by TPC in a manner consistent with our investment objective, positions, policies, strategies and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements and other pertinent factors. There can be no assurance that we will receive exemptive relief from the SEC to permit us to co-invest with investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles managed by TPC where terms other than price are negotiated.

Investment Advisory Agreement

In February 2014, we entered into the Investment Advisory Agreement with our Adviser. Pursuant to this agreement, we have agreed to pay to our Adviser a base management fee and an incentive fee for its services. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, our Adviser is responsible for sourcing, reviewing and structuring investment opportunities for us, underwriting and diligencing our investments and monitoring our investment portfolio on an ongoing basis. Our Adviser’s management fee and incentive fee is based on the value of our investments and, therefore, there may be a conflict of interest when personnel of our Adviser are involved in the valuation process for our portfolio investments. See “Risk Factors—Relating to our Conflicts of Interest—The base management and incentive fee structure we have with our Adviser may create incentives that are not

 

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fully aligned with the interests of our stockholders;—Our incentive fee may induce our Adviser to pursue speculative investments and to use leverage when it may be unwise to do so;—The valuation process for certain of our portfolio holdings may create a conflict of interest;—The Investment Advisory Agreement was not negotiated at arm’s length basis and may not be as favorable to us as if it had been negotiated with an unaffiliated third-party.”

Administration Agreement

In February 2014, we entered into the Administration Agreement with our Administrator pursuant to which our Administrator is responsible for furnishing us with office facilities and equipment and provides us with clerical, bookkeeping, recordkeeping and other administrative services at such facilities. Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, we pay our Administrator an amount equal to our allocable portion (subject to the review of our Board) of our Administrator’s overhead resulting from its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent and the allocable portion of the cost of our Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Financial Officer and their respective staffs associated with performing compliance functions. See “Risk Factors—Relating to our Business and Structure—Our Adviser or our Administrator can resign upon 60 days’ notice and we may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, or at all, resulting in a disruption in our operations that could materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.”

In addition, our Administrator has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Conifer Financial Services LLC to provide certain sub-administrative services to us on behalf of our Administrator.

Staffing Agreement

In February 2014, our Adviser entered into the Staffing Agreement with TPC. Pursuant to the Staffing Agreement, TPC has made and will continue to make, subject to the terms of the Staffing Agreement, its investment and portfolio management and monitoring teams available to our Adviser. We believe that the Staffing Agreement (i) provides us with access to deal flow generated by TPC in the ordinary course of its business; (ii) provides us with access to TPC’s investment professionals, including its senior investment team led by Messrs. Labe and Srivastava, and TPC’s non-investment employees; and (iii) commits certain key senior members of TPC’s Investment Committee to serve as members of our Adviser’s Investment Committee. TPC is obligated under the Staffing Agreement to allocate investment opportunities among its affiliates fairly and equitably over time in accordance with its allocation policy. Our Adviser is responsible for determining if we will participate in deal flow generated by TPC. The Staffing Agreement may be terminated with 60 days’ prior written notice. See “Risk Factors—Relating to our Business and Structure—We are dependent upon our executive officers and our Adviser’s senior investment team and members of its Investment Committee, in particular, Messrs. Labe and Srivastava, for our future success and upon our Adviser’s access to such individuals pursuant to the Staffing Agreement. If our Adviser were to lose such access, our ability to achieve our investment objective could be significantly harmed.”

License Agreement

In February 2014, we entered into the License Agreement with TPC under which TPC granted us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the name “TriplePoint” and the TriplePoint logo. See “Risk Factors—Relating to our Conflicts of Interest—There are conflicts related to our arrangements with TriplePoint Capital and our Administrator.”

 

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CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

The following table sets forth, as of April 1, 2015, certain ownership information with respect to our common stock for (i) those persons who directly or indirectly own, control or hold with the power to vote 5% or more of our outstanding common stock, (ii) each of our directors and (iii) all of our officers and directors as a group.

 

     Percentage of Common Stock
Outstanding
 

Name and Address

   Type of
Ownership
     Shares
Owned
     Percentage  

James P. Labe (1)

     Direct         56,659         0.34

Sajal K. Srivastava (1)

     Direct         57,659         0.35

Harold F. Zagunis (1)

     Direct         23,152         0.14

Gilbert E. Ahye (1)

             —           —     

Steven P. Bird (1)

             —           —     

Stephen A. Cassani (1)

     Direct         500         *   

All directors and executive officers as a group

     Direct         137,970         0.84

5% or Greater Beneficial Owners :

        

Clearbridge Investments, LLC (2)

     Direct         897,850         5.47

Philadelphia Financial Management of San Francisco, LLC (3)

     Direct         969,768         5.90

 

* Less than 0.005%.
(1) The address for all of our officers and directors is c/o TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp., 2755 Sand Hill Road, Suite 150, Menlo Park, California 94025.
(2) Based on information provided in a Schedule 13G filed on February 17, 2015, Clearbridge Investments, LLC reported shared voting and dispositive power with respect to 897,850 shares of our common stock. The Schedule 13G does not include any information regarding shares acquired or sold since the date of such Schedule 13G. The business address of Clearbridge Investments, LLC is 605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158.
(3) Based on information provided in a Schedule 13G filed on February 17, 2015, the 969,768 shares of our common stock noted in the table above consists of 277,574 shares held by Boathouse Row I, L.P., or “BRI,” 90,334 shares held by Boathouse Row II, L.P., or “BRII,” 473,764 shares held by Boathouse Row Offshore Ltd., or “BRO,” and 128,096 shares held by Boathouse Row Offshore Regatta Ltd., or “BROR,” collectively referred to as the “PFM Entities.” The PFM Entities are private investment funds of which Philadelphia Financial Management of San Francisco, LLC, or “PFM,” is the general partner and/or investment manager. Jordan Hymowitz is the managing member of PFM and its majority owner. The Schedule 13G does not include any information regarding shares acquired or sold since the date of such Schedule 13G. The address for PFM and the PFM Entities is c/o Philadelphia Financial Management of San Francisco, LLC, 450 Sansome Street, Suite 1500 San Francisco, CA 94111. In addition, according to information provided to us by Wells Fargo, one or more private investment funds of which PFM is the general partner and/or investment manager purchased an additional 200,000 shares of our common stock in connection with our public offering of common stock completed on April 1, 2015.

 

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The following table sets out the dollar range of our equity securities that are beneficially owned by each of our directors as of March 31, 2015. We are not part of a “family of investment companies,” as that term is defined in the 1940 Act.

 

Name of Director

   Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in TriplePoint
Venture Growth
BDC Corp. (1)

Independent Directors

  

Gilbert E. Ahye

   None

Steven P. Bird

   None

Stephen A. Cassani

   $1 - $10,000

Interested Directors

  

James P. Labe

   Over $100,000

Sajal K. Srivastava

   Over $100,000

 

(1) Dollar ranges are as follows: none, $1-$10,000, $10,001-$50,000, $50,001-$100,000, or over $100,000.

 

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DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

Determinations in Connection with our Investments

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 prospectus, we do not have any preferred stock outstanding.

Our investment assets are carried at fair value in accordance with the 1940 Act and ASC Topic 820. 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 our Board. Our investments are primarily made to venture growth stage companies in technology, life sciences and other high growth industries. Given the nature of lending to these types of companies, our investments are generally considered Level 3 assets under ASC Topic 820 because there is no known or accessible market or market indexes for these investments to be traded or exchanged. As such, we value substantially all of our investments at fair value as determined in good faith pursuant to a consistent valuation policy and our Board in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 820 and the 1940 Act. 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 readily available market existed for such investments, and the differences could be material.

The valuation process is conducted at the end of each fiscal quarter, with a portion of our valuations of portfolio companies without market quotations subject to review by one or more independent valuation firms each quarter. When an external event with respect to one of our portfolio companies, such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, we use the pricing indicated by the external event to corroborate our valuation.

We have adopted ASC Topic 820. ASC Topic 820 specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. ASC Topic 820 also provides guidance regarding a fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes information used to measure fair value and the effect of fair value measurements on earnings and provides for enhanced disclosures determined by the level within the hierarchy of information used in the valuation. In accordance with ASC Topic 820, these inputs are summarized in the three levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1 —Valuations are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that are accessible at the measurement date.

 

   

Level 2 —Valuations are based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant inputs are observable.

 

   

Level 3 —Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models incorporating significant unobservable inputs, such as discounted cash flow models and other similar valuations techniques. The valuation of Level 3 assets and liabilities generally requires significant management judgment due to the inability to observe inputs to valuation.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an investment’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of observable input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the investment.

 

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Under ASC Topic 820, the fair value measurement also assumes that the transaction to sell an asset occurs in the principal market for the asset or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset, which may be a hypothetical market, and excludes transaction costs. The principal market for any asset is the market with the greatest volume and level of activity for such asset in which the reporting entity would or could sell or transfer the asset. In determining the principal market for an asset or liability under ASC Topic 820, it is assumed that the reporting entity has access to such market as of the measurement date. Market participants are defined as buyers and sellers in the principal or most advantageous market that are independent, knowledgeable and willing and able to transact.

With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available, our Board undertakes a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:

 

   

Our quarterly valuation process begins with each portfolio company or investment being initially valued by our Adviser’s professionals that are responsible for the portfolio investment;

 

   

Preliminary valuation conclusions are then documented and discussed with our Adviser’s senior investment team;

 

   

Our Valuation Committee then reviews these preliminary valuations;

 

   

At least once annually, the valuation for each portfolio investment is reviewed by an independent valuation firm. However, our Board does not have de minimis investments of less than 1.0% of our gross assets (up to an aggregate of 10% of our gross assets) independently reviewed; and

 

   

Our Board then discusses valuations and determine the fair value of each investment in our portfolio in good faith, based on the input of our Adviser, the respective independent valuation firms and our Valuation Committee.

Determinations in Connection with our Offerings

In connection with each offering of shares of our common stock, our Board or an authorized committee thereof is required by the 1940 Act to make the determination that we are not selling shares of our common stock at a price below our then current net asset value at the time at which the sale is made. Our Board or an authorized committee thereof 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 has occurred (including through the realization of net gains on the sale of our investments) from the period beginning on the date of the most recently disclosed net asset value to the period ending two days prior to the date of the sale of our common stock; and

 

   

the magnitude of the difference between (i) a value that our Board of Directors or an authorized committee thereof has determined reflects the current net asset value of our common stock, which is based upon the net asset value disclosed in the most recent periodic report we filed with the SEC, as adjusted to reflect our management’s assessment of any material change in the net asset value since the date of the most recently disclosed net asset value, and (ii) the offering price of the shares of our common stock in the proposed offering.

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 or (ii) trigger the undertaking (which we provided to the SEC in the registration statement to which this prospectus is a part) to suspend the offering of shares of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus if the net asset value fluctuates by certain amounts in certain circumstances until the prospectus is amended, our Board or an authorized committee thereof will elect, in the case of clause (i) above, either to postpone the offering until

 

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such time that there is no longer the possibility of the occurrence of such event or to undertake to determine net asset value 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 net asset value to ensure that such undertaking has not been triggered.

These processes and procedures are part of our compliance policies and procedures. Records are made contemporaneously with all determinations described in this section and these records are maintained with other records we are required to maintain under the 1940 Act.

 

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DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

We adopted a dividend reinvestment plan that provides for the reinvestment of our stockholder distributions, unless a stockholder elects to receive cash as provided below. As a result, if our Board authorizes, and we declare, a cash distribution, then our stockholders who have not “opted out” of such dividend reinvestment plan have their cash distribution automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, rather than receiving the cash distribution.

No action is required on the part of a registered stockholder to have its cash distribution reinvested in shares of our common stock. A registered stockholder may elect to receive an entire distribution in cash by notifying American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, the plan administrator and our transfer and dividend paying agent and registrar, in writing so that such notice is received by the plan administrator no later than three business days prior to the payment date for distributions to stockholders. The plan administrator will set up an account for shares acquired through the plan for each stockholder and hold such shares in non-certificated form. Upon request by a stockholder participating in the plan, received in writing not less than three business days prior to the payment date, the plan administrator will, instead of crediting shares to the participant’s account, issue a certificate registered in the participant’s name for the number of whole shares of our common stock and a check for any fractional share. The plan administrator is authorized to deduct a $15.00 transaction fee plus a $0.10 brokerage commission from the proceeds of the sale of any fractional share.

Those stockholders whose shares are held by a broker or other financial intermediary may receive distributions in cash by notifying their broker or nominee of their election.

We use primarily newly issued shares to implement the plan, whether our shares are trading at a premium or at a discount to net asset value. Under such circumstances, the number of shares to be issued to a stockholder is determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the distribution payable to such stockholder by 95% of the market price per share of our common stock at the close of trading on the payment date fixed by our Board. Market price per share on that date is the closing price for such shares on the NYSE or, if no sale is reported for such day, at the average of their reported bid and asked prices. We reserve the right, however, to purchase shares in the open market in connection with our implementation of the plan. Shares purchased in open market transactions by the plan administrator are allocated to a stockholder based on the average purchase price, excluding any brokerage charges or other charges, of all shares of common stock purchased in the open market. Transaction processing may either be curtailed or suspended until the completion of any stock dividend, stock split or similar corporate action.

There are no brokerage charges or other charges to stockholders who participate in the plan. The plan administrator’s fees are paid by us. If a participant elects by written notice to the plan administrator prior to termination of his or her account to have the plan administrator sell part or all of the shares held by the plan administrator in the participant’s account and remit the proceeds to the participant, the plan administrator is authorized to deduct a $15.00 transaction fee plus a $0.10 brokerage commission from the proceeds.

Stockholders who receive distributions in the form of stock are generally subject to the same U.S. federal, state and local tax consequences as are stockholders who elect to receive their distributions in cash. However, since a participating stockholder’s cash distributions are reinvested, such stockholder does not receive cash with which to pay any applicable taxes on reinvested distributions. A stockholder’s basis in the stock received in a distribution from us is generally equal to the amount of the reinvested distribution. Any stock received in a distribution has a new holding period, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, commencing on the day following the day on which the shares are credited to the U.S. stockholder’s account.

Participants may terminate their accounts under the plan by notifying the plan administrator by filling out the transaction request form located at the bottom of the participant’s statement and sending it to the plan administrator at the address below.

 

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Those stockholders whose shares are held by a broker or other nominee who wish to terminate his or her account under the plan may do so by notifying his or her broker or nominee.

The plan may be terminated by us upon notice in writing mailed to each participant at least 30 days prior to any record date for the payment of any stockholder distribution by us. All correspondence concerning the plan should be directed to the plan administrator by mail at Plan Administrator c/o American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219.

If you withdraw or the plan is terminated, you will receive the number of whole shares in your account under the plan and a cash payment for any fraction of a share in your account.

If you hold your common stock with a brokerage firm that does not participate in the plan, you will not be able to participate in the plan and any distribution reinvestment may be effected on different terms than those described above. Consult your financial advisor for more information.

 

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following discussion is a general summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to us and to an investment in shares of our common stock. This discussion is based on the provisions of the Code and the regulations of the U.S. Department of Treasury promulgated thereunder, or “Treasury regulations,” each as in effect as of the date of this prospectus. These provisions are subject to differing interpretations and change by legislative or administrative action, and any change may be retroactive. This discussion does not constitute a detailed explanation of all U.S. federal income tax aspects affecting us and our stockholders and does not purport to deal with the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be important to particular stockholders in light of their individual investment circumstances or to some types of stockholders subject to special tax rules, such as financial institutions, broker dealers, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, partnerships or other pass-through entities, persons holding our common stock in connection with a hedging, straddle, conversion or other integrated transaction, non-U.S. stockholders (as defined below) engaged in a trade or business in the United States, persons who have ceased to be U.S. citizens or to be taxed as resident aliens or individual non-U.S. stockholders present in the United States for 183 days or more during a taxable year. This discussion also does not address any aspects of U.S. estate or gift tax or foreign, state or local tax. This discussion assumes that our stockholders hold their shares of our common stock as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes (generally, assets held for investment). No ruling has been or will be sought from the IRS regarding any matter discussed herein.

A “U.S. stockholder” is a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

   

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state therein or the District of Columbia;

 

   

an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

   

a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary jurisdiction over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.

A “non-U.S. stockholder” means a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

   

a nonresident alien individual;

 

   

a foreign corporation; or

 

   

a foreign estate or trust.

If a partnership or other entity classified as a partnership, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, holds our shares, the U.S. tax treatment of the partnership and each partner generally depends on the status of the partner, the activities of the partnership and certain determinations made at the partner level. A partnership considering an investment in our common stock should consult its own tax advisers regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of shares by the partnership.

Taxation of the Company

We intend to elect to be treated and intend to qualify each year as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As a RIC, we generally do not pay corporate-level federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that we timely distribute to our stockholders as dividends.

 

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To qualify as a RIC, we must, among other things:

 

   

derive in each taxable year at least 90% of our gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, other income derived with respect to our business of investing in stock, securities or currencies, or net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly traded partnership,” or “QPTP,” hereinafter the “90% Gross Income Test;” and

 

   

diversify our holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of each taxable year:

 

   

at least 50% of the value of our total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. Government securities, the securities of other RICs and other securities, with other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of our total assets and not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and

 

   

not more than 25% of the value of our total assets is invested in the securities of any issuer (other than U.S. Government securities and the securities of other regulated investment companies), the securities of any two or more issuers that we control and that are determined to be engaged in the same business or similar or related trades or businesses, or the securities of one or more QPTPs, or the “Diversification Tests.”

In the case of a RIC that furnishes capital to development corporations, there is an exception relating to the Diversification Tests described above. This exception is available only to RICs which the SEC determines to be principally engaged in the furnishing of capital to other corporations which are principally engaged in the development or exploitation of inventions, technological improvements, new processes, or products not previously generally available, which we refer to as “SEC Certification.” We have not sought SEC Certification, but it is possible that we will seek SEC Certification in future years. If we receive SEC Certification, we generally will be entitled to include, in the computation of the 50% value of our assets (described above), the value of any securities of an issuer, whether or not we own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer, if the basis of the securities, when added to our basis of any other securities of the issuer that we own, does not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets.

As a RIC, we are generally not subject to U.S. federal income tax on investment company taxable income and net capital gains that we distribute to our stockholders in any taxable year with respect to which we distribute an amount equal to at least 90% of the sum of our (i) investment company taxable income (which includes, among other items, dividends, interest and the excess of any net realized short-term capital gains over net realized long-term capital losses and other taxable income (other than any net capital gain), reduced by deductible expenses) determined without regard to the deduction for dividends and distributions paid and (ii) net tax-exempt interest income (which is the excess of our gross tax-exempt interest income over certain disallowed deductions), or the “Annual Distribution Requirement.” We intend to distribute annually all or substantially all of such income. Generally, if we fail to meet this Annual Distribution Requirement for any taxable year, we will fail to qualify as a RIC for such taxable year. To the extent we meet the Annual Distribution Requirement for a taxable year, but retain our net capital gains for investment or any investment company taxable income, we are subject to U.S. federal income tax on such retained capital gains and investment company taxable income. We may choose to retain our net capital gains for investment or any investment company taxable income, and pay the associated federal corporate income tax, including the 4% U.S. federal excise tax described below.

We are subject to a nondeductible 4% U.S. federal excise tax on certain of our undistributed income, unless we timely distribute (or are deemed to have timely distributed) an amount equal to the sum of:

 

   

at least 98% of our ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gains or losses) for the calendar year;

 

   

at least 98.2% of the amount by which our capital gains exceed our capital losses (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for a one-year period generally ending on October 31 of the calendar year (unless an election is made by us to use our taxable year); and

 

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certain undistributed amounts from previous years on which we paid no U.S. federal income tax.

While we intend to distribute any income and capital gains in order to avoid imposition of this 4% U.S. federal excise tax, we may not be successful in avoiding entirely the imposition of this tax. In that case, we will be liable for the tax only on the amount by which we do not meet the foregoing distribution requirement.

We are authorized to borrow funds and to sell assets in order to satisfy distribution requirements. However, under the 1940 Act, we are not permitted to make distributions to our stockholders while any senior securities are outstanding unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratios. See “Regulation—Senior Securities.” Moreover, our ability to dispose of assets to meet our distribution requirements may be limited by (1) the illiquid nature of our portfolio and/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 Annual Distribution Requirement or to avoid the 4% U.S. federal excise tax, we may make such dispositions at times that, from an investment standpoint, are not advantageous.

A RIC is limited in its ability to deduct expenses in excess of its “investment company taxable income” (which is, generally, ordinary income plus the excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses). If our expenses in a given year exceed investment company taxable income, 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.

Company Investments

Certain of our investment practices are subject to special and complex U.S. federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (i) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, including the dividends received deduction, (ii) convert lower taxed long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income into higher taxed short-term capital gains or ordinary income, (iii) convert ordinary loss or a deduction into capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (iv) cause us to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (v) adversely affect the time as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur, (vi) adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions and (vii) produce income that will not qualify as good income for purposes of the 90% Gross Income Test. We monitor our transactions and may make certain tax elections and may be required to borrow money or dispose of securities to mitigate the effect of these rules and to prevent disqualification of us as a RIC but there can be no assurance that we will be successful in this regard.

Debt Instruments. In certain circumstances, we may be required to recognize taxable income prior to which we receive cash. For example, if we hold debt instruments that are treated under applicable tax rules as having OID (such as debt instruments with an end-of-term payment and/or PIK interest payment or, in certain cases, increasing interest rates or issued with warrants), we must include in taxable income each year a portion of the OID 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 OID 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 and to avoid the 4% U.S. federal excise tax, even though we will not have received any corresponding cash amount.

Warrants. 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 are treated as capital gain or loss. The treatment of such gain or loss as long-term or short-term generally depends on how long we held a particular warrant.

 

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Foreign Investments. In the event we invest in foreign securities, we may be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes with respect to those securities. We do not expect to satisfy the requirement to pass through to our stockholders their share of the foreign taxes paid by us.

Passive Foreign Investment Companies. We may invest in the stock of a foreign corporation which is classified as a “passive foreign investment company” (within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code), or “PFIC.” In general, unless a special tax election has been made, we are required to pay tax at ordinary income rates on any gains and “excess distributions” with respect to PFIC stock as if such items had been realized ratably over the period during which we held the PFIC stock, plus an interest charge. Certain adverse tax consequences of a PFIC investment may be limited if we are eligible to elect alternative tax treatment with respect to such investment. No assurances can be given that any such election will be available or that, if available, we will make such an election.

Foreign Currency Transactions. Under the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates which occur between the time we accrue income or other receivables or accrue expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time we actually collect such receivables or pay such liabilities generally are treated as ordinary income or loss. Similarly, on disposition of debt instruments and certain other instruments denominated in a foreign currency, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations if the value of the foreign currency between the date of acquisition of the instrument and the date of disposition also are treated as ordinary gain or loss. These currency fluctuations related gains and losses may increase or decrease the amount of our investment company taxable income to be distributed to our stockholders as ordinary income.

Failure to Qualify as a RIC

If we were unable to qualify for treatment as a RIC, and if certain cure provisions described below are not available, we would be subject to tax on all of our taxable income (including our net capital gains) at regular corporate rates. We would not be able to deduct distributions to stockholders, nor would they be required to be made. Distributions, including distributions of net long-term capital gain, would generally be taxable to our stockholders as ordinary dividend income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. Subject to certain limitations under the Code, corporate stockholders would be eligible to claim a dividend received deduction with respect to such dividend; non-corporate stockholders would generally be able to treat such dividends as “qualified dividend income,” which is subject to reduced rates of U.S. federal income tax. 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. If we fail to qualify as a RIC for a period greater than two taxable years, to qualify as a RIC in a subsequent year we may be subject to regular corporate tax on any net built-in gains with respect to certain of our assets ( i.e. , the excess of the aggregate gains, including items of income, over aggregate losses that would have been realized with respect to such assets if we had been liquidated) that we elect to recognize on requalification or when recognized over the next ten years.

The remainder of this discussion assumes that we qualify as a RIC for each taxable year.

Taxation of U.S. stockholders

Distributions by us generally are taxable to U.S. stockholders as ordinary income or capital gains. Distributions of our “investment company taxable income” (which is, generally, our net ordinary income plus net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses) are taxable as ordinary income to U.S. stockholders to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares of our common stock. To the extent such distributions paid by us to non-corporate stockholders (including individuals) are attributable to dividends from U.S. corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations and if certain holding period requirements are met, such distributions generally will be treated as qualified dividend income and eligible for a maximum U.S. federal tax rate of 20%. In this regard, it is anticipated that distributions paid by us will generally not be attributable to dividends and, therefore, generally will not qualify for the 20% maximum U.S. federal tax rate.

 

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Distributions of our net capital gain (which is generally our realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses) properly designated by us as “capital gain dividends” will be taxable to a U.S. stockholder as long-term capital gains (currently at a maximum U.S. federal tax rate of 20%) in the case of individuals, trusts or estates, regardless of the U.S. stockholder’s holding period for his, her or its common stock and regardless of whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional common stock. Distributions in excess of our earnings and profits first will reduce a U.S. stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in such stockholder’s common stock and, after the adjusted basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to such U.S. stockholder. Stockholders receiving dividends or distributions in the form of additional shares of our common stock purchased in the market should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as receiving a distribution in an amount equal to the amount of money that the stockholders receiving cash dividends or distributions will receive, and should have a cost basis in the shares received equal to such amount. Stockholders receiving dividends in newly issued shares of our common stock will be treated as receiving a distribution equal to the value of the shares received, and should have a cost basis of such amount.

Although we currently intend to distribute any net long-term capital gains at least annually, we may in the future decide to retain some or all of our net long-term capital gains but designate the retained amount as a “deemed distribution.” In that case, among other consequences, we will pay tax on the retained amount, each U.S. stockholder will be required to include their share of the deemed distribution in income as if it had been distributed to the U.S. stockholder, and the U.S. stockholder will be entitled to claim a credit equal to their allocable share of the tax paid on the deemed distribution by us. The amount of the deemed distribution net of such tax will be added to the U.S. stockholder’s tax basis for their common stock. Since we expect to pay tax on any retained capital gains at our regular corporate tax rate, and since that rate is in excess of the maximum rate currently payable by individuals on long-term capital gains, the amount of tax that individual stockholders will be treated as having paid and for which they will receive a credit will exceed the tax they owe on the retained net capital gain. Such excess generally may be claimed as a credit against the U.S. stockholder’s other U.S. federal income tax obligations or may be refunded to the extent it exceeds a stockholder’s liability for U.S. federal income tax. A stockholder that is not subject to U.S. federal income tax or otherwise required to file a U.S. federal income tax return would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return on the appropriate form in order to claim a refund for the taxes we paid. In order to utilize the deemed distribution approach, we must provide written notice to our stockholders prior to the expiration of 60 days after the close of the relevant taxable year. We cannot treat any of our investment company taxable income as a “deemed distribution.”

Generally, you will be provided with a written notice each year reporting the amount of any (i) ordinary income dividends, and (ii) capital gain dividends. For purposes of determining (1) whether the Annual Distribution Requirement is satisfied for any year and (2) the amount of capital gain dividends paid for that year, we may, under certain circumstances, elect to treat a dividend that is paid during the following taxable year as if it had been paid during the taxable year in question. If we make such an election, the U.S. stockholder will still be treated as receiving the dividend in the taxable year in which the distribution is made. However, if we pay you a dividend in January which was declared in the previous October, November or December to stockholders of record on a specified date in one of these months, then the dividend will be treated for tax purposes as being paid by us and received by you on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared. If an investor purchases shares of our stock shortly before the record date of a distribution, the price of the shares will include the value of the distribution and the investor will be subject to tax on the distribution even though it represents a return of its investment.

Alternative Minimum Tax. As a RIC, we are subject to alternative minimum tax, also referred to as “AMT,” but any items that are treated differently for AMT purposes must be apportioned between us and our U.S. stockholders and this may affect the U.S. stockholders’ AMT liabilities. Although regulations explaining the precise method of apportionment have not yet been issued, such items are generally apportioned in the same proportion that dividends paid to each U.S. stockholder bear to our taxable income (determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction), unless a different method for particular item is warranted under the circumstances.

 

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Dividend Reinvestment Plan. Under the dividend reinvestment plan, if a U.S. stockholder owns shares of common stock registered in its own name, the U.S. stockholder will have all cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of common stock unless the U.S. stockholder opts out of our dividend reinvestment plan by delivering a written notice to our dividend paying agent prior to the record date of the next dividend or distribution. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.” Any distributions reinvested under the plan will nevertheless remain taxable to the U.S. stockholder. The U.S. stockholder will have an adjusted basis in the additional common shares purchased through the plan equal to the amount of the reinvested distribution. The additional shares will have a new holding period commencing on the day following the day on which the shares are credited to the U.S. stockholder’s account.

Dispositions. A U.S. stockholder generally will recognize gain or loss on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of shares of our common stock in an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. stockholder’s adjusted basis in the shares disposed of and the amount realized on their disposition. Generally, gain recognized by a U.S. stockholder on the disposition of shares of our common stock will result in capital gain or loss to a U.S. stockholder, and will be a long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year at the time of sale. Any loss recognized by a U.S. stockholder upon the disposition of shares of our common stock held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received (including amounts credited as an undistributed capital gain dividend) by the U.S. stockholder. A loss recognized by a U.S. stockholder on a disposition of shares of our common stock will be disallowed as a deduction if the U.S. stockholder acquires additional shares of our common stock (whether through the automatic reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date that the shares are disposed. In this case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

Tax Shelter Reporting Regulations. Under applicable Treasury regulations, if a U.S. stockholder recognizes a loss with respect to shares of $2 million or more for a non-corporate U.S. stockholder or $10 million or more for a corporate U.S. stockholder in any single taxable year (or a greater loss over a combination of years), the U.S. stockholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct U.S. stockholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, U.S. stockholders of a RIC are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to U.S. stockholders of most or all RICs. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. U.S. stockholders should consult their own tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

Backup Withholding. We are required in certain circumstances to backup withhold on taxable dividends or distributions paid to non-corporate U.S. stockholders who do not furnish us or the dividend-paying agent with their correct taxpayer identification number (in the case of individuals, their social security number) and certain certifications, or who are otherwise subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld from payments made to you may be refunded or credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Taxation of non-U.S. stockholders

The following discussion only applies to certain non-U.S. stockholders. Whether an investment in shares of our common stock is appropriate for a non-U.S. stockholder depends upon that person’s particular circumstances. An investment in shares of our common stock by a non-U.S. stockholder may have adverse tax consequences. Non-U.S. stockholders should consult their own tax advisers before investing in shares of our common stock.

Actual and Deemed Distributions; Dispositions. Distributions of ordinary income dividends to non-U.S. stockholders, subject to the discussion below, are generally subject to withholding of U.S. federal tax at a 30% rate (or lower rate provided by an applicable treaty) to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and

 

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profits even if they are funded by income or gains (such as portfolio interest, short-term capital gains, or foreign-source dividend and interest income) that, if paid to a non-U.S. stockholder directly, would not be subject to withholding.

In addition, with respect to certain distributions by RICs to non-U.S. stockholders in taxable years beginning before January 1, 2015, no withholding was required and the distributions generally were not subject to U.S. federal income tax if (i) the distributions were properly reported to our stockholders as “interest-related dividends” or “short-term capital gain dividends,” (ii) the dividends were derived from sources specified in the Code for such dividends and (iii) certain other requirements were satisfied. No assurance can be provided as to whether such exception will be extended for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2014, or whether any of our distributions will be reported as eligible for such exception.

If we distribute our net capital gains in the form of deemed rather than actual distributions, a non-U.S. stockholder will be entitled to a federal income tax credit or tax refund equal to the stockholder’s allocable share of the tax we pay on the capital gains deemed to have been distributed. In order to obtain the refund, the non-U.S. stockholder must obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number and file a federal income tax return even if the non-U.S. stockholder is not otherwise required to obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number or file a federal income tax return. For a corporate non-U.S. stockholder, distributions (both actual and deemed), and gains realized upon the sale of our common stock that are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business may, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate (or at a lower rate if provided for by an applicable tax treaty). Accordingly, investment in shares of our common stock may not be appropriate for certain non-U.S. stockholders.

Dividend Reinvestment Plan. Under our dividend reinvestment plan, if a non-U.S. stockholder owns shares of common stock registered in its own name, the non-U.S. stockholder will have all cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of common stock unless it opts out of our dividend reinvestment plan by delivering a written notice to our dividend paying agent prior to the record date of the next dividend or distribution. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.” If the distribution is a distribution of our investment company taxable income, is not designated by us as a short-term capital gains dividend or interest-related dividend and it is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. stockholder (or, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is not attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of the non-U.S. stockholder), the amount distributed (to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits) will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate (or lower rate provided by an applicable treaty) and only the net after-tax amount will be reinvested in common shares. The non-U.S. stockholder will have an adjusted basis in the additional common shares purchased through the plan equal to the amount reinvested. The additional shares will have a new holding period commencing on the day following the day on which the shares are credited to the non-U.S. stockholder’s account.

Backup Withholding. A non-U.S. stockholder who is a nonresident alien individual, and who is otherwise subject to withholding of federal income tax, will be subject to information reporting, but may not be subject to backup withholding of federal income tax on taxable dividends or distributions if the non-U.S. stockholder provides us or the dividend paying agent with an IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, or an acceptable substitute form. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld from payments made to you may be refunded or credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Foreign Account Tax Compliance

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance provisions of the U.S. Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act (“FATCA”), and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, generally impose a withholding tax of 30% on (i) certain payments of U.S. source interest, dividends and other fixed or determinable annual or periodical gains, profits, and income and (ii) beginning on January 1, 2017, payments of gross proceeds from the sale,

 

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exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of property of a type that can produce U.S. source interest or dividends, in each case, to certain non-U.S. entities, including certain foreign financial institutions and investment funds, unless such non-U.S. entity complies with certain reporting and withholding requirements regarding its U.S. account holders and its U.S. owners. Accordingly, the entity through which the our common stock is held will affect the determination of whether such withholding is required.

Each prospective investor is urged to consult its tax adviser regarding the applicability of FATCA and any other reporting requirements with respect to the prospective investor’s own situation, including investments through an intermediary.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

This prospectus contains a summary of our common stock, preferred stock, subscription rights, warrants and debt securities. These summaries are not meant to be a complete description of each security. However, this prospectus contains the material terms and conditions for each security.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following description is based on relevant portions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and on our charter and bylaws. This summary is not necessarily complete, and we refer you to the Maryland General Corporation Law and our charter and bylaws for a more detailed description of the provisions summarized below.

Capital Stock

Our authorized capital stock consists of 500,000,000 shares of stock, par value $0.01 per share, 450,000,000 of which are classified as common stock and 50,000,000 of which are classified as preferred stock. Our common stock has been approved for listing on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “TPVG,” subject to official notice of issuance. No shares have been authorized for issuance under any equity compensation plans. Under Maryland law, our stockholders generally are not personally liable for our debts or obligations. As of the date of this prospectus, 16,607,423 shares of our common stock are issued and outstanding.

Under our charter and subject to the rights of holders of any series of preferred stock we may issue in the future, our Board is authorized to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of stock into other classes or series of stock and authorize the issuance of shares of stock without obtaining stockholder approval. As permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law, our charter provides that a majority of our entire Board, without any action by our stockholders, may amend our charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue.

Common Stock

All shares of our common stock have equal rights as to earnings, assets, distributions and voting and, when they are issued, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Subject to the preferential rights of holders of any outstanding shares of preferred stock that we may issue in the future, distributions may be paid to the holders of our common stock if, as and when authorized by our Board and declared by us out of funds legally available for payment. Holders of our common stock have no preemptive, exchange, conversion or redemption rights and shares of our common stock are freely transferable, except where their transfer is restricted by federal and state securities laws or by contract. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us, holders of outstanding shares of our common stock would be entitled to share ratably in all of our assets that are legally available for distribution after we pay all debts and other liabilities and subject to any preferential rights of holders of our preferred stock, if any preferred stock is outstanding at such time. Each share of our common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors. Except as provided with respect to any other class or series of stock, the holders of our common stock will possess exclusive voting power. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which means that holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock can elect all of our directors, and holders of less than a majority of such shares will be unable to elect any director.

Preferred Stock

Our charter authorizes our Board to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of stock into other classes or series of stock, including preferred stock. The cost of any such reclassification would be borne by our existing common stockholders. Prior to issuance of shares of each class or series, our Board is required by Maryland law and by our charter to set, subject to the terms of any series of our stock outstanding at the time, the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of each class or series. Thus, our Board could authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock with terms and conditions which could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in their best interest.

 

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You should note, however, that any issuance of preferred stock must comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act requires, among other things, that (1) immediately after issuance and before any dividend or other distribution is made with respect to our common stock and before any purchase of common stock is made, such preferred stock, together with all other senior securities, must not exceed an amount equal to 50% of our total assets after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution or purchase price, as the case may be, and (2) the holders of shares of preferred stock, if any are issued, must be entitled as a class to elect two directors at all times and to elect a majority of the directors if dividends on such preferred stock are in arrears by two full years or more. Certain matters under the 1940 Act require the separate vote of the holders of any issued and outstanding preferred stock. For example, holders of preferred stock would vote separately from the holders of common stock on a proposal to cease operations as a BDC. We believe that the availability for issuance of preferred stock provides us with increased flexibility in structuring future financings and acquisitions. However, we do not currently have any plans to issue preferred stock.

Limitation on Liability of Directors and Officers; Indemnification and Advance of Expenses

Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (1) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (2) active and deliberate dishonesty that is established by a final judgment and is material to the cause of action. Our charter contains such a provision, which eliminates directors’ and officers’ liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act.

Our charter authorizes us and our bylaws obligate us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, to indemnify any present or former director or officer and any individual who, while a director or officer and at our request, serves or has served another corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner, member, manager or trustee who, in either case, is made, or threatened to be made, a party to, or witness in, a proceeding by reason of his or her service in any such capacity, from and against any claim or liability to which that person may become subject or which that person may incur by reason of such service and to pay or reimburse his or her reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. Our directors’ and officers’ rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by our charter and bylaws vest immediately upon the election of a director or officer.

Our charter and bylaws also permit us to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of us in any of the capacities described above and any of our employees or agents or any employees or agents of our predecessor.

Maryland law requires a Maryland corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which our charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that (a) the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (1) was committed in bad faith or (2) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. However, under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or on behalf of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that a personal benefit was improperly received unless, in either case, a court orders indemnification, and then only for expenses. In addition, Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer in advance of final disposition of a proceeding upon the corporation’s receipt of

 

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(a) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by such corporation and (b) a written undertaking by him or her or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by such corporation if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.

In accordance with the 1940 Act, we may not indemnify any person for any liability to which such person would be subject by reason of such person’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

Additionally, we entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers that provide for indemnification and advance of expenses to the maximum extent permitted under Maryland law and the 1940 Act.

Provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and our Charter and Bylaws

The Maryland General Corporation Law and our charter and bylaws contain provisions that could make it more difficult for a potential acquirer to acquire us by means of a tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. These provisions are expected to discourage certain coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate first with our Board. We believe that the benefits of these provisions outweigh the potential disadvantages of discouraging any such acquisition proposals because, among other reasons, the negotiation of such proposals may improve their terms.

Classified Board

Our Board is divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms. The terms of the first, second and third classes will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively, and, in each case, until their successors are duly elected and qualify. Upon expiration of their terms, successor directors of each class will be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders held in the third year following the year of their election and when his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies, and each year one class of directors is elected by our stockholders. A classified board may render a change in control of us or removal of our incumbent management more difficult. We believe, however, that the longer time required to elect a majority of a classified board will help to ensure the continuity and stability of our management and policies.

Election of Directors

Our charter and bylaws provide that directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast in the election of directors. Pursuant to the charter, our Board may amend our bylaws to alter the vote required to elect directors.

Number of Directors; Vacancies; Removal

Our charter provides that the number of directors will be set only by our Board in accordance with our bylaws. Our bylaws provide that a majority of our entire Board may at any time increase or decrease the number of directors. However, the number of directors may never be less than the minimum number required by the Maryland General Corporation Law, which is one, and, unless our bylaws are amended, may not be more than 15. We have elected to be subject to the provision of Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the Maryland General Corporation Law regarding the filling of vacancies on our Board. Accordingly, except as may be provided by our Board in setting the terms of any class or series of preferred stock, any and all vacancies on our Board may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies, subject to any applicable requirements of the 1940 Act. Our charter provides that, subject to the rights of holders of one or more

 

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series of preferred stock to elect or remove one or more directors, a director may be removed only for cause, as defined in our charter, and then only by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors.

Action by Stockholders

Under the Maryland General Corporation Law, stockholder action can be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders or by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting (unless the charter provides for stockholder action by less than unanimous consent, which our charter does not). These provisions may have the effect of delaying consideration of a stockholder proposal until the next annual meeting.

Calling of Special Meetings of Stockholders

Our bylaws provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called by our Board, the Chairman of the Board, President or Chief Executive Officer. Additionally, our bylaws provide that, subject to the satisfaction of certain procedural and informational requirements by the stockholders requesting the meeting, a special meeting of stockholders will be called by our Secretary upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting.

Advance Notice of Director Nominations and New Business

Our bylaws provide that, with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, nominations of individuals for election to our Board and the proposal of other business to be considered by stockholders may be made only (i) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of our Board or (iii) by a stockholder who was a stockholder of record both at the time of giving the notice required by our bylaws and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting on such business or in the election of each such nominee and who has provided notice to us within the time period, and containing the information, specified by the advance notice provisions set forth in our bylaws.

With respect to special meetings of stockholders, only the business specified in our notice of meeting may be brought before the meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to our Board may be made only (i) by or at the direction of our Board or (ii) provided that the meeting has been called for the purpose of electing directors, by a stockholder who was a stockholder of record both at the time of giving the notice required by our bylaws and at the time of the special meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each such nominee and who has provided notice to us within the time period, and containing the information, specified by the advance notice provisions set forth in our bylaws.

Approval of Extraordinary Corporate Action; Amendment of Charter and Bylaws

Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a share exchange or engage in similar transactions outside the ordinary course of business unless approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. However, a Maryland corporation may provide in its charter for approval of these matters by a lesser percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Our charter generally provides for approval of charter amendments and extraordinary transactions by the stockholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. However, our charter provides that approval of the following matters requires the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least 80% of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter:

 

   

amendments to the provisions of our charter relating to the classification of the Board, the power of the Board to fix the number of directors and to fill vacancies on the Board, the vote required to elect or remove a director and the Board’s exclusive power to amend our bylaws;

 

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charter amendments that would convert us from a closed-end company to an open-end company or make our common stock a redeemable security (within the meaning of the 1940 Act);

 

   

our liquidation or dissolution;

 

   

amendments to the provisions of our charter relating to the vote required to approve our dissolution, amendments to our charter and extraordinary transactions;

 

   

any merger, consolidation, conversion, statutory share exchange or sale or exchange of all or substantially all of our assets that the Maryland General Corporation Law requires be approved by our stockholders; or

 

   

any transaction between us, on the one hand, and any person or group of persons acting together that is entitled to exercise or direct the exercise, or acquire the right to exercise or direct the exercise, directly or indirectly (other than solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), of one-tenth or more of the voting power in the election of our directors generally, or any affiliate of such a person, group or member of such a group, or collectively, “Transacting Persons,” on the other hand.

However, if such amendment, proposal or transaction is approved by at least two-thirds of our continuing directors (in addition to approval by the Board), the amendment, proposal or transaction may instead be approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on such amendment, proposal or transaction, except that any transaction including Transacting Persons that would not otherwise require stockholder approval under the Maryland General Corporation Law would not require further stockholder approval unless another provision of our charter requires such approval.

The “continuing directors” are defined in our charter as our current directors as well as those directors whose nomination for election by our stockholders or whose election by the Board to fill vacancies is approved by a majority of the continuing directors then on our Board. Our charter and bylaws provide that our Board has the exclusive power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of our bylaws and to make new bylaws.

No appraisal rights

Except with respect to appraisal rights arising in connection with the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act discussed below, as permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law, our charter provides that stockholders are not entitled to exercise appraisal rights, unless the Board determines that such rights will apply.

Control Share Acquisitions

The Control Share Acquisition Act provides that holders of control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition have no voting rights with respect to such control shares except to the extent approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Shares owned by the acquirer, by officers or by directors who are employees of the corporation are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter. Control shares are voting shares of stock which, if aggregated with all other shares of stock owned by the acquirer or in respect of which the acquirer is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquirer to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:

 

   

one-tenth or more but less than one-third;

 

   

one-third or more but less than a majority; or

 

   

a majority of all voting power.

The requisite stockholder approval must be obtained each time an acquirer crosses one of the thresholds of voting power set forth above. Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval or shares acquired directly from the corporation. A control share acquisition means the acquisition of issued and outstanding control shares, subject to certain

 

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exceptions. A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition may compel the board of directors of the Maryland corporation to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. The right to compel the calling of a special meeting is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including an undertaking to pay the expenses of the meeting. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any stockholders’ meeting.

If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then the corporation may redeem for fair value any or all of the control shares, except those for which voting rights have previously been approved. The right of the corporation to repurchase control shares is subject to certain conditions and limitations including, as provided in our bylaws, compliance with the 1940 Act. Fair value is determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquirer or of any meeting of stockholders at which the voting rights of the shares are considered and not approved. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquirer becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquirer in the control share acquisition.

The Control Share Acquisition Act does not apply (a) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction or (b) to acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or bylaws of the corporation.

Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the Control Share Acquisition Act any and all acquisitions by any person of our shares of stock. There can be no assurance that such provision will not be amended or eliminated at any time in the future. However, we will amend our bylaws to be subject to the Control Share Acquisition Act only if our Board determines that it would be in our best interests and if the SEC staff does not object to our determination that our being subject to the Control Share Acquisition Act does not conflict with the 1940 Act. The SEC staff has issued informal guidance setting forth its position that certain provisions of the Control Share Acquisition Act would, if implemented, violate Section 18(i) of the 1940 Act.

Business Combinations

Under Maryland law, “business combinations” between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. An interested stockholder is defined as:

 

   

any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation’s shares; or

 

   

an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the corporation.

A person is not an interested stockholder under this statute if the board approved in advance the transaction by which he or she otherwise would have become an interested stockholder. However, in approving a transaction, the board may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the board.

After the five-year prohibition, any such business combination generally must be recommended by the board of the corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least:

 

   

80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation; and

 

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two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder.

These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if the corporation’s common stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined under Maryland law, for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares. The statute provides various exemptions from its provisions, including for business combinations that are exempted by the board before the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. Our Board has adopted a resolution that any business combination between us and any other person is exempted from the provisions of the Business Combination Act, provided that the business combination is first approved by our Board, including a majority of the directors who are not interested persons as defined in the 1940 Act. This resolution, however, may be altered or repealed in whole or in part at any time. If this resolution is repealed, or our Board does not otherwise approve a business combination, the statute may discourage others from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.

Conflict with 1940 Act

Our bylaws provide that, if and to the extent that any provision of the Maryland General Corporation Law, including the Control Share Acquisition Act (if we amend our bylaws to be subject to such act) and the Business Combination Act, or any provision of our charter or bylaws conflicts with any provision of the 1940 Act, the applicable provision of the 1940 Act will control.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

In addition to shares of common stock, our charter authorizes the issuance of preferred stock. We may issue preferred stock from time to time, although we have no immediate intention to do so. If we offer preferred stock under this prospectus, we will issue an appropriate prospectus supplement. We may issue preferred stock from time to time in one or more classes or series, without stockholder approval. Prior to issuance of shares of each class or series, our board of directors is required by Maryland law and by our charter to set the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series. Any such an issuance must adhere to the requirements of the 1940 Act, Maryland law and any other limitations imposed by law.

The following is a general description of the terms of the preferred stock we may issue from time to time. Particular terms of any preferred stock we offer will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such preferred stock.

If we issue preferred stock, it will pay dividends to the holders of the preferred stock at either a fixed rate or a rate that will be reset frequently based on short-term interest rates, as described in a prospectus supplement accompanying each preferred share offering.

The 1940 Act requires, among other things, that (1) immediately after issuance and before any distribution is made with respect to common stock, the liquidation preference of the preferred stock, together with all other senior securities, must not exceed an amount equal to 50% of our total assets (taking into account such distribution), (2) the holders of shares of preferred stock, if any are issued, must be entitled as a class to elect two directors at all times and to elect a majority of the directors if dividends on the preferred stock are in arrears by two years or more and (3) such shares be cumulative as to dividends and have a complete preference over our common stock to payment of their liquidation preference in the event of a dissolution.

For any series of preferred stock that we may issue, our board of directors will determine and the articles supplementary and prospectus supplement relating to such series will describe:

 

   

the designation and number of shares of such series;

 

   

the rate, whether fixed or variable, and time at which any dividends will be paid on shares of such series, as well as whether such dividends are participating or non-participating;

 

   

any provisions relating to convertibility or exchangeability of the shares of such series;

 

   

the rights and preferences, if any, of holders of shares of such series upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;

 

   

the voting powers, if any, of the holders of shares of such series;

 

   

any provisions relating to the redemption of the shares of such series;

 

   

any conditions or restrictions on our ability to issue additional shares of such series or other securities;

 

   

if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations; and

 

   

any other relative powers, preferences and participating, optional or special rights of shares of such series, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof.

All shares of preferred stock that we may issue will be identical and of equal rank except as to the particular terms thereof that may be fixed by our board of directors, and all shares of each series of preferred stock will be identical and of equal rank except as to the dates from which dividends, if any, thereon will be cumulative.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

General

We may issue subscription rights to our stockholders to purchase common stock. Subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other offered security and may or may not be transferable by the person purchasing or receiving the subscription rights. In connection with a subscription rights offering to our stockholders, we would distribute certificates evidencing the subscription rights and a prospectus supplement to our stockholders on the record date that we set for receiving subscription rights in such subscription rights offering.

The applicable prospectus supplement would describe the following terms of subscription rights in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

 

   

the period of time the offering would remain open (which shall be open a minimum number of days such that all record holders would be eligible to participate in the offering and shall not be open longer than 120 days)

 

   

the title of such subscription rights;

 

   

the exercise price for such subscription rights (or method of calculation thereof);

 

   

the ratio of the offering (which, in the case of transferable rights, will require a minimum of three shares to be held of record before a person is entitled to purchase an additional share);

 

   

the number of such subscription rights issued to each stockholder;

 

   

the extent to which such subscription rights are transferable and the market on which they may be traded if they are transferable;

 

   

if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the issuance or exercise of such subscription rights;

 

   

the date on which the right to exercise such subscription rights shall commence, and the date on which such right shall expire (subject to any extension);

 

   

the extent to which such subscription rights include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities and the terms of such over-subscription privilege;

 

   

any termination right we may have in connection with such subscription rights offering; and

 

   

any other terms of such subscription rights, including exercise, settlement and other procedures and limitations relating to the transfer and exercise of such subscription rights.

Exercise Of Subscription Rights

Each subscription right would entitle the holder of the subscription right to purchase for cash such amount of shares of common stock at such exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the prospectus supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby. Subscription rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for such subscription rights set forth in the prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised subscription rights would become void.

Subscription rights may be exercised as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby. Upon receipt of payment and the subscription rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the subscription rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement we will forward, as soon as practicable, the shares of common stock purchasable upon such exercise. To the extent permissible under applicable law, we may determine to offer any unsubscribed

 

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offered securities directly to persons other than stockholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Dilutive Effects

Any stockholder who chooses not to participate in a rights offering should expect to own a smaller interest in us upon completion of such rights offering. Any rights offering will dilute the ownership interest and voting power of stockholders who do not fully exercise their subscription rights. Further, because the net proceeds per share from any rights offering may be lower than our then current net asset value per share, the rights offering may reduce our net asset value per share. The amount of dilution that a stockholder will experience could be substantial, particularly to the extent we engage in multiple rights offerings within a limited time period. In addition, the market price of our common stock could be adversely affected while a rights offering is ongoing as a result of the possibility that a significant number of additional shares may be issued upon completion of such rights offering. All of our stockholders will also indirectly bear the expenses associated with any rights offering we may conduct, regardless of whether they elect to exercise any rights.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

The following is a general description of the terms of the warrants we may issue from time to time. Particular terms of any warrants we offer will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such warrants.

We may issue warrants to purchase shares of our common stock. Such warrants may be issued independently or together with shares of common stock and may be attached or separate from such shares of common stock. We will issue each series of warrants under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or with holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

 

   

the title of such warrants;

 

   

the title of such subscription rights;

 

   

the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued;

 

   

the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the price of such warrants may be payable;

 

   

the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants;

 

   

the price at which and the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the shares of common stock purchasable upon exercise of such warrants may be purchased;

 

   

the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right will expire;

 

   

whether such warrants will be issued in registered form or bearer form;

 

   

if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which may be exercised at any one time;

 

   

if applicable, the number of such warrants issued with each share of common stock;

 

   

if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the related shares of common stock will be separately transferable;

 

   

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

 

   

if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations; and

 

   

any other terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.

We and the warrant agent may amend or supplement the warrant agreement for a series of warrants without the consent of the holders of the warrants issued thereunder to effect changes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and that do not materially and adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants.

Under the 1940 Act, we may generally only offer warrants provided that (1) the warrants expire by their terms within ten years; (2) the exercise or conversion price is not less than the current market value at the date of issuance; (3) our stockholders authorize the proposal to issue such warrants, and our board of directors approves such issuance on the basis that the issuance is in the best interests of us and our stockholders; and (4) if the warrants are accompanied by other securities, the warrants are not separately transferable unless no class of such warrants and the securities accompanying them has been publicly distributed. The 1940 Act also provides that the amount of our voting securities that would result from the exercise of all outstanding warrants at the time of issuance may not exceed 25.0% of our outstanding voting securities.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF OUR DEBT SECURITIES

We may issue debt securities in one or more series. The specific terms of each series of debt securities will be described in the particular prospectus supplement relating to that series. The prospectus supplement may or may not modify the general terms found in this prospectus and will be filed with the SEC. For a complete description of the terms of a particular series of debt securities, you should read both this prospectus and the prospectus supplement relating to that particular series.

As required by federal law for all bonds and notes of companies that are publicly offered, the debt securities are governed by a document called an “indenture.” An indenture is a contract between us and the financial institution acting as trustee on your behalf, and is subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The trustee has two main roles. First, the trustee can enforce your rights against us if we default. There are some limitations on the extent to which the trustee acts on your behalf, described in the second paragraph under “—Events of Default—Remedies if an Event of Default Occurs.” Second, the trustee performs certain administrative duties for us with respect to the debt securities.

This section includes a description of the material provisions of the indenture. Because this section is a summary, however, it does not describe every aspect of the debt securities and the indenture. We urge you to read the indenture because it, and not this description, defines your rights as a holder of debt securities. A copy of the form of indenture is attached as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We will file a supplemental indenture with the SEC in connection with any debt offering, at which time the supplemental indenture would be publicly available. See “Available Information” for information on how to obtain a copy of the indenture.

The prospectus supplement, which will accompany this prospectus, will describe the particular series of debt securities being offered by including:

 

   

the designation or title of the series of debt securities;

 

   

the total principal amount of the series of debt securities;

 

   

the percentage of the principal amount at which the series of debt securities will be offered;

 

   

the date or dates on which principal will be payable;

 

   

the rate or rates (which may be either fixed or variable) and/or the method of determining such rate or rates of interest, if any;

 

   

the date or dates from which any interest will accrue, or the method of determining such date or dates, and the date or dates on which any interest will be payable;

 

   

whether any interest may be paid by issuing additional securities of the same series in lieu of cash (and the terms upon which any such interest may be paid by issuing additional securities);

 

   

the terms for redemption, extension or early repayment, if any;

 

   

the currencies in which the series of debt securities are issued and payable;

 

   

whether the amount of payments of principal, premium or interest, if any, on a series of debt securities will be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which could be based on one or more currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices) and how these amounts will be determined;

 

   

the place or places of payment, transfer, conversion and/or exchange of the debt securities;

 

   

the denominations in which the offered debt securities will be issued (if other than $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof);

 

   

the provision for any sinking fund;

 

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any restrictive covenants;

 

   

any Events of Default (as defined in “Events of Default” below);

 

   

whether the series of debt securities are issuable in certificated form;

 

   

any provisions for defeasance or covenant defeasance;

 

   

any special federal income tax implications, including, if applicable, federal income tax considerations relating to original issue discount;

 

   

whether and under what circumstances we will pay additional amounts in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem the debt securities rather than pay the additional amounts (and the terms of this option);

 

   

any provisions for convertibility or exchangeability of the debt securities into or for any other securities;

 

   

whether the debt securities are subject to subordination and the terms of such subordination;

 

   

whether the debt securities are secured and the terms of any security interest;

 

   

the listing, if any, on a securities exchange; and

 

   

any other terms.

The debt securities may be secured or unsecured obligations. Under the provisions of the 1940 Act, we, as a BDC, are permitted to issue debt only in amounts such that our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% after each issuance of debt, but giving effect to any exemptive relief granted to us by the SEC. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, will be paid by us in immediately available funds.

General

The indenture provides that any debt securities proposed to be sold under this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement (“offered debt securities”) may be issued under the indenture in one or more series.

For purposes of this prospectus, any reference to the payment of principal of, or premium or interest, if any, on, debt securities will include additional amounts if required by the terms of the debt securities.

The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued thereunder from time to time. Debt securities issued under the indenture, when a single trustee is acting for all debt securities issued under the indenture, are called the “indenture securities.” The indenture also provides that there may be more than one trustee thereunder, each with respect to one or more different series of indenture securities. See “—Resignation of Trustee” below. At a time when two or more trustees are acting under the indenture, each with respect to only certain series, the term “indenture securities” means the one or more series of debt securities with respect to which each respective trustee is acting. In the event that there is more than one trustee under the indenture, the powers and trust obligations of each trustee described in this prospectus will extend only to the one or more series of indenture securities for which it is trustee. If two or more trustees are acting under the indenture, then the indenture securities for which each trustee is acting would be treated as if issued under separate indentures.

Except as described under “—Events of Default” and “—Merger or Consolidation” below, the indenture does not contain any provisions that give you protection in the event we issue a large amount of debt or we are acquired by another entity.

We refer you to the prospectus supplement for information with respect to any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or our covenants, as applicable, that are described below, including any addition of a covenant or other provision providing event risk protection or similar protection.

 

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We have the ability to issue indenture securities with terms different from those of indenture securities previously issued and, without the consent of the holders thereof, to reopen a previous issue of a series of indenture securities and issue additional indenture securities of that series unless the reopening was restricted when that series was created.

No person from whom we borrow will, in its capacity as either a lender or debt security holder, have either a veto power or a vote in approving or changing any of our operating policies or investment strategies, as applicable.

Conversion and Exchange

If any debt securities are convertible into or exchangeable for other securities, the prospectus supplement will explain the terms and conditions of the conversion or exchange, including the conversion price or exchange ratio (or the calculation method), the conversion or exchange period (or how the period will be determined), if conversion or exchange will be mandatory or at the option of the holder or us, provisions for adjusting the conversion price or the exchange ratio, and provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of the redemption of the underlying debt securities. These terms may also include provisions under which the number or amount of other securities to be received by the holders of the debt securities upon conversion or exchange would be calculated according to the market price of the other securities as of a time stated in the prospectus supplement.

Issuance of Securities in Registered Form

We may issue the debt securities in registered form, in which case we may issue them either in book-entry form only or in “certificated” form. Debt securities issued in book-entry form will be represented by global securities. We expect that we will usually issue debt securities in book-entry only form represented by global securities.

Book-Entry Holders

We will issue registered debt securities in book-entry form only, unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. This means debt securities will be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of a depositary that will hold them on behalf of financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system. These participating institutions, in turn, hold beneficial interests in the debt securities held by the depositary or its nominee. These institutions may hold these interests on behalf of themselves or customers.

Under the indenture, only the person in whose name a debt security is registered is recognized as the holder of that debt security. Consequently, for debt securities issued in book-entry form, we will recognize only the depositary as the holder of the debt securities and we will make all payments on the debt securities to the depositary. The depositary will then pass along the payments it receives to its participants, which in turn will pass the payments along to their customers who are the beneficial owners. The depositary and its participants do so under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers; they are not obligated to do so under the terms of the debt securities.

As a result, investors will not own debt securities directly. Instead, they will own beneficial interests in a global security, through a bank, broker or other financial institution that participates in the depositary’s book-entry system or holds an interest through a participant. As long as the debt securities are represented by one or more global securities, investors will be indirect holders, and not holders, of the debt securities.

Street Name Holders

In the future, we may issue debt securities in certificated form or terminate a global security. In these cases, investors may choose to hold their debt securities in their own names or in “street name.” Debt securities held in

 

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street name are registered in the name of a bank, broker or other financial institution chosen by the investor, and the investor would hold a beneficial interest in those debt securities through the account he or she maintains at that institution.

For debt securities held in street name, we will recognize only the intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions in whose names the debt securities are registered as the holders of those debt securities, and we will make all payments on those debt securities to them. These institutions will pass along the payments they receive to their customers who are the beneficial owners, but only because they agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they are legally required to do so. Investors who hold debt securities in street name will be indirect holders, and not holders, of the debt securities.

Legal Holders

Our obligations as well as the obligations of the applicable trustee and those of any third parties employed by us or the applicable trustee, run only to the legal holders of the debt securities. We do not have obligations to investors who hold beneficial interests in global securities, in street name or by any other indirect means. This will be the case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect holder of a debt security or has no choice because we are issuing the debt securities only in book-entry form.

For example, once we make a payment or give a notice to the holder, we have no further responsibility for the payment or notice even if that holder is required, under agreements with depositary participants or customers or by law, to pass it along to the indirect holders but does not do so. Similarly, if we want to obtain the approval of the holders for any purpose (for example, to amend an indenture or to relieve us of the consequences of a default or of our obligation to comply with a particular provision of an indenture), we would seek the approval only from the holders, and not the indirect holders, of the debt securities. Whether and how the holders contact the indirect holders is up to the holders.

When we refer to you in this Description of Our Debt Securities, we mean those who invest in the debt securities being offered by this prospectus, whether they are the holders or only indirect holders of those debt securities. When we refer to your debt securities, we mean the debt securities in which you hold a direct or indirect interest.

Special Considerations for Indirect Holders

If you hold debt securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in book-entry form or in street name, we urge you to check with that institution to find out:

 

   

how it handles securities payments and notices;

 

   

whether it imposes fees or charges;

 

   

how it would handle a request for the holders’ consent, if ever required;

 

   

whether and how you can instruct it to send you debt securities registered in your own name so you can be a holder, if that is permitted in the future for a particular series of debt securities;

 

   

how it would exercise rights under the debt securities if there were a default or other event triggering the need for holders to act to protect their interests; and

 

   

if the debt securities are in book-entry form, how the depositary’s rules and procedures will affect these matters.

Global Securities

As noted above, we usually will issue debt securities as registered securities in book-entry form only. A global security represents one or any other number of individual debt securities. Generally, all debt securities represented by the same global securities will have the same terms.

 

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Each debt security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that we deposit with and register in the name of a financial institution or its nominee that we select. The financial institution that we select for this purpose is called the depositary. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, known as DTC, will be the depositary for all debt securities issued in book-entry form.

A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary or its nominee, unless special termination situations arise. We describe those situations below under “—Termination of a Global Security.” As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and holder of all debt securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only beneficial interests in a global security. Beneficial interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an account with the depositary or with another institution that has an account with the depositary. Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a holder of the debt security, but only an indirect holder of a beneficial interest in the global security.

Special Considerations for Global Securities

As an indirect holder, an investor’s rights relating to a global security will be governed by the account rules of the investor’s financial institution and of the depositary, as well as general laws relating to securities transfers. The depositary that holds the global security will be considered the holder of the debt securities represented by the global security.

If debt securities are issued only in the form of a global security, an investor should be aware of the following:

 

   

an investor cannot cause the debt securities to be registered in his or her name and cannot obtain certificates for his or her interest in the debt securities, except in the special situations we describe below;

 

   

an investor will be an indirect holder and must look to his or her own bank or broker for payments on the debt securities and protection of his or her legal rights relating to the debt securities, as we describe under “—Issuance of Securities in Registered Form” above;

 

   

an investor may not be able to sell interests in the debt securities to some insurance companies and other institutions that are required by law to own their securities in non-book-entry form;

 

   

an investor may not be able to pledge his or her interest in a global security in circumstances where certificates representing the debt securities must be delivered to the lender or other beneficiary of the pledge in order for the pledge to be effective;

 

   

the depositary’s policies, which may change from time to time, will govern payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to an investor’s interest in a global security. We and the trustee have no responsibility for any aspect of the depositary’s actions or for its records of ownership interests in a global security. We and the trustee also do not supervise the depositary in any way;

 

   

if we redeem less than all the debt securities of a particular series being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount to be redeemed from each of its participants holding that series;

 

   

an investor is required to give notice of exercise of any option to elect repayment of its debt securities, through its participant, to the applicable trustee and to deliver the related debt securities by causing its participant to transfer its interest in those debt securities, on DTC’s records, to the applicable trustee;

 

   

DTC requires that those who purchase and sell interests in a global security deposited in its book-entry system use immediately available funds, your broker or bank may also require you to use immediately available funds when purchasing or selling interests in a global security;

 

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financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system, and through which an investor holds its interest in a global security, may also have their own policies affecting payments, notices and other matters relating to the debt securities; there may be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of ownership for an investor; we do not monitor, nor are we responsible for the actions of, any of those intermediaries.

Termination of a Global Security

If a global security is terminated for any reason, interests in it will be exchanged for certificates in non-book-entry form (certificated securities). After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold the certificated debt securities directly or in street name will be up to the investor. Investors must consult their own banks or brokers to find out how to have their interests in a global security transferred on termination to their own names, so that they will be holders. We have described the rights of legal holders and street name investors under “—Issuance of Securities in Registered Form” above.

The prospectus supplement may list situations for terminating a global security that would apply only to the particular series of debt securities covered by the prospectus supplement. If a global security is terminated, only the depositary, and not us or the applicable trustee, is responsible for deciding the investors in whose names the debt securities represented by the global security will be registered and, therefore, who will be the holders of those debt securities.

Payment and Paying Agents

We will pay interest to the person listed in the applicable trustee’s records as the owner of the debt security at the close of business on a particular day in advance of each due date for interest, even if that person no longer owns the debt security on the interest due date. That day, usually about two weeks in advance of the interest due date, is called the “record date.” Since we will pay all the interest for an interest period to the holders on the record date, holders buying and selling debt securities must work out between themselves the appropriate purchase price. The most common manner is to adjust the sales price of the debt securities to prorate interest fairly between buyer and seller based on their respective ownership periods within the particular interest period. This prorated interest amount is called “accrued interest.”

Payments on Global Securities

We will make payments on a global security in accordance with the applicable policies of the depositary as in effect from time to time. Under those policies, we will make payments directly to the depositary, or its nominee, and not to any indirect holders who own beneficial interests in the global security. An indirect holder’s right to those payments will be governed by the rules and practices of the depositary and its participants, as described under “—Special Considerations for Global Securities.”

Payments on Certificated Securities

We will make payments on a certificated debt security as follows. We will pay interest that is due on an interest payment date to the holder of debt securities as shown on the trustee’s records as of the close of business on the regular record date at our office and/or at other offices that may be specified in the prospectus supplement. We will make all payments of principal and premium, if any, by check at the office of the applicable trustee in New York, New York and/or at other offices that may be specified in the prospectus supplement or in a notice to holders against surrender of the debt security.

Alternatively, at our option, we may pay any cash interest that becomes due on the debt security by mailing a check to the holder at his, her, or its address shown on the trustee’s records as of the close of business on the regular record date or by transfer to an account at a bank in the United States, in either case, on the due date.

 

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Payment When Offices Are Closed

If any payment is due on a debt security on a day that is not a business day, we will make the payment on the next day that is a business day. Payments made on the next business day in this situation will be treated under the indenture as if they were made on the original due date, except as otherwise indicated in the attached prospectus supplement. Such payment will not result in a default under any debt security or the indenture, and no interest will accrue on the payment amount from the original due date to the next day that is a business day.

Book-entry and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how they will receive payments on their debt securities.

Events of Default

You will have rights if an Event of Default occurs in respect of the debt securities of your series and is not cured, as described later in this subsection.

The term “Event of Default” in respect of the debt securities of your series means any of the following:

 

   

we do not pay the principal of (or premium, if any, on) a debt security of the series within five days of its due date;

 

   

we do not pay interest on a debt security of the series within 30 days of its due date;

 

   

we do not deposit any sinking fund payment in respect of debt securities of the series within two business days of its due date;

 

   

we remain in breach of a covenant in respect of debt securities of the series for 60 days after we receive a written notice of default stating we are in breach (the notice must be sent by either the trustee or holders of at least 25.0% of the principal amount of debt securities of the series);

 

   

we file for bankruptcy or certain other events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur and remain undischarged or unstayed for a period of 90 days; or

 

   

the series of debt securities has an asset coverage, as such term is defined in the 1940 Act, of less than 100.0% on the last business day of each of 24 consecutive calendar months, giving effect to any exemptive relief granted to us by the SEC; or

 

   

any other Event of Default in respect of debt securities of the series described in the prospectus supplement occurs.

An Event of Default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an Event of Default for any other series of debt securities issued under the same or any other indenture. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any default, except in the payment of principal, premium, interest, or sinking or purchase fund installment, if it in good faith considers the withholding of notice to be in the interest of the holders.

Remedies if an Event of Default Occurs

If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25.0% in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series may (and the trustee shall at the request of such holders) declare the entire principal amount of all the outstanding debt securities of that series to be due and immediately payable. This is called a declaration of acceleration of maturity. A declaration of acceleration of maturity may be canceled by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series if (1) we have deposited with the trustee all amounts due and owing with respect to the securities (other than principal that has become due solely by reason of such acceleration) and certain other amounts, and (2) any other Events of Default have been cured or waived.

 

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The trustee is not required to take any action under the indenture at the request of any holders unless the holders offer the trustee protection from expenses and liability reasonably satisfactory to it (called an “indemnity”). If indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the trustee is provided, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the relevant series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or other formal legal action seeking any remedy available to the trustee. The trustee may refuse to follow those directions in certain circumstances. No delay or omission in exercising any right or remedy will be treated as a waiver of that right, remedy or Event of Default.

Before you are allowed to bypass your trustee and bring your own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce your rights or protect your interests relating to the debt securities, the following must occur:

 

   

you must give the trustee written notice that an Event of Default with respect to the relevant series of debt securities has occurred and remains uncured;

 

   

the holders of at least 25.0% in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities of the relevant series must make a written request that the trustee take action because of the default and must offer indemnity, security, or both reasonably satisfactory to the trustee against the costs, expenses, and other liabilities of taking that action;

 

   

the trustee must not have taken action for 60 days after receipt of the above notice and offer of indemnity and/or security; and

 

   

the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of that series must not have given the trustee a direction inconsistent with the above notice during that 60-day period.

However, you are entitled at any time to bring a lawsuit for the payment of money due on your debt securities on or after the due date.

Book-entry and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how to give notice or direction to or make a request of the trustee and how to declare or cancel an acceleration of maturity.

Each year, we will furnish to each trustee a written statement of certain of our officers certifying that to their knowledge we are in compliance with the indenture and the debt securities, or else specifying any default.

Waiver of Default

Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series may waive any past defaults other than

 

   

the payment of principal, any premium or interest; or

 

   

in respect of a covenant that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each holder.

Merger or Consolidation

Under the terms of the indenture, we are generally permitted to consolidate or merge with another entity. We are also permitted to sell all or substantially all of our assets to another entity. However, we may not take any of these actions unless all the following conditions are met:

 

   

where we merge out of existence or sells substantially all of our assets, the resulting entity or transferee must agree to be legally responsible for our obligations under the debt securities;

 

   

the merger or sale of assets must not cause a default on the debt securities and we must not already be in default (unless the merger or sale would cure the default). For purposes of this no-default test, a

 

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default would include an Event of Default that has occurred and has not been cured, as described under “Events of Default” above. A default for this purpose would also include any event that would be an Event of Default if the requirements for giving us a notice of default or our default having to exist for a specific period of time were disregarded.

 

   

we must deliver certain certificates and documents to the trustee; and

 

   

we must satisfy any other requirements specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities.

Modification or Waiver

There are three types of changes we can make to the indenture and the debt securities issued thereunder.

Changes Requiring Your Approval

First, there are changes that we cannot make to your debt securities without your specific approval. The following is a list of those types of changes:

 

   

change the stated maturity of the principal of or interest on a debt security or the terms of any sinking fund with respect to any security;

 

   

reduce any amounts due on a debt security;

 

   

reduce the amount of principal payable upon acceleration of the maturity of an original issue discount or indexed security following a default or upon the redemption thereof or the amount thereof provable in a bankruptcy proceeding;

 

   

adversely affect any right of repayment at the holder’s option;

 

   

change the place or currency of payment on a debt security (except as otherwise described in the prospectus or prospectus supplement);

 

   

impair your right to sue for payment;

 

   

adversely affect any right to convert or exchange a debt security in accordance with its terms;

 

   

modify the subordination provisions in the indenture in a manner that is adverse to outstanding holders of the debt securities;

 

   

reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities whose consent is needed to modify or amend the indenture;

 

   

reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities whose consent is needed to waive compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or to waive certain defaults;

 

   

modify any other aspect of the provisions of the indenture dealing with supplemental indentures with the consent of holders, waiver of past defaults, changes to the quorum or voting requirements or the waiver of certain covenants; and

 

   

change any obligation we have to pay additional amounts.

Changes Not Requiring Approval

The second type of change does not require any vote by the holders of the debt securities. This type is limited to clarifications, establishment of the form or terms of new securities of any series as permitted by the indenture and certain other changes that would not adversely affect holders of the outstanding debt securities in any material respect. We also do not need any approval to make any change that affects only debt securities to be issued under the indenture after the change takes effect.

 

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Changes Requiring Majority Approval

Any other change to the indenture and the debt securities would require the following approval:

 

   

if the change affects only one series of debt securities, it must be approved by the holders of a majority in principal amount of that series; and

 

   

if the change affects more than one series of debt securities issued under the same indenture, it must be approved by the holders of a majority in principal amount of all of the series affected by the change, with all affected series voting together as one class for this purpose.

In each case, the required approval must be given by written consent.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of a series of debt securities issued under the indenture, voting together as one class for this purpose, may waive our compliance with some of its covenants applicable to that series of debt securities. However, we cannot obtain a waiver of a payment default or of any of the matters covered by the bullet points included above under “—Changes Requiring Your Approval.”

Further Details Concerning Voting

When taking a vote, we will use the following rules to decide how much principal to attribute to a debt security:

 

   

for original issue discount securities, we will use the principal amount that would be due and payable on the voting date if the maturity of these debt securities were accelerated to that date because of a default;

 

   

for debt securities whose principal amount is not known (for example, because it is based on an index), we will use the principal face amount at original issuance or a special rule for that debt security described in the prospectus supplement; and

 

   

for debt securities denominated in one or more foreign currencies, we will use the U.S. dollar equivalent.

Debt securities will not be considered outstanding, and therefore not eligible to vote, if we have deposited or set aside in trust money for their payment or redemption or if we, any other obligor, or any affiliate of us or any obligor own such debt securities. Debt securities will also not be eligible to vote if they have been fully defeased as described later under “—Defeasance—Full Defeasance”.

We will generally be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders of outstanding indenture securities that are entitled to vote or take other action under the indenture. However, the record date may not be more than 30 days before the date of the first solicitation of holders to vote on or take such action. If we set a record date for a vote or other action to be taken by holders of one or more series, that vote or action may be taken only by persons who are holders of outstanding indenture securities of those series on the record date and must be taken within 11 months following the record date.

Book-entry and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how approval may be granted or denied if we seek to change the indenture or the debt securities or requests a waiver.

Defeasance

The following provisions will be applicable to each series of debt securities unless we state in the applicable prospectus supplement that the provisions of covenant defeasance and full defeasance will not be applicable to that series.

 

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Covenant Defeasance

Under current U.S. federal tax law and the indenture, we can make the deposit described below and be released from some of the restrictive covenants in the indenture under which the particular series was issued. This is called “covenant defeasance”. In that event, you would lose the protection of those restrictive covenants but would gain the protection of having money and government securities set aside in trust to repay your debt securities. If we achieved covenant defeasance and your debt securities were subordinated as described under “—Indenture Provisions—Subordination” below, such subordination would not prevent the trustee under the indenture from applying the funds available to it from the deposit described in the first bullet below to the payment of amounts due in respect of such debt securities for the benefit of the subordinated debt holders. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, the following must occur:

 

   

we must deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of a series of debt securities a combination of cash (in such currency in which such securities are then specified as payable at stated maturity) or government obligations applicable to such securities (determined on the basis of the currency in which such securities are then specified as payable at stated maturity) that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities on their various due dates and any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments;

 

   

we must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming that, under current U.S. federal income tax law, we may make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit;

 

   

we must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel stating that the above deposit does not require registration by us under the 1940 Act and a legal opinion and officers’ certificate stating that all conditions precedent to covenant defeasance have been complied with;

 

   

defeasance must not result in a breach or violation of, or result in a default under, of the indenture or any of our other material agreements or instruments, as applicable;

 

   

no default or event of default with respect to such debt securities shall have occurred and be continuing and no defaults or events of default related to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization shall occur during the next 90 days; and

 

   

satisfy the conditions for covenant defeasance contained in any supplemental indentures.

If we accomplishe covenant defeasance, you can still look to us for repayment of the debt securities if there were a shortfall in the trust deposit or the trustee is prevented from making payment. For example, if one of the remaining Events of Default occurred (such as our bankruptcy) and the debt securities became immediately due and payable, there might be such a shortfall. However, there is no assurance that we would have sufficient funds to make payment of the shortfall.

Full Defeasance

If there is a change in U.S. federal tax law or we obtain an IRS ruling, as described in the second bullet below, we can legally release ourself from all payment and other obligations on the debt securities of a particular series (called “full defeasance”) if we put in place the following other arrangements for you to be repaid:

 

   

we must deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of a series of debt securities a combination of cash (in such currency in which such securities are then specified as payable at stated maturity) or government obligations applicable to such securities (determined on the basis of the currency in which such securities are then specified as payable at stated maturity) that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities on their various due dates and any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments;

 

   

we must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion confirming that there has been a change in current U.S. federal tax law or an IRS ruling that allows us to make the above deposit without causing you to be

 

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taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit. Under current U.S. federal tax law, the deposit and our legal release from the debt securities would be treated as though we paid you your share of the cash and notes or bonds at the time the cash and notes or bonds were deposited in trust in exchange for your debt securities and you would recognize gain or loss on the debt securities at the time of the deposit;

 

   

we must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of its counsel stating that the above deposit does not require registration by us under the 1940 Act and a legal opinion and officers’ certificate stating that all conditions precedent to defeasance have been complied with;

 

   

defeasance must not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, of the indenture or any of our other material agreements or instruments, as applicable;

 

   

no default or event of default with respect to such debt securities shall have occurred and be continuing and no defaults or events of default related to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization shall occur during the next 90 days; and

 

   

satisfy the conditions for full defeasance contained in any supplemental indentures.

If we ever did accomplish full defeasance, as described above, you would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment of the debt securities. You could not look to us for repayment in the unlikely event of any shortfall. Conversely, the trust deposit would most likely be protected from claims of our lenders and other creditors, as applicable, if we ever became bankrupt or insolvent. If your debt securities were subordinated as described later under “—Indenture Provisions—Subordination”, such subordination would not prevent the trustee under the indenture from applying the funds available to it from the deposit referred to in the first bullet of the preceding paragraph to the payment of amounts due in respect of such debt securities for the benefit of the subordinated debt holders.

Form, Exchange and Transfer of Certificated Registered Securities

If registered debt securities cease to be issued in book-entry form, they will be issued:

 

   

only in fully registered certificated form;

 

   

without interest coupons; and

 

   

unless we indicate otherwise in the prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and amounts that are multiples of $1,000.

Holders may exchange their certificated securities for debt securities of smaller denominations or combined into fewer debt securities of larger denominations, as long as the total principal amount is not changed and as long as the denomination is greater than the minimum denomination for such securities.

Holders may exchange or transfer their certificated securities at the office of the trustee. We have appointed the trustee to act as its agent for registering debt securities in the names of holders transferring debt securities. We may appoint another entity to perform these functions or perform them ourself.

Holders will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange their certificated securities, but they may be required to pay any tax or other governmental charge associated with the transfer or exchange. The transfer or exchange will be made only if our transfer agent, as applicable, is satisfied with the holder’s proof of legal ownership.

If we have designated additional transfer agents for your debt security, they will be named in the prospectus supplement. We may appoint additional transfer agents or cancel the appointment of any particular transfer agent. We may also approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts.

 

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If any certificated securities of a particular series are redeemable and we redeem less than all the debt securities of that series, we may block the transfer or exchange of those debt securities during the period beginning 15 days before the day we mail the notice of redemption and ending on the day of that mailing, in order to freeze the list of holders to prepare the mailing. We may also refuse to register transfers or exchanges of any certificated securities selected for redemption, except that we will continue to permit transfers and exchanges of the unredeemed portion of any debt security that will be partially redeemed.

If a registered debt security is issued in book-entry form, only the depositary will be entitled to transfer and exchange the debt security as described in this subsection, since it will be the sole holder of the debt security.

Resignation of Trustee

Each trustee may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of indenture securities provided that a successor trustee is appointed to act with respect to these series and has accepted such appointment. In the event that two or more persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series of indenture securities under the indenture, each of the trustees will be a trustee of a trust separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee.

Indenture Provisions—Subordination

Upon any distribution of our assets upon our dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any indenture securities denominated as subordinated debt securities is to be subordinated to the extent provided in the indenture in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness (as defined below), but our obligation to you to make payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such subordinated debt securities will not otherwise be affected. In addition, no payment on account of principal (or premium, if any), sinking fund or interest, if any, may be made on such subordinated debt securities at any time unless full payment of all amounts due in respect of the principal (and premium, if any), sinking fund and interest on Senior Indebtedness has been made or duly provided for in money or money’s worth.

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment by us is received by the trustee in respect of subordinated debt securities or by the holders of any of such subordinated debt securities, upon our dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, the payment or distribution must be paid over to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness or on their behalf for application to the payment of all the Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid until all the Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness. Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness upon this distribution by us, the holders of such subordinated debt securities will be subrogated to the rights of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness to the extent of payments made to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness out of the distributive share of such subordinated debt securities.

By reason of this subordination, in the event of a distribution of our assets upon our insolvency, certain of our senior creditors may recover more, ratably, than holders of any subordinated debt securities or the holders of any indenture securities that are not Senior Indebtedness. The indenture provides that these subordination provisions will not apply to money and securities held in trust under the defeasance provisions of the indenture.

Senior Indebtedness is defined in the indenture as the principal of (and premium, if any) and unpaid interest on:

 

   

our indebtedness (including indebtedness of others guaranteed by us) whenever created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, for money borrowed, that we have designated as “Senior Indebtedness” for purposes of the indenture and in accordance with the terms of the indenture (including any indenture securities designated as Senior Indebtedness), and

 

   

renewals, extensions, modifications and refinancings of any of this indebtedness.

 

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If this prospectus is being delivered in connection with the offering of a series of indenture securities denominated as subordinated debt securities, the accompanying prospectus supplement will set forth the approximate amount of our Senior Indebtedness and of our other Indebtedness outstanding as of a recent date.

Secured Indebtedness and Ranking

Certain of our indebtedness, including certain series of indenture securities, may be secured. The prospectus supplement for each series of indenture securities will describe the terms of any security interest for such series and will indicate the approximate amount of our secured indebtedness as of a recent date. Any unsecured indenture securities will effectively rank junior to any secured indebtedness, including any secured indenture securities, that we incur in the future to the extent of the value of the assets securing such future secured indebtedness. The debt securities, whether secured or unsecured, will rank structurally junior to all existing and future indebtedness (including trade payables) incurred by any subsidiaries, financing vehicles, or similar facilities we may have.

In the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization or other winding up any of our assets that secure secured debt will be available to pay obligations on unsecured debt securities only after all indebtedness under such secured debt has been repaid in full from such assets. We advise you that there may not be sufficient assets remaining to pay amounts due on any or all unsecured debt securities then outstanding after fulfillment of this obligation. As a result, the holders of unsecured indenture securities may recover less, ratably, than holders of any of our secured indebtedness.

The Trustee under the Indenture

We intend to use a nationally recognized financial institution to serve as the trustee under the indenture.

 

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REGULATION

We are a BDC under the 1940 Act and intend to elect to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. The 1940 Act contains prohibitions and restrictions relating to transactions between BDCs and their affiliates (including any investment advisers), principal underwriters, agents and affiliates of those affiliates, underwriters or agents and requires that a majority of the directors of a BDC 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 withdraw our election as, a BDC without the approval of a majority of our outstanding voting securities.

We do not intend to acquire securities issued by any investment company in excess of the limits imposed by the 1940 Act. Under these limits, we generally cannot acquire more than 3% of the voting stock of any registered investment company, invest more than 5% of the value of our total assets in the securities of one investment company or invest more than 10% of the value of our total assets in the securities of more than one investment company. None of the policies in this paragraph is fundamental and each may be changed without stockholder approval.

Qualifying Assets

Under the 1940 Act, a BDC 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 BDC’s total assets. The principal categories of qualifying assets 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 that:

 

   

is organized under the laws of, and has its principal place of business in, the United States;

 

   

is not an investment company (other than a small business investment company wholly owned by the BDC) or a company that would be an investment company but for certain exclusions under the 1940 Act; and

 

   

satisfies either of the following:

 

  i. does not have any class of securities listed on a national securities exchange or has any class of securities listed on a national securities exchange subject to a $250 million market capitalization maximum; or

 

  ii. is controlled by a BDC or a group of companies including a BDC, the BDC actually exercises a controlling influence over the management or policies of the eligible portfolio company, and, as a result, the BDC has an affiliated person who is a director of the eligible portfolio company.

 

  (2) 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 to such a private transaction, if the issuer is in bankruptcy 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.

 

  (3) securities received in exchange for or distributed on or with respect to securities described above, or pursuant to the exercise of warrants or rights relating to such securities.

 

  (4) cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or high-quality debt securities that mature in one year or less from the date of investment.

 

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The regulations defining and interpreting qualifying assets may change over time. We may adjust our investment focus as needed to comply with and/or take advantage of any regulatory, legislative, administrative or judicial actions in this area.

We look through our subsidiaries to the underlying holdings (considered together with portfolio assets held outside of our subsidiaries) for purposes of determining compliance with the 70% qualifying assets requirement of the 1940 Act. On a consolidated basis, at least 70% of our assets will be eligible assets.

Managerial Assistance to Portfolio Companies

A BDC must have been organized and have its principal place of business in the United States and must be operated for the purpose of making investments in the types of securities described in (1) or (2) above. BDCs generally must offer to make available to the issuer of the securities significant managerial assistance, except in circumstances where either (i) the BDC controls such issuer of securities or (ii) the BDC purchases such securities in conjunction with one or more other persons acting together and one of the other persons in the group makes available such managerial assistance. Making available managerial assistance means any arrangement whereby the BDC, 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.

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, repurchase agreements and high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less from the date of investment, which we refer to, collectively, as “temporary investments,” so that 70% of our assets are qualifying assets or temporary investments. Typically, we invest in U.S. Treasury bills or in repurchase agreements, so long as the 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 that 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,” in order to qualify as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, we do not intend to enter into repurchase agreements with a single counterparty in excess of this limit. Our Adviser monitors the creditworthiness of any counterparties with which we enter into repurchase agreement transactions.

Senior Securities

We are 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 that term is 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 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 distribution or repurchase. We may also borrow amounts up to 5% of the value of our total assets for temporary or emergency purposes without regard to asset coverage. We consolidate our financial results with all of our wholly owned subsidiaries for financial reporting purposes and measure our compliance with the leverage test applicable to BDCs under the 1940 Act on a consolidated basis. For a discussion of the risks associated with leverage, see “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to our Business and Structure—Regulations governing our operation as a BDC affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital. As a BDC, the necessity of raising additional capital may expose us to risks, including the typical risks associated with leverage.”

 

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Codes of Ethics

We and our Adviser have each adopted a code of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that establishes procedures for personal investments and restricts certain personal securities transactions. Personnel subject to each 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. 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 (202) 551-8090. In addition, each code of ethics is attached as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and is available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You may also obtain copies of each code of ethics, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

We have delegated our proxy voting responsibility to our Adviser. The proxy voting policies and procedures of our Adviser are set out below. The guidelines are reviewed periodically by our Adviser and our directors who are not “interested persons,” and, accordingly, are subject to change.

Introduction

As an investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act, our Adviser has a fiduciary duty to act solely in our best interests. As part of this duty, our Adviser recognizes that it must vote our securities in a timely manner free of conflicts of interest and in our best interests.

Our Adviser’s policies and procedures for voting proxies for its investment advisory clients are intended to comply with Section 206 of, and Rule 206(4)-6 under, the Advisers Act.

Proxy Policies

Our Adviser votes proxies relating to any of our portfolio equity securities in what it perceives to be the best interest of our stockholders. Our Adviser reviews on a case-by-case basis each proposal submitted to a stockholder vote to determine its effect on any of the portfolio equity securities we hold. In most cases our Adviser will vote in favor of proposals that our Adviser believes are likely to increase the value of any of the portfolio equity securities we hold. Although our Adviser generally votes against proposals that may have a negative effect on any of our portfolio equity securities, our Adviser may vote for such a proposal if there exist compelling long-term reasons to do so.

Our proxy voting decisions are made by our Adviser’s senior investment team. To ensure that our Adviser’s vote is not the product of a conflict of interest, our Adviser requires that (1) 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 (2) employees involved in the decision-making process or vote administration are prohibited from revealing how our Adviser intends to vote on a proposal in order to reduce any attempted influence from interested parties. Where conflicts of interest may be present, our Adviser discloses such conflicts to us, including our independent directors and may request guidance from us on how to vote such proxies.

Proxy Voting Records

You may obtain information without charge about how our Adviser voted proxies by making a written request for proxy voting information to: 2755 Sand Hill Road, Suite 150, Menlo Park, California 94025, Attention: Investor Relations.

 

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Privacy Principles

We are committed to maintaining the privacy of our stockholders and to safeguarding their nonpublic 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 nonpublic personal information relating to our stockholders, although certain nonpublic personal information of our stockholders may become available to us. We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about our stockholders or former stockholders to anyone, except as permitted by law or as are necessary in order to service stockholder accounts (for example, to a transfer agent or third-party administrator).

We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about our stockholders to employees of our Adviser and its affiliates with a legitimate business need for the information. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards designed to protect the nonpublic personal information of our stockholders.

Other

Under the 1940 Act, 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 BDC, we are prohibited from protecting any director or officer against any liability to us or 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 and our Adviser are each required to adopt and implement written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation of relevant federal securities laws, review these policies and procedures annually for their adequacy and the effectiveness of their implementation, and designate a Chief Compliance Officer to be responsible for administering these policies and procedures.

We are prohibited under the 1940 Act from participating in certain transactions with our affiliates without the prior approval of our independent directors and, in some cases, the SEC. Any person that owns, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of our outstanding voting securities will be our affiliate for purposes of the 1940 Act and we are generally prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to such affiliate without the prior approval of our independent directors. The 1940 Act also prohibits certain “joint” transactions with certain of our affiliates, which could include concurrent investments in the same company, without prior approval of our independent directors and, in some cases, the SEC. We are prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to any person that controls us or who owns more than 25% of our voting securities or certain of that person’s affiliates, or entering into prohibited joint transactions with such persons, absent the prior approval of the SEC. As a result of these restrictions, we may be prohibited from buying or selling any security (other than any security of which we are the issuer) from or to any company that is advised or managed by TPC, our Adviser or their affiliates without the prior approval of the SEC, which may limit the scope of investment opportunities that would otherwise be available to us.

In the future, we may co-invest with investment funds, accounts and vehicles managed by TPC where doing so is consistent with our investment strategy as well as applicable law and SEC staff interpretations. We generally are only permitted to co-invest with such investment funds, accounts and vehicles where the only term that is negotiated is price. However, we, TPC and our Adviser have filed an exemptive application with the SEC to permit greater flexibility to negotiate the terms of co-investments with investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles managed by TPC in a manner consistent with our investment objective, positions, policies, strategies and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements and other pertinent factors. There can be no assurance that we will receive exemptive relief from the SEC to permit us to co-invest with investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles managed by TPC where terms other than price are negotiated.

 

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Sarbanes-Oxley Act

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act imposes a wide variety of regulatory requirements on publicly held companies and their insiders. Many of these requirements affect us. For example:

 

  (1) pursuant to Rule 13a-14 under the Exchange Act, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer must certify the accuracy of the financial statements contained in our periodic reports;

 

  (2) pursuant to Item 307 under Regulation S-K, our periodic reports must disclose our conclusions about the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures;

 

  (3) when we are required to comply with Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act, our management will prepare an annual report regarding its assessment of our internal control over financial reporting, which will be audited by our independent registered public accounting firm; and

 

  (4) pursuant to Item 308 of Regulation S-K and Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act, our periodic reports must disclose whether there were significant changes in our internal controls over financial reporting or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires us to review our current policies and procedures to determine whether we comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the regulations promulgated under such act. We continue to monitor our compliance with all regulations that are adopted under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and will take actions necessary to ensure that we comply with that act.

Emerging Growth Company

We are an emerging growth company as defined in the JOBS Act and we are eligible to take advantage of certain specified reduced disclosure and other requirements that are otherwise generally applicable to public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. Although we have not made a determination whether to take advantage of any or all of these exemptions, we expect to remain an emerging growth company for up to five years following the completion of our initial public offering or until the earliest of (i) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues exceed $1.0 billion, (ii) December 31 of the fiscal year that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act which would occur if the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700.0 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter and we have been publicly reporting for at least 12 months or (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the preceding three-year period. In addition, we have irrevocably opted-out of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. As a result, we comply with new or revised accounting standards on the same time frames as other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies.”

Corporate Governance Regulations

The NYSE has adopted corporate governance regulations that listed companies must comply with. We are in compliance with these corporate governance listing standards. We monitor our compliance with all future listing standards and take all necessary actions to ensure that we are in compliance therewith.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may offer, from time to time, up to $500,000,000 of common stock, preferred stock, warrants representing rights to purchase shares of our common stock, subscription rights or debt securities in one or more underwritten public offerings, at-the-market offerings, negotiated transactions, block trades, best efforts or a combination of these methods. We may sell the securities through underwriters or dealers, directly to one or more purchasers through agents or through a combination of any such methods of sale. In the case of a rights offering, the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the number of shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of each right and the other terms of such rights offering. Any underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of the securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. A prospectus supplement or supplements will also describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including: the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds we will receive from the sale; any options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us; any agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation; the public offering price; any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers; and any securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed. Only underwriters named in the prospectus supplement will be underwriters of the shares offered by the prospectus supplement.

The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices, provided, however, that the offering price per share of our common stock, less any underwriting commissions or discounts, must equal or exceed the net asset value per share of our common stock at the time of the offering except (i) in connection with a rights offering to our existing stockholders, (ii) with the prior approval of the majority of our common stockholders, or (iii) under such other circumstances as the SEC may permit. Any offering of securities by us that requires the consent of the majority of our common stockholders, must occur, if at all, within one year after receiving such consent. The price at which the securities may be distributed may represent a discount from prevailing market prices.

In connection with the sale of the securities, underwriters or agents may receive compensation from us or from purchasers of the securities, for whom they may act as agents, in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act, and any discounts and commissions they receive from us and any profit realized by them on the resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Any such underwriter or agent will be identified and any such compensation received from us will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The maximum aggregate commission or discount to be received by any member of FINRA or independent broker-dealer, including any reimbursements to underwriters or agents for certain fees and legal expenses incurred by them, will not be greater than 10.0% of the gross proceeds of the sale of shares offered pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.

Any underwriter may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum price. Syndicate-covering or other short-covering transactions involve purchases of the securities, either through exercise of the option to purchase additional shares from us or in the open market after the distribution is completed, to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a stabilizing or covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.

 

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We may sell securities directly or through agents we designate from time to time. We will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of securities and we will describe any commissions we will pay the agent in the prospectus supplement. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, our agent will act on a best-efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each class or series of securities will be a new issue with no trading market, other than our common stock, which is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “TPVG”. We may elect to list any other class or series of securities on any exchanges, but we are not obligated to do so. We cannot guarantee the liquidity of the trading markets for any securities.

Under agreements that we may enter, underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of our securities may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribution with respect to payments that the agents or underwriters may make with respect to these liabilities. Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.

If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase our securities from us pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date. Institutions with which such contracts may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others, but in all cases such institutions must be approved by us. The obligations of any purchaser under any such contract will be subject to the condition that the purchase of our securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which such purchaser is subject. The underwriters and such other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of such contracts. Such contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation of such contracts.

We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third parties in such sale transactions will be underwriters and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, our securities offered hereby will be sold in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.

 

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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

As of the date of this prospectus, 16,607,423 shares of our common stock are outstanding. Of these shares, 145,670 are restricted securities under the meaning of Rule 144. Restricted securities may be sold in the public market only if registered or if they qualify for an exemption from registration under the Securities Act or may be sold pursuant to the safe harbors found in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, which are summarized below.

In general, a person who has beneficially owned “restricted” shares of our common stock for at least six months would be entitled to sell their securities provided that (a) such person is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the 90 days preceding, a sale and (b) we are subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting requirements for at least 90 days before the sale. Persons who have beneficially owned “restricted” shares of our common stock for at least six months but who are our affiliates at the time of, or any time during the 90 days preceding, a sale, would be subject to additional restrictions, by which such person would be entitled to sell within any three-month period only a number of securities that does not exceed the greater of either of the following:

 

   

1% of the total number of securities then outstanding; or

 

   

the average weekly trading volume of our securities during the four calendar weeks preceding the date on which notice of the sale is filed with the SEC.

Sales by affiliates under Rule 144 also are subject to certain manners of sale provisions, notice requirements and the availability of current public information about us. We can give no assurance as to (a) the likelihood that an active market for our common stock will develop, (b) the liquidity of any such market, (c) the ability of our stockholders to sell our securities or (d) the prices that stockholders may obtain for any of our securities. We can make no prediction as to the effect, if any, that future sales of securities, or the availability of securities for future sales, will have on the market price prevailing from time to time. Sales of substantial amounts of our securities, or the perception that such sales could occur, may affect adversely prevailing market prices of our common stock. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Offerings Pursuant to this Prospectus.”

CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR

Our securities are held by U.S. Bank, N.A. pursuant to a custody agreement. The principal business address of U.S. Bank, N.A. is 190 S. LaSalle Street, 10th Floor, Chicago, IL 60603. American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC will serve as our transfer agent, distribution paying agent and registrar. The principal business address of American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC is 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219.

BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

Since we acquire and dispose of many of our investments in privately negotiated transactions, many of the transactions that we engage in do not require the use of brokers or the payment of brokerage commissions. Subject to policies established by our Board, our Adviser is primarily responsible for selecting brokers and dealers to execute transactions with respect to the publicly traded securities portion of our portfolio transactions and the allocation of brokerage commissions. Our Adviser does not execute transactions through any particular broker or dealer but seeks to obtain the best net results for us under the circumstances, 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. Our Adviser generally seeks reasonably competitive trade execution costs but does not necessarily pay the lowest spread or commission available. Subject to applicable legal requirements and consistent with Section 28(e) of the Exchange Act, our Adviser may select a broker based upon brokerage or research services provided to our Adviser and us and any other clients. In return for such services, we may pay a higher commission than other brokers would charge if our Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the services provided.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters relating to this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Clifford Chance US LLP, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2014 of TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp. and subsidiaries included in this Prospectus have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports appearing herein. Such consolidated financial statements are included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form N-2, together with all amendments and related exhibits, under the Securities Act, with respect to our securities offered by this prospectus. The registration statement contains additional information about us and our securities being offered by this prospectus.

We file with or submit to the SEC annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information meeting the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. You may inspect and copy these reports, proxy statements and other information, as well as the registration statement and related exhibits and schedules, at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090.

We also maintain a website at http://www.tpvg.com and make all of our annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other publicly filed information available, free of charge, on or through our website. Information contained on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus, and you should not consider information on our website to be part of this prospectus. You may also obtain such information by contacting us in writing at 2755 Sand Hill Road, Suite 150, Menlo Park, California 94025, Attention: Investor Relations. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information we file with the SEC at www.sec.gov. Copies of these reports, proxy and information statements and other information may also be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.

 

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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of March  31, 2015 (unaudited) and December 31, 2014

     F-2   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March  31, 2015 (unaudited) and the Period from March 5, 2014 (Commencement of Operations) to March 31, 2014 (unaudited)

     F-3   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the Three Months Ended March  31, 2015 (unaudited) and the Period from March 5, 2014 (Commencement of Operations) to March 31, 2014 (unaudited)

     F-4   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March  31, 2015 (unaudited) and the Period from March 5, 2014 (Commencement of Operations) to March 31, 2014 (unaudited)

     F-5   

Condensed Consolidated Schedules of Investments as of March 31, 2015 (unaudited) and December  31, 2014

     F-6   

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of March 31, 2015 (unaudited)

     F-12   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-33   

Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 2014

     F-34   

Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Period from March  5, 2014 (Commencement of Operations) to December 31, 2014

     F-35   

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the Period from March  5, 2014 (Commencement of Operations) to December 31, 2014

     F-36   

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Period from March  5, 2014 (Commencement of Operations) to December 31, 2014

     F-37   

Consolidated Schedule of Investments as of December 31, 2014

     F-38   

Notes to Consolidated Schedule of Investments

     F-43   

 

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TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 

     As of
March 31, 2015
    As of
December 31, 2014
 
     (unaudited)        
     (dollars in thousands,
except share and per share data)
 

Assets:

    

Investments at fair value (amortized cost of $252,120 and $256,485, respectively)

   $ 251,714      $ 257,971   

Short-term investments at fair value (cost of $0 and $49,998, respectively)

     —          49,995   

Cash

     9,820        6,906   

Restricted cash

     8,481        8,033   

Receivable related to public offering of common stock

     94,575        —     

Deferred credit facility costs

     2,592        2,921   

Prepaid expenses

     282        503   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

     367,464        326,329   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities:

    

Revolving credit facility payable

     120,000        118,000   

Payable for U.S. Treasury bill assets

     —          49,998   

Base management fee payable

     1,159        1,905   

Income incentive fee payable

     1,162        2,350   

Accrued capital gains incentive fee

     —          296   

Payable to directors and officers

     70        96   

Dividend payable

     3,573        —     

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     3,627        8,705   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     129,591        181,350   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 7)

     —          —     

Net Assets

   $ 237,873      $ 144,979   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (50,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014)

   $ —        $ —     

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share (450,000,000 shares authorized; 16,424,171 and 9,924,171 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively)

     164        99   

Paid-in capital in excess of par value

     236,298        142,635   

Net investment income

     17,753        12,808   

Accumulated net realized losses

     (317     —     

Accumulated net unrealized (losses) gains

     (406     1,483   

Dividend distributions

     (15,619     (12,046
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 237,873      $ 144,979   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Asset Value per Share

   $ 14.48      $ 14.61   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

     For the Three
Months Ended
March 31, 2015
    For the Period from
March 5, 2014
(Commencement of
Operations) to
March 31, 2014
 
     (unaudited)  
     (dollars in thousands,
except share and per share data)
 

Investment Income:

    

Interest income from investments

   $ 9,161      $ 1,308   

Other income

    

Expiration/termination of unfunded commitments

     611        —     

Other fees

     36        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment and other income

     9,808        1,308   

Operating Expenses:

    

Base management fee

     1,159        144   

Income incentive fee

     1,162        —     

Capital gains incentive fee

     (296     275   

Interest expense and amortization of fees

     1,644        154   

Administration agreement expenses

     371        52   

General and administrative expenses

     823        114   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Operating Expenses

     4,863        739   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

     4,945        569   

Net realized gains

     (317     —     

Net change in unrealized gains on investments

     (1,889     1,374   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   $ 2,739      $ 1,943   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net investment income per share

   $ 0.48      $ 0.06   

Basic and diluted net increase in net assets per share

   $ 0.27      $ 0.20   

Basic and diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding

     10,285,282        9,842,333   

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

     Shares of
Common Stock
     Total Net
Assets
 
     (unaudited)  
     (dollars in thousands,
except share data)
 

Balance as of March 5, 2014

     1,668       $ 25   

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     —           1,943   

Dividend distributions

     —           —     

Common stock issuance, net

     9,840,665         141,548   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31, 2014

     9,842,333       $ 143,516   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2014

     9,924,171       $ 144,979   

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     —           2,739   

Dividend distributions

     —           (3,573

Common stock issuance, net

     6,500,000         93,728   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31, 2015

     16,424,171       $ 237,873   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

     For the Three Months
Ended March 31, 2015
    For the Period from
March 5, 2014
(Commencement of
Operations) to
March 31, 2014
 
     (unaudited)  
     (dollars in thousands)  

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

    

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 2,739      $ 1,943   

Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

    

Fundings and purchases of investments

     (9,758     (141,993

Sales of short-term investments

     49,998        —     

Principal payments on investments

     15,739        —     

Net change in unrealized losses (gains) on investments

     1,889        (1,374

Net change in realized losses on investments

     317        —     

Amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts, net

     (357     (269

Accretion of end-of-term payments

     (1,576     (13

Amortization of deferred credit facility costs

     329        59   

Change in restricted cash

     (448     —     

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Payable for U.S. Treasury bill assets

     (49,998     49,999   

Prepaid expenses

     (232     (262

Base management fee

     (746     144   

Income incentive fee payable

     (1,188     —     

Accrued capital gains incentive fee

     (296     275   

Payable to directors and officers

     (26     —     

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     (4,965     1,528   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     1,421        (89,963
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

    

Borrowing under bridge facility

     —          121,662   

Repayment of bridge facility

     —          (121,662

Borrowings under revolving credit facility, net

     2,000        20,000   

Dividend distributions, net

     —          —     

Deferred credit facility costs

     (496     (458

Net proceeds from issuance of common stock

     (11     141,548   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     1,493        161,090   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     2,914        71,127   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     6,906        25   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 9,820      $ 71,152   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Financing Activities:

    

Accrued deferred credit facility cost

   $ 44      $ 2,532   

Offering costs not yet paid

     768        —     

Gross proceeds from issuance of common stock not yet received (due April 1, 2015)

     94,575        —     

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:

    

Cash paid during period for interest

     1,308        25   

Dividend declared, not paid

     3,573        —     

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F-5


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

            As of March 31, 2015  

Venture Growth Stage Company

 

Industry

 

Type of Investment

  Outstanding
Principal
    Cost     Fair Value     Maturity
Date
 
            (unaudited)  
            (dollars in thousands)  

Debt Investments:

           

AirStrip Technologies, Inc.

  Medical Software and Information Services   Growth Capital Loan
(8.75% interest rate,
9.00% EOT payment)
  $ 4,029      $ 4,278      $ 4,296        10/31/2016   
    Growth Capital Loan
(8.75% interest rate,
9.00% EOT payment)
    5,000        5,163        5,183        3/31/2017   
    Growth Capital Loan
(8.75% interest rate,
9.00% EOT payment)
    4,698        4,803        4,817        7/31/2017   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

AirStrip Technologies, Inc. Total

    13,727        14,244        14,296     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Birst, Inc.

  Business Applications Software   Growth Capital Loan
(Prime + 6.90% interest rate,
2.00% EOT payment)
    10,000        9,894        9,900        11/30/2017   

Cambridge Broadband Network Limited (1)(3)

  Wireless Communications Equipment   Growth Capital Loan
(11.50% interest rate,
9.50% EOT payment)
    6,000        5,992        6,011        9/30/2017   

Coraid, Inc. (2)(5)

  Data Storage   Growth Capital Loan
(10.00% interest rate,
6.00% EOT payment)
    4,585        4,684        3,482        12/31/2016   
    Growth Capital Loan
(10.00% interest rate,
6.00% EOT payment)
    9,928        9,870        7,504        6/30/2017   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Coraid, Inc. Total

    14,513        14,554        10,986     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

EndoChoice, Inc.

  Medical Device and Equipment   Growth Capital Loan
(11.75% interest rate,
8.00% EOT payment)
    10,000        10,142        10,096        2/28/2018   
    Growth Capital Loan
(11.75% interest rate,
8.00% EOT payment)
    10,000        10,095        10,096        2/28/2018   
    Growth Capital Loan
(11.75% interest rate,
8.00% EOT payment)
    10,000        10,060        10,096        2/28/2018   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

EndoChoice, Inc. Total

    30,000        30,297        30,288     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Harvest Power, Inc.

  Biofuels/ Biomass   Growth Capital Loan
(12.00% interest rate,
9.00% EOT payment)
    20,000        20,767        20,678        11/30/2016   

Hayneedle, Inc.

  E-Commerce- Household Goods   Growth Capital Loan
(12.50% interest rate,
12.00% EOT payment)
    15,000        15,263        15,255        8/31/2017   
    Growth Capital Loan
(12.75% interest rate,
16.00% EOT payment)
    5,000        5,137        5,156        12/31/2017   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Hayneedle, Inc. Total

    20,000        20,400        20,411     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F-6


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

            As of March 31, 2015  

Venture Growth Stage Company

 

Industry

 

Type of Investment

  Outstanding
Principal
    Cost     Fair Value     Maturity
Date
 
           

(unaudited)

(dollars in thousands)

 

Debt Investments (continued):

           

HouseTrip Limited (1) (3)

  Travel and Arrangement / Tourism   Growth Capital Loan
(10.00% interest rate,
5.00% EOT payment)
  $ 8,469      $ 8,551      $ 8,574        11/30/2016   

Lattice Engines, Inc.

  Business Applications Software   Growth Capital Loan
(8.50% interest rate,
8.00% EOT payment)
    3,970        4,182        4,197        12/31/2016   
    Growth Capital Loan
(8.50% interest rate,
8.00% EOT payment)
    2,245        2,310        2,320        3/31/2017   
   

Growth Capital Loan
(9.50% interest rate,

8.00% EOT payment)

    2,500        2,514        2,518        9/30/2017   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Lattice Engines, Inc. Total

    8,715        9,006        9,035     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Mind Candy Limited (1) (3)

  Entertainment   Growth Capital Loan
(12.00% interest rate,
9.50% EOT payment)
    10,000        9,906        9,936        6/30/2017   

ModCloth, Inc.

  E-Commerce— Clothing and Accessories   Growth Capital Loan
(10.50% interest rate,
10.00% EOT payment)
    844        906        910        6/30/2016   
    Growth Capital Loan
(10.50% interest rate,
10.00% EOT payment)
    1,792        1,910        1,917        7/31/2016   
    Growth Capital Loan
(12.00% interest rate,
10.50% EOT payment)
    2,000        2,064        2,065        8/31/2017   
    Growth Capital Loan
(12.00% interest rate,
11.00% EOT payment)
    5,000        5,130        5,127        11/30/2017   
    Growth Capital Loan
(12.00% interest rate,
11.50% EOT payment)
    5,000        5,083        5,070        2/28/2018   
    Growth Capital Loan
(12.00% interest rate,
7.50% EOT payment)
    4,563        4,554        4,563        6/30/2017   
    Equipment Financing (1)
(7.50% interest rate,
15.00% EOT payment)
    709        740        720        8/31/2016   
    Equipment Financing (1)
(7.50% interest rate,
15.00% EOT payment)
    261        271        264        10/31/2016   
    Equipment Financing (1)
(7.50% interest rate,
15.00% EOT payment)
    155        155        156        3/31/2017   
    Equipment Financing (1)
(7.50% interest rate,
15.00% EOT payment)
    20        20        20        6/30/2017   
    Equipment Financing (1)
(7.50% interest rate,
15.00% EOT payment)
    13        13        13        7/31/2017   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

ModCloth, Inc. Total

    20,357        20,846        20,825     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F-7


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

            As of March 31, 2015  

Venture Growth Stage Company

 

Industry

 

Type of Investment

  Outstanding
Principal
    Cost     Fair Value     Maturity
Date
 
            (unaudited)  
            (dollars in thousands)  

Debt Investments (continued):

           

SimpliVity Corporation

  Database Software   Growth Capital Loan
(10.00% interest rate,
8.50% EOT payment)
  $ 7,000      $ 6,901      $ 6,980        6/30/2018   
    Growth Capital Loan
(10.00% interest rate,
8.50% EOT payment)
    3,000        2,936        2,970        10/31/2018   
    Growth Capital Loan
(11.50% interest rate,
9.00% EOT payment)
    7,000        6,835        6,944        10/31/2018   
    Growth Capital Loan
(11.50% interest rate,
9.00% EOT payment)
    3,000        2,915        2,965        12/31/2018   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   
    Growth Capital Loan
(12.75% interest rate,
9.50% EOT payment)
    10,000        9,666        9,737        1/31/2019   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

SimpliVity Corporation Total

    30,000        29,253        29,596     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

TechMediaNetwork, Inc.

  General Media and Content   Growth Capital Loan
(9.25% interest rate,
8.00% EOT payment)
    2,045        2,113        2,121        3/31/2017   
    Growth Capital Loan
(9.25% interest rate,
8.00% EOT payment)
    2,500        2,516        2,523        9/30/2017   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

TechMediaNetwork, Inc. Total

    4,545        4,629        4,644     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Thrillist Media Group, Inc.

  General Media and Content   Growth Capital Loan (Prime + 8.50% interest rate, 9.00% EOT payment)     5,000        4,694        4,708        9/30/2017   
    Growth Capital Loan (Prime + 8.50% interest rate, 9.00% EOT payment)     5,000        4,635        4,640        12/31/2017   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Thrillist MediaGroup, Inc. Total

    10,000        9,329        9,348     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Virtual Instruments Corporation

  Network Systems Management Software   Growth Capital Loan
(9.50% interest rate,
9.25% EOT payment)
    5,000        5,166        5,191        12/31/2016   
    Growth Capital Loan
(9.50% interest rate,
9.25% EOT payment)
    5,000        5,146        5,169        1/31/2017   
    Growth Capital Loan
(9.50% interest rate,
9.25% EOT payment)
    5,000        5,127        5,149        2/28/2017   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Virtual Instruments Corporation Total

    15,000        15,439        15,509     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Xirrus, Inc.

  Wireless Communications Equipment   Growth Capital Loan
(11.50% interest rate,
8.50% EOT payment)
    1,956        2,110        2,128        6/30/2016   
    Growth Capital Loan
(11.50% interest rate,
8.50% EOT payment)
    3,649        3,862        3,895        12/31/2016   
    Growth Capital Loan
(11.50% interest rate,
8.50% EOT payment)
    4,112        4,204        4,264        3/31/2017   
    Growth Capital Loan (Prime + 8.25% interest rate, 8.50% EOT )     10,000        9,805        9,819        12/31/2017   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Xirrus, Inc. Total

    19,717        19,981        20,106     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total Debt Investments

  $ 241,043      $ 243,088      $ 240,143     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F-8


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

               As of March 31, 2015  

Venture Growth Stage Company

  

Industry

  

Type of Warrant

   Shares      Cost      Fair
Value
 
           (unaudited)   
           (dollars in thousands)   

Warrants:

              

Aerohive Networks, Inc.

   Wireless Communications Equipment    Common Stock      33,993       $ 153       $ 4   

AirStrip Technologies, Inc.

   Medical Software and Information Services    Preferred Stock      31,063         112         95   

Birchbox, Inc. (2)

   E-Commerce—Personal Goods    Preferred Stock      49,829         565         1,487   

Birst, Inc.

   Business Applications Software    Preferred Stock      428,491         129         600   

Cambridge Broadband Network Limited (1)(3)

   Wireless Communications Equipment    Preferred Shares      33,000         95         95   

CipherCloud, Inc. (2)

   Business Applications Software    Preferred Stock      58,746         36         36   

ECPM Holdings, LLC

   Medical Device and Equipment    Class A Units      1,568,382         224         486   

Harvest Power, Inc.

   Biofuels/Biomass    Common Stock      350         77             

Hayneedle, Inc.

   E-Commerce—Household Goods    Common Stock      400,000         468         375   

HouseTrip SA (1)(3)

   Travel and Arrangement / Tourism    Preferred Share      212,804         93         60   

InMobi Pte Ltd. (1)(2)(3)

   Advertising / Marketing    Ordinary Shares      48,500         35         106   

Inspirato, LLC (2)

   Travel and Leisure    Preferred Units      1,994         37         43   

Lattice Engines, Inc.

   Business Applications Software    Preferred Stock      255,913         48         51   

Medallia, Inc. (2)

   Business Applications Software    Preferred Stock      55,814         11         11   

Mind Candy, Inc. (1)(3)

   Entertainment    Preferred Stock      287,187         751         732   

ModCloth, Inc.

   E-Commerce—Clothing and Accessories    Common Stock      419,620         546         421   

Nutanix, Inc. (2)

   Database Software    Preferred Stock      45,000         77         290   

One Kings Lane, Inc. (2)

   E-Commerce—Household Goods    Preferred Stock      13,635         29         29   

Shazam Entertainment Limited (1)(2)(3)

   MultiMedia / Streaming Software    Ordinary Shares      2,669,479         134         166   

SimpliVity Corporation

   Database Software    Preferred Stock      655,639         775         1,351   

TechMediaNetwork, Inc.

   General Media and Content    Preferred Stock      72,234         31         31   

Thrillist Media Group, Inc.

   General Media and Content    Common Stock      283,401         712         712   

Virtual Instruments Corporation

   Network Systems Management Software    Preference Shares      694,788         612         593   

Xirrus, Inc.

   Wireless Communications Equipment    Preferred Stock      3,820,887         532         476   
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Warrants

            $ 6,282       $ 8,250   
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* Less than $0.5 thousand.

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F-9


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

               As of March 31, 2015  

Venture Growth Stage Company

  

Industry

  

Type of Equity

   Shares      Cost      Fair Value  
               (dollars in thousands)  

Equity Investments (2) :

              

BirchBox, Inc.

   E-Commerce—Personal Goods    Preferred Stock      2,839       $ 250       $ 250   

Birst, Inc.

   Business Applications Software    Preferred Stock      42,801         250         250   

Inspirato, LLC (1)(4)

   Travel and Leisure    Preferred Units      1,948         250         250   

MongoDB, Inc.

   Software Development Tools    Common Stock      74,742         1,000         1,000   

Nutanix, Inc.

   Database Software    Preferred Stock      137,202         1,000         1,571   
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Equity Investments

            $ 2,750       $ 3,321   
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments

            $ 252,120       $ 251,714   
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F-10


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

As of March 31, 2015 (unaudited) and as of December 31, 2014 (audited)

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

Notes applicable to the investments presented in the foregoing tables:

Unless otherwise noted, all of the investments in the foregoing tables are in entities that are domiciled in the United States and/or have a principal place of business in the United States.

No investment represents a 5% or greater interest in any outstanding class of voting security of the portfolio company.

As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, unless otherwise noted, certain of the Company’s debt investments and certain of the Company’s warrants, with an aggregate fair value of approximately $235.2 million and $239.8 million, respectively, were pledged for borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility.

Notes applicable to the debt investments presented in the foregoing tables:

Interest rate is the annual interest rate on the debt investment and does not include any original issue discount, end-of-term (EOT) payment, payment-in-kind interest, or any additional fees related to the investments, such as deferred interest, commitment fees or prepayment fees. No debt instruments have any payment-in-kind interest provisions.

The EOT payments are contractual and fixed interest payments due in cash at the maturity date of the loan, including upon prepayment, and are a fixed percentage of the original principal balance of the loan unless otherwise noted. The EOT payment is amortized and recognized as non-cash income over the loan or lease prior to its payment.

Notes applicable to the equipment financings presented in the foregoing tables:

At the end of the term of certain equipment financings, the lessee has the option to purchase the underlying assets at fair market value in certain cases subject to a cap, return the equipment or continue to finance the assets. The fair market values for these financings have been estimated as a percentage of original cost for purposes of the EOT payment value.

Notes applicable to the warrants presented in the foregoing tables:

Warrants are associated with funded debt instruments as well as certain commitments to provide future funding.

Specific notes applicable to specific investments in the foregoing tables:

(1) Investment is a non-qualifying asset under Section 55(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, non-qualifying assets as a percentage of total assets were 7.4% and 8.6%, respectively.

(2) As of March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014, these debt investments, warrants, equity investments and short-term investments were not pledged as collateral as part of the Company’s revolving credit facility.

(3) Entity is not domiciled in the United States and does not have its principal place of business in the United States.

(4) Investment is owned by TPVG Investment LLC, a wholly owned taxable subsidiary of the Company.

(5) In March 2015, the Company accelerated the outstanding obligations owed by Coraid Inc., and this obligor entered into a foreclosure agreement that provided for Intermodal Data, Inc. to purchase certain assets and assume the outstanding obligations owed to the Company.

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F-11


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

Note 1. Organization

TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp. (the “Company”), a Maryland corporation, was formed on June 28, 2013 and priced its initial public offering and commenced investment operations on March 5, 2014. The Company is structured as an externally managed, non-diversified, closed-end investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As a BDC, the Company expects to qualify annually as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

The Company was formed to expand the venture growth stage business segment of TriplePoint Capital LLC’s (“TPC”) investment platform. TPC is widely recognized as a leading global financing provider devoted to serving venture capital-backed companies with creative, flexible and customized debt financing, equity capital and complementary services throughout their lifespan. The Company’s investment objective is to maximize total return to stockholders primarily in the form of current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation by primarily lending to venture growth stage companies focused in technology, life sciences and other high growth industries backed by the TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors. The Company is externally managed by TPVG Advisers LLC (the “Adviser”) which is registered as an investment adviser under the 1940 Act and is a wholly owned subsidiary of TPC. The Adviser is responsible for sourcing, reviewing and structuring investment opportunities, underwriting and performing due diligence on investments and monitoring the investment portfolio on an ongoing basis. The Adviser was organized in August 2013 and, pursuant to an investment advisory agreement entered into between the Company and the Adviser, the Company pays the Adviser a base management fee and an incentive fee for its services. The Company has also entered into an administration agreement with TPVG Administrator LLC (the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, and pays fees and expenses for services provided.

The Company has two wholly owned subsidiaries: TPVG Variable Funding Company LLC (the “Financing Subsidiary”), a bankruptcy remote special purpose entity established for utilizing the Company’s revolving credit facility, and TPVG Investment LLC, an entity established for holding certain of the Company’s investments in order to benefit from the tax treatment of these investments and create a tax structure that is more advantageous with respect to the Company’s RIC status. These subsidiaries are consolidated in the financial statements of the Company.

Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements of the Company and related financial information have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the requirements for reporting on Form 10Q and Articles 6 or 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for annual financial statements. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries and reflect all adjustments and reclassifications that are necessary for the fair representation of financial results as of and for the periods presented. Certain items in the prior period’s condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation. These reclassifications did not impact any prior amounts of reported total assets, total liabilities, net assets or results of operations. All intercompany account balances and transactions have been eliminated.

 

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Use of Estimates

The preparation of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires estimates and assumptions to be made that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets, creditworthiness of portfolio companies and any other parameters used in determining these estimates could cause actual results to differ from those estimates.

Investments

Investment transactions are recorded on a trade-date basis. The Company applies fair value to all its investments. Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of the market’s participant who holds the financial instrument rather than an entity specific measure. When market assumptions are not readily available, the Company’s own assumptions are set to reflect those that the Adviser believes market participants would use in pricing the financial instruments on the measurement date.

The availability of observable inputs can vary depending on the financial instrument and is affected by a variety of factors. To the extent the valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable the determination of fair value requires more judgment. The Company’s valuation methodology is approved by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) and the Board is responsible for the fair values determined. As markets change, new types of investments are made, or pricing for certain investments becomes more or less observable, the Board may refine its valuation methodologies appropriately.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company places its cash with financial institutions and at times, cash held in such accounts may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured limit. The Company may invest a portion of its cash in money market funds, within the limitations of the 1940 Act.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash consists of collections of interest and principal payments on investments maintained in segregated trust accounts for the benefit of the lenders and administrative agent of the Company’s revolving credit facility.

Deferred Credit Facility Costs

Deferred credit facility costs represent fees and other expenses incurred in connection with the Company’s revolving credit facility. These amounts are amortized and included in interest expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations over the estimated term of the facility.

Other Accrued Expenses and Liabilities

Other accrued expenses and liabilities include interest payable, accounts payable and the fair value of unfunded commitment liabilities. Unfunded commitment liabilities reflect the fact that the Company is a party to certain delay draw credit agreements with its portfolio companies, which requires the Company to make future advances at the borrowers’ discretion during a defined loan availability period. The Company’s credit agreements contain customary lending provisions which allow the Company relief from funding previously made commitments in instances where the underlying portfolio company experiences materially adverse events that affect the financial condition or business outlook for the portfolio company. In certain instances, the borrower may be required to achieve certain milestones before they may request a future advance. The unfunded obligation associated with these credit agreements is equal to the amount by which the contractual funding commitment

 

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exceeds the sum of the amount of funded debt unless the availability period has expired. The fair value at the inception of the agreement of the delay draw credit agreements approximates the fair value of the warrants received to enter into these agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the counterparties’ credit profile. The unfunded commitment liability included in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of assets and liabilities reflects the fair value of these future funding commitments.

Paid-in Capital

The Company records the proceeds from the sale of its common stock on a net basis to capital stock and paid-in capital in excess of par value, excluding all offering costs.

Income Recognition

Interest income, adjusted for amortization of market premium and accretion of market discount, is recorded on an accrual basis to the extent that the Company expects to collect such amounts. Original issue discount, principally representing the estimated fair value of detachable equity or warrants obtained in conjunction with the Company’s debt investments, and market discount or premium are capitalized and accreted or amortized into interest income over the life of the respective security using the effective interest method. Loan origination fees received in connection with the closing of investments are reported as unearned income which is included as amortized cost of the investment; the unearned income from such fees is accreted over the contractual life of the loan based on the effective interest method as interest income. Upon prepayment of a loan or debt security, unamortized loan origination fees and unamortized market discounts are recorded as interest income. End-of-term (EOT) payments are contractual and fixed interest payments due in cash at the maturity date of the loan, including upon prepayment, and are a fixed percentage of the original principal balance of the loan unless otherwise noted. Interest is accrued during the life of the loan on the EOT payment using the effective interest method as non-cash income. The EOT payment generally ceases accruing to the extent the borrower is unable to pay the remaining principal and interest due.

Other income includes certain fees paid by portfolio companies (for example, extension fees, revolver loan facility fees) and the recognition of the value of unfunded commitments that expired during the reporting period.

Non-accrual loans

A loan may be left on accrual status during the period the Company is pursuing repayment of the loan. The Company reviews all loans that become 90 days or more past due on principal and interest, or when there is reasonable doubt that principal or interest will be collected, for possible placement on non-accrual status. When a loan is placed on non-accrual status, unpaid interest credited to income is reversed. Additionally, any original issue discount and market discount are no longer accreted to interest income as of the date the loan is placed on non-accrual status. Interest payments received on non-accrual loans may be recognized as income or applied to principal depending upon the Company’s judgment. Non-accrual loans are restored to accrual status when past due principal and interest is paid and, in the Company’s judgment, payments are likely to remain current.

Realized/Unrealized Gains or Losses

The Company measures realized gains or losses from the repayment or sale of investments using the specific identification method. The amortized cost basis of investments represents the original cost adjusted for the accretion/amortization of discounts and premiums and upfront loan origination fees. The Company reports changes in fair value of investments that are measured at fair value as a component of net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

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Management Fees

The Company accrues for the base management fee and incentive fee. The accrual for incentive fee includes the recognition of incentive fees on unrealized gains, even though such incentive fees are neither earned nor payable to the Adviser until such gains are both realized and in excess of unrealized losses on investments.

U.S. Federal Income Taxes

The Company intends to elect to be treated, and intends to qualify annually thereafter, as a RIC under Subchapter M the Code, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, beginning with the Company’s taxable year ended December 31, 2014. Generally, a RIC is not subject to U.S. federal income taxes on distributed income and gains if it distributes at least 90% of its net ordinary income and net short-term capital gains in excess of its net long-term capital losses, if any, to its stockholders. Additionally, a RIC must distribute at least 98% of its ordinary income and 98.2% of its capital gain net income on an annual basis and any net ordinary income and net capital gains for preceding years that were not distributed during such years and on which the RIC previously paid no U.S. federal income tax to avoid a U.S. federal excise tax. The Company intends to distribute sufficient dividends to maintain the Company’s RIC status each year and does not anticipate paying any material U.S. federal income taxes in the future.

Dividends and Distributions

Dividends to common stockholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Board determines the amount of dividends to be paid each quarter based on a variety of factors including estimates of future earnings. Net realized capital gains, if any, are intended to be distributed at least annually. The Company will calculate both its current and accumulated earnings and profits on a tax basis in order to determine the amount of any distribution that constituted a return of capital to the Company’s stockholders and that while such distributions are not taxable, they may result in higher capital gains taxes when the shares are eventually sold.

Organizational and Offering Costs

The Company incurred $1.75 million in offering costs in completing its initial public offering in March 2014, which were charged against paid-in capital. Organizational and offering costs in excess of this amount were paid by the Adviser. None of the expenses borne by the Adviser in connection with the Company’s initial public offering above the $1.75 million threshold are subject to recoupment from the Company.

The Company incurred approximately $0.8 million in offering costs in completing its public offering of common stock in March 2015, which were charged against paid-in capital.

Per Share Information

Basic and diluted earnings per common share are calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the periods presented. For the periods presented, basic and diluted earnings per share are the same since there are no potentially dilutive securities outstanding.

Note 3. Related Party Agreements and Transactions

Acquisition of Initial Portfolio

On March 5, 2014, the Company acquired from TPC and certain of its subsidiaries, a select portfolio of investments in venture growth stage companies originated through TPC consisting of funded debt and direct equity investments, future funding commitments and warrants associated with both the funded debt investments and future funding commitments. This initial portfolio included 23 secured loans with an aggregate outstanding principal amount of approximately $119.2 million, two equity investments of approximately $2.0 million and

 

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warrants to purchase shares in 15 portfolio companies of approximately $3.2 million. The valuation of this initial portfolio was conducted by the Board in consultation with the Adviser and consideration of valuations performed by a third-party valuation firm.

The funding for the acquisition of this portfolio was provided through a credit facility (the “Bridge Facility”) with Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch (“Deutsche Bank”). The fees and expenses associated with entering into the Bridge Facility were covered by TPC. The Bridge Facility, along with the interest expense incurred thereon, was repaid in full on March 11, 2014, with a portion of the proceeds from the initial public offering.

Investment Advisory Agreement

Prior to the commencement of operations, the Board approved an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”). Subject to the overall supervision of the Board and in accordance with 1940 Act, the Adviser manages the day-to-day operations and provides investment advisory services to the Company. Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser:

 

   

determines the composition of the Company’s portfolio, the nature and timing of the changes to the Company’s portfolio and the manner of implementing such changes;

 

   

identifies, evaluates and negotiates the structure of the investments the Company makes;

 

   

executes, closes, services and monitors the investments the Company makes;

 

   

determines the securities and other assets that the Company purchases, retains or sells;

 

   

performs due diligence on prospective investments; and

 

   

provides the Company with such other investment advisory, research and related services as the Company may, from time to time, reasonably require for the investment of its funds.

Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Company has agreed to pay the Adviser a fee for its investment advisory and management services consisting of two components—a base management fee and an incentive fee. The cost of both the base management fee and incentive fee is ultimately borne by the Company’s stockholders.

The base management fee is calculated at an annual rate of 1.75% of the Company’s average adjusted gross assets, including assets purchased with borrowed funds. For services rendered under the Advisory Agreement, the base management fee is payable quarterly in arrears. The base management fee is calculated based on the average value of the Company’s gross assets at the end of its two most recently completed calendar quarters. Such amount is appropriately adjusted (based on the actual number of days elapsed relative to the total number of days in such calendar quarter) for any share issuance or repurchases during a calendar quarter. Base management fees for any partial month or quarter are appropriately pro-rated.

The incentive fee, which provides the Adviser with a share of the income it generates for the Company, consists of two components—investment income and capital gains—which are largely independent of each other, with the result that one component may be payable even if the other is not payable.

Under the investment income component, the Company pays the Adviser 20.0% of the amount by which the Company’s pre-incentive fee net investment income for the quarter exceeds a hurdle rate of 2.0% (which is 8.0% annualized) of the Company’s net assets at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter, subject to a “catch-up” provision pursuant to which the Adviser receives all of such income in excess of the 2.0% level but less than 2.5% and subject to a total return requirement. The effect of the “catch-up” provision is that, subject to the total return provision discussed below, if pre-incentive fee net investment income exceeds 2.5% in any calendar quarter, the Adviser receives 20.0% of the Company’s pre-incentive fee net investment income as if the 2.0% hurdle rate did not apply. The foregoing incentive fee is subject to a total return requirement, which provides that no incentive fee in respect of the Company’s pre-incentive fee net investment income is payable

 

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except to the extent that 20.0% of the cumulative net increase in net assets resulting from operations since the effective date of the Company’s election to be treated as a BDC exceeds the cumulative incentive fees accrued and/or paid since the effective date of the Company’s election to be treated as a BDC. In other words, any investment income incentive fee that is payable in a calendar quarter is limited to the lesser of (i) 20.0% of the amount by which the Company’s pre-incentive fee net investment income for such calendar quarter exceeds the 2.0% hurdle, subject to the “catch-up” provision and (ii) (x) 20.0% of the cumulative net increase in net assets resulting from operations since the effective date of the Company’s election to be treated as a BDC minus (y) the cumulative incentive fees accrued and/or paid since the effective date of the Company’s election to be treated as a BDC. For the foregoing purpose, the “cumulative net increase in net assets resulting from operations” is the sum of the Company’s pre-incentive fee net investment income, realized gains and losses and unrealized gains and losses since the effective date of the Company’s election to be treated as a BDC. The Company elected to be treated as a BDC on March 5, 2014.

Pre-incentive fee net investment income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital gains or losses. Because of the structure of the incentive fee, it is possible that the Company may pay an incentive fee in a quarter where it incurs a loss, subject to the total return requirement described in the preceding paragraph. For example, if the Company receives pre-incentive fee net investment income in excess of the quarterly minimum hurdle rate, the Company may pay the applicable incentive fee even if it has incurred a loss in that quarter due to realized and unrealized capital losses subject to the total return requirement. The Company’s net investment income used to calculate this component of the incentive fee is also included in the amount of the Company’s assets used to calculate the 1.75% base management fee. These calculations are appropriately pro-rated for any period of less than three months and adjusted for any share issuance or repurchase during the current quarter.

Under the capital gains component of the incentive fee, the Company pays the Adviser at the end of each calendar year 20.0% of the Company’s aggregate cumulative realized capital gains from inception through the end of that year, computed net of aggregate cumulative realized capital losses and aggregate cumulative unrealized losses through the end of such year, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid capital gains incentive fees. For the foregoing purpose, the Company’s “aggregate cumulative realized capital gains” does not include any unrealized gains. It should be noted that the Company accrues an incentive fee for accounting purposes taking into account any unrealized gains in accordance with GAAP. The capital gains component of the incentive fee is not subject to any minimum return to stockholders. If such amount is negative, then no capital gains incentive fee is payable for such year. Additionally, if the Advisory Agreement is terminated as of a date that is not a calendar year end, the termination date will be treated as though it were a calendar year end for purposes of calculating and paying the capital gains incentive fee.

The base management fee accrued and payable, income incentive fee accrued and payable, and capital gains incentive fee accrued are included in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements and summarized in the table below. The Adviser has agreed not to include the U.S. Treasury bills acquired at the end of each quarter of 2014 in the calculation of gross assets for purposes of determining its base management fee. There were no realized capital gains since the inception of the Company and, thus, no capital gains incentive fee was earned or is payable. The Company had net unrealized losses during the three months ended March 31, 2015, and, as a result, recorded a reversal in accrued capital gains incentive fee up to the amount previously recognized of approximately $0.3 million. The Company had net unrealized gains during the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 2014, and, as a result, accrued a capital gains incentive fee equal to 20% of that amount.

 

Management and Incentive Fee

(dollars in thousands)

   For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2015
     For the Period from March 5, 2014
(Commencement of Operations)
to March 31, 2014
 

Base management fee

   $ 1,159       $ 144   

Income incentive fee

   $ 1,162       $ —     

Capital gains incentive fee

   $ (296    $ 275   

 

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During the three months ended March 31, 2015, approximately $1.9 million of base management fee earned in prior periods was paid and $2.4 million of income incentive fee earned in prior periods was paid. During the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 2014, no base management or income incentive fees were paid.

Administration Agreement

Prior to the commencement of operations, the Board approved an administration agreement (the “Administration Agreement”). The Administration Agreement provides that the Administrator is responsible for furnishing the Company with office facilities and equipment and provide the Company with clerical, bookkeeping, recordkeeping services and other administrative services at such facilities. Under the Administration Agreement, the Administrator performs, or oversees, or arranges for, the performance of the Company’s required administrative services, which includes being responsible for the financial and other records which the Company is required to maintain and preparing reports to the Company’s stockholders and reports and other materials filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and any other regulatory authority. In addition, the Administrator assists the Company in determining and publishing net asset value, overseeing the preparation and filing of the Company’s tax returns and printing and disseminating reports and other materials to the Company’s stockholders, and generally oversees the payment of the Company’s expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Company by others. Under the Administration Agreement, the Administrator also provides managerial assistance on the Company’s behalf to those companies that have accepted the Company’s offer to provide such assistance.

Payments under the Administration Agreement are equal to an amount equal to the Company’s allocable portion (subject to the review of the Board) of the Administrator’s overhead resulting from its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent and the allocable portion of the cost of the chief compliance officer and chief financial officer and their respective staffs. In addition, if requested to provide significant managerial assistance to the Company’s portfolio companies, the Administrator is paid an additional amount based on the services provided, which shall not exceed the amount the Company receives from such companies for providing this assistance.

The Administrator engages a sub-administrator to provide certain administrative services. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, and for the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 2014, expenses paid or payable by the Company to the Administrator under the Administration Agreement were approximately $0.4 million and $52 thousand, respectively, of which approximately $0.1 million and $23 thousand, respectively, were paid or payable to third-party service providers.

Note 4. Investments

The Company measures the value of its investments at fair value in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure ( “ASC Topic 820”) issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

The Valuation Committee of the Board is responsible for assisting the Board in valuing investments that are not publicly traded or for which current market values are not readily available. Investments for which market quotations are readily available are valued using market quotations, which are generally obtained from independent pricing services, broker-dealers or market makers. With respect to portfolio investments for which market quotations are not readily available, the Board, with the assistance of the Adviser and its senior investment team and independent valuation agents, is responsible for determining, in good faith, the fair value in accordance with the valuation policy approved by the Board. If more than one valuation method is used to measure fair value, the results are evaluated and weighted, as appropriate, considering the reasonableness of the range indicated by those results. The Adviser considers a range of fair values based upon the valuation techniques utilized and generally selects a value within that range that most represents fair value based on current

 

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market conditions as well as other factors the Adviser’s senior investment team considers relevant. The Board makes this fair value determination on at least a quarterly basis or at such other times when the Board feels it would be appropriate to do so, given the circumstances. A determination of fair value involves subjective judgments and estimates and depends on the facts and circumstances. Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of portfolio investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a readily available market value existed for such investments, and the differences could be material.

ASC Topic 820 specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. ASC Topic 820 also provides guidance regarding a fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes information used to measure fair value and the effect of fair value measurements on earnings and provides for enhanced disclosures determined by the level within the hierarchy of information used in the valuation. In accordance with ASC Topic 820, these inputs are summarized in the three levels listed below.

 

Level 1—

  Valuations are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that are accessible at the measurement date.

Level 2—

  Valuations are based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant inputs are observable.

Level 3—

  Valuations are based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models incorporating significant unobservable inputs, such as discounted cash flow models and other similar valuations techniques. The valuation of Level 3 assets and liabilities generally requires significant management judgment due to the inability to observe inputs to valuation.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an investment’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of observable input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and it considers factors specific to the investment.

Under ASC 820, the fair value measurement also assumes that the transaction to sell an asset occurs in the principal market for the asset or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset, which may be a hypothetical market, and excludes transaction costs. The principal market for any asset is the market with the greatest volume and level of activity for such asset in which the reporting entity would or could sell or transfer the asset. In determining the principal market for an asset or liability, it is assumed that the reporting entity has access to such market as of the measurement date. Market participants are defined as buyers and sellers in the principal or most advantageous market that are independent, knowledgeable and willing and able to transact.

With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available, the Board undertakes a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:

 

   

The quarterly valuation process begins with each portfolio company or investment being initially valued by the Adviser’s professionals that are responsible for the portfolio investment;

 

   

Preliminary valuation conclusions are then documented and discussed with the Adviser’s senior investment team;

 

   

The Valuation Committee then reviews these preliminary valuations and makes fair value recommendations to the Board;

 

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At least once annually, the valuation for each portfolio investment will be reviewed by an independent valuation firm. However, the Board does not intend to have de minimis investments of less than 1.0% of the Company’s gross assets (up to an aggregate of 10.0% of the Company’s gross assets) independently reviewed; and

 

   

The Board then discusses valuations and determines, in good faith, the fair value of each investment in the Company’s portfolio based on the input of the Adviser, the respective independent valuation firms and the Valuation Committee.

Debt Investments

The debt investments identified on the condensed consolidated schedules of investments are loans and equipment financings made to venture growth stage companies focused in technology, life sciences and other high growth industries which are backed by a select group of leading venture capital investors. These investments are considered Level 3 assets under ASC Topic 820 because there is no known or accessible market or market indices for these types of debt instruments and thus the Adviser’s senior management team must estimate the fair value of these investment securities based on models utilizing unobservable inputs.

To estimate the fair value of debt investments, the Company compares the cost basis of each debt investment, which includes original issue discount, to the resulting fair value determined using a discounted cash flow model, unless another model is more appropriate based on the circumstances at the measurement date. The discounted cash flow approach entails analyzing the interest rate spreads for recently completed financing transactions which are similar in nature to these debt investments, in order to determine a comparable range of effective market interest rates. The range of interest rate spreads utilized is based on borrowers with similar credit profiles. All remaining expected cash flows of the investment are discounted using this range of interest rates to determine a range of fair values for the debt investment.

This valuation process includes, among other things, evaluating the underlying investment performance and the portfolio company’s current financial condition and ability to raise additional capital, as well as macro-economic events that may impact valuations. These events include, but are not limited to, current market yields and interest rate spreads of similar securities as of the measurement date. Changes in these unobservable inputs could result in significantly different fair value measurements.

Under certain circumstances, an alternative technique may be used to value certain debt investments that better reflected the fair value of the investment, such as the price paid or realized in a recently completed transaction or a binding offer received in an arm’s length transaction, the use of multiple probability weighted cash flow models when the expected future cash flows contain elements of variability or estimates of proceeds that would be received in a liquidation scenario.

Warrants

The fair value of the warrants is primarily estimated using a Black Scholes option pricing model. Privately held warrants and equity-related securities are valued based on an analysis of various factors, but not limited to, the following:

 

   

Underlying enterprise value of the issuer is estimated based on information available, including any information regarding the most recent rounds of borrower funding. Valuation techniques to determine enterprise value include market multiple approaches, income approaches or approaches that utilize recent rounds of financing and the portfolio company’s capital structure to determine enterprise value. Valuation techniques are also utilized to allocate the enterprise fair value of a portfolio company to the specific class of common or preferred stock exercisable in the warrant. Such techniques take into account the rights and preferences of the portfolio company’s securities, expected exit scenarios, and volatility associated with such outcomes to allocate the fair value to the specific class of stock held in

 

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the portfolio. Such techniques included option pricing models, including back solve techniques, probability weighted expected return models and other techniques as determined to be appropriate.

 

   

Volatility, or the amount of uncertainty or risk about the size of the changes in the warrant price, is based on comparable publicly traded companies within indices similar in nature to the underlying company issuing the warrant. Increases (decreases) in this unobservable input could result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value.

 

   

The risk-free interest rates are derived from the U.S. Treasury yield curve. The risk-free interest rates are calculated based on a weighted average of the risk-free interest rates that correspond closest to the expected remaining life of the warrant. Increases (decreases) in this unobservable input could result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value.

 

   

Other adjustments, including a marketability discount on private company warrants, are estimated based on the Adviser’s judgment about the general industry environment. Changes in this unobservable input could result in a significantly different fair value.

 

   

Historical portfolio experience on cancellations and exercises of warrants are utilized as the basis for determining the estimated life of the warrants in each financial reporting period. Warrants may be exercised in the event of acquisitions, mergers or initial public offerings, and cancelled due to events such as bankruptcies, restructuring activities or additional financings. These events cause the expected remaining life assumption to be shorter than the contractual term of the warrants. Increases (decreases) in this unobservable input could result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value.

Under certain circumstances alternative techniques may be used to value certain warrants that better reflect the warrants’ fair values, such as an expected settlement of a warrant in the near term, a model that incorporates a put feature associated with the warrant, or the price paid or realized in a recently completed transaction or binding offer received in an arm’s-length transaction. The fair value may be determined based on the expected proceeds to be received from such settlement or based on the net present value of the expected proceeds from the put option.

These valuation methodologies involve a significant degree of judgment. There is no single standard for determining the estimated fair value of investments which do not have an active public market. Valuations of privately held investments are inherently uncertain, as they are based on estimates, and their values may fluctuate over time. The determination of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if an active market for these investments existed. In some cases, the fair value of such investments is best expressed as a range of values derived utilizing different methodologies from which a single estimate may then be determined.

Equity Investments

The fair value of an equity investment in a privately held company is initially the amount invested. The Company adjusts the fair value of equity investments in private companies upon the completion of a new third party round of equity financing subsequent to its investment. The Company may make adjustments to fair value, absent a new equity financing event, based upon positive or negative changes in a portfolio company’s financial or operational performance. The Company may also reference comparable transactions and/or secondary market transactions of comparable companies to estimate fair value. These valuation methodologies involve a significant degree of judgment. The fair value of an equity investment in a publicly traded company is based upon the closing public share price on the date of measurement. These assets are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. There is no single standard for determining the estimated fair value of investments which do not have an active public market. Valuations of privately held investments are inherently uncertain, as they are based on estimates, and their values may fluctuate over time. The determination of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if an active market for these investments existed. In some cases, the fair value of such investments is best expressed as a range of values derived utilizing different methodologies from which a single estimate may then be determined.

 

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The following is a summary by investment type of the fair value according to inputs used in valuing investments listed in the accompanying condensed consolidated schedules of investments as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

 

Investment Type

(dollars in thousands)

   As of March 31, 2015  
   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Debt investments

   $ —         $ —         $ 240,143       $ 240,143   

Warrants

     —           —           8,250         8,250   

Equity investments

     —           —           3,321         3,321   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

   $ —         $ —         $ 251,714       $ 251,714   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investment Type

(dollars in thousands)

   As of December 31, 2014  
   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Debt investments

   $ —         $ —         $ 247,609       $ 247,609   

Warrants

     —           —           7,291         7,291   

Equity investments

     —           —           3,071         3,071   

Short-term investments

     49,995         —           —           49,995   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

   $ 49,995       $ —         $ 257,971       $ 307,966   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and for the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 2014, there were no transfers in or out of any levels.

The following table presents additional information about Level 3 investments measured at fair value for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and for the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 2014. Both observable and unobservable inputs were used to determine the fair value of positions that the Company has classified within the Level 3 category. As a result, the net unrealized gains and losses for assets within the Level 3 category may include changes in fair value that were attributable to both observable (e.g., changes in market interest rates) and unobservable (e.g., changes in unobservable long-dated volatilities) inputs.

 

Level 3

Investment Activity

(dollars in thousands)

   For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015  
   Debt
Investments
    Warrants     Equity
Investments
     Total
Investments
 

Fair value as of December 31, 2014

   $ 247,609      $ 7,291      $ 3,071       $ 257,971   

Fundings of investments, at cost

     9,609        (101     250         9,758   

Principal payments received on investments

     (15,739     —          —           (15,739

Amortization and accretion of fixed income premiums and discounts, net

     1,933        —          —           1,933   

Realized losses

     —          (317     —           (317

Net change in unrealized (losses) gains included in earnings

     (3,269     1,377        —           (1,892
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Totals

   $ 240,143      $ 8,250      $ 3,321       $ 251,714   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized (losses) gains on Level 3 investments still held as of March 31, 2015

   $ (2,953   $ 1,303      $ —         $ (1,650
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Level 3

Investment Activity

(dollars in thousands)

   For the Period from March 5, 2014 (Commencement
of Operations) to March 31, 2014
 
   Debt
Investments
     Warrants      Equity
Investments
     Total
Investments
 

Fair value as of March 5, 2014

   $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —     

Purchases and fundings of investments, at cost (1)

     136,463         3,530         2,000         141,993   

Amortization and accretion of fixed income premiums and discounts, net

     282         —           —           282   

Realized gains

     —           —           —           —     

Net change in unrealized gains included in earnings

     527         847         —           1,374   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 137,272       $ 4,377       $ 2,000       $ 143,649   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains on Level 3 investments still held as of March 31, 2014

   $ 527       $ 847       $ —         $ 1,374   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Purchases and fundings of investments include the purchase of the Company’s initial portfolio on March 5, 2014, and fundings of additional investments during the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 2014.

Realized and unrealized gains and losses are included in net realized gains (losses) on investments and net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments in the condensed consolidated statements of operations, respectively. There were realized losses of approximately $0.3 million as a result of writing off certain warrants during the three months ended March 31, 2015. There were no realized gains or losses during the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 2014. The change in net unrealized losses for Level 3 investments during the three months ended March 31, 2015 was approximately $1.9 million, which was comprised of approximately $3.3 million of net unrealized losses from debt investments and approximately $1.4 million of net unrealized gains from warrants. The change in net unrealized gains for Level 3 investments during the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 2014 was approximately $1.4 million, which was comprised of approximately $0.5 million of net unrealized gains from debt investments and approximately $0.9 million of net unrealized gains from warrants.

For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recognized approximately $0.6 million in other income, which was almost entirely due to the termination or expiration of unfunded commitments and approximately $36 thousand from amortization of certain fees paid by companies and miscellaneous income. For the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 2014, the Company did not recognize any other income.

The following tables provide a summary of quantitative information about the Level 3 fair value measurements of investments as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. In addition to the techniques and inputs noted in the tables below, the Company may also use other valuation techniques and methodologies when determining fair value measurements. The tables below are not intended to be all inclusive, but rather provide information on significant Level 3 inputs as they relate to the fair value measurements of investments.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Level 3 Investments

(dollars in thousands)

   As of March 31, 2015
   Fair Value     

Valuation Technique

  

Unobservable Inputs

  

Range (Weighted Average)

Debt investments

   $ 240,143       Discounted Cash Flows    Discount Rate    11.25% - 27.00% (15.55%)

Warrants

     5,958       Black Scholes Option Pricing Model    Share Price and Equity Value    N/A
         Revenue Multiples    1.00x - 6.50x (3.06x)
         Weighted Average Cost of Capital    18.30% - 25.00% (19.40%)
         Volatility    40.00% - 70.00% (54.12%)
         Term    1.00 - 3.50 Years (2.26 Years)
         Discount for Lack of Marketability    0.00% - 38.90% (14.44%)
     2,292       Option-Pricing Method and Probability-Weighted Expected Return Method    Weighted Average Cost of Capital   

25.00% - 30.00% (27.05%)

         Term    0.75 - 1.25 Years (1.08 Years)

Equity investments

     1,571       Probability-Weighted Expected Return Method    Volatility    70.00% - 70.00% (70.00%)
         Term    1.12 - 1.12 Years (1.12 Years)
     1,750       Market Approach    Price Paid    N/A
  

 

 

          

Total investments

   $ 251,714            
  

 

 

          

Level 3 Investments

(dollars in thousands)

   As of December 31, 2014
   Fair Value     

Valuation Technique

  

Unobservable Inputs

  

Range (Weighted Average)

Debt investments

   $ 247,609       Discounted Cash Flows    Discount Rate    11.30% - 19.75% (14.90%)

Warrants

     6,359       Black Scholes Option Pricing Model    Share Price and Equity Value    N/A
         Revenue Multiples    1.00x - 6.50x (2.99x)
         Weighted Average Cost of Capital   

18.50% - 25.00% (22.29%)

         Volatility    42.08% - 70.00% (54.68%)
         Term    0.25 - 4.40 Years (2.54 Years)
         Discount for Lack of Marketability   

0.00% - 38.65% (14.69%)

     932       Option-Pricing Method and Probability-Weighted Expected Return Method    Weighted Average Cost of Capital   

30.00% - 30.00% (30.00%)

         Term    0.75 - 1.00 Years (0.92 Years)

Equity investments

     1,571       Probability-Weighted Expected Return Method    Volatility    70.00% - 70.00% (70.00%)
         Term    1.12 -1.12 Years (1.12 Years)
     1,500       Market Approach    Price Paid    N/A
  

 

 

          

Total investments

   $ 257,971            
  

 

 

          

As of March 31, 2015, the fair values for all the Company’s debt investments were estimated using discounted cash flow models based on anticipated cash flows and a discount rate deemed most appropriate for each investment given the facts and circumstances specific to each portfolio company and market yields at the reporting date. For all but four warrants, fair values were estimated using an Option-Pricing Method that values individual equity classes based on their economic rights and preferences using the Black Scholes Option-Pricing Model. Four warrant positions and one equity investment were valued using a combination of the Option-Pricing Method and the Probability-Weighted Expected Return Method given the outlook for that company. The other equity investments were valued using the market approach. The range of the various assumptions and weighted averages of these assumptions are summarized in the tables above.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

As of December 31, 2014, the fair values for all the Company’s debt investments were estimated using discounted cash flow models based on anticipated cash flows and a discount rate deemed most appropriate for each investment given the facts and circumstances specific to each portfolio company and market yields at the reporting date. For all but three warrants, fair values were estimated using an Option-Pricing Method that values individual equity classes based on their economic rights and preferences using the Black Scholes Option-Pricing Model. Three warrant positions and one equity investment were valued using a combination of the Option-Pricing Method and the Probability-Weighted Expected Return Method given the outlook for that company. The other equity investments were valued using the market approach. The range of the various assumptions and weighted averages of these assumptions are summarized in the table above.

As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had pledged certain of its debt investments and certain of its warrants with an aggregate fair value of approximately $235.2 million and $239.8 million, respectively, for borrowings under its revolving credit facility.

Note 5. Credit Risk

Debt investments may be affected by business, financial market or legal uncertainties. Prices of investments may be volatile, and a variety of factors that are inherently difficult to predict, such as domestic, economic and political developments, may significantly affect the value of these investments. In addition, the value of these investments may fluctuate as the general level of interest rates fluctuate.

In many instances, the portfolio company’s ability to repay the debt investments is dependent on additional funding by its venture capital investors, a future sale or an initial public offering. The value of these investments may be detrimentally affected to the extent a borrower defaults on its obligations, there is insufficient collateral and/or there are extensive legal and other costs incurred in collecting on a defaulted loan.

In March 2015, the Company moved one of its portfolio companies, Coraid, Inc., representing approximately 5% of the Company’s total assets as of December 31, 2014, to Category 5 and non-accrual status. The Company accelerated the outstanding obligations owed by Coraid, Inc. and this obligor entered into a foreclosure agreement that provided for Intermodal Data, Inc. to purchase certain assets and assume the outstanding obligations owed to the Company.

Note 6. Borrowings

Bridge Facility

In February 2014, the Company entered into a credit agreement with Deutsche Bank for the purpose of acquiring its initial portfolio. On March 5, 2014, the Company borrowed approximately $121.7 million under this facility. On March 11, 2014, the Company paid this borrowing in full with a portion of the net proceeds received in the Company’s initial public offering. The Company paid approximately $25 thousand of interest on this facility. All other fees and expenses associated with entering into this facility were paid by TPC.

Revolving Credit Facility

In February 2014, the Company, along with its Financing Subsidiary as borrower, entered into a credit agreement with Deutsche Bank acting as administrative agent and a lender, and KeyBank National Association, Everbank Commercial Lender Finance, Inc., and AloStar Bank of Commerce, as other lenders, which provided the Company with a $150.0 million commitment, subject to borrowing base requirements (“Credit Facility”). In August 2014, the Company amended its Credit Facility to increase the total commitments available there under by $50.0 million to $200.0 million in aggregate.

Borrowings under this revolving Credit Facility bear interest at the sum of (i) the commercial paper rate for certain specified lenders and 30-day LIBOR for other lenders or, if LIBOR is unavailable, the higher of Deutsche

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Bank’s commercial lending rate or the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50% plus (ii) a margin of 3.5% during the revolving period and 4.5% during the amortization period. Borrowings under this revolving Credit Facility are secured only by the assets of the Financing Subsidiary. The Company agreed to pay to Deutsche Bank a syndication fee in 12 monthly installments, of approximately 1.0% of the committed facility amount. The Company also agreed to pay Deutsche Bank a fee to act as administrative agent under this revolving Credit Facility and to pay each lender (i) a commitment fee of 0.65% multiplied by such lender’s commitment on the effective date in 12 equal monthly installments and (ii) a fee of approximately 0.75% per annum of any unused borrowings under this Credit Facility on a monthly basis. This revolving Credit Facility contains affirmative and restrictive covenants, including but not limited to an advance rate limitation of approximately 55.0% of the applicable net loan balance of assets held by the Financing Subsidiary, maintenance of minimum net worth at an agreed level, a ratio of total assets to total indebtedness of not less than approximately 2:1, a key man clause relating to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer Mr. James Labe and the Company’s President and Chief Investment Officer Mr. Sajal Srivastava and eligibility requirements, including but not limited to geographic and industry concentration limitations and certain loan grade classifications. Furthermore, events of default under this Credit Facility include, among other things, (i) a payment default; (ii) a change of control; (iii) bankruptcy; (iv) a covenant default; and (v) the Company’s failure to maintain compliance with RIC provisions at all times. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under this Credit Facility.

At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had outstanding borrowings of $120.0 million and $118.0 million, respectively, under its revolving Credit Facility, which is included in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of assets and liabilities. Interest expense on these borrowings includes the interest cost charged on borrowings, the unused fee on the Credit Facility, paying and administrative agent fees, and the amortization of deferred Credit Facility fees and expenses. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, interest expense on the revolving Credit Facility totaled approximately $1.6 million, consisting of approximately $1.2 million of interest expense, approximately $0.1 million of unused facilities expense, and approximately $0.3 million of amortization of deferred Credit Facility costs and other fees. For the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 2014, interest expense on the revolving Credit Facility totaled approximately $129 thousand, consisting of approximately $2 thousand of interest expense, approximately $65 thousand of unused facilities expense, and approximately $62 thousand of amortization of deferred Credit Facility costs and other fees.

Other Payables

As of March 31, 2015, the Company had no other payables other than in the ordinary course of business. On December 30, 2014, the Company purchased $50.0 million of U.S. Treasury bills for settlement on January 2, 2015. The associated payable was included in the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2014.

Note 7. Commitments

As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company’s unfunded commitments to nine and eleven companies, respectively, totaled $153.5 million and $211.0 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2015, $28.0 million of the unfunded commitments were dependent upon the companies reaching certain milestones before the debt commitment becomes available to them. The Company’s unfunded commitments as of March 31, 2015 included $86.0 million that will expire during 2015 and $67.5 million that will expire during 2016 if not drawn prior to expiration. The Company’s unfunded commitments included $143.5 million with technology-related companies and $10.0 million with non-technology related companies, of which $148.5 million represent commitments for growth capital loans and $5.0 million for revolving loans. Our credit agreements contain customary lending provisions which allow us relief from funding obligations for previously made commitments in instances where the underlying company experiences materially adverse events that affect the financial condition or business outlook for the company. Since these commitments may expire without being drawn upon,

 

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Index to Financial Statements

unfunded commitments do not necessarily represent future cash requirements or future earning assets for the Company. The tables below provide the Company’s unfunded commitments by customer as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

 

     As of March 31, 2015  

Unfunded Commitments

(dollars in thousands)

   Principal
Balance
     Fair Value of
Unfunded
Commitment
Liability
 

Birst, Inc.

   $ 22,500       $ 201   

Cambridge Broadband Network Limited

     1,000         10   

CipherCloud, Inc.

     25,000         73   

Inspirato LLC

     10,000         46   

Medallia, Inc.

     20,000         111   

Mind Candy Limited

     15,000         424   

Nutanix, Inc.

     20,000         64   

Shazam Entertainment Limited

     20,000         134   

SimpliVity Corporation

     20,000         129   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 153,500       $ 1,192   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     As of December 31, 2014  

Unfunded Commitments

(dollars in thousands)

   Principal
Balance
     Fair Value of
Unfunded
Commitment
Liability
 

Birst, Inc.

   $ 22,500       $ 201   

Cambridge Broadband Network Limited

     1,000         10   

CipherCloud, Inc.

     30,000         79   

Inspirato LLC

     10,000         46   

Medallia, Inc.

     20,000         11   

Mind Candy Limited

     15,000         424   

Nutanix, Inc.

     20,000         64   

Shazam Entertainment Limited

     20,000         134   

SimpliVity Corporation

     30,000         191   

Tintri, Inc.

     35,000         805   

Virtual Instruments Corporation

     7,500         167   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 211,000       $ 2,132   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The tables above also provide the fair value of the Company’s unfunded commitment liability as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 totaling approximately $1.2 million and $2.1 million, respectively. The fair value at the inception of the agreement of the delay draw credit agreements is equal to the fees and warrants received to enter into these agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the counterparties’ credit profile. The unfunded commitment liability reflects the fair value of these future funding commitments and is included in “Other accrued expenses and liabilities” in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of assets and liabilities.

These liabilities are considered Level 3 liabilities under ASC Topic 820 because there is no known or accessible market or market indices for these types of financial instruments. Both observable and unobservable inputs were used to determine the fair value of positions that the Company has classified within the Level 3 category. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the fair value of unfunded commitment liability decreased by $0.9 million primarily due to decreases of unfunded commitments. The Company did not enter into any new commitments during the three months ended March 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had no unrealized gains and losses for liabilities within Level 3 category.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Note 8. Financial Highlights

The financial highlights presented below are for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and for the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 2014.

 

Financial Highlights (dollars in thousands, except per share data)

   For the Three Months
Ended March 31, 2015
or as of March 31,
2015
    For the Period from
March 5, 2014
(Commencement of
Operations) to
March 31, 2014 or as of
March 31, 2014
 

Per Share Data

    

Initial public offering price (1)

   $ —        $ 15.00   

Front end sales charges (1)

     —          (0.44
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net proceeds (1)

     —          14.56   

Offering costs (1)

     —          (0.18
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value at beginning of period

     14.61        14.38   

Accretion due to public offering of common stock

     0.01        —     

Offering costs related to public offering of common stock

     (0.05     —     

Net investment income

     0.48        0.06   

Net realized losses

     (0.03     —     

Net change in unrealized (losses) gains on investments

     (0.18     0.14   

Dividend distributions

     (0.36     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value at end of period

   $ 14.48      $ 14.58   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income per share

   $ 0.48      $ 0.06   

Net increase in net assets per share

   $ 0.27      $ 0.20   

Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding for period

     10,285,282        9,842,333   

Shares of common stock outstanding at end of period

     16,424,171        9,842,333   

 

Financial Highlights (dollars in thousands, except per share data)

   For the Three Months
Ended March 31, 2015
or as of March 31,
2015
    For the Period from
March 5, 2014
(Commencement of
Operations) to
March 31, 2014 or as of
March 31, 2014
 

Ratios / Supplemental Data

    

Net asset value at beginning of period

   $ 144,979      $ 25   

Net asset value at end of period

   $ 237,873      $ 143,516   

Average net asset value

   $ 151,545      $ 142,544   

Total return based on net asset value per share (2)

     1.6     (2.8 )% 

Net asset value per share at beginning of period

   $ 14.61      $ 15.00   

Dividends per share during period

   $ 0.36      $ —     

Net asset value per share at end of period

   $ 14.48      $ 14.58   

Total return based on stock price (3)

     (2.6 )%      8.3

Stock price at beginning of period

   $ 14.85      $ 15.00   

Dividends per share during period

   $ 0.36      $ —     

Stock price at end of period

   $ 14.11      $ 16.24   

Weighted average portfolio yield (4)

     14.6     14.3

Coupon income (4)

     11.0     11.2

Accretion of discount (4)

     0.6     0.1

Accretion of end-of-term payments (4)

     2.9     3.0

Impact of prepayments during the period (4)

     0.1     0.0

Net investment income to average net asset value (5)

     13.2     5.4

Net increase in net assets to average net asset value (5)

     7.3     18.4

Total operating expenses to average net asset value (5)

     13.0     5.5

Operating expenses excluding incentive fees to average net asset value (5)

     10.7     2.9

Income component of incentive fees to average net asset value (5)

     3.1     0.0

Capital gains component of incentive fees to average net asset value (5)

     (0.8 )%      2.6

 

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Index to Financial Statements

 

(1) The presentation of these line items has been recast from versions previously filed in the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2014 and June 30, 2014 in order to disaggregate the impact of front end sales charges from the offering costs in connection with the Company’s initial public offering.
(2) Total return based on net asset value (“NAV”) is the change in ending NAV per share plus dividends per share paid during the period assuming participation in the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan divided by the beginning NAV per share. The NAV per share as of March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) is the NAV per share immediately after the Company’s initial public offering. The total return is for the period shown and is not annualized.
(3) Total return based on stock price is the change in the ending stock price of the Company’s common stock plus dividends paid during the period assuming participation in the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan divided by the beginning stock price of the Company’s common stock. The stock price as of March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) is the issuance price per share of the Company’s initial public offering. The total return is for the period shown and is not annualized.
(4) Weighted average portfolio yields for periods shown are the annualized rates of interest income recognized during the period divided by the average amortized cost of debt investments in the portfolio at the beginning of each month in the period.
(5) Percentage is presented on an annualized basis.

Note 9. Net Increase in Net Assets per Share

The following information sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and for the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 2014.

 

Basic and Diluted Share Information
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

   For the Three Months
Ended March 31, 2015
     For the Period from
March 5, 2014
(Commencement of
Operations) to
March 31, 2014
 

Net investment income

   $ 4,945       $ 569   

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 2,739       $ 1,943   

Basic and diluted average weighted shares of common stock outstanding

     10,285,282         9,842,333   

Basic and diluted investment income per share

   $ 0.48       $ 0.06   

Basic and diluted net increase in net assets per share

   $ 0.27       $ 0.20   

Note 10. Equity Offerings

On March 5, 2014, the Company issued 9,840,665 shares of common stock through an initial public offering and a concurrent private placement offering and received net proceeds of approximately $143.3 million. A portion of the offering costs, or $1.75 million, were borne by the Company and charged against paid-in capital. The Adviser agreed to pay the balance of the organizational and offering costs and a portion of the front end sales charges, which amounts are not subject to recoupment from the Company.

On March 27, 2015, the Company priced a public offering of 6,500,000 shares of its common stock, raising approximately $93.7 million after offering costs. The Company included a “Receivable related to public offering of common stock” in its condensed consolidated statements of assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2015, which was received on April 1, 2015. Offering costs of approximately $0.8 million were borne by the Company and charged against paid-in capital. The Adviser agreed to pay approximately $3.6 million, which represents a portion of the price discount and the entire front end sales charges, which amounts are not subject to recoupment from the Company.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

The Company has adopted a dividend reinvestment plan for its stockholders, which is an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan. Under this plan, if the Company declares a cash distribution to stockholders, the amount of such distribution is automatically reinvested in additional shares of common stock unless a stockholder specifically “opts out” of the dividend reinvestment plan. If a stockholder opts out, that stockholder receives cash distributions.

Information on the proceeds raised along with any related front end sales charges and associated offering costs borne by the Company, and the price at which common stock was issued by the Company, during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2014, is provided in the following tables.

 

Issuance of Common Stock during the three
months ended March 31, 2015

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

  Date     Number of
Shares of
Common
Stock
Issued
    Gross
Proceeds
Raised
    Front
End Sales
Charges
    Offering
Expenses
    Gross Offering Price

Public offering of common stock

    3/27/2015        6,500,000      $ 94,575      $ —        $ 847      $14.55 per share (1)
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total issuance

      6,500,000      $ 94,575      $ —        $ 847     
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

Issuance of Common Stock for the Period
from March 5, 2014 (Commencement of
Operations) to December 31, 2014
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

  Date     Number of
Shares of
Common
Stock
Issued
    Gross
Proceeds
Raised
    Front
End Sales
Charges
    Offering
Expenses
    Gross Offering Price

Initial public offering

    3/5/2014        8,333,333      $ 125,000      $ 3,750      $ 1,750      $15.00 per share

Exercise of over-allotment option

    3/5/2014        1,250,000        18,750        562        —        $15.00 per share

Private placement

    3/5/2014        257,332        3,860        —          —        $15.00 per share

First quarter 2014 dividend reinvestment

    4/30/2014        6,038        87        —          —        $14.44 per share

Second quarter 2014 dividend reinvestment

    6/17/2014        20,489        298        —          —        $14.54 per share

Third quarter 2014 dividend reinvestment

    9/16/2014        22,715        329        —          —        $14.50 per share

Fourth quarter 2014 dividend reinvestment

    12/16/2014        20,522        277        —          —        $13.49 per share

Special 2014 dividend reinvestment

    12/31/2014        12,074        170        —          —        $14.11 per share
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total issuance

      9,922,503      $ 148,771      $ 4,312      $ 1,750     
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

(1) In connection with this offering, the Adviser paid the underwriters a supplemental payment of approximately $0.7 million, or $0.11 per share, which reflected the difference between the public offering price and the proceeds per share received by the Company in the offering.

Prior to the Company’s initial public offering, there were 1,668 shares of common stock outstanding. As a result of the stock issuance summarized above, 16,424,171 and 9,924,171 shares of common stock were outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Note 11. Dividends

The Company intends to elect to be treated, and intends to qualify annually thereafter, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, beginning with the Company’s taxable year ending December 31, 2014. In order to qualify as a RIC, among other things, the Company is required to distribute at least 90% of the Company’s net ordinary income and net short-term capital gains in excess of its net

 

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long-term capital losses, if any, to its stockholders. Additionally, the Company must distribute at least 98% of the Company’s ordinary income and 98.2% of the Company’s capital gain net income on an annual basis and any net ordinary income and net capital gains for preceding years that were not distributed during such years and on which the Company previously paid no U.S. federal income tax to avoid a U.S. federal excise tax. The Company intends to distribute (or retain through a deemed distribution) all of the Company’s investment company taxable income and net capital gains to stockholders. The character of income and gains that the Company distributes is determined in accordance with income tax regulations that may differ from GAAP. Book and tax basis differences relating to stockholder dividends and distributions and other permanent book and tax differences are reclassified to paid-in capital.

The following table summarizes the Company’s cash distributions per share as authorized by the Board since March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations).

 

Period Ended

 

Date Announced

 

Record Date

 

Payment Date

 

Per Share
Amount

March 31, 2015

  March 16, 2015   March 26, 2015   April 16, 2015   $0.36

December 31, 2014

  December 3, 2014   December 22, 2014   December 31, 2014   $0.15 (1)
  October 27, 2014   November 28, 2014   December 16, 2014   $0.36

September 30, 2014

  August 11, 2014   August 29, 2014   September 16, 2014   $0.32

June 30, 2014

  May 13, 2014   May 30, 2014   June 17, 2014   $0.30

March 31, 2014

  April 3, 2014   April 15, 2014   April 30, 2014   $0.09 (2)

 

(1) Represents a special dividend.
(2) The amount of this initial distribution reflected a quarterly dividend rate of $0.30 per share, prorated for the 27 days for the period from the pricing of the Company’s initial public offering on March 5, 2014 through March 31, 2014.

It is the Company’s intention to distribute all or substantially all of its taxable income earned over the course of the year; thus, no provision for income tax has been recorded in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations through March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, respectively. For the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2014, total dividends of $1.22 per share were declared and paid and represented a distribution of ordinary income as the Company’s earnings and profits for this period exceeded its distributions. As of December 31, 2014, the Company estimated it had approximately $1.2 million of remaining taxable earnings to distribute to stockholders. This “spillover” income was paid as part of the first quarter 2015 dividends. As of March 31, 2015, the Company estimated it had undistributed 2015 taxable earnings of approximately $2.2 million.

Note 12. Subsequent Events

Equity Offerings

On April 29, 2015, the Company raised an additional approximately $2.2 million through the issuance of 154,018 shares of the Company’s common stock as the result of the underwriters’ partial exercise of their overallotment option.

Dividends

On May 6, 2015, the Board announced a $0.36 per share dividend, payable on June 16, 2015, to stockholders of record on May 29, 2015.

Recent Portfolio Activity

On April 15, 2015, Intermodal Data, Inc. acquired certain assets and assumed the outstanding obligations owed to the Company by Coraid, Inc. and entered into a new loan agreement with the Company for the amounts owed.

 

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From April 1, 2015, through May 5, 2015, the Company closed $25.0 million in new debt commitments. TPC’s direct origination platform entered into $23.0 million of additional non-binding signed term sheets with venture growth stage companies, subject to due diligence, definitive documentation and investment committee approval, as well as compliance with TPC’s allocation policy.

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp.

Menlo Park, California

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of assets and liabilities of TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp. and subsidiaries (the “Company”), including the consolidated schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in net assets, cash flows and the consolidated financial highlights for the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2014. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights 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 the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of investments as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian, borrowers and brokers, and where replies were not received, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp. and subsidiaries as of December 31 , 2014, and the consolidated results of their operations, changes in their net assets, cash flows, and the financial highlights for the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement in operations) to December 31, 2014, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

San Francisco, California

March 18, 2015

 

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FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Financial Statements

TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

     As of
December 31, 2014
 

Assets

  

Investments at fair value (amortized cost of $256,485)

   $ 257,971   

Short-term investments at fair value (cost of $49,998)

     49,995   

Cash

     6,906   

Restricted cash

     8,033   

Deferred credit facility costs

     2,921   

Prepaid expenses

     503   
  

 

 

 

Total Assets

     326,329   
  

 

 

 

Liabilities

  

Revolving credit facility payable

     118,000   

Payable for U.S. Treasury bill assets

     49,998   

Base management fee payable

     1,905   

Income incentive fee payable

     2,350   

Accrued capital gains incentive fee

     296   

Payable to directors and officers

     96   

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     8,705   
  

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     181,350   
  

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 7)

  

Net Assets

   $ 144,979   
  

 

 

 

Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (50,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding)

   $ —     

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share (450,000,000 shares authorized; 9,924,171 shares issued and outstanding)

     99   

Paid-in capital in excess of par value

     142,635   

Net investment income

     12,808   

Accumulated net unrealized gains

     1,483   

Dividend distributions

     (12,046
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 144,979   
  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value per Share

   $ 14.61   
  

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

     For the Period from
March 5, 2014
(Commencement of
Operations) to
December 31, 2014
 

Investment Income

  

Interest income from investments

   $ 24,674   

Other income

     672   
  

 

 

 

Total investment and other income

     25,346   

Operating Expenses

  

Base management fee

     2,723   

Income incentive fee

     2,569   

Capital gains incentive fee

     296   

Interest expense and amortization of fees

     3,897   

Administration agreement expenses

     1,098   

General and administrative expenses

     1,955   
  

 

 

 

Total Operating Expenses

     12,538   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     12,808   

Net realized gains

     —     

Net change in unrealized gains on investments

     1,483   
  

 

 

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   $ 14,291   
  

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net investment income per share

   $ 1.30   

Basic and diluted net increase in net assets per share

   $ 1.45   

Basic and diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding

     9,869,860   

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

     For the Period from
March 5, 2014
(Commencement of
Operations) to
December 31, 2014
 

Net Assets

  

Net assets as of March 5, 2014

   $ 25   

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     14,291   

Dividend distributions

     (12,046

Common stock issuance, net

     142,709   
  

 

 

 

Net assets as of December 31, 2014

   $ 144,979   
  

 

 

 

Capital Share Activity:

  

Common stock outstanding as of March 5, 2014

     1,668   

Common stock issued

     9,922,503   
  

 

 

 

Common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2014

     9,924,171   
  

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(dollars in thousands)

 

     For the Period from
March 5, 2014
(Commencement of
Operations) to
December 31, 2014
 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

  

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 14,291   

Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash used in operating activities:

  

Fundings and purchases of investments

     (283,171

Purchases and sales of short-term investments, net

     (49,998

Principal payments on investments

     31,881   

Net change in unrealized gains on investments

     (1,483

Amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts, net

     (559

Accretion of end-of-term payments

     (4,636

Amortization of deferred credit facility costs

     966   

Change in restricted cash

     (8,033

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

  

Payable for U.S. Treasury bill assets

     49,998   

Prepaid expenses

     (503

Base management fee

     1,905   

Income incentive fee payable

     2,350   

Accrued capital gains incentive fee

     296   

Payable to directors and officers

     96   

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     8,165   
  

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

     (238,435
  

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

  

Borrowing under bridge facility

     121,662   

Repayment of bridge facility

     (121,662

Borrowings under revolving credit facility, net

     118,000   

Dividend distributions, net

     (10,884

Deferred credit facility costs

     (3,347

Net proceeds from issuance of common stock

     141,547   
  

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     245,316   
  

 

 

 

Net change in cash

     6,881   

Cash at beginning of period

     25   
  

 

 

 

Cash at end of period

   $ 6,906   
  

 

 

 

Non-Cash Financing Activities:

  

Accrued deferred credit facility cost

   $ 540   

Supplemental Information:

  

Cash paid during period for interest

   $ 2,632   

Dividend distributions reinvested

   $ 1,162   

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(dollars in thousands)

As of December 31, 2014

 

Venture Growth Stage Company

 

Industry

 

Type of Investment

  Outstanding
Principal
    Cost     Fair Value     Maturity
Date
 

Debt Investments

           

Aerohive Networks, Inc.

  Wireless Communications Equipment   Growth Capital Loan
(9.25% interest rate,
6.00% EOT payment)
  $ 2,500      $ 2,569      $ 2,601        12/31/2015   
    Growth Capital Loan
(10.25% interest rate,
6.75% EOT payment)
    7,500        7,619        7,902        12/31/2017   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Aerohive Networks, Inc. Total

    10,000        10,188        10,503     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

AirStrip Technologies, Inc.

  Medical Software and Information Services   Growth Capital Loan
(8.75% interest rate,
9.00% EOT payment)
    4,616        4,818        4,835        10/31/2016   
    Growth Capital Loan
(8.75% interest rate,
9.00% EOT payment)
    5,000        5,112        5,125        3/31/2017   
    Growth Capital Loan
(8.75% interest rate,
9.00% EOT payment)
    5,000        5,051        5,062        7/31/2017   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

AirStrip Technologies, Inc. Total

    14,616        14,981        15,022     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Birst, Inc.

  Business Applications Software   Growth Capital Loan
(Prime + 6.90% interest rate, 2.00% EOT
    10,000        9,870        9,864        11/30/2017   

Cambridge Broadband Network Limited (1)(3)

  Wireless Communications Equipment   Growth Capital Loan
(11.50% interest rate,
9.50% EOT payment)
    6,000        5,914        5,923        9/30/2017   

Coraid, Inc.

  Data Storage   Growth Capital Loan
(10.00% interest rate,
6.00% EOT payment)
    5,000        5,072        5,031        12/31/2016   
    Growth Capital Loan
(10.00% interest rate,
6.00% EOT payment)
    10,000        9,881        9,817        6/30/2017   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Coraid, Inc. Total

    15,000        14,953        14,848     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

EndoChoice, Inc.

  Medical Device and Equipment   Growth Capital Loan
(11.75% interest rate,
8.00% EOT payment)
    10,000        10,091        10,032        2/28/2018   
    Growth Capital Loan
(11.75% interest rate,
8.00% EOT payment)
    10,000        10,041        10,032        2/28/2018   
    Growth Capital Loan
(11.75% interest rate,
8.00% EOT payment)
    10,000        10,003        10,032        2/28/2018   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

EndoChoice, Inc. Total

    30,000        30,135        30,096     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Harvest Power, Inc.

  Biofuels/ Biomass   Growth Capital
Loan (12.00% interest rate,
9.00% EOT payment)
    20,000        20,633        20,535        11/30/2016   

Hayneedle, Inc.

  E-Commerce— Household Goods   Growth Capital Loan
(12.50% interest rate,
12.00% EOT payment)
    15,000        15,136        15,129        8/31/2017   
   

Growth Capital Loan
(12.75% interest rate,

16.00% EOT payment)

    5,000        5,076        5,089        12/31/2017   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Hayneedle, Inc. Total

    20,000        20,212        20,218     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(dollars in thousands)

As of December 31, 2014

 

Venture Growth Stage Company

 

Industry

 

Type of Investment

  Outstanding
Principal
    Cost     Fair Value     Maturity
Date
 

HouseTrip Limited (1)(3)

  Travel and Arrangement / Tourism   Growth Capital Loan
(10.00% interest rate,
5.00% EOT payment)
  $ 9,624      $ 9,605      $ 9,620        11/30/2016   

Lattice Engines, Inc.

  Business Applications Software   Growth Capital Loan
(8.50% interest rate,
8.00% EOT payment)
    4,492        4,663        4,677        12/31/2016   
    Growth Capital Loan
(8.50% interest rate,
8.00% EOT payment)
    2,500        2,539        2,549        3/31/2017   
    Growth Capital Loan
(9.50% interest rate,
8.00% EOT payment)
    2,500        2,490        2,490        9/30/2017   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Lattice Engines, Inc. Total

    9,492        9,692        9,716     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Mind Candy Limited (1)(3)

  Entertainment   Growth Capital Loan
(12.00% interest rate,
9.50% EOT payment)
    10,000        9,794        9,813        6/30/2017   

ModCloth, Inc.

  E-Commerce— Clothing and Accessories   Growth Capital Loan
(10.50% interest rate,
10.00% EOT payment)
    1,000        1,052        1,055        6/30/2016   
    Growth Capital Loan
(10.50% interest rate,
10.00% EOT payment)
    2,000        2,095        2,100        7/31/2016   
    Growth Capital Loan
(12.00% interest rate,
10.50% EOT payment)
    2,000        2,047        2,045        8/31/2017   
    Growth Capital Loan
(12.00% interest rate,
11.00% EOT payment)
    5,000        5,087        5,078        11/30/2017   
    Growth Capital Loan
(12.00% interest rate,
11.50% EOT payment)
    5,000        5,040        5,019        2/28/2018   
    Growth Capital Loan
(12.00% interest rate,
7.50% EOT payment)
    5,000        4,928        4,933        6/30/2017   
    Equipment Financing (1)
(7.50% interest rate,
15.00% EOT payment)
    804        832        817        8/31/2016   
    Equipment Financing (1)
(7.50% interest rate,
15.00% EOT payment)
    292        301        296        10/31/2016   
    Equipment Financing (1)
(7.50% interest rate,
15.00% EOT payment)
    152        152        152        3/31/2017   
    Equipment Financing (1)
(7.50% interest rate,
15.00% EOT payment)
    20        20        20        6/30/2017   
    Equipment Financing (1)
(7.50% interest rate,
15.00% EOT payment)
    13        13        13        7/31/2017   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

ModCloth, Inc. Total

    21,281        21,567        21,528     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(dollars in thousands)

As of December 31, 2014

 

Venture Growth Stage Company

 

Industry

 

Type of Investment

  Outstanding
Principal
    Cost     Fair Value     Maturity
Date
 

SimpliVity Corporation

  Database Software   Growth Capital Loan (10.00% interest rate, 8.50% EOT payment)     7,000        6,859        6,856        6/30/2018   
    Growth Capital Loan (10.00% interest rate, 8.50% EOT payment)     3,000        2,919        2,918        10/31/2018   
    Growth Capital Loan (11.50% interest rate, 9.00% EOT payment)     7,000        6,794        6,791        10/31/2018   
    Growth Capital Loan (11.50% interest rate, 9.00% EOT payment) (2)     3,000        2,896        2,895        12/31/2018   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

SimpliVity Corporation Total

    20,000        19,468        19,460     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

TechMediaNetwork, Inc.

  General Media and Content   Growth Capital Loan (9.25% interest rate, 8.00% EOT payment)     2,276        2,319        2,326        3/31/2017   
    Growth Capital Loan (9.25% interest rate, 8.00% EOT payment)     2,500        2,490        2,493        9/30/2017   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

TechMediaNetwork, Inc. Total

    4,776        4,809        4,819     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Thrillist Media Group, Inc.

  General Media and Content   Growth Capital Loan (Prime + 8.50% interest rate, 9.00% EOT payment)     5,000        4,621        4,629        9/30/2017   
    Growth Capital Loan (Prime + 8.50% interest rate, 9.00% EOT payment)     5,000        4,562        4,561        12/31/2017   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Thrillist MediaGroup, Inc. Total

    10,000        9,183        9,190     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Virtual Instruments Corporation

  Network Systems Management Software   Growth Capital Loan (9.50% interest rate, 9.25% EOT payment)     5,000        5,111        5,129        12/31/2016   
    Growth Capital Loan (9.50% interest rate, 9.25% EOT payment)     5,000        5,092        5,109        1/31/2017   
    Growth Capital Loan (9.50% interest rate, 9.25% EOT payment)     5,000        5,073        5,089        2/28/2017   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Virtual Instruments Corporation Total

    15,000        15,276        15,327     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Xirrus, Inc.

  Wireless Communications Equipment   Growth Capital Loan (11.50% interest rate, 8.50% EOT payment)     2,315        2,440        2,460        6/30/2016   
    Growth Capital Loan (11.50% interest rate, 8.50% EOT payment)     4,114        4,285        4,321        12/31/2016   
    Growth Capital Loan (11.50% interest rate, 8.50% EOT payment)     4,564        4,596        4,663        3/31/2017   
    Growth Capital Loan (Prime + 8.25% interest rate, 8.50% EOT (2)     10,000        9,685        9,683        12/31/2017   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Xirrus, Inc. Total

    20,993        21,006        21,127     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total Debt Investments

  $ 246,782      $ 247,285      $ 247,609     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(dollars in thousands)

As of December 31, 2014

 

Venture Growth Stage Company

  

Industry

  

Type of Warrant

   Shares      Cost      Fair Value  

Warrants

              

Aerohive Networks, Inc.

   Wireless Communications Equipment    Common Stock      33,993       $ 153       $ *   

AirStrip Technologies, Inc.

   Medical Software and Information Services    Preferred Stock      31,063         112         95   

Birchbox, Inc. (2)

   E-Commerce—Personal Goods    Preferred Stock      49,829         566         1,487   

Birst, Inc.

   Business Applications Software    Preferred Stock      428,491         129         129   

Cambridge Broadband Network Limited (1)(3)

   Wireless Communications Equipment    Preferred Shares      33,000         95         95   

CipherCloud, Inc. (2)

   Business Applications Software    Preferred Stock      58,746         36         36   

Coraid, Inc.

   Data Storage    Preferred Stock      157,710         317         243   

ECPM Holdings, LLC

   Medical Device and Equipment    Class A Units      1,184,373         224         275   

Harvest Power, Inc.

   Biofuels/Biomass    Common Stock      350         77         *   

Hayneedle, Inc.

   E-Commerce—Household Goods    Common Stock      400,000         468         375   

HouseTrip SA (1)(3)

   Travel and Arrangement / Tourism    Preferred Share      212,804         93         60   

InMobi Pte Ltd. (1)(2)(3)

   Advertising / Marketing    Ordinary Shares      48,500         35         106   

Inspirato, LLC (2)

   Travel and Leisure    Preferred Units      1,994         37         43   

Lattice Engines, Inc.

   Business Applications Software    Preferred Stock      255,913         48         51   

Medallia, Inc. (2)

   Business Applications Software    Preferred Stock      55,814         11         11   

Mind Candy, Inc. (1)(3)

   Entertainment    Preferred Stock      287,187         751         732   

ModCloth, Inc.

   E-Commerce—Clothing and Accessories    Common Stock      419,620         545         421   

Nutanix, Inc. (2)

   Database Software    Preferred Stock      45,000         77         290   

One Kings Lane, Inc. (2)

   E-Commerce—Household Goods    Preferred Stock      13,635         29         29   

Shazam Entertainment Limited (1)(2)(3)

   MultiMedia / Streaming Software    Ordinary Share      2,669,479         134         125   

SimpliVity Corporation

   Database Software    Preferred Stock      430,849         509         509   

TechMediaNetwork, Inc.

   General Media and Content    Preferred Stock      72,234         31         31   

Thrillist Media Group, Inc.

   General Media and Content    Common Stock      283,401         712         712   

Tintri, Inc. (2)

   Data Storage    Preferred Stock      120,750         367         367   

Virtual Instruments Corporation

   Network Systems Management Software    Preference Shares      694,788         612         593   

Xirrus, Inc.

   Wireless Communications Equipment    Preferred Stock      3,820,887         532         476   
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Warrants

  

   $ 6,700       $ 7,291   
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*: Less than $0.5 thousand.

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(dollars in thousands)

As of December 31, 2014

 

Venture Growth Stage Company

  

Industry

  

Type of Equity

   Shares      Cost      Fair Value  

Equity Investments (2)

              

BirchBox, Inc

   E-Commerce—Personal Goods    Preferred Stock      2,839       $ 250       $ 250   

Inspirato, LLC (1)(4)

   Travel and Leisure    Preferred Units      1,948         250         250   

MongoDB, Inc.

   Software Development Tools    Common Stock      74,742         1,000         1,000   

Nutanix, Inc.

   Database Software    Preferred Stock      137,202         1,000         1,571   
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Equity Investments

  

   $ 2,500       $ 3,071   
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Portfolio Companies

  

   $ 256,485       $ 257,971   
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

          Cost      Fair Value  

Short-Term Investments (2)

        

U.S. Treasury Bills

   $50,000 Face Value Maturity Date
04/02/2015 Yield to Maturity 0.038%
   $ 49,998       $ 49,995   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments

   $ 49,998       $ 49,995   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $ 306,483       $ 307,966   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

As of December 31, 2014

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

Notes applicable to the investments presented in the foregoing table:

 

   

Unless otherwise noted, all of the investments in the foregoing table are in entities that are domiciled in the United States and/or have a principal place of business in the United States.

 

   

No investment represents a 5% or greater interest in any outstanding class of voting security of the portfolio company.

 

   

None of the portfolio companies have (i) been in payment default, (ii) extended the original maturity of its loan, (iii) converted from cash pay interest to payment-in-kind interest, or (iv) entered into a material amendment to its loan agreement related to deteriorating financial performance.

 

   

As of December 31, 2014, unless otherwise noted, certain of the Company’s debt investments and certain of the Company’s warrants, with an aggregate fair value of approximately $239.8 million, were pledged for borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility.

Notes applicable to the debt investments presented in the foregoing table:

 

   

Interest rate is the annual interest rate on the debt investment and does not include any original issue discount, end-of-term (EOT) payment, payment-in-kind interest, or any additional fees related to the investments, such as deferred interest, commitment fees or prepayment fees. No debt investments have any payment-in-kind interest provisions.

 

   

The EOT payments are contractual and fixed interest payments due in cash at the maturity date of the loan, including upon prepayment, and are a fixed percentage of the original principal balance of the loan unless otherwise noted. The EOT payment is amortized and recognized as non-cash income over the loan or lease prior to its payment.

Notes applicable to the equipment financings presented in the foregoing table:

 

   

At the end of the term of certain equipment financings, the lessee has the option to purchase the underlying assets at fair market value in certain cases subject to a cap, return the equipment or continue to finance the assets. The fair market values for these financings have been estimated as a percentage of original cost for purposes of the EOT payment value.

Notes applicable to the warrants presented in the foregoing table:

 

   

Warrants are associated with funded debt instruments as well as certain commitments to provide future funding.

Specific notes applicable to specific investments in the foregoing table:

(1) Investment is a non-qualifying asset under Section 55(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As of December 31, 2014, non-qualifying assets as a percentage of total assets was 8.6%.

(2) As of December 31, 2014, these debt investments, warrants, equity investments, and short-term investments were not pledged as collateral as part of the Company’s revolving credit facility.

(3) Entity is not domiciled in the United States and does not have its principal place of business in the United States.

(4) Investment is owned by TPVG Investment LLC, a wholly owned taxable subsidiary of the Company.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1. Organization

TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp. (the “Company”), a Maryland corporation, was formed on June 28, 2013 and priced its initial public offering and commenced investment operations on March 5, 2014. The Company is structured as an externally-managed, non-diversified, closed-end investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As a BDC, the Company expects to qualify annually as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

The Company was formed to expand the venture growth stage business segment of TriplePoint Capital LLC’s (“TPC”) investment platform. TPC is widely recognized as a leading global financing provider devoted to serving venture capital-backed companies with creative, flexible and customized debt financing, equity capital and complementary services throughout their lifespan. The Company’s investment objective is to maximize total return to stockholders primarily in the form of current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation by primarily lending to venture growth stage companies focused in technology, life sciences and other high growth industries backed by the TPC’s select group of leading venture capital investors. The Company is externally managed by TPVG Advisers LLC (the “Adviser”) which is registered as an investment adviser under the 1940 Act and is a wholly owned subsidiary of TPC. The Adviser is responsible for sourcing, reviewing and structuring investment opportunities, underwriting and performing due diligence on investments and monitoring the investment portfolio on an ongoing basis. The Adviser was organized in August 2013 and, pursuant to an investment advisory agreement entered into between the Company and the Adviser, the Company pays the Adviser a base management fee and an incentive fee for its services. The Company has also entered into an administration agreement with TPVG Administrator LLC (the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, and pays fees and expenses for services provided.

The Company has two wholly owned subsidiaries; TPVG Variable Funding Company LLC (the “Financing Subsidiary”), a bankruptcy remote special purpose entity established for utilizing the Company’s revolving credit facility, and TPVG Investment LLC, an entity established for holding certain of the Company’s investments in order to benefit from the tax treatment of these investments and create a tax structure that is more advantageous with respect to the Company’s RIC status. These subsidiaries are consolidated in the financial statements of the Company.

Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying financial statements of the Company and related financial information have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. The consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments and reclassifications that are necessary for the fair representation of financial results as of and for the periods presented. All intercompany account balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires estimates and assumptions to be made that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets, creditworthiness of portfolio companies and any other parameters used in determining these estimates could cause actual results to differ from those estimates.

 

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Investments

Investment transactions are recorded on a trade-date basis. The Company applies fair value to all its investments. Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of the market’s participant who holds the financial instrument rather than an entity specific measure. When market assumptions are not readily available, the Company’s own assumptions are set to reflect those that the Adviser believes market participants would use in pricing the financial instruments on the measurement date.

The availability of observable inputs can vary depending on the financial instrument and is affected by a variety of factors. To the extent the valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable the determination of fair value requires more judgment. The Company’s valuation methodology is approved by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) and the Board is responsible for the fair values determined. As markets change, new types of investments are made, or pricing for certain investments becomes more or less observable, the Board may refine its valuation methodologies appropriately.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company places its cash with financial institutions and at times, cash held in such accounts may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured limit. The Company may invest a portion of its cash in money market funds, within the limitations of the 1940 Act.

Deferred Credit Facility Costs

Deferred credit facility costs represent fees and other expenses incurred in connection with the Company’s revolving credit facility. These amounts are amortized and included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations over the estimated term of the facility.

Other Accrued Expenses and Liabilities

Other accrued expenses and liabilities include interest payable, accounts payable, and unfunded commitment liabilities. Unfunded commitment liabilities reflect the fact that the Company is a party to certain delay draw credit agreements with its portfolio companies, which requires the Company to make future advances at the borrowers’ discretion during a defined loan availability period. The Company’s credit agreements contain customary lending provisions which allow the Company relief from funding previously made commitments in instances where the underlying portfolio company experiences materially adverse events that affect the financial condition or business outlook for the portfolio company. In certain instances, the borrower may be required to achieve certain milestones before they may request a future advance. The unfunded obligation associated with these credit agreements is equal to the amount by which the contractual funding commitment exceeds the sum of the amount of funded debt unless the availability period has expired. The fair value at the inception of the agreement of the delay draw credit agreements approximates the fair value of the warrants received to enter into these agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the counterparties’ credit profile. The unfunded commitment liability included in the Company’s consolidated statement of assets and liabilities reflects the fair value of these future funding commitments.

Paid-in Capital

The Company records the proceeds from the sale of its common stock on a net basis to capital stock and paid-in capital in excess of par value, excluding all offering costs.

Income Recognition

Interest income, adjusted for amortization of market premium and accretion of market discount, is recorded on an accrual basis to the extent that the Company expects to collect such amounts. Original issue discount, principally representing the estimated fair value of detachable equity or warrants obtained in conjunction with the Company’s

 

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debt investments, and market discount or premium are capitalized and accreted or amortized into interest income over the life of the respective security using the effective interest method. Loan origination fees received in connection with the closing of investments are reported as unearned income which is included as amortized cost of the investment; the unearned income from such fees is accreted over the contractual life of the loan based on the effective interest method as interest income. Upon prepayment of a loan or debt security, unamortized loan origination fees and unamortized market discounts are recorded as interest income. End-of-term (EOT) payments are contractual and fixed interest payments due in cash at the maturity date of the loan, including upon prepayment, and are a fixed percentage of the original principal balance of the loan unless otherwise noted. Interest is accrued during the life of the loan on the EOT payment using the effective interest method as non-cash income. The EOT payment generally ceases accruing to the extent the borrower is unable to pay the remaining principal and interest due.

Other income includes certain fees paid by portfolio companies and the recognition of the value of unfunded commitments that expired during the reporting period.

Realized/Unrealized Gains or Losses

The Company measures realized gains or losses from the repayment or sale of investments using the specific identification method. The amortized cost basis of investments represents the original cost adjusted for the accretion/amortization of discounts and premiums and upfront loan origination fees. The Company reports changes in fair value of investments that are measured at fair value as a component of net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments in the consolidated statement of operations.

Management Fees

The Company accrues for the base management fee and incentive fee. The accrual for incentive fee includes the recognition of incentive fees on unrealized gains, even though such incentive fees are neither earned nor payable to the Adviser until the gains are both realized and in excess of unrealized depreciation on investments.

U.S. Federal Income Taxes

The Company intends to elect to be treated, and intends to qualify annually thereafter, as a RIC under Subchapter M the Code, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, beginning with the Company’s taxable year ended December 31, 2014. Generally, a RIC is not subject to U.S. federal income taxes on distributed income and gains if it distributes at least 90% of its net ordinary income and net short-term capital gains in excess of its net long-term capital losses, if any, to its stockholders. Additionally, a RIC must distribute at least 98% of its ordinary income and 98.2% of its capital gain net income on an annual basis and any net ordinary income and net capital gains for preceding years that were not distributed during such years and on which the RIC previously paid no U.S. federal income tax to avoid a U.S. federal excise tax. The Company intends to distribute sufficient dividends to maintain the Company’s RIC status each year and does not anticipate paying any material U.S. federal income taxes in the future.

Dividends and Distributions

Dividends to common stockholders are recorded on the date the Board declares a dividend. The Board determines the amount of dividends to be paid each quarter based on a variety of factors including estimates of future earnings. Net realized capital gains, if any, are intended to be distributed at least annually. The Company will calculate both its current and accumulated earnings and profits on a tax basis in order to determine the amount of any distribution that constituted a return of capital to the Company’s stockholders and that while such distributions are not taxable, they may result in higher capital gains taxes when the shares are eventually sold.

Organizational and Offering Costs

The Company incurred $1.75 million in offering costs in completing its initial public offering, which were charged against paid-in capital. Organizational and offering costs in excess of this amount were paid by the

 

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Adviser. None of the expenses borne by the Adviser in connection with the Company’s initial public offering above the $1.75 million threshold are subject to recoupment from the Company. Following the Company’s initial public offering, it expects to be responsible for all of its ongoing organizational and offering expenses.

Per Share Information

Basic and diluted earnings per common share are calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period presented. For the period presented, basic and diluted earnings per share are the same since there are no potentially dilutive securities outstanding.

Note 3. Related Party Agreements and Transactions

Acquisition of Initial Portfolio

On March 5, 2014, the Company acquired from TPC and certain of its subsidiaries, a select portfolio of investments in venture growth stage companies originated through TPC consisting of funded debt and direct equity investments, future funding commitments and warrants associated with both the funded debt investments and future funding commitments. This initial portfolio included 23 secured loans with an aggregate outstanding principal amount of approximately $119.2 million, two equity investments of approximately $2.0 million and warrants to purchase shares in 15 portfolio companies of approximately $3.2 million. The valuation of this initial portfolio was conducted by the Board in consultation with the Adviser and consideration of valuations performed by a third party valuation firm.

The funding for the acquisition of this portfolio was provided through a credit facility (the “Bridge Facility”) with Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch (“Deutsche Bank”). The fees and expenses associated with entering into the Bridge Facility were covered by TPC. The Bridge Facility, along with the interest expense incurred thereon, was repaid in full on March 11, 2014, with a portion of the proceeds from the initial public offering.

Investment Advisory Agreement

Prior to the commencement of operations, the Board approved an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”). Subject to the overall supervision of the Board and in accordance with 1940 Act, the Adviser manages the day-to-day operations and provides investment advisory services to the Company. Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser:

 

   

determines the composition of the Company’s portfolio, the nature and timing of the changes to the Company’s portfolio and the manner of implementing such changes;

 

   

identifies, evaluates and negotiates the structure of the investments the Company makes;

 

   

executes, closes, services and monitors the investments the Company makes;

 

   

determines the securities and other assets that the Company purchases, retains or sells;

 

   

performs due diligence on prospective investments; and

 

   

provides the Company with such other investment advisory, research and related services as the Company may, from time to time, reasonably require for the investment of its funds.

Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Company has agreed to pay the Adviser a fee for its investment advisory and management services consisting of two components—a base management fee and an incentive fee. The cost of both the base management fee and incentive fee is ultimately borne by the Company’s stockholders.

The base management fee is calculated at an annual rate of 1.75% of the Company’s average adjusted gross assets, including assets purchased with borrowed funds. For services rendered under the Advisory Agreement, the base management is payable quarterly in arrears. The base management fee is calculated based on the average

 

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value of the Company’s gross assets at the end of its two most recently completed calendar quarters. Such amount is appropriately adjusted (based on the actual number of days elapsed relative to the total number of days in such calendar quarter) for any share issuance or repurchases during a calendar quarter. Base management fees for any partial month or quarter are appropriately pro-rated.

The incentive fee, which provides the Adviser with a share of the income it generates for the Company, consists of two components—investment income and capital gains—which are largely independent of each other, with the result that one component may be payable even if the other is not payable.

Under the investment income component, the Company pays the Adviser 20.0% of the amount by which the Company’s pre-incentive fee net investment income for the quarter exceeds a hurdle rate of 2.0% (which is 8.0% annualized) of the Company’s net assets at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter, subject to a “catch-up” provision pursuant to which the Adviser receives all of such income in excess of the 2.0% level but less than 2.5% and subject to a total return requirement. The effect of the “catch-up” provision is that, subject to the total return provision discussed below, if pre-incentive fee net investment income exceeds 2.5% in any calendar quarter, the Adviser receives 20.0% of the Company’s pre-incentive fee net investment income as if the 2.0% hurdle rate did not apply. The foregoing incentive fee is subject to a total return requirement, which provides that no incentive fee in respect of the Company’s pre-incentive fee net investment income is payable except to the extent that 20.0% of the cumulative net increase in net assets resulting from operations since the effective date of the Company’s election to be treated as a BDC exceeds the cumulative incentive fees accrued and/or paid since the effective date of the Company’s election to be treated as a BDC. In other words, any investment income incentive fee that is payable in a calendar quarter is limited to the lesser of (i) 20.0% of the amount by which the Company’s pre-incentive fee net investment income for such calendar quarter exceeds the 2.0% hurdle, subject to the “catch-up” provision and (ii) (x) 20.0% of the cumulative net increase in net assets resulting from operations since the effective date of the Company’s election to be treated as a BDC minus (y) the cumulative incentive fees accrued and/or paid since the effective date of the Company’s election to be treated as a BDC. For the foregoing purpose, the “cumulative net increase in net assets resulting from operations” is the sum of the Company’s pre-incentive fee net investment income, realized gains and losses and unrealized appreciation and depreciation since the effective date of the Company’s election to be treated as a BDC. The Company elected to be treated as a BDC on March 5, 2014.

Pre-incentive fee net investment income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation. Because of the structure of the incentive fee, it is possible that the Company may pay an incentive fee in a quarter where it incurs a loss, subject to the total return requirement described in the preceding paragraph. For example, if the Company receives pre-incentive fee net investment income in excess of the quarterly minimum hurdle rate, the Company may pay the applicable incentive fee even if it has incurred a loss in that quarter due to realized and unrealized capital losses subject to the total return requirement. The Company’s net investment income used to calculate this component of the incentive fee is also included in the amount of the Company’s assets used to calculate the 1.75% base management fee. These calculations are appropriately pro-rated for any period of less than three months and adjusted for any share issuance or repurchase during the current quarter.

Under the capital gains component of the incentive fee, the Company pays the Adviser at the end of each calendar year 20.0% of the Company’s aggregate cumulative realized capital gains from inception through the end of that year, computed net of aggregate cumulative realized capital losses and aggregate cumulative unrealized depreciation through the end of such year, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid capital gains incentive fees. For the foregoing purpose, the Company’s “aggregate cumulative realized capital gains” does not include any unrealized appreciation. It should be noted that the Company accrues an incentive fee for accounting purposes taking into account any unrealized appreciation in accordance with GAAP. The capital gains component of the incentive fee is not subject to any minimum return to stockholders. If such amount is negative, then no capital gains incentive fee is payable for such year. Additionally, if the Advisory Agreement is terminated as of a date that is not a calendar year end, the termination date will be treated as though it were a calendar year end for purposes of calculating and paying the capital gains incentive fee.

 

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The base management fee accrued and payable, income incentive fee accrued and payable, and capital gains incentive fee accrued are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and summarized in the table below. The Adviser has agreed not to include the U.S. Treasury bills acquired at the end of each quarter of 2014 in the calculation of gross assets for purposes of determining its base management fee. There were no realized capital gains since the inception of the Company and, thus, no capital gains incentive fee was earned or is payable. The Company did have unrealized appreciation during the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2014 and accrued a capital gains incentive fee equal to 20% of that amount.

 

Management and Incentive Fees
(dollars in thousands)

   For the Period from
March 5, 2014
(commencement of
operations) to
December 31, 2014
 

Base management fee

   $ 2,723   

Income incentive fee

   $ 2,569   

Capital gains incentive fee

   $ 296   

During the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2014, approximately $0.8 million of the base management fee was paid and $0.2 million of the income incentive fee was paid.

Administration Agreement

Prior to the commencement of operations, the Board approved an administration agreement (the “Administration Agreement”). The Administration Agreement provides that the Administrator is responsible for furnishing the Company with office facilities and equipment and provide the Company with clerical, bookkeeping, recordkeeping services and other administrative services at such facilities. Under the Administration Agreement, the Administrator performs, or oversees, or arranges for, the performance of the Company’s required administrative services, which includes being responsible for the financial and other records which the Company is required to maintain and preparing reports to the Company’s stockholders and reports and other materials filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or “SEC,” and any other regulatory authority. In addition, the Administrator assists the Company in determining and publishing net asset value, overseeing the preparation and filing of the Company’s tax returns and printing and disseminating reports and other materials to the Company’s stockholders, and generally oversees the payment of the Company’s expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Company by others. Under the Administration Agreement, the Administrator also provides managerial assistance on the Company’s behalf to those companies that have accepted the Company’s offer to provide such assistance.

Payments under the Administration Agreement are equal to an amount equal to the Company’s allocable portion (subject to the review of the Board) of the Administrator’s overhead resulting from its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent and the allocable portion of the cost of the chief compliance officer and chief financial officer and their respective staffs. In addition, if requested to provide significant managerial assistance to the Company’s portfolio companies, the Administrator is paid an additional amount based on the services provided, which shall not exceed the amount the Company receives from such companies for providing this assistance.

The Administrator engages a sub-administrator to provide certain administrative services. For the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2014, expenses paid or payable by the Company to the Administrator under the Administration Agreement were approximately $1.1 million of which approximately $0.2 million was paid or payable to third party service providers.

Note 4. Investments

The Company measures the value of its investments at fair value in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure, or “ASC Topic 820,” issued by the Financial

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Accounting Standards Board, or “FASB.” Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

The Valuation Committee of the Board is responsible for assisting the Board in valuing investments that are not publicly traded or for which current market values are not readily available. Investments for which market quotations are readily available are valued using market quotations, which are generally obtained from independent pricing services, broker-dealers or market makers. With respect to portfolio investments for which market quotations are not readily available, the Board, with the assistance of the Adviser and its senior investment team and independent valuation agents, is responsible for determining, in good faith, the fair value in accordance with the valuation policy approved by the Board. If more than one valuation method is used to measure fair value, the results are evaluated and weighted, as appropriate, considering the reasonableness of the range indicated by those results. The Adviser considers a range of fair values based upon the valuation techniques utilized and generally selects a value within that range that most represents fair value based on current market conditions as well as other factors the Adviser’s senior investment team considers relevant. The Board makes this fair value determination on at least a quarterly basis or at such other times when the Board feels it would be appropriate to do so given the circumstances. A determination of fair value involves subjective judgments and estimates and depends on the facts and circumstances. Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of portfolio investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a readily available market value existed for such investments, and the differences could be material.

ASC Topic 820 specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. ASC Topic 820 also provides guidance regarding a fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes information used to measure fair value and the effect of fair value measurements on earnings and provides for enhanced disclosures determined by the level within the hierarchy of information used in the valuation. In accordance with ASC Topic 820, these inputs are summarized in the three levels listed below.

Level 1—Valuations are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that are accessible at the measurement date.

Level 2—Valuations are based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant inputs are observable.

Level 3—Valuations are based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models incorporating significant unobservable inputs, such as discounted cash flow models and other similar valuations techniques. The valuation of Level 3 assets and liabilities generally requires significant management judgment due to the inability to observe inputs to valuation.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an investment’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of observable input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and it considers factors specific to the investment.

Under ASC 820, the fair value measurement also assumes that the transaction to sell an asset occurs in the principal market for the asset or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset, which may be a hypothetical market, and excludes transaction costs. The principal market for any asset is the market with the greatest volume and level of activity for such asset in which the reporting entity would or could sell or transfer the asset. In determining the principal market for an asset or liability, it is assumed that the reporting entity has access to such market as of the measurement date. Market participants are defined as buyers and sellers in the principal or most advantageous market that are independent, knowledgeable and willing and able to transact.

 

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With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available, the Board undertakes a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:

 

   

The quarterly valuation process begins with each portfolio company or investment being initially valued by the Adviser’s professionals that are responsible for the portfolio investment;

 

   

Preliminary valuation conclusions are then documented and discussed with the Adviser’s senior investment team;

 

   

The Valuation Committee then reviews these preliminary valuations and makes fair value recommendations to the Board;

 

   

At least once annually, the valuation for each portfolio investment will be reviewed by an independent valuation firm. However, the Board does not intend to have de minimis investments of less than 1.0% of the Company’s gross assets (up to an aggregate of 10.0% of the Company’s gross assets) independently reviewed; and

 

   

The Board then discusses valuations and determines, in good faith, the fair value of each investment in the Company’s portfolio based on the input of the Adviser, the respective independent valuation firms and the Valuation Committee.

Note 4. Investments

Debt Investments

The debt investments identified on the consolidated schedule of investments are loans and equipment financings made to venture growth stage companies focused in technology, life sciences and other high growth industries which are backed by a select group of leading venture capital investors. These investments are considered Level 3 assets under ASC Topic 820 because there is no known or accessible market or market indices for these types of debt instruments and thus the Adviser’s senior management team must estimate the fair value of these investment securities based on models utilizing unobservable inputs.

To estimate the fair value of debt investments, the Company compares the cost basis of each debt investment, which includes original issue discount, to the resulting fair value determined using a discounted cash flow model, unless another model is more appropriate based on the circumstances at the measurement date. The discounted cash flow approach entails analyzing the interest rate spreads for recently completed financing transactions which are similar in nature to these debt investments, in order to determine a comparable range of effective market interest rates. The range of interest rate spreads utilized is based on borrowers with similar credit profiles. All remaining expected cash flows of the investment are discounted using this range of interest rates to determine a range of fair values for the debt investment.

This valuation process includes, among other things, evaluating the underlying investment performance and the portfolio company’s current financial condition and ability to raise additional capital, as well as macro-economic events that may impact valuations. These events include, but are not limited to, current market yields and interest rate spreads of similar securities as of the measurement date. Changes in these unobservable inputs could result in significantly different fair value measurements.

Under certain circumstances, an alternative technique may be used to value certain debt investments that better reflected the fair value of the investment, such as the price paid or realized in a recently completed transaction or a binding offer received in an arm’s length transaction, the use of multiple probability weighted cash flow models when the expected future cash flows contain elements of variability or estimates of proceeds that would be received in a liquidation scenario.

 

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Warrants

The fair value of the warrants is primarily estimated using a Black Scholes option pricing model. Privately held warrants and equity-related securities are valued based on an analysis of various factors, but not limited to, the following:

 

   

Underlying enterprise value of the issuer is estimated based on information available, including any information regarding the most recent rounds of borrower funding. Valuation techniques to determine enterprise value include market multiple approaches, income approaches or approaches that utilize recent rounds of financing and the portfolio company’s capital structure to determine enterprise value. Valuation techniques are also utilized to allocate the enterprise fair value of a portfolio company to the specific class of common or preferred stock exercisable in the warrant. Such techniques take into account the rights and preferences of the portfolio company’s securities, expected exit scenarios, and volatility associated with such outcomes to allocate the fair value to the specific class of stock held in the portfolio. Such techniques included option pricing models, including back solve techniques, probability weighted expected return models and other techniques as determined to be appropriate.

 

   

Volatility, or the amount of uncertainty or risk about the size of the changes in the warrant price, is based on comparable publicly traded companies within indices similar in nature to the underlying company issuing the warrant. Increases (decreases) in this unobservable input could result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value.

 

   

The risk-free interest rates are derived from the U.S. Treasury yield curve. The risk-free interest rates are calculated based on a weighted average of the risk-free interest rates that correspond closest to the expected remaining life of the warrant. Increases (decreases) in this unobservable input could result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value.

 

   

Other adjustments, including a marketability discount on private company warrants, are estimated based on the Adviser’s judgment about the general industry environment. Changes in this unobservable input could result in a significantly different fair value.

 

   

Historical portfolio experience on cancellations and exercises of warrants are utilized as the basis for determining the estimated life of the warrants in each financial reporting period. Warrants may be exercised in the event of acquisitions, mergers or initial public offerings, and cancelled due to events such as bankruptcies, restructuring activities or additional financings. These events cause the expected remaining life assumption to be shorter than the contractual term of the warrants. Increases (decreases) in this unobservable input could result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value.

Under certain circumstances alternative techniques may be used to value certain warrants that better reflect the warrants’ fair values, such as an expected settlement of a warrant in the near term, a model that incorporates a put feature associated with the warrant, or the price paid or realized in a recently completed transaction or binding offer received in an arm’s length transaction. The fair value may be determined based on the expected proceeds to be received from such settlement or based on the net present value of the expected proceeds from the put option.

These valuation methodologies involve a significant degree of judgment. There is no single standard for determining the estimated fair value of investments which do not have an active public market. Valuations of privately held investments are inherently uncertain, as they are based on estimates, and their values may fluctuate over time. The determination of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if an active market for these investments existed. In some cases, the fair value of such investments is best expressed as a range of values derived utilizing different methodologies from which a single estimate may then be determined.

Equity Investments

The fair value of an equity investment in a privately held company is initially the amount invested. The Company adjusts the fair value of equity investments in private companies upon the completion of a new third party round of equity financing subsequent to its investment. The Company may make adjustments to fair value, absent a new equity financing event, based upon positive or negative changes in a portfolio company’s financial or

 

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operational performance. The Company may also reference comparable transactions and/or secondary market transactions of comparable companies to estimate fair value. These valuation methodologies involve a significant degree of judgment. The fair value of an equity investment in a publicly traded company is based upon the closing public share price on the date of measurement. These assets are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. There is no single standard for determining the estimated fair value of investments which do not have an active public market. Valuations of privately held investments are inherently uncertain, as they are based on estimates, and their values may fluctuate over time. The determination of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if an active market for these investments existed. In some cases, the fair value of such investments is best expressed as a range of values derived utilizing different methodologies from which a single estimate may then be determined.

The following is a summary by investment type of the fair value according to inputs used in valuing investments listed in the accompanying consolidated schedule of investments as of December 31, 2014.

 

     As of December 31, 2014  

Investment Type

(dollars in thousands)

   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Debt investments

   $ —         $ —         $ 247,609       $ 247,609   

Warrants

     —           —           7,291         7,291   

Equity investments

     —           —           3,071         3,071   

Short-term investments

     49,995         —           —           49,995   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

   $ 49,995       $ —         $ 257,971       $ 307,966   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

During the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2014, there were no transfers in or out of any levels.

The following table presents additional information about Level 3 investments measured at fair value for the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2014. Both observable and unobservable inputs were used to determine the fair value of positions that the Company has classified within the Level 3 category. As a result, the net unrealized gains and losses for assets within the Level 3 category may include changes in fair value that were attributable to both observable (e.g., changes in market interest rates) and unobservable (e.g., changes in unobservable long-dated volatilities) inputs.

 

       For the Period from March 5, 2014 (Commencement
of Operations) to December 31, 2014
 

Level 3

Investment Activity
(dollars in thousands)

   Debt
Investments
    Warrants      Equity
Investments
     Total
Investments
 

Fair value as of March 5, 2014

   $ —        $ —         $ —         $ —     

Fundings of investments, at cost (1)

     273,971        6,700         2,500         283,171   

Principal payments received on investments

     (31,881     —           —           (31,881

Amortization and accretion of fixed income premiums and discounts, net

     5,195        —           —           5,195   

Realized gains

     —          —           —           —     

Net change in unrealized appreciation included in earnings

     324        591         571         1,486   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Totals

   $ 247,609      $ 7,291       $ 3,071       $ 257,971   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation on Level 3 investments still held as of December 31, 2014

   $ 324      $ 591       $ 571       $ 1,486   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Purchases and fundings of investments include the purchase of the Company’s initial portfolio on March 5, 2014 and fundings of additional investments during the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2014.

 

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Realized and unrealized gains and losses are included in net realized gains on investments and net change in unrealized gains on investments in the consolidated statement of operations. The change in net unrealized gains for Level 3 investments still held at December 31, 2014, was approximately $1.5 million, which was comprised of approximately $0.3 million net unrealized gains from debt investments, approximately $0.6 million net unrealized gains from warrants, and approximately $0.6 million net unrealized gains from equity investments. In addition to the unrealized gains and losses for Level 3 investments there were unrealized losses of approximately $3 thousand on U.S. Treasury bills as of December 31, 2014.

The following table provides a summary of quantitative information about the Level 3 fair value measurements of investments as of December 31, 2014. In addition to the techniques and inputs noted in the table below, the Company may also use other valuation techniques and methodologies when determining fair value measurements. The table below is not intended to be all inclusive, but rather provide information on significant Level 3 inputs as they relate to the fair value measurements of investments.

 

     As of December 31, 2014

Level 3 Investments

(dollars in thousands)

   Fair
Value
    

Valuation Technique

  

Unobservable Inputs

  

Range (Weighted Average)

Debt investments

   $ 247,609       Discounted Cash Flows    Discount Rate    11.30% - 19.75%(14.90%)

Warrants

     6,359       Black Scholes Option Pricing Model    Share Price and Equity Value    N/A
         Revenue Multiples    1.00x - 6.50x (2.99x)
         Weighted Average Cost of Capital    18.50% - 25.00%(22.17%)
         Volatility    42.08% - 70.00%(54.68%)
         Term    0.25 - 4.40 Years (2.54 Years)
         Discount for Lack of Marketability    0.00% - 38.65%(13.43%)
     932       Option-Pricing Method and Probability-    Weighted Average Cost of Capital    30.00% - 30.00%(30.00%)
      Weighted Expected Return Method    Term    0.75 - 1.00 Years (0.92 Years)

Equity investments

     1,571       Probability-    Volatility    70.00% - 70.00% (70.00%)
      Weighted Expected Return Method    Term    1.12 - 1.12 Years (1.12 Years)
     1,500       Market Approach    Price Paid    N/A
  

 

 

          

Total investments

   $ 257,971            
  

 

 

          

As of December 31, 2014, the fair values for all the Company’s debt investments were estimated using discounted cash flow models based on anticipated cash flows and a discount rate deemed most appropriate for each investment given the facts and circumstances specific to each portfolio company and market yields at the reporting date. For all but three warrants, fair values were estimated using an Option-Pricing Method that values individual equity classes based on their economic rights and preferences using the Black Scholes Option-Pricing Model. Three warrant positions and one equity investment were valued using a combination of the Option-Pricing Method and the Probability- Weighted Expected Return Method given the outlook for that company. The other equity investments were valued using the market approach. The range of the various assumptions and weighted averages of these assumptions are summarized in the table above.

As of December 31, 2014, the fair value of debt investments, in the aggregate, closely approximated cost basis given that the portfolio was recently acquired or originated by the Company. Over time, it is expected that fair values and cost bases for these investments may vary.

As of December 31, 2014, the Company had pledged certain of its debt investments and certain of its warrants with an aggregate fair value of approximately $239.8 million for borrowings under its revolving credit facility.

 

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Note 5. Credit Risk

Debt investments may be affected by business, financial market or legal uncertainties. Prices of investments may be volatile, and a variety of factors that are inherently difficult to predict, such as domestic, economic and political developments, may significantly affect the value of these investments. In addition, the value of these investments may fluctuate as the general level of interest rates fluctuate.

In many instances, the portfolio company’s ability to repay the debt investments is dependent on additional funding by its venture capital investors, a future sale or an initial public offering. The value of these investments may be detrimentally affected to the extent a borrower defaults on its obligations, there is insufficient collateral and/or there are extensive legal and other costs incurred in collecting on a defaulted loan.

As of December 31, 2014, the Company had no delinquencies and no credit losses on any of its debt investments.

Note 6. Borrowings

Bridge Facility

In February 2014, the Company entered into a credit agreement with Deutsche Bank for the purpose of acquiring its initial portfolio. On March 5, 2014, the Company borrowed approximately $121.7 million under this facility. On March 11, 2014, the Company paid this borrowing in full with a portion of the net proceeds received in the Company’s initial public offering. The Company paid approximately $25 thousand of interest on this facility. All other fees and expenses associated with entering into this facility were paid by TPC.

Revolving Credit Facility

In February 2014, the Company, along with its Financing Subsidiary as borrower, entered into a credit agreement with Deutsche Bank acting as administrative agent and a lender, and KeyBank National Association, Everbank Commercial Lender Finance, Inc., and AloStar Bank of Commerce, as other lenders, which provided the Company with a $150.0 million commitment, subject to borrowing base requirements, or “Credit Facility”. In August 2014, the Company amended its Credit Facility to increase the total commitments available there under by $50.0 million to $200.0 million in aggregate.

Borrowings under this revolving Credit Facility bear interest at the sum of (i) the commercial paper rate for certain specified lenders and 30-day LIBOR for other lenders or, if LIBOR is unavailable, the higher of Deutsche Bank’s commercial lending rate or the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50% plus (ii) a margin of 3.5% during the revolving period and 4.5% during the amortization period. Borrowings under this revolving Credit Facility are secured only by the assets of the Financing Subsidiary. The Company agreed to pay to Deutsche Bank a syndication fee in 12 monthly installments, of approximately 1% of the committed facility amount. The Company also agreed to pay Deutsche Bank a fee to act as administrative agent under this revolving credit facility and to pay each lender (i) a commitment fee of 0.65% multiplied by such lender’s commitment on the effective date in 12 equal monthly installments and (ii) a fee of approximately 0.75% per annum of any unused borrowings under this Credit Facility on a monthly basis. This revolving Credit Facility contains affirmative and restrictive covenants, including but not limited to an advance rate limitation of approximately 55% of the applicable net loan balance of assets held by the Financing Subsidiary, maintenance of minimum net worth at an agreed level, a ratio of total assets to total indebtedness of not less than approximately 2:1, a key man clause relating to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer Mr. James Labe and the Company’s President and Chief Investment Officer Mr. Sajal Srivastava and eligibility requirements, including but not limited to geographic and industry concentration limitations and certain loan grade classifications. Furthermore, events of default under this credit facility include, among other things, (i) a payment default; (ii) a change of control; (iii) bankruptcy; (iv) a covenant default; and, (v) the Company’s failure to maintain compliance with RIC provisions at all times. As of December 31, 2014, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under this credit facility.

 

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At December 31, 2014, the Company had outstanding borrowings of $118.0 million under its revolving credit facility, which is included in the Company’s consolidated statement of assets and liabilities. Interest expense on these borrowings includes the interest cost charged on borrowings, the unused fee on the credit facility, paying and administrative agent fees, and the amortization of deferred credit facility fees and expenses. For the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2014, interest expense on the revolving credit facility totaled approximately $3.9 million, consisting of approximately $2.3 million of interest expense, approximately $0.6 million of unused facilities expense, and approximately $1.0 million of amortization of deferred credit facility costs and other fees.

Other Payables

On December 30, 2014, the Company purchased $50.0 million of U.S. Treasury bills for settlement on January 2, 2015. The associated payable is included in the Company’s consolidated statement of assets and liabilities.

Note 7. Commitments

As of December 31, 2014, the Company’s unfunded commitments to 11 companies totaled $211.0 million, of which $40.5 million are dependent upon the companies reaching certain milestones before the debt commitment becomes available to them. Of the $211.0 million of unfunded commitments, $103.5 million will expire during 2015 and $107.5 million will expire during 2016 if not drawn prior to expiration. As of December 31, 2014, $201.0 million of the Company’s unfunded commitments were with technology-related companies and $10.0 million were with non-technology related companies. In addition, $206.0 million represent commitments for growth capital loans and $5.0 million for revolving loans. The Company’s credit agreements contain customary lending provisions which allow the Company relief from funding obligations for previously made commitments in instances where the underlying portfolio company experiences materially adverse events that affect the financial condition or business outlook for the portfolio company. Since these commitments may expire without being drawn upon, unfunded commitments do not necessarily represent future cash requirements or future earning assets for the Company. The Company generally expects approximately 75% of its gross unfunded commitments to eventually be drawn before the expiration of their corresponding availability periods. The table below provides the Company’s unfunded commitments by customer as of December 31, 2014.

 

     As of December 31, 2014  

Unfunded Commitments

(dollars in thousands)

   Principal
Balance
     Fair Value
of Unfunded
Commitment
Liability
 

Birst, Inc.

   $ 22,500       $ 201   

Cambridge Broadband Network Limited

     1,000         10   

CipherCloud, Inc.

     30,000         79   

Inspirato LLC

     10,000         46   

Medallia, Inc.

     20,000         11   

Mind Candy Limited

     15,000         424   

Nutanix, Inc.

     20,000         64   

Shazam Entertainment Limited

     20,000         134   

SimpliVity Corporation

     30,000         191   

Tintri, Inc.

     35,000         805   

Virtual Instruments Corporation

     7,500         167   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 211,000       $ 2,132   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The table above also provides the fair value of the Company’s unfunded commitment liability as of December 31, 2014 totaling approximately $2.1 million. The fair value at the inception of the agreement of the

 

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delay draw credit agreements is equal to the fees and/or warrants received to enter into these agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the counterparties’ credit profile. The unfunded commitment liability reflects the fair value of these future funding commitments and is included in the Company’s consolidated statement of assets and liabilities.

Note 8. Operating Expenses

On March 5, 2014, the Company acquired an initial portfolio, elected to be treated as a BDC, and priced its initial public offering. Certain general and administrative expenses associated with being a public company were incurred beginning on this date, including directors’ fees and insurance. The Company also borrowed money through the Bridge Facility and began incurring interest expense. On March 11, 2014, the Company received the proceeds from the initial public offering and repaid the Bridge Facility in full. The Adviser and Administrator agreed to begin accruing certain fees and expenses under the Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement (including the base management fee and certain administrative expenses) beginning March 11, 2014, the date the proceeds from the initial public offering were received.

Note 9. Financial Highlights

The financial highlights presented below are for the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2014. There are no prior periods shown as the Company did not have any operating or investment activity prior to March 5, 2014.

 

Financial Highlights

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

   For the Period from
March 5, 2014
(commencement of
operations) to
December 31, 2014,
or as of
December 31, 2014
 

Per Share Data

  

Initial public offering price (1)

   $ 15.00   

Front end sales charges (1)

     (0.44
  

 

 

 

Net proceeds (1)

     14.56   

Offering costs (1)

     (0.18
  

 

 

 

Net asset value at beginning of period

     14.38   

Net investment income

     1.30   

Net change in unrealized gain on investments

     0.15   

Dividend distributions

     (1.22

Other

     —     
  

 

 

 

Net asset value at end of period

   $ 14.61   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income per share

   $ 1.30   

Net increase in net assets per share

   $ 1.45   

Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding for period

     9,869,860   

Shares of common stock outstanding at end of period

     9,924,171   

 

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Financial Highlights

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

   For the Period from
March 5, 2014
(commencement of
operations) to
December 31, 2014,
or as of
December 31, 2014
 

Ratios / Supplemental Data

  

Net asset value at beginning of period

   $ 141,572   

Net asset value at end of period

   $ 144,979   

Average net asset value

   $ 144,237   

Total return based on net asset value per share (2)

     10.1

Net asset value per share at beginning of period

   $ 14.38   

Dividends per share during period

   $ 1.22   

Net asset value per share at end of period

   $ 14.61   

Total return based on stock price (3)

     7.1

Stock price at beginning of period

   $ 15.00   

Dividends per share paid during period

   $ 1.22   

Stock price at end of period

   $ 14.85   

Weighted average portfolio yield (4)

     15.4

Coupon income (4)

     11.1

Accretion of discount (4)

     0.4

Accretion of end-of-term payments (4)

     3.0

Impact of prepayments during the period (4)

     0.9

Net investment income to average net asset value (5)

     10.7

Net increase in net assets to average net asset value (5)

     12.0

Total operating expenses to average net asset value (5)

     10.5

Operating expenses excluding incentive fees to average net asset value (5)

     8.1

Income component of incentive fees to average net asset value (5)

     2.2

Capital gains component of incentive fees to average net asset value (5)

     0.2

 

(1) The presentation of these line items has been recast from versions previously filed in the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2014 and June 30, 2014 in order to disaggregate the impact of front end sales charges from the offering costs in connection with the Company’s initial public offering.

 

(2) Total return based on net asset value, or “NAV,” is the change in ending NAV per share plus dividends per share paid during the period assuming participation in the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan divided by the beginning NAV per share. The NAV per share as of March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) is the NAV per share immediately after the Company’s initial public offering. The total return is for the period shown and is not annualized.

 

(3) Total return based on stock price is the change in the ending stock price of the Company’s common stock plus dividends paid during the period assuming participation in the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan divided by the beginning stock price of the Company’s common stock. The stock price as of March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) is the issuance price per share of the Company’s initial public offering. The total return is for the period shown and is not annualized.

 

(4) Weighted average portfolio yields for periods shown are the annualized rates of interest income recognized during the period divided by the average amortized cost of debt investments in the portfolio at the beginning of each month in the period.

 

(5) Percentage is presented on an annualized basis.

 

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Note 10. Net Increase in Net Assets per Share

The following information sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net increase in net assets per share for the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2014.

 

Basic and Diluted Share Information
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

   For the Period from
March 5, 2014
(commencement of
operations) to
December 31, 2014
 

Net investment income

   $ 12,808   

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 14,291   

Basic and diluted average weighted shares of common stock outstanding

     9,869,860   

Basic and diluted net investment income per share

   $ 1.30   

Basic and diluted net increase in net assets per share

   $ 1.45   

Note 11. Equity Offerings

On March 5, 2014, the Company issued 9,840,665 shares of common stock through an initial public offering and a concurrent private placement offering and received net proceeds of approximately $143.3 million. A portion of the offering costs, or $1.75 million, were borne by the Company and charged against paid-in capital. The Adviser agreed to pay the balance of the organizational and offering costs and a portion of the front end sales charges, which amounts are not subject to recoupment from the Company. Following the Company’s initial public offering, it expects to be responsible for all of its ongoing organizational and offering expenses.

The Company has adopted a dividend reinvestment plan for its stockholders, which is an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan. Under this plan, if the Company declares a cash distribution to stockholders, the amount of such distribution is automatically reinvested in additional shares of common stock unless a stockholder specifically “opts out” of the dividend reinvestment plan. If a stockholder opts out, that stockholder receives cash distributions.

Information on the proceeds raised along with any related front end sales charges and associated offering expenses, and the price at which common stock was issued by the Company, during the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2014, is provided in the following table.

 

Issuance of Common Stock for Period
from March 5, 2014 (Commencement
of Operations) to December 31, 2014
(dollars in thousands, except per share
data)

   Date      Number of
Shares of
Common
Stock Issued
     Gross
Proceeds
Raised
     Front End
Sales Charges
     Offering
Expenses
     Gross
Offering Price
 

Initial public offering

     3/5/14         8,333,333       $ 125,000       $ 3,750       $ 1,750       $ 15.00 per share   

Exercise of over-allotment option

     3/5/14         1,250,000         18,750         562         —         $ 15.00 per share   

Private placement

     3/5/14         257,332         3,860         —           —         $ 15.00 per share   

First quarter 2014 dividend reinvestment

     4/30/14         6,038         87         —           —         $ 14.44 per share   

Second quarter 2014 dividend reinvestment

     6/17/14         20,489         298         —           —         $ 14.54 per share   

Third quarter 2014 dividend reinvestment

     9/16/14         22,715         329         —           —         $ 14.50 per share   

Fourth quarter 2014 dividend reinvestment

     12/16/14         20,522         277         —           —         $ 13.49 per share   

Special 2014 dividend reinvestment

     12/31/14         12,074         170         —           —         $ 14.11 per share   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total issuance

  

     9,922,503       $ 148,771       $ 4,312       $ 1,750      
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

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Prior to the Company’s initial public offering, there were 1,668 shares of common stock outstanding. As a result of the stock issuance summarized above 9,924,171 shares of common stock were outstanding as of December 31, 2014.

Note 12. Dividends

The Company intends to elect to be treated, and intends to qualify annually thereafter, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, beginning with the Company’s taxable year ended December 31, 2014. In order to qualify as a RIC, among other things, the Company is required to distribute at least 90% of the Company’s net ordinary income and net short-term capital gains in excess of its net long-term capital losses, if any, to its stockholders. Additionally, the Company must distribute at least 98% of the Company’s ordinary income and 98.2% of the Company’s capital gain net income on an annual basis and any net ordinary income and net capital gains for preceding years that were not distributed during such years and on which the Company previously paid no U.S. federal income tax to avoid a U.S. federal excise tax. The Company intends to distribute (or retain through a deemed distribution) all of the Company’s investment company taxable income and net capital gains to stockholders. The character of income and gains that the Company distributes is determined in accordance with income tax regulations that may differ from GAAP. Book and tax basis differences relating to stockholder dividends and distributions and other permanent book and tax differences are reclassified to paid-in capital.

The following table summarizes the Company’s cash distributions per share as authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors since March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations).

 

Period Ended

   Date Declared    Record Date    Payment Date    Per Share
Amount
 

March 31, 2014

   April 3, 2014    April 15, 2014    April 30, 2014    $ 0.09 (1)  

June 30, 2014

   May 13, 2014    May 30, 2014    June 17, 2014    $ 0.30   

September 30, 2014

   August 11, 2014    August 29, 2014    September 16, 2014    $ 0.32   

December 31, 2014

   October 27, 2014    November 28, 2014    December 16, 2014    $ 0.36   
   December 3, 2014    December 22, 2014    December 31, 2014    $ 0.15 (2)  

 

(1) The amount of this initial distribution reflected a quarterly dividend rate of $0.30 per share, prorated for the 27 days for the period from the pricing of the Company’s initial public offering on March 5, 2014 through March 31, 2014.

 

(2) Represents a special dividend.

It is the Company’s intention to distribute all or substantially of its taxable income earned over the course of the year. For this period, total dividends of $1.22 per share have been declared and paid and all deemed a distribution of ordinary income as the Company’s earnings and profits for 2014 exceeded its distributions. The Company estimates it has approximately $1.1 million of remaining taxable earnings to distribute to stockholders and this “spillover” income will be included in the dividends declared in and paid in 2015.

Note 13. Taxable Income

The Company intends to elect to be treated and intend to qualify each year as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As a RIC, the Company generally does not pay corporate-level federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that the Company timely distributes to its stockholders as dividends. It is the Company’s intention to distribute 100% of its annual taxable income to its stockholders and thus, no provision for income tax has been recorded in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2014. The table below provides an estimate of taxable income before deductions of distributions.

 

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Estimated Taxable Income before Deductions for Distributions
(dollars in thousands)

   For the Period from
March 5, 2014
(commencement of
operations) to
December 31, 2014
 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 14,291   

Less: Net unrealized gains

     (1,483

Plus: Other GAAP / tax differences

     447   
  

 

 

 

Estimated taxable income before deductions for distributions

   $ 13,255   
  

 

 

 

The Company distributed approximately $12.1 million in dividends through four regular quarterly dividends and one special dividend during the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2014. The Company will distribute the approximately $1.2 million of as yet undistributed taxable income in 2015 to meet its intention of distributing all of the taxable income earned in the calendar year 2014. As a result of this “spillover” income, the Company incurred a non-deductible excise tax of approximately $48 thousand.

Note 14. Selected Quarterly Financial Results

The following table sets forth selected quarterly financial data for the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 2014 and for the three months ended June 30, 2014, September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2014.

 

     For the
Period from
March 5, 2014
(Commencement
of Operations)
to March 31, 2014
     For the Three Months Ended  

Selected Quarterly Financial Results

(in thousands, except per share data)

      June 30,
2014
     September 30,
2014
     December 31,
2014
 

Total investment and other income

   $ 1,308       $ 5,489       $ 7,858       $ 10,690   

Net investment income

   $ 569       $ 2,854       $ 3,522       $ 5,862   

Net unrealized gains (losses)

   $ 1,374       $ 36       $ 1,151       $ (1,078

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 1,943       $ 2,890       $ 4,673       $ 4,784   

Basic and diluted net investment income per share

   $ 0.06       $ 0.29       $ 0.36       $ 0.59   

Basic and diluted net increase in net assets per share

   $ 0.20       $ 0.29       $ 0.47       $ 0.48   

Net asset value per commons share at period end

   $ 14.58       $ 14.49       $ 14.64       $ 14.61   

Note 15. Subsequent Events

Dividends

On March 16, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors announced a $0.36 per share regular quarterly dividend, payable on April 16, 2015 to stockholders of record on March 26, 2015.

Recent Portfolio Activity

From January 1, 2015, through March 17, 2015, the Company funded approximately $10.2 million of investments and one customer, Aerohive, Inc., prepaid a $2.5 million loan. As of March 17, 2015, the Company’s unfunded obligations to ten portfolio companies totaled $166.0 million. There can be no assurance that any of these unfunded commitments or any future obligations will be drawn by the venture growth stage companies. During the period, TPC’s direct origination platform entered into $40.0 million of non-binding signed term sheets with venture growth stage companies, which are subject to due diligence, definitive documentation and investment committee approval, as well as compliance with TPC’s allocation policy. As of March 17, 2015, TPC held $65.0 million of non-binding term sheets that have not been allocated pursuant to TPC’s allocation policy.

 

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In March 2015, the Company moved one of its portfolio companies, Coraid Inc., representing approximately 5% of the Company’s total assets as of December 31, 2014, to Category 5 and non-accrual status. The Company has accelerated the outstanding obligations owed to the Company by this company and a third party has entered into a non-binding term sheet that provides for it to purchase certain assets of the company and to assume the Company’s loans to the company.

 

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$500,000,000

TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp.

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Subscription Rights

Warrants

Debt Securities

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

                , 2015

 

 

 

 


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TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP.

PART C

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 25. Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(1) Financial statements

The following financial statements of the Registrant are included in this registration statement:

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of March  31, 2015 (unaudited) and December 31, 2014

     F-2   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March  31, 2015 (unaudited) and the Period from March 5, 2014 (Commencement of Operations) to March 31, 2014 (unaudited)

     F-3   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the Three Months Ended March  31, 2015 (unaudited) and the Period from March 5, 2014 (Commencement of Operations) to March 31, 2014 (unaudited)

     F-4   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March  31, 2015 (unaudited) and the Period from March 5, 2014 (Commencement of Operations) to March 31, 2014 (unaudited)

     F-5   

Condensed Consolidated Schedules of Investments as of March 31, 2015 (unaudited) and December  31, 2014

     F-6   

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of March 31, 2015 (unaudited)

     F-11   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-33   

Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 2014

     F-34   

Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Period from March  5, 2014 (Commencement of Operations) to December 31, 2014

     F-35   

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the Period from March  5, 2014 (Commencement of Operations) to December 31, 2014

     F-36   

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Period from March  5, 2014 (Commencement of Operations) to December 31, 2014

     F-37   

Consolidated Schedule of Investments as of December 31, 2014

     F-38   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 2014

     F-44   

 

(2) Exhibits

 

(a)   Articles of Amendment and Restatement (1)
(b)   Amended and Restated Bylaws (1)
(c)   Not applicable
(d)(1)   Form of Stock Certificate (1)
(d)(2)   Form of Indenture (8)
(d)(3)   Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, with respect to the Form of Indenture (8)
(e)   Dividend Reinvestment Plan (1)
(f)   Not applicable
(g)   Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and TPVG Advisers LLC (2)

 

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(h)(1)   Form of Underwriting Agreement for equity security issuances (8)
(h)(2)   Form of Underwriting Agreement for debt security issuances (8)
(i)   Not applicable
(j)   Custody Agreement between the Registrant and U.S. Bank, N.A. (3)
(k)(1)   Administration Agreement between the Registrant and TPVG Administration LLC (2)
(k)(2)   License Agreement between the Registrant and TriplePoint Capital LLC (2)
(k)(3)   Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and each of its directors and executive officers (1)
(k)(4)   Receivables Financing Agreement between TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp., the lenders party thereto, Deutsche Bank AG, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, the other agent parties thereto and U.S. Bank, National Association (3)
(k)(5)   Pledge Agreement between TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp., TPVG Variable Funding Company LLC and Deutsche Bank AG (3)
(k)(6)   Blocked Account Control Agreement between TPVG Variable Funding Company LLC, Deutsche Bank AG and U.S. Bank, National Association (3)
(k)(7)   Letter Agreement amending the Credit Facility, dated June 5, 2014 (4)
(k)(8)   Letter Agreement amending the Credit Facility, dated July 18, 2014 (5)
(k)(9)   Letter Agreement amending the Credit Facility, dated August 8, 2014 (6)
(k)(10)   Letter Agreement amending the Credit Facility, dated November 18, 2014 (7)
(l)   Opinion and Consent of Clifford Chance US LLP, counsel for the Registrant (8)
(m)   Not applicable
(n)(1)   Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, relating to consent of independent registered public accounting firm (8)
(n)(2)   Report of Deloitte & Touche LLP (8)
(n)(3)   Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, relating to the senior securities report (8)
(o)   Not applicable
(p)   Not applicable
(q)   Not applicable
(r)   Joint Code of Ethics of the Registrant and our Adviser (8)

 

(1) Previously filed in connection with the Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp.‘s registration statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-191871) filed on January 22, 2014.
(2) Previously filed in connection with the Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp.‘s registration statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-191871) filed on February 24, 2014.
(3) Previously filed in connection with the Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3 to TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp.‘s registration statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-191871) filed on March 3, 2014.
(4) Previously filed on Form 8-K (File No. 814-01044) filed on June 10, 2014.
(5) Previously filed on Form 8-K (File No. 814-01044) filed on July 23, 2014.
(6) Previously filed on Form 8-K (File No. 814-01044) filed on August 11, 2014.
(7) Previously filed on Form 8-K (File No. 814-01044) filed on November 20, 2014.
(8) Filed herewith.

Item 26. Marketing Arrangements

The information contained under the heading “Underwriting” on this registration statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Item 27. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

 

Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee

   $ 58,100   

FINRA filing fee

     75,500   

NYSE listing fees

     *   

Printing expenses (1)

     *   

Accounting fees and expenses (1)

     *   

Legal fees and expenses (1)

     *   

Miscellaneous (1)

     *   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ *   
  

 

 

 

 

(1) These amounts are estimates.
* To be provided by amendment

Item 28. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control

The Registrant directly or indirectly owns 100% of the limited liability company interests of TPVG Variable Funding Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and TPVG Investment LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

Item 29. Number of Holders of Securities

The following table sets forth the approximate number of record holders of the Registrant’s common stock as of June 30, 2015.

 

Title of Class

   Number of
Record Holders
 

Common Stock, $0.01 par value

     13   

Item 30. Indemnification

Reference is made to Section 2-418 of the Maryland General Corporation Law, Article VIII of the Registrant’s charter and Article XI of the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Bylaws.

Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision eliminating the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty that is established by a final judgment and is material to the cause of action. The Registrant’s charter contains such a provision, which eliminates directors’ and officers’ liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act.

The Registrant’s charter authorizes the Registrant, and the Registrant’s bylaws require the Registrant, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, to indemnify any present or former director or officer and any individual who, while serving as the Registrant’s director or officer and at the Registrant’s request, serves or has served another corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner, member, manager or trustee who, in either case, is made, or threatened to be made, a party to, or witness in, a proceeding by reason of his or her service in any such capacity, from and against any claim or liability to which that person may become subject or which that person may incur by reason of such service and to pay or reimburse his or her reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. The Registrant’s charter and bylaws also permit the Registrant to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of the Registrant in any of the capacities described above and any of the Registrant’s employees or agents or any employees or agents of the Registrant’s predecessor.

 

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Maryland law requires a Maryland corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which the Registrant’s charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that (a) the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (1) was committed in bad faith or (2) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. However, under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or on behalf of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that a personal benefit was improperly received unless, in either case, a court orders indemnification, and then only for expenses. In addition, Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer in advance of final disposition of a proceeding upon the corporation’s receipt of (a) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation and (b) a written undertaking by him or her or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.

In accordance with the 1940 Act, the Registrant may not indemnify any person for any liability to which such person would be subject by reason of such person’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

Additionally, the Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with the directors and executive officers that provide for indemnification and advance of expenses to the maximum extent permitted under Maryland law and the 1940 Act.

Our Adviser and Administrator

The Investment Advisory Agreement provides that, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of its duties and obligations, our Adviser and its professionals and any other person or entity affiliated with it are entitled to indemnification from the Registrant for any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) arising from the rendering of the investment adviser’s services under the Investment Advisory Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of the Registrant.

The Administration Agreement provides that, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of its duties and obligations, our Administrator and any person or entity affiliated with it are entitled to indemnification from the Registrant for any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) arising from the rendering of our Administrator’s services under the Administration Agreement or otherwise as administrator for the Registrant.

The law also provides for comparable indemnification for corporate officers and agents. Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of

 

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its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

The Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors. The indemnification agreements are intended to provide the Registrant’s directors the maximum indemnification permitted under Maryland law and the 1940 Act. Each indemnification agreement provides that the Registrant shall indemnify the director who is a party to the agreement, each an “Indemnitee,” including the advancement of legal expenses, if, by reason of his or her corporate status, the Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be, made a party to or a witness in any threatened, pending, or completed proceeding, other than a proceeding by or in the right of the Registrant.

Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser

A description of any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which our Adviser, and each managing director, director or executive officer of our Adviser, is or has been during the past two fiscal years, engaged in for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee, is set forth in Part A of this registration statement in the sections entitled “Management.” Additional information regarding our Adviser and its officers and directors will be set forth in its Form ADV to be filed with the SEC.

Item 32. Location of Accounts and Records

All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act, and the rules thereunder are maintained at the offices of:

(1)        the Registrant: TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp., 2755 Sand Hill Road, Suite 150, Menlo Park, California 94025;

(2)        the Custodian: U.S. Bank, N.A., 190 S. LaSalle Street, 10th Floor, Chicago, IL 60603;

(3)        the Transfer and Dividend Paying Agent and Registrar: American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, 6201 15 th  Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219;

(4)        the Registrant’s Adviser: TPVG Advisers LLC, 2755 Sand Hill Road, Suite 150, Menlo Park, California 94025; and

(5)        the Registrant’s Administrator: TPVG Administrator LLC, 2755 Sand Hill Road, Suite 150, Menlo Park, California 94025.

Item 33. Management Services

Not applicable.

Item 34. Undertakings

 

(1) The Registrant undertakes to suspend the offering of the shares of common stock covered hereby until it amends its prospectus contained herein if (1) subsequent to the effective date of this Registration Statement, its net asset value per share of common stock declines more than 10.0% from its net asset value per share of common stock as of the effective date of this Registration Statement, or (2) its net asset value per share of common stock increases to an amount greater than its net proceeds as stated in the prospectus contained herein

 

(2) Not applicable.

 

(3)

The Registrant undertakes in the event that the securities being registered are to be offered to existing stockholders pursuant to warrants or rights, and any securities not taken by shareholders are to be reoffered

 

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  to the public, to supplement the prospectus, after the expiration of the subscription period, to set forth the results of the subscription offer, the transactions by the underwriters during the subscription period, the amount of unsubscribed securities to be purchased by underwriters, and the terms of any subsequent underwriting thereof. The Registrant further undertakes that if any public offering by the underwriters of the securities being registered is to be made on terms differing from those set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, the Registrant shall file a post-effective amendment to set forth the terms of such offering.

 

(4) The Registrant hereby undertakes:

 

  (a) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement:

 

  (i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the 1933 Act;

 

  (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement; and

 

  (iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.

 

  (b) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the 1933 Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of those securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and

 

  (c) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering; and

 

  (d) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the 1933 Act to any purchaser, if the Registrant is subject to Rule 430C: Each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 497(b), (c), (d) or (e) under the 1933 Act as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A under the 1933 Act, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness; Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

 

  (e) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the 1933 Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of securities, the undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to the purchaser:

 

  (i) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 497 under the 1933 Act;

 

  (ii) the portion of any advertisement pursuant to Rule 482 under the 1933 Act relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and

 

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Index to Financial Statements
  (iii) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.

 

  (f) To file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement, and to suspend any offers or sales pursuant the registration statement until such post-effective amendment has been declared effective under the 1933 Act, in the event the shares of the Registrant is trading below its net asset value and either (i) the Registrant receives, or has been advised by its independent registered accounting firm that it will receive, an audit report reflecting substantial doubt regarding the Registrant’s ability to continue as a going concern or (ii) the Registrant has concluded that a material adverse change has occurred in its financial position or results of operations that has caused the financial statements and other disclosures on the basis of which the offering would be made to be materially misleading.

 

  (5) The Registrant undertakes that:

 

  (a) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

  (b) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

  (6) The Registrant undertakes to send by first class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery within two business days of receipt of a written or oral request, any Statement of Additional Information.

 

C-7


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form N-2 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in The City of Menlo Park, in the State of California, on the 7 th  day of July, 2015.

 

TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP.

By:

 

/s/ James P. Labe

  Name: James P. Labe
  Title: Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement on Form N-2 has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant, in the capacities indicated, on this 7 th day of July, 2015. This document may be executed by the signatories hereto on any number of counterparts, all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

     

Signatures

  

Title

 

Date

By:

 

/s/ James P. Labe

  

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board (Principal Executive Officer)

 

July 7, 2015

  James P. Labe     

By:

 

/s/ Sajal K. Srivastava

  

Chief Investment Officer, President and Director

  July 7, 2015
  Sajal K. Srivastava     

By:

 

/s/ Harold Zagunis

  

Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

  July 7, 2015
  Harold Zagunis     

By:

 

*

   Director   July 7, 2015
  Gilbert E. Ahye     

By:

 

*

   Director   July 7, 2015
  Steven P. Bird     

By:

 

*

   Director   July 7, 2015
  Stephen A. Cassani     

 

* Signed by James P. Labe pursuant to a power of attorney signed by each individual and filed with this Registration Statement on June 12, 2015.

Exhibit (d)(2)

TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP.

 

 

INDENTURE AGREEMENT

 

 


CONTENTS

 

Clause            Page  

Article I DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

     1   

Section 1.01.

    Definitions      1   

Section 1.02.

    Compliance Certificates and Opinions      10   

Section 1.03.

    Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee      11   

Section 1.04.

    Acts of Holders      11   

Section 1.05.

    Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company      12   

Section 1.06.

    Notice to Holders; Waiver      13   

Section 1.07.

    Conflict with TIA      13   

Section 1.08.

    Effect of Headings and Table of Contents      14   

Section 1.09.

    Successors and Assigns      14   

Section 1.10.

    Separability Clause      14   

Section 1.11.

    Benefits of Indenture      14   

Section 1.12.

    Governing Law      14   

Section 1.13.

    Legal Holidays      14   

Section 1.14.

    Submission to Jurisdiction      14   

Article II SECURITIES FORMS

     15   

Section 2.01.

    Forms of Securities      15   

Section 2.02.

    Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication      15   

Section 2.03.

    Securities Issuable in Global Form      15   

Article III THE SECURITIES

     17   

Section 3.01.

    Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series      17   

Section 3.02.

    Denominations      20   

Section 3.03.

    Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating      20   

Section 3.04.

    Temporary Securities      22   

Section 3.05.

    Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange      23   

Section 3.06.

    Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities      25   

Section 3.07.

    Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved; Optional Interest Reset      26   

Section 3.08.

    Optional Extension of Maturity      28   

Section 3.09.

    Persons Deemed Owners      29   

Section 3.10.

    Cancellation      30   

 

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Section 3.11.

Computation of Interest   30   

Section 3.12.

Currency and Manner of Payments in Respect of Securities   30   

Section 3.13.

Appointment and Resignation of Successor Exchange Rate Agent   33   

Section 3.14.

CUSIP Numbers   34   

Article IV SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

  34   

Section 4.01.

Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture   34   

Section 4.02.

Application of Trust Funds   35   

Article V REMEDIES

  36   

Section 5.01.

Events of Default   36   

Section 5.02.

Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment   37   

Section 5.03.

Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee   39   

Section 5.04.

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim   39   

Section 5.05.

Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities   40   

Section 5.06.

Application of Money Collected   40   

Section 5.07.

Limitation on Suits   41   

Section 5.08.

Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest   41   

Section 5.09.

Restoration of Rights and Remedies   42   

Section 5.10.

Rights and Remedies Cumulative   42   

Section 5.11.

Delay or Omission Not Waiver   42   

Section 5.12.

Control by Holders of Securities   42   

Section 5.13.

Waiver of Past Defaults   43   

Section 5.14.

Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws   43   

Article VI THE TRUSTEE

  43   

Section 6.01.

Notice of Defaults   43   

Section 6.02.

Certain Rights and Duties of Trustee   44   

Section 6.03.

Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities   47   

Section 6.04.

May Hold Securities   47   

Section 6.05.

Money Held in Trust   47   

Section 6.06.

Compensation and Reimbursement and Indemnification of Trustee   47   

Section 6.07.

Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility   48   

Section 6.08.

Disqualification; Conflicting Interests   49   

Section 6.09.

Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor   49   

Section 6.10.

Acceptance of Appointment by Successor   50   

Section 6.11.

Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business   51   

Section 6.12.

Appointment of Authenticating Agent   52   

 

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Article VII HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

  54   

Section 7.01.

Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders   54   

Section 7.02.

Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders   54   

Section 7.03.

Reports by Trustee   54   

Section 7.04.

Reports by Company   55   

Section 7.05.

Calculation of Original Issue Discount   55   

Article VIII CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE OR TRANSFER

  56   

Section 8.01.

Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms   56   

Section 8.02.

Successor Person Substituted   56   

Article IX SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

  56   

Section 9.01.

Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders   56   

Section 9.02.

Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders   58   

Section 9.03.

Execution of Supplemental Indentures   59   

Section 9.04.

Effect of Supplemental Indentures   59   

Section 9.05.

Conformity with Trust Indenture Act   59   

Section 9.06.

Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures   59   

Article X COVENANTS

  60   

Section 10.01.

Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest   60   

Section 10.02.

Maintenance of Office or Agency   60   

Section 10.03.

Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust   61   

Section 10.04.

Additional Amounts   62   

Section 10.05.

Statement as to Compliance   62   

Section 10.06.

Waiver of Certain Covenants   63   

Article XI REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

  63   

Section 11.01.

Applicability of Article   63   

Section 11.02.

Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee   63   

Section 11.03.

Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed   64   

Section 11.04.

Notice of Redemption   64   

Section 11.05.

Deposit of Redemption Price   65   

Section 11.06.

Securities Payable on Redemption Date   65   

Section 11.07.

Securities Redeemed in Part   66   

Article XII SINKING FUNDS

  66   

Section 12.01.

Applicability of Article   66   

 

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Section 12.02.

Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities   67   

Section 12.03.

Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund   67   

Article XIII REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS

  68   

Section 13.01.

Applicability of Article   68   

Section 13.02.

Repayment of Securities   68   

Section 13.03.

Exercise of Option   68   

Section 13.04.

When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and Payable   69   

Section 13.05.

Securities Repaid in Part   69   

Article XIV DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

  69   

Section 14.01.

Applicability of Article; Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance   69   

Section 14.02.

Defeasance and Discharge   70   

Section 14.03.

Covenant Defeasance   70   

Section 14.04.

Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance   71   

Section 14.05.

Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions   72   

Article XV MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

  73   

Section 15.01.

Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called   73   

Section 15.02.

Call, Notice and Place of Meetings   73   

Section 15.03.

Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings   74   

Section 15.04.

Quorum; Action   74   

Section 15.05.

Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings   75   

Section 15.06.

Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings   76   

Article XVI SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

  76   

Section 16.01.

Agreement to Subordinate   76   

Section 16.02.

Distribution on Dissolution, Liquidation and Reorganization; Subrogation of Subordinated Securities   76   

Section 16.03.

No Payment on Subordinated Securities in Event of Default on Senior Indebtedness   78   

Section 16.04.

Payments on Subordinated Securities Permitted   78   

Section 16.05.

Authorization of Holders to Trustee to Effect Subordination   79   

Section 16.06.

Notices to Trustee   79   

Section 16.07.

Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness   80   

Section 16.08.

Modifications of Terms of Senior Indebtedness   80   

Section 16.09.

Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent   80   

 

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INDENTURE, dated as of [            ], 20[         ], between TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP., a Maryland corporation (hereinafter called the “Company”), having its principal office at 2755 Sand Hill Road, Suite 150, Menlo Park, California 94025, and [                    ], a national banking association, as Trustee (hereinafter called the “Trustee”), having its office at [                    ].

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

The Company deems it necessary to issue from time to time for its lawful purposes debt securities (hereinafter called the “Securities”) evidencing its secured or unsecured indebtedness, which may or may not be convertible into or exchangeable for any securities of any Person (as defined herein) (including the Company), and has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Securities, to be issued in one or more series, unlimited as to principal amount, to bear such rates of interest, to mature at such times and to have such other provisions as shall be fixed as hereinafter provided.

This Indenture (as defined herein) is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, that are required to be part of this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders (as defined herein) thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities, or of a series thereof, as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

Section 1.01. Definitions.

For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article, and include the plural as well as the singular and, pursuant to Section 3.01, any such item may, with respect to any particular series of Securities, be amended or modified or specified as being inapplicable;

(2) all other terms used herein that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act (as defined herein), either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein, and the terms “cash transaction” and “self-liquidating paper”, as used in Section 311 of the Trust Indenture Act, shall have the meanings assigned to them in the rules of the Commission (as defined herein) adopted under the Trust Indenture Act;


(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America; and

(4) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

Certain terms, used in other Articles herein, are defined in those Articles.

Act ”, when used with respect to any Holder of a Security, has the meaning specified in Section 104.

Additional Amounts ” means any additional amounts that are required by a Security or by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, under circumstances specified therein, to be paid by the Company in respect of certain taxes imposed on certain Holders and that are owing to such Holders.

Affiliate ” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

Authenticating Agent ” means any authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.12 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.

Authorized Newspaper ” means a newspaper, in the English language or in an official language of the country of publication, customarily published on each Business Day, whether or not published on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays, and of general circulation in each place in connection with which the term is used or in the financial community of each such place. Where successive publications are required to be made in Authorized Newspapers, the successive publications may be made in the same or in different newspapers in the same city meeting the foregoing requirements and in each case on any Business Day.

Board of Directors ” means the board of directors of the Company, the executive committee or any committee of that board duly authorized to act hereunder.

Board Resolution ” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

Business Day ”, when used with respect to any Place of Payment or any other particular location referred to in this Indenture or in the Securities, means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01, each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment or particular location are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

 

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Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or, if at any time after execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties on such date.

Company ” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.

Company Request ” and “ Company Order ” mean, respectively, a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by the Chief Executive Officer, President or a Vice President of the Company, and by the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

Conversion Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.12(d).

Conversion Event ” means the cessation of use of (i) a Foreign Currency both by the government of the country which issued such currency and for the settlement of transactions by a central bank or other public institutions of or within the international banking community, (ii) the Euro within the Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union or (iii) any currency unit (or composite currency) other than the Euro for the purposes for which it was established.

Corporate Trust Office ” means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof for purposes of Section 10.02 only is located at [                    ], Attention: Triplepoint Venture Growth BDC Corp., and for all other purposes is located at [                    ], Attention: Triplepoint Venture Growth BDC Corp., or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).

Corporation ” includes corporations, associations, companies and business trusts.

Currency ” means any currency or currencies, composite currency or currency unit or currency units issued by the government of one or more countries or by any reorganized confederation or association of such governments.

Default ” means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

Defaulted Interest ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.07.

Depository ” means the clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as the Depository for global Securities. DTC shall be the initial Depository, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter, “Depository” shall mean or include such successor.

 

- 3 -


Dollar ” or “ $ ” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

DTC ” means The Depository Trust Company.

Euro ” means the euro or other equivalent unit in such official coin or currency of the European Union.

Election Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.12(h)

Event of Default ” has the meaning specified in Article Five.

Exchange Rate Agent ”, with respect to Securities of or within any series, means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, a bank that is a member of the New York Clearing House Association, designated pursuant to Section 301 or Section 313.

Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate ” means a certificate setting forth (i) the applicable Market Exchange Rate or the applicable bid quotation and (ii) the Dollar or Foreign Currency amounts of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any (on an aggregate basis and on the basis of a Security having the lowest denomination principal amount determined in accordance with Section 3.02 in the relevant Currency), payable with respect to a Security of any series on the basis of such Market Exchange Rate or the applicable bid quotation signed by the Chief Financial Officer or any Vice President of the Company.

Foreign Currency ” means any Currency, including, without limitation, the Euro issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United States of America or by any recognized confederation or association of such governments.

Government Obligations ” means securities that are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America or the government that issued the Foreign Currency in which the Securities of a particular series are payable, for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America or such government that issued the Foreign Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable, the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America or such other government, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

Holder ” means the Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register.

 

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Indenture ” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 3.01; provided, however, that, if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this instrument, “Indenture” shall mean, with respect to any one or more series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee, this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of the or those particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established as contemplated by Section 3.01, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms that relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is not Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted, and exclusive of any provisions or terms adopted by means of one or more indentures supplemental hereto executed and delivered after such Person had become such Trustee but to which such Person, as such Trustee, was not a party.

Indexed Security ” means a Security as to which all or certain interest payments and/or the principal amount payable at Maturity are determined by reference to prices, changes in prices, or differences between prices, of securities, Currencies, intangibles, goods, articles or commodities or by such other objective price, economic or other measures as are specified in or pursuant to Section 301 hereof.

Interest ”, when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity, and, when used with respect to a Security which provides for the payment of Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 1004, includes such Additional Amounts.

Interest Payment Date ”, when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

Market Exchange Rate ” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, (i) for any conversion involving a currency unit on the one hand and Dollars or any Foreign Currency on the other, the exchange rate between the relevant currency unit and Dollars or such Foreign Currency calculated by the method specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for the Securities of the relevant series, (ii) for any conversion of Dollars into any Foreign Currency, the noon buying rate for such Foreign Currency for cable transfers quoted in New York City as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and (iii) for any conversion of one Foreign Currency into Dollars or another Foreign Currency, the spot rate at noon local time in the relevant market at which, in accordance with normal banking procedures, the Dollars or Foreign Currency into which conversion is being made could be purchased with the Foreign Currency from which conversion is being made from major banks located in either New York City, London or any other principal market for Dollars or such purchased Foreign Currency, in each case determined by the Exchange Rate Agent. Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01, in the event of the unavailability of any of the exchange rates provided for in the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), the Exchange Rate Agent shall use, in its sole discretion and without liability on its part, such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of the most recent available date, or

 

- 5 -


quotations from one or more major banks in New York City, London or other principal market for such currency or currency unit in question, or such other quotations as the Exchange Rate Agent shall deem appropriate. Unless otherwise specified by the Exchange Rate Agent, if there is more than one market for dealing in any currency or currency unit by reason of foreign exchange regulations or otherwise, the market to be used in respect of such currency or currency unit shall be that upon which a nonresident issuer of securities designated in such currency or currency unit would purchase such currency or currency unit in order to make payments in respect of such securities as determined by the Exchange Rate Agent, in its sole discretion.

Maturity ”, when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, notice of redemption, notice of option to elect repayment, notice of exchange or conversion or otherwise.

Notice of Default ” has the meaning provided in Section 5.01.

Officers’ Certificate ” means a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer, President or a Vice President of the Company, and by the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel for the Company or who may be an employee of or other counsel for the Company and who shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee.

Original Issue Discount Security ” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.02.

Outstanding ”, when used with respect to Securities or any series of Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities or all Securities of such series, as the case may be, theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

(ii) Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(iii) Securities, or portions thereof, for whose payment or redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities, provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

(iv) Securities, except to the extent provided in Section 14.02 and Section 14.03, with respect to which the Company has effected defeasance and/or covenant defeasance as provided in Article Fourteen;

 

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(v) Securities that have been changed into any other securities of the Company or any other Person in accordance with this Indenture if the terms of such Securities provide for convertibility or exchangeability pursuant to Section 3.01; and

(vi) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 3.06 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a protected purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder or are present at a meeting of Holders for quorum purposes, and for the purpose of making the calculations required by TIA Section 313, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the amount of principal thereof that would be (or shall have been declared to be) due and payable, at the time of such determination, upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.02, (ii) the principal amount of any Security denominated in a Foreign Currency that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the Dollar equivalent, determined as of the date such Security is originally issued by the Company as set forth in an Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security or Indexed Security, the Dollar equivalent as of such date of original issuance of the amount determined as provided in clause (i) above or (iii) below, respectively) of such Security, (iii) the principal amount of any Indexed Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the principal face amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided with respect to such Security pursuant to Section 301, and (iv) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in making such calculation or in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver or upon any such determination as to the presence of a quorum, only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.

Paying Agent ” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Securities on behalf of the Company.

Person ” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity.

 

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Place of Payment ”, when used with respect to the Securities of or within any series, means the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities are payable as specified and as contemplated by Sections Section 3.01 and Section 10.02.

Predecessor Security ” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.

Redemption Date ”, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, in whole or in part, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

Redemption Price ”, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

Registered Security ” means any Security that is registered in the Security Register.

Regular Record Date ” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Registered Securities of or within any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 301, whether or not a Business Day.

Repayment Date ”, when used with respect to any Security to be repaid at the option of the Holder, means the date fixed for such repayment by or pursuant to this Indenture.

Repayment Price ”, when used with respect to any Security to be repaid at the option of the Holder, means the price at which it is to be repaid by or pursuant to this Indenture.

Responsible Officer ”, when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

Security ” or “ Securities ” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and, more particularly, means any Security or Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture; provided, however, that, if at any time there is more than one Person acting as Trustee under this Indenture, “Securities” with respect to the Indenture as to which such Person is Trustee shall have the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and shall more particularly mean Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, exclusive, however, of Securities of any series as to which such Person is not Trustee.

Security Register ” and “ Security Registrar ” have the respective meanings specified in Section 3.05.

Senior Indebtedness ” means the principal of (and premium, if any) and unpaid interest on (a) indebtedness of the Company (including indebtedness of others guaranteed by the Company), whether outstanding on the date hereof or thereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, for money borrowed, that has been designated by the Company as “Senior

 

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Indebtedness” for purposes of this Indenture by a Company Order delivered to the Trustee, (b) Senior Securities, and (c) renewals, extensions, modifications and refinancings of any such indebtedness.

Senior Security ” or “ Senior Securities ” means any Security or Securities designated pursuant to Section 301 as a Senior Security.

Special Record Date ” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Registered Securities of or within any series means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.07.

Stated Maturity ”, when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable, as such date may be extended pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.08.

Subordinated Indebtedness ” means the principal of (and premium, if any) and unpaid interest on (a) indebtedness of the Company (including indebtedness of others guaranteed by the Company), whether outstanding on the date hereof or thereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, for money borrowed, which in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding it is provided that such indebtedness ranks junior in right of payment to the Company’s Senior Indebtedness, equally and pari passu in right of payment with all other Subordinated Indebtedness, (b) Subordinated Securities, and (c) renewals, extensions, modifications and refinancings of any such Subordinated Indebtedness.

Subordinated Security ” or “ Subordinated Securities ” means any Security or Securities designated pursuant to Section 3.01 as a Subordinated Security.

Subsidiary ” means (1) any corporation a majority of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries of the Company, (2) any other Person (other than a corporation) in which such Person, one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination thereof has a majority ownership interest, or (3) a partnership in which such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person is, at the time, a general partner and in which such Person, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination thereof has a majority ownership interest. For the purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means stock having voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency.

Trust Indenture Act ” or “ TIA ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was executed, except as provided in Section 9.05.

Trustee ” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder; provided, however, that if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean only the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

 

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United States ” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01, the United States of America (including the states and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

United States person ” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01, any individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia (other than a partnership that is not treated as a United States person under any applicable Treasury regulations), any estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source, or any trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, to the extent provided in the Treasury regulations, certain trusts in existence on August 20, 1996, and treated as United States persons prior to such date that elect to continue to be treated as United States persons, will also be United States persons.

Valuation Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.12(c).

Yield to Maturity ” means the yield to maturity, computed at the time of issuance of a Security (or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such Security) and as set forth in such Security in accordance with generally accepted United States bond yield computation principles.

Section 1.02. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than pursuant to Section 10.05) shall include:

(1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such condition or covenant and the definitions herein relating thereto;

(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such individual to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such condition or covenant has been complied with; and

 

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(4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 1.03. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.

In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion as to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon an Opinion of Counsel, or a certificate or representations by counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the opinion, certificate or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such Opinion of Counsel or certificate or representations may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information as to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations as to such matters are erroneous.

Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

Section 1.04. Acts of Holders.

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of the Outstanding Securities of all series or one or more series, as the case may be, may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agents duly appointed in writing. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series may, alternatively, be embodied in and evidenced by the record of Holders of Securities of such series voting in favor thereof, either in person or by proxies duly appointed in writing, at any meeting of Holders of Securities of such series duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article Fifteen, or a combination of such instruments and any such record. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments or so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company and any agent of the Trustee or the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section. The record of any meeting of Holders of Securities shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 15.06.

 

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(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him or her the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing or the authority of the Person executing the same may also be proved in any other reasonable manner that the Trustee deems sufficient.

(c) The ownership of Registered Securities shall be proved by the Security Register.

(d) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of Registered Securities any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may, at its option, in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. Such record date shall be the record date specified in or pursuant to such Board Resolution. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than eleven months after the record date.

(e) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.

Section 1.05. Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

(a) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished, filed or mailed, first-class postage prepaid in

 

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writing to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: Triplepoint Venture Growth BDC Corp. ([                    ]), or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Company by the Trustee, or

(b) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to it at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this Indenture, to the attention of its Secretary or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.

Section 1.06. Notice to Holders; Waiver.

Where this Indenture provides for notice of any event to Holders of Registered Securities by the Company or the Trustee, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each such Holder affected by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders of Registered Securities is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Registered Securities. Any notice mailed to a Holder in the manner herein prescribed shall be conclusively deemed to have been received by such Holder, whether or not such Holder actually receives such notice.

If by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification to Holders of Registered Securities as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification to such Holders for every purpose hereunder.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language, except that any published notice may be in an official language of the country of publication.

Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

Section 1.07. Conflict with TIA.

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the TIA that is required under the TIA to be a part of and govern this Indenture, the provision of the TIA shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the TIA that may be so modified or excluded, the provision of the TIA shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or only to the extent not so excluded, as the case may be.

 

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Section 1.08. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.

The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

Section 1.09. Successors and Assigns.

All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 1.10. Separability Clause.

In case any provision in this Indenture or in any Security shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 1.11. Benefits of Indenture.

Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent and their successors hereunder and the Holders any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

Section 1.12. Governing Law.

This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York without regard to principles of conflicts of laws. This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

Section 1.13. Legal Holidays.

In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date, sinking fund payment date, Stated Maturity or Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security other than a provision in the Securities of any series which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section), payment of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date or sinking fund payment date, or at the Stated Maturity or Maturity; provided that no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date, sinking fund payment date, Stated Maturity or Maturity, as the case may be.

Section 1.14. Submission to Jurisdiction.

The Company hereby irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York state or federal court sitting in The City of New York in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Indenture and the Securities of any series, and the Company hereby irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding may be heard and

 

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determined in such New York state or federal court. The Company hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent it may effectively do so, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding.

ARTICLE II

SECURITIES FORMS

Section 2.01. Forms of Securities.

The Registered Securities of each series, the temporary global Securities of each series, if any, and the permanent global Securities of each series, if any, shall be in substantially the forms as shall be established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto or approved from time to time by or pursuant to a Board Resolution in accordance with Section 3.01, shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which the Securities may be listed, or to conform to usage.

The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods on a steel engraved border or steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

Section 2.02. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.

Subject to Section 6.11, the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

[                    ], as Trustee
By:

 

Authorized Officer

Section 2.03. Securities Issuable in Global Form.

If Securities of or within a series are issuable in global form, as specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, then, notwithstanding clause (8) of Section 3.01 and the provisions of Section 3.02, any such Security shall represent such of the Outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of

 

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Outstanding Securities of such series represented thereby may from time to time be increased or decreased to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of a Security in global form to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Security Registrar in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.03 or Section 3.04. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.03 and, if applicable, Section 3.04, the Trustee or the Security Registrar shall deliver and redeliver any Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. If a Company Order pursuant to Section 3.03 or Section 3.04 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement, delivery or redelivery of a Security in global form shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 1.02 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

The provisions of the last sentence of Section 3.03 shall apply to any Security represented by a Security in global form if such Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee or the Security Registrar the Security in global form together with written instructions (which need not comply with Section 1.02 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of Section 3.03.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.07, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any Security in permanent global form shall be made to the Person or Persons specified therein.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.09 and except as provided in the preceding paragraph, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company and the Trustee shall treat as the Holder of such principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented by a permanent global Security, the Holder of such permanent global Security.

Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for the Securities evidenced thereby, every global Security authenticated and delivered hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR A SECURITY REGISTERED, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN WHOLE OR IN PART MAY BE REGISTERED, IN THE NAME OF ANY PERSON OTHER THAN SUCH DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF, EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE

 

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ARTICLE III

THE SECURITIES

Section 3.01. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

The Securities may be issued in one or more series as Registered Securities and shall be designated as Senior Securities or Subordinated Securities. Senior Securities are unsubordinated, shall rank equally and pari passu with all of the Company’s other Senior Indebtedness and senior to all of the Company’s Subordinated Indebtedness. Subordinated Securities shall rank junior to the Company’s Senior Indebtedness and equally and pari passu with all of the Company’s other Subordinated Indebtedness. There shall be established in one or more Board Resolutions or pursuant to authority granted by one or more Board Resolutions and, subject to Section 303, set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series, any or all of the following, as applicable (each of which (except for the matters set forth in clauses (1), (2) and (15) below), if so provided, may be determined from time to time by the Company with respect to unissued Securities of the series when issued from time to time):

(1) the title of the Securities of the series including CUSIP numbers (which shall distinguish the Securities of such series from all other series of Securities);

(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 3.04, Section 3.05, Section 3.06, Section 9.06, Section 11.07 or Section 13.05, and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 3.03, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder);

(3) the date or dates, or the method by which such date or dates will be determined or extended, on which the principal of the Securities of the series shall be payable;

(4) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest will be payable and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on any Registered Security on any Interest Payment Date, or the method by which such date shall be determined, the basis upon which such interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

(5) the place or places, if any, other than or in addition to the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Securities of the series shall be payable, any Registered Securities of the series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, Securities of the series may be surrendered for exchange, where Securities of that series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable, and where notices or demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of the series and this Indenture may be served;

 

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(6) the period or periods within which, or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which, the Currency or Currencies in which, and other terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to have the option;

(7) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, repay or purchase Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which, the Currency or Currencies in which, and other terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, repaid or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

(8) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denomination or denominations in which any Registered Securities of the series shall be issuable;

(9) if other than the Trustee, the identity of each Security Registrar and/or Paying Agent;

(10) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.02, upon redemption of the Securities of the series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity, upon surrender for repayment at the option of the Holder, or which the Trustee shall be entitled to claim pursuant to Section 504 or the method by which such portion shall be determined;

(11) if other than Dollars, the Currency or Currencies in which payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of the series shall be made or in which the Securities of the series shall be denominated and the particular provisions applicable thereto in accordance with, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Section 312;

(12) whether the amount of payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may be based, without limitation, on one or more Currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices), and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

(13) whether the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in one or more Currencies other than that in which such Securities are denominated or stated to be payable, the period or periods within which (including the Election Date), and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made, and the time and manner of determining the exchange rate between the Currency or Currencies in which such Securities are denominated or stated to be payable and the Currency or Currencies in which such Securities are to be paid, in each case in accordance with, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Section 3.12;

 

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(14) provisions, if any, granting special rights to the Holders of Securities of the series upon the occurrence of such events as may be specified;

(15) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants (including any deletions from, modifications of or additions to any of the provisions of Section 10.06) of the Company with respect to Securities of the series, whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are consistent with the Events of Default or covenants set forth herein;

(16) whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable in permanent global form and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such permanent global Security may exchange such interests for Securities of such series in certificated form and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner provided in Section 3.05, and the circumstances under which and the place or places where such exchanges may be made and if Securities of the series are to be issuable as a global Security, the identity of the depository for such series;

(17) the date as of which any temporary global Security representing Outstanding Securities of the series shall be dated if other than the date of original issuance of the first Security of the series to be issued;

(18) the Person to whom any interest on any Registered Security of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name such Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary global Security on an Interest Payment Date will be paid; and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a permanent global Security on an Interest Payment Date will be paid if other than in the manner provided in Section 307;

(19) the applicability, if any, of Section 14.02 and/or Section 14.03 to the Securities of the series and any provisions in modification of, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Article Fourteen;

(20) if the Securities of such series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, then the form and/or terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;

(21) whether, under what circumstances and the Currency in which, the Company will pay Additional Amounts as contemplated by Section 10.04 on the Securities of the series to any Holder who is not a United States person (including any modification to the definition of such term) in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem such Securities rather than pay such Additional Amounts (and the terms of any such option);

(22) the designation of the initial Exchange Rate Agent, if any;

 

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(23) if the Securities of the series are to be issued upon the exercise of warrants, the time, manner and place for such Securities to be authenticated and delivered;

(24) if the Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for any securities of any Person (including the Company), the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible or exchangeable;

(25) if the Securities of the series are to be secured, the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so secured;

(26) the appointment of any calculation agent, foreign currency exchange agent or other additional agents;

(27) if the Securities of the series are to be listed on a securities exchange, the name of such exchange may be indicated; and

(28) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture or the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act).

All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above (subject to Section 303) and set forth in the Officers’ Certificate referred to above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto. All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for issuances of additional Securities of such series.

If any of the terms of the Securities of any series are established by action taken pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions, a copy of an appropriate record of such action(s) shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of the Securities of such series.

Section 3.02. Denominations.

The Securities of each series shall be issuable in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 3.01. With respect to Securities of any series denominated in Dollars, in the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Registered Securities of such series, other than Registered Securities issued in global form (which may be of any denomination) shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

Section 3.03. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chief Executive Officer, its President, its Chief Operating Officer, its Chief Financial Officer or any of its Vice Presidents and attested by its Secretary or any of its Assistant Secretaries. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such authorized officer and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities.

 

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Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company, to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order and an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel in accordance with Section 1.02 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time and if the Board Resolution or supplemental indenture establishing such series shall so permit, such Company Order may set forth procedures acceptable to the Trustee for the issuance of such Securities and determining the terms of particular Securities of such series, such as interest rate, maturity date, date of issuance and date from which interest shall accrue. In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon,

(i) an Opinion of Counsel stating,

(b) that the form or forms of such Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(c) that the terms of such Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

(d) that such Securities, when completed by appropriate insertions and executed and delivered by the Company to the Trustee for authentication in accordance with this Indenture, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in accordance with this Indenture and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights, to general equitable principles and to such other qualifications as such counsel shall conclude do not materially affect the rights of Holders of such Securities; and

(ii) an Officers’ Certificate stating, to the best of the knowledge of the signers of such certificate, that no Event of Default with respect to any of the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.01 and of this Section 3.03, if all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Officers’ Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Section 3.01 or the Company Order, Opinion of Counsel or Officers’ Certificate otherwise required pursuant to the preceding paragraph at the time of issuance of each Security of such series, but such order, opinion and certificates, with appropriate modifications to cover such future issuances, shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of such series.

 

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If such form or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties, obligations or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner that is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, the Trustee will not be required to authenticate Securities denominated in a Foreign Currency if the Trustee reasonably believes that it would be unable to perform its duties with respect to such Securities.

Each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein duly executed by the Trustee or an Authenticating Agent by manual signature of an authorized signatory, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 3.10 together with a written statement (which need not comply with Section 1.02 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been issued and sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

Section 3.04. Temporary Securities.

Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities that are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. In the case of Securities of any series, such temporary Securities may be in global form.

Except in the case of temporary Securities in global form (which shall be exchanged as provided in or pursuant to a Board Resolution), if temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount and like tenor of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

 

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Section 3.05. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or in any office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment a register for each series of Securities (the registers maintained in such office or in any such office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes referred to collectively as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Registered Securities and of transfers of Registered Securities. The Security Register shall be in written form or any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time. The Trustee, at its Corporate Trust Office, is hereby initially appointed “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Registered Securities and transfers of Registered Securities on such Security Register as herein provided, and for facilitating exchanges of temporary global Securities for permanent global Securities or definitive Securities, or both, or of permanent global Securities for definitive Securities, or both, as herein provided. In the event that the Trustee shall cease to be Security Registrar, it shall have the right to examine the Security Register at all reasonable times. In acting hereunder and in connection with the Securities, the Security Registrar shall act solely as an agent of the Company, and will not thereby assume any obligations towards or relationship of agency or trust for or with any Holder.

Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Registered Security of any series at any office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Registered Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding and containing identical terms and provisions.

At the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Registered Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination or denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, containing identical terms and provisions, upon surrender of the Registered Securities to be exchanged at any such office or agency. Whenever any Registered Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Registered Securities that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, any permanent global Security shall be exchangeable only as provided in this paragraph. If any beneficial owner of an interest in a permanent global Security is entitled to exchange such interest for Securities of such series and of like tenor and principal amount of another authorized form and denomination, as specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 and provided that any applicable notice provided in the permanent global Security shall have been given, then without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interest may be so exchanged, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such beneficial owner’s interest in such

 

 

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permanent global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, such permanent global Security shall be surrendered by the depository specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 or such other depository as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, or to the Security Registrar, to be exchanged, in whole or from time to time in part, for definitive Securities of the same series without charge and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for each portion of such permanent global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such permanent global Security to be exchanged; provided, however, that no such exchanges may occur during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Securities to be redeemed and ending on the relevant Redemption Date if the Security for which exchange is requested may be among those selected for redemption. If a Registered Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a permanent global Security after the close of business at the office or agency where such exchange occurs on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest or interest, as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Registered Security, but will be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion of such permanent global Security is payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

Every Registered Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar or any transfer agent) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney or any transfer agent duly authorized in writing.

No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company or the Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 3.04, Section 9.06, Section 11.07 or Section 13.05 not involving any transfer.

The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security if such Security may be among those selected for redemption during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before selection of the Securities to be redeemed under Section 1103 and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except, in the case of any Registered Security to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed or (iii) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security that has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the Holder, except the portion, if any, of such Security not to be so repaid.

 

 

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The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a global Security, a member of, or a participant in, DTC or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of DTC or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Securities or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than DTC) of any notice (including any notice of redemption or purchase) or the payment of any amount or delivery of any Securities (or other security or property) under or with respect to such Securities. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders in respect of the Securities shall be given or made only to or upon the order of the registered Holders (which shall be DTC or its nominee in the case of a global Security). The rights of beneficial owners in any global Security shall be exercised only through DTC subject to the applicable rules and procedures of DTC. The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by DTC with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.

The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Security (including any transfers between or among DTC participants, members or beneficial owners in any global Security) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof. Neither the Trustee nor any of its agents shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by DTC.

Section 3.06. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company, together with, in proper cases, such security or indemnity as may be required by the Company or the Trustee to save each of them or any agent of either of them harmless, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and principal amount, containing identical terms and provisions and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

If there shall be delivered to the Company and to the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security, and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Company shall, subject to the following paragraph, execute and upon its request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series and principal amount, containing identical terms and provisions and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

 

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Notwithstanding the provisions of the previous two paragraphs, in case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company, the Paying Agent, or the Security Registrar may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee, the Paying Agent, or the Security Registrar) connected therewith.

Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.

The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

Section 3.07. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved; Optional Interest Reset.

(a) Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.01, interest, if any, on any Registered Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 10.02; provided, however, that each installment of interest, if any, on any Registered Security may at the Company’s option be paid by (i) mailing a check for such interest, payable to or upon the written order of the Person entitled thereto pursuant to Section 3.09, to the address of such Person as it appears on the Security Register or (ii) transfer to an account maintained by the payee located in the United States.

Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 301, any interest on any Registered Security of any series that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered Holder thereof on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (1) or (2) below:

(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Registered Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment (which shall not be less than 20

 

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days after such notice is received by the Trustee), and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Section 3.12(b), Section 3.12(d) and Section 3.12(e) equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit on or prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Registered Securities of such series at his address as it appears in the Security Register not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2).

(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Registered Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

(b) The provisions of this Section 3.07(b) may be made applicable to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 3.01(with such modifications, additions or substitutions as may be specified pursuant to such Section 3.01). The interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) on any Security of such series may be reset by the Company on the date or dates specified on the face of such Security (each an “Optional Reset Date”). The Company may exercise such option with respect to such Security by notifying the Trustee of such exercise at least 45 but not more than 60 days prior to an Optional Reset Date for such Security. Not later than 35 days prior to each Optional Reset Date, the Trustee shall transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 1.06, to the Holder of any such Security a notice (the “Reset Notice”) indicating whether the Company has elected to reset the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable), and if so (i) such new interest rate (or such new spread or spread multiplier, if applicable) and (ii) the provisions, if any, for redemption during the period from such Optional Reset Date to the next Optional Reset Date or if there is no such next Optional Reset Date, to the Stated Maturity of such Security (each such period a “Subsequent Interest Period”), including the date or dates on which or the period or periods during which and the price or prices at which such redemption may occur during the Subsequent Interest Period.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, not later than 20 days prior to the Optional Reset Date, the Company may, at its option, revoke the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) provided for in the Reset Notice and establish a higher interest rate (or a spread or spread multiplier providing for a higher interest rate, if applicable) for the Subsequent Interest Period by causing the Trustee to transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, notice of such higher interest rate (or such higher spread or spread multiplier providing for a higher interest rate, if applicable) to the Holder of such Security. Such notice shall be irrevocable. All Securities with respect to which the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) is reset on an Optional Reset Date, and with respect to which the Holders of such Securities have not tendered such Securities for repayment (or have validly revoked any such tender) pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph, will bear such higher interest rate (or such higher spread or spread multiplier providing for a higher interest rate, if applicable).

The Holder of any such Security will have the option to elect repayment by the Company of the principal of such Security on each Optional Reset Date at a price equal to the principal amount thereof plus interest accrued to such Optional Reset Date. In order to obtain repayment on an Optional Reset Date, the Holder must follow the procedures set forth in Article Thirteen for repayment at the option of Holders except that the period for delivery or notification to the Trustee shall be at least 25 but not more than 35 days prior to such Optional Reset Date and except that, if the Holder has tendered any Security for repayment pursuant to the Reset Notice, the Holder may, by written notice to the Trustee, revoke such tender or repayment until the close of business on the tenth day before such Optional Reset Date.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 3.05, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, that were carried by such other Security.

Section 3.08. Optional Extension of Maturity.

The provisions of this Section 3.08 may be made applicable to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 3.01 (with such modifications, additions or substitutions as may be specified pursuant to such Section 3.01). The Stated Maturity of any Security of such series may be extended at the option of the Company for the period or periods specified on the face of such Security (each an “Extension Period”) up to but not beyond the date (the “Final Maturity”) set forth on the face of such Security. The Company may exercise such option with respect to any Security by notifying the Trustee of such exercise at least 45 but not more than 60 days prior to the Stated Maturity of such Security in effect prior to the exercise of such option (the “Original Stated Maturity”). If the Company exercises such option, the Trustee shall transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 1.06, to the Holder of such Security not later than 35 days prior to the Original Stated Maturity a notice (the “Extension Notice”), prepared by the Company, indicating (i) the election of the Company to extend the Stated Maturity, (ii) the new Stated Maturity, (iii) the interest rate (or spread, spread multiplier or other formula to calculate such interest rate, if applicable), if any, applicable to the Extension Period and (iv) the provisions, if any, for redemption during such Extension Period. Upon the Trustee’s transmittal of the Extension Notice, the Stated Maturity of such Security shall be extended automatically and, except as modified by the Extension Notice and as described in the next paragraph, such Security will have the same terms as prior to the transmittal of such Extension Notice.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, not later than 20 days before the Original Stated Maturity of such Security, the Company may, at its option, revoke the interest rate (or spread, spread multiplier or other formula to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) provided for in the Extension Notice and establish a higher interest rate (or spread, spread multiplier or other formula to calculate such higher interest rate, if applicable) for the Extension Period by causing the Trustee to transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 1.06, notice of such higher interest rate (or spread, spread multiplier or other formula to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) to the Holder of such Security. Such notice shall be irrevocable. All Securities with respect to which the Stated Maturity is extended will bear such higher interest rate.

If the Company extends the Stated Maturity of any Security, the Holder will have the option to elect repayment of such Security by the Company on the Original Stated Maturity at a price equal to the principal amount thereof, plus interest accrued to such date. In order to obtain repayment on the Original Stated Maturity once the Company has extended the Stated Maturity thereof, the Holder must follow the procedures set forth in Article Thirteen for repayment at the option of Holders, except that the period for delivery or notification to the Trustee shall be at least 25 but not more than 35 days prior to the Original Stated Maturity and except that, if the Holder has tendered any Security for repayment pursuant to an Extension Notice, the Holder may by written notice to the Trustee revoke such tender for repayment until the close of business on the tenth day before the Original Stated Maturity.

Section 3.09. Persons Deemed Owners.

Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered as the owner of such Registered Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Section 3.05 and Section 3.07) interest, if any, on such Registered Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Registered Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Security in global form or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any global temporary or permanent Security, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee, or any agent of the Company or the Trustee, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by any depository, as a Holder, with respect to such global Security or impair, as between such depository and owners of beneficial interests in such global Security, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of such depository (or its nominee) as Holder of such global Security.

 

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Section 3.10. Cancellation.

All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, repayment at the option of the Holder, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such purpose shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. If the Company shall so acquire any of the Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. Cancelled Securities held by the Trustee shall be destroyed by the Trustee in accordance with its customary procedures, unless by a Company Order the Company directs the Trustee to deliver a certificate of such destruction to the Company or to return them to the Company.

Section 3.11. Computation of Interest.

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to Securities of any series, interest, if any, on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

Section 3.12. Currency and Manner of Payments in Respect of Securities.

(a) Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01, with respect to Registered Securities of any series not permitting the election provided for in paragraph (b) below or the Holders of which have not made the election provided for in paragraph (b) below, payment of the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on any Registered Security of such series will be made in the Currency in which such Registered Security is payable. The provisions of this Section 3.12 may be modified or superseded with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01.

(b) It may be provided pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to Registered Securities of any series that Holders shall have the option, subject to paragraphs (d) and (e) below, to receive payments of principal of (or premium, if any, on) or interest, if any, on such Registered Securities in any of the Currencies which may be designated for such election by delivering to the Trustee for such series of Registered Securities a written election with signature guarantees and in the applicable form established pursuant to Section 3.01, not later than the close of business on the Election Date immediately preceding the applicable payment date. If a Holder so elects to receive such payments in any such Currency, such election will remain in effect for such Holder or any transferee of such Holder until changed by such Holder or such transferee by written notice to the Trustee for such series of Registered Securities (but any such change must be made not later than the close of business on the Election Date immediately

 

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preceding the next payment date to be effective for the payment to be made on such payment date and no such change of election may be made with respect to payments to be made on any Registered Security of such series with respect to which an Event of Default has occurred or with respect to which the Company has deposited funds pursuant to Article Four or Fourteen or with respect to which a notice of redemption has been given by the Company or a notice of option to elect repayment has been sent by such Holder or such transferee). Any Holder of any such Registered Security who shall not have delivered any such election to the Trustee of such series of Registered Securities not later than the close of business on the applicable Election Date will be paid the amount due on the applicable payment date in the relevant Currency as provided in Section 3.12(a). The Trustee for each such series of Registered Securities shall notify the Exchange Rate Agent as soon as practicable after the Election Date of the aggregate principal amount of Registered Securities for which Holders have made such written election.

(c) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, if the election referred to in paragraph (b) above has been provided for pursuant to Section 3.01, then, not later than the fourth Business Day after the Election Date for each payment date for Registered Securities of any series, the Exchange Rate Agent will deliver to the Company a written notice specifying the Currency in which Registered Securities of such series are payable, the respective aggregate amounts of principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on the Registered Securities to be paid on such payment date, specifying the amounts in such Currency so payable in respect of the Registered Securities as to which the Holders of Registered Securities denominated in any Currency shall have elected to be paid in another Currency as provided in paragraph (b) above. Unless the Trustee is acting as the Exchange Rate Agent, the Trustee shall have no obligation to complete the actual exchange of distribution amounts from one Currency to another Currency. If the election referred to in paragraph (b) above has been provided for pursuant to Section 3.01 and if at least one Holder has made such election, then, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, on the second Business Day preceding such payment date the Company will deliver to the Trustee for such series of Registered Securities an Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate in respect of the Dollar or Foreign Currency or Currencies payments to be made on such payment date. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, the Dollar or Foreign Currency or Currencies amount receivable by Holders of Registered Securities who have elected payment in a Currency as provided in paragraph (b) above shall be determined by the Company on the basis of the applicable Market Exchange Rate in effect on the second Business Day (the “Valuation Date”) immediately preceding each payment date, and such determination shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

(d) If a Conversion Event occurs with respect to a Foreign Currency in which any of the Securities are denominated or payable other than pursuant to an election provided for pursuant to paragraph (b) above, then with respect to each date for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the applicable Securities denominated or payable in such Foreign Currency occurring after the last date on which such Foreign Currency was used (the “Conversion Date”), the Dollar shall be the currency of payment for use on each such payment date. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, the Dollar amount to be paid by the Company to the Trustee of each such series of Securities and by such Trustee or any Paying Agent to the Holders of such Securities with respect to such payment date shall be, in the case of a Foreign Currency other than a currency unit, the Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency or, in the case of a currency unit, the Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit, in each case as determined by the Exchange Rate Agent in the manner provided in paragraph (f) or (g) below.

 

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(e) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, if the Holder of a Registered Security denominated in any Currency shall have elected to be paid in another Currency as provided in paragraph (b) above, and a Conversion Event occurs with respect to such elected Currency, such Holder shall receive payment in the Currency in which payment would have been made in the absence of such election; and if a Conversion Event occurs with respect to the Currency in which payment would have been made in the absence of such election, such Holder shall receive payment in Dollars as provided in paragraph (d) of this Section 3.12.

(f) The “Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency” shall be determined by the Exchange Rate Agent and shall be obtained for each subsequent payment date by converting the specified Foreign Currency into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate on the Conversion Date.

(g) The “Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit” shall be determined by the Exchange Rate Agent and subject to the provisions of paragraph (h) below shall be the sum of each amount obtained by converting the Specified Amount of each Component Currency into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate for such Component Currency on the Valuation Date with respect to each payment.

(h) For purposes of this Section 3.12, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

A “Component Currency” shall mean any currency which, on the Conversion Date, was a component currency of the relevant currency unit.

A “Specified Amount” of a Component Currency shall mean the number of units of such Component Currency or fractions thereof which were represented in the relevant currency unit on the Conversion Date. If after the Conversion Date the official unit of any Component Currency is altered by way of combination or subdivision, the Specified Amount of such Component Currency shall be divided or multiplied in the same proportion. If after the Conversion Date two or more Component Currencies are consolidated into a single currency, the respective Specified Amounts of such Component Currencies shall be replaced by an amount in such single currency equal to the sum of the respective Specified Amounts of such consolidated Component Currencies expressed in such single currency, and such amount shall thereafter be a Specified Amount and such single currency shall thereafter be a Component Currency. If after the Conversion Date any Component Currency shall be divided into two or more currencies, the Specified Amount of such Component Currency shall be replaced by amounts of such two or more currencies, having an aggregate Dollar Equivalent value at the Market Exchange Rate on the date of such replacement equal to the Dollar Equivalent of the Specified Amount of such former Component Currency at the Market Exchange Rate immediately before such division, and such amounts shall thereafter be Specified Amounts and such currencies shall thereafter be Component Currencies. If, after the Conversion Date of the relevant currency unit, a Conversion Event (other than any event referred to above in this definition of “Specified Amount”) occurs with respect to any Component Currency of such currency unit and is continuing on the applicable Valuation Date, the Specified Amount of such Component Currency shall, for purposes of calculating the Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit, be converted into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate in effect on the Conversion Date of such Component Currency.

 

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An “Election Date” shall mean the Regular Record Date for the applicable series of Registered Securities or at least 16 days prior to Maturity, as the case may be, or such other prior date for any series of Registered Securities as specified pursuant to clause 13 of Section 3.01 by which the written election referred to in Section 3.12(b) may be made.

All decisions and determinations of the Exchange Rate Agent regarding the Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency, the Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit, the Market Exchange Rate and changes in the Specified Amounts as specified above shall be in its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Company, the Trustee for the appropriate series of Securities and all Holders of such Securities denominated or payable in the relevant Currency. The Exchange Rate Agent shall promptly give written notice to the Company and the Trustee for the appropriate series of Securities of any such decision or determination.

In the event that the Company determines in good faith that a Conversion Event has occurred with respect to a Foreign Currency, the Company will immediately give written notice thereof to the Trustee of the appropriate series of Securities and to the Exchange Rate Agent (and such Trustee will promptly thereafter give notice in the manner provided in Section 106 to the affected Holders) specifying the Conversion Date. In the event the Company so determines that a Conversion Event has occurred with respect to any other currency unit in which Securities are denominated or payable, the Company will immediately give written notice thereof to the Trustee of the appropriate series of Securities and to the Exchange Rate Agent (and such Trustee will promptly thereafter give notice in the manner provided in Section 1.06 to the affected Holders) specifying the Conversion Date and the Specified Amount of each Component Currency on the Conversion Date. In the event the Company determines in good faith that any subsequent change in any Component Currency as set forth in the definition of Specified Amount above has occurred, the Company will similarly give written notice to the Trustee of the appropriate series of Securities and to the Exchange Rate Agent.

The Trustee of the appropriate series of Securities shall be fully justified and protected in relying and acting upon information received by it from the Company and the Exchange Rate Agent and shall not otherwise have any duty or obligation to determine the accuracy or validity of such information independent of the Company or the Exchange Rate Agent.

Section 3.13. Appointment and Resignation of Successor Exchange Rate Agent.

(a) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, if and so long as the Securities of any series (i) are denominated in a Foreign Currency or (ii) may be payable in a Foreign Currency, or so long as it is required under any other provision of this Indenture, then the Company will engage and maintain with respect to each such series of Securities, or as so required, at least one Exchange Rate Agent. The Company will cause the Exchange Rate Agent to make the necessary foreign exchange determinations at the time and in the manner specified pursuant to Section 301 for the purpose of determining the applicable rate of exchange and, if applicable, for the purpose of converting the issued Foreign Currency into the applicable payment Currency for the payment of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, pursuant to Section 3.12.

 

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(b) No resignation of the Exchange Rate Agent and no appointment of a successor Exchange Rate Agent pursuant to this Section shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Exchange Rate Agent as evidenced by a written instrument delivered to the Company and the Trustee of the appropriate series of Securities accepting such appointment executed by the successor Exchange Rate Agent.

(c) If the Exchange Rate Agent shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of the Exchange Rate Agent for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Exchange Rate Agent or Exchange Rate Agents with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Exchange Rate Agent may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, at any time there shall only be one Exchange Rate Agent with respect to the Securities of any particular series that are originally issued by the Company on the same date and that are initially denominated and/or payable in the same Currency).

Section 3.14. CUSIP Numbers.

The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall indicate the respective “CUSIP” numbers of the Securities in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company shall advise the Trustee as promptly as practicable in writing of any change in the CUSIP numbers.

ARTICLE IV

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 4.01. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

Except as set forth below, this Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities specified in such Company Request (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities of such series expressly provided for herein or pursuant hereto, any surviving rights of tender for repayment at the option of the Holders and any right to receive Additional Amounts, as provided in Section 10.04), and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order, and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series when

(1) either

 

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(A) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Securities of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.06 and (ii) Securities of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust with the Trustee or any Paying Agent or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 10.03) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(B) all Securities of such series

(ii) have become due and payable, or

(iii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

(iv) if redeemable at the option of the Company, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,

and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose, solely for the benefit of the Holders, an amount in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable, sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;

(1) the Company has irrevocably paid or caused to be irrevocably paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and

(2) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series have been complied with.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 6.06, the obligations of the Company to any Authenticating Agent under Section 6.12 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and the last paragraph of Section 10.03 shall survive any termination of this Indenture.

Section 4.02. Application of Trust Funds.

Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.03, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.01 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if

 

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any, for whose payment such money has been deposited with or received by the Trustee, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. In acting under this Indenture and in connection with the Securities, the Paying Agent shall act solely as an agent of the Company, and will not thereby assume any obligations towards or relationship of agency or trust for or with any Holder.

ARTICLE V

REMEDIES

Section 5.01. Events of Default.

“Event of Default”, wherever used herein with respect to any particular series of Securities, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether or not it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body), unless it is either inapplicable to a particular series or is specifically deleted or modified in or pursuant to the supplemental indenture or a Board Resolution establishing such series of Securities or is in the form of Security for such series:

(1) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that series when such interest becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or

(2) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable at its Maturity, and continuance of such default for a period of 5 days; or

(3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of any Security of that series, and continuance of such default for a period of 5 days; or

(4) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture with respect to any Security of that series (other than a covenant or agreement a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder;

(5) the Company, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(A) commences a voluntary case or proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law,

(B) consents to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or files a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief against it,

 

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(C) consents to the entry of a decree or order for relief against it in an involuntary case or proceeding,

(D) consents to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or

(E) makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or admits in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due or takes any corporate action in furtherance of any such action; or

(6) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(A) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding, or

(B) adjudges the Company bankrupt or insolvent, or approves as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company, or

(C) appoints a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or

(D) orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company,

and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or

(7) if, pursuant to Sections 18(a)(1)(c)(ii) and 61 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, on the last business day of each of twenty-four consecutive calendar months Securities of that series shall have an asset coverage (as such term is used in the Investment Company Act of 1940) of less than 100 per centum, giving effect to any exemptive relief granted to the Company by the Commission;

(8) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series.

The term “Bankruptcy Law” means title 11, U.S. Code or any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law. The term “Custodian” means any custodian, receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

Section 5.02. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may (and the Trustee shall at the request of such Holders) declare the principal (or, if any Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal as may be specified in the terms thereof) of all the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice

 

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in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal or specified portion thereof shall become immediately due and payable.

Any application by the Trustee for written instructions from the requisite amount of Holders (as determined pursuant to this Indenture) may, at the option of the Trustee, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Trustee under this Indenture and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken or such omission shall be effective. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken by, or omission of, the Trustee in accordance with a proposal included in such application on or after the date specified in such application unless prior to taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of an omission), the Trustee shall have received written instructions from the requisite amount of Holders (as determined pursuant to this Indenture) in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.

At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter provided in this Article, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

(1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 3.12(b), 3.12(d) and 3.12(e)):

(A) all overdue installments of interest, if any, on all Outstanding Securities of that series,

(B) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) all Outstanding Securities of that series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities,

(C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue installments of interest at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and

(D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and

(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the nonpayment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on Securities of that series that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.13.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

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Section 5.03. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.

The Company covenants that if:

(1) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest on any Security of any series when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or

(2) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security of any series at its Maturity,

then the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of Securities of such series, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, with interest upon any overdue principal (and premium, if any) and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, upon any overdue installments of interest, if any, at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and its agents and counsel, the Paying Agent, and the Security Registrar.

If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon Securities of such series and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities of such series, wherever situated.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

Section 5.04. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities of any series shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of any overdue principal, premium or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

(i) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal (or in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal as may be provided for in the terms thereof) (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents, and take such

 

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other actions, including serving on a committee of creditors, as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

(ii) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator (or other similar official) in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder of Securities of such series to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee, their agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee under Section 606.

Subject to Article Eight and Section 902 and unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301, nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder of a Security any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of a Security in any such proceeding.

Section 5.05. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.

All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or any of the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

The Trustee shall be entitled to participate, in its capacity as Trustee, on behalf of (and at the request of) the Holders, as a member of any official committee of creditors in the matters it deems advisable.

Section 5.06. Application of Money Collected.

Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 6.06 and any other agent hereunder;

 

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SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, giving effect to Article XVI, if applicable, but otherwise ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the aggregate amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, respectively; and

THIRD: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company or any other Person or Persons entitled thereto.

Section 5.07. Limitation on Suits.

No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:

(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;

(2) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity, security, or both, reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity and/or security has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.

Section 5.08. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest.

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right which is absolute and unconditional to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Sections 3.05 and 3.07) interest, if any, on such Security on the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date or, in the case of repayment at the option of the Holders on the Repayment Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

 

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Section 5.09. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

If the Trustee or any Holder of a Security has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of Securities shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

Section 5.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 3.06, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 5.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders of Securities, as the case may be.

Section 5.12. Control by Holders of Securities.

Subject to Section 6.02, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series, provided that

(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture,

(2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction

(3) the Trustee need not take any action that might involve it in personal liability or be unjustly prejudicial to the Holders of Securities of such series not consenting, and

 

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(4) prior to taking any such action hereunder, the Trustee may demand security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it in accordance with Section 6.02.

Section 5.13. Waiver of Past Defaults.

Subject to Section 5.02, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to Securities of such series and its consequences, except a default

(1) in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of such series, or

(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.

Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 5.14. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.

The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

ARTICLE VI

THE TRUSTEE

Section 6.01. Notice of Defaults.

Within 90 days after the occurrence of any Default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), notice of such Default hereunder known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of a Default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of such series, or in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund installment with respect to the Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such

 

 

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notice is in the interest of the Holders of the Securities of such series; and provided further that in the case of any Default or breach of the character specified in Section 5.01 (4) with respect to the Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof.

Section 6.02. Certain Rights and Duties of Trustee.

(1) Prior to the time when the occurrence of an Event of Default becomes known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default with respect to a series of Securities that may have occurred:

(a) the duties and obligations of the Trustee hereunder and with respect to the Securities of any series shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, including without limitation Section 1.07 of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to the Securities except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, including without limitation Section 1.07 of this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(b) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform on their face to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of any mathematical calculations or other facts stated herein).

(2) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

(3) The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.

(4) The Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

(5) Any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order (other than delivery of any Security, to the Trustee for authentication and delivery pursuant to Section 303 which shall be sufficiently evidenced as provided therein) and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution.

 

 

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(6) Whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may require and, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon a Board Resolution, an Opinion of Counsel or an Officers’ Certificate.

(7) The Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

(8) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities of any series pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities (including the reasonable fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

(9) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled upon reasonable notice and at reasonable times during normal business hours to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney.

(10) The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.

(11) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture.

(12) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and to each agent, custodian and other Person retained to act hereunder.

(13) The permissive rights of the Trustee enumerated herein shall not be construed as duties and the Trustee shall not be answerable for other than its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct with respect to such permissive rights.

 

 

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(14) The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee under this Indenture with respect to such Securities.

(15) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(16) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers’ Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

(17) Anything in this Indenture notwithstanding, in no event shall the Trustee be liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

(18) The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fire; flood; terrorism; wars and other military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions; loss or malfunctions of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communications services; accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authorities and governmental action.

Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct of, or affecting the liability of, or affording protection to, the Trustee shall be subject to the relevant provisions of this Section 602 and the TIA.

The Trustee shall not be required to expend or risk its own funds, give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder, or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

The parties hereto acknowledge that in order to help the United States government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, pursuant to Federal regulations that became effective on October 1, 2003 (Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act) all financial institutions are required to obtain, verify, record and update information that identifies each person establishing a relationship or opening an account. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide to the Trustee such information as it may request, from time to time, in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, including but not limited

 

 

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to the name, address, tax identification number and other information that will allow it to identify the individual or entity who is establishing the relationship or opening the account and may also ask for formation documents such as articles of incorporation or other identifying documents to be provided.

Section 6.03. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.

The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements made by it in a Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied to the Company are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.

Section 6.04. May Hold Securities.

The Trustee, any Paying Agent, Security Registrar, Authenticating Agent or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to TIA Sections 310(b) and 311, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent, Security Registrar, Authenticating Agent or such other agent.

Section 6.05. Money Held in Trust.

Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed with the Company.

Section 6.06. Compensation and Reimbursement and Indemnification of Trustee.

The Company agrees:

(1) To pay to the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee from time to time such compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder as has been agreed upon from time to time in writing (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust).

(2) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents, counsel, accountants and experts), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or willful misconduct.

 

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(3) To indemnify each of the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee and their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents, for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on its own part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses (including reasonable fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder (whether asserted by any Holder, the Company or otherwise). The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any third-party claim for which it may seek indemnity of which it has received written notice. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder unless, and solely to the extent that, such failure materially prejudices the Company’s defense of such claim. The Company shall defend the claim, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, and the Trustee shall provide reasonable cooperation at the Company’s expense in the defense; provided that if the defendants in any such claim include both the Company and the Trustee and the Trustee shall have concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it which are different from or additional to those available to the Company, or the Trustee has concluded that there may be any other actual or potential conflicting interests between the Company and the Trustee, the Trustee shall have the right to select separate counsel and the Company shall be required to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such separate counsel. Any settlement which affects the Trustee may not be entered into without the written consent of the Trustee, unless the Trustee is given a full and unconditional release from liability with respect to the claims covered thereby and such settlement does not include a statement or admission of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of the Trustee. Any settlement by the Trustee which affects the Company may not be entered into without the written consent of the Company, unless such settlement does not include a statement or admission of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of the Company.

As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section, the Trustee shall have a claim prior to the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on particular Securities.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01 occurs, the expenses and compensation for such services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar Federal, State or analogous foreign law for the relief of debtors.

The provisions of this Section 6.06 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the satisfaction, termination or discharge of this Indenture.

Section 6.07. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that shall be eligible to act as Trustee under TIA Section 310(a)(1) and shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of Federal, State, Territorial or the District of Columbia supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of

 

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such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

Section 6.08. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.

If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture.

Section 6.09. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

(a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 610. All outstanding fees, expenses and indemnities of the Trustee shall be satisfied by the Company upon resignation or removal.

(b) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company.

(c) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by (i) the Company, by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee, provided that contemporaneously therewith (x) the Company immediately appoints a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series meeting the requirements of Section 6.07 hereof and (y) the terms of Section 6.10 hereof are complied with in respect of such appointment (the Trustee being removed hereby agreeing to execute the instrument contemplated by Section 6.10(b) hereof, if applicable, under such circumstances) and provided further that no Default with respect to such Securities shall have occurred and then be continuing at such time, or (ii) Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.

(d) If at any time:

(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of TIA Section 310(b) after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.07 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, then, in any such case, (i) the Company by or pursuant to a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee with respect to

 

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all Securities, or (ii) subject to TIA Section 315(e), any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

(e) If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of a notice of resignation or the delivery of an Act of removal, the Trustee resigning or being removed may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(f) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series). If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders of Securities and accepted appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to Securities of such series.

(g) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series in the manner provided for notices to the Holders of Securities in Section 10.06. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

Section 6.10. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

(a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee, and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its claim, if any, provided for in Section 6.06.

 

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(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and that (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates. Whenever there is a successor Trustee with respect to one or more (but less than all) series of securities issued pursuant to this Indenture, the terms “Indenture” and “Securities” shall have the meanings specified in the provisos to the respective definition of those terms in Section 101 which contemplate such situation.

(c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.

(d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.

Section 6.11. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.

Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the

 

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execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities. In case any Securities shall not have been authenticated by such predecessor Trustee, any such successor Trustee may authenticate and deliver such Securities, in either its own name or that of its predecessor Trustee, with the full force and effect which this Indenture provides for the certificate of authentication of the Trustee; provided, however, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or to authenticate Securities in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.

Section 6.12. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

At any time when any of the Securities remain Outstanding, the Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents (which may be an Affiliate or Affiliates of the Company) with respect to one or more series of Securities that shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon original issue or upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument in writing signed by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, a copy of which instrument shall be promptly furnished to the Company. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and, except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to Section 3.01, shall at all times be a bank or trust company or corporation organized and doing business and in good standing under the laws of the United States of America or of any State or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, eligible to serve as trustee hereunder pursuant to Section 607. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. In case at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

 

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An Authenticating Agent for any series of Securities may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee for such series and to the Company. The Trustee for any series of Securities may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice of termination to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee for such series may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall promptly give written notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve in the manner set forth in Section 1.06. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent herein. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation including reimbursement of its reasonable expenses for its services under this Section.

If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to or in lieu of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication substantially in the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

[                    ], as Trustee
By:

 

as Authenticating Agent
By:

 

Authorized Officer

If all of the Securities of a series may not be originally issued at one time, and the Trustee does not have an office capable of authenticating Securities upon original issuance located in a Place of Payment where the Company wishes to have Securities of such series authenticated upon original issuance, the Trustee, if so requested by the Company in writing (which writing need not comply with Section 1.02 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel), shall appoint in accordance with this Section an Authenticating Agent (which, if so requested by the Company, shall be an Affiliate of the Company) having an office in a Place of Payment designated by the Company with respect to such series of Securities, provided that the terms and conditions of such appointment are acceptable to the Trustee.

 

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ARTICLE VII

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

Section 7.01. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.

The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:

(a) Semi-annually, not later than March 15 and September 15 in each year, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities of each series as of the preceding March 1 or September 1, as the case may be; and

(b) At such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than fifteen (15) calendar days prior to the time such list is furnished;

Excluding from any such list names and addresses received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar.

Section 7.02. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.

(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 7.01 and the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 7.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

(b) The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities, and the corresponding rights and duties of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act.

(c) Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent nor any Paying Agent nor any Security Registrar nor any agent of any of them shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with TIA Section 312, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under TIA Section 312(b).

Section 7.03. Reports by Trustee.

Within 60 days after May 15 of each year commencing with the first May 15 after the first issuance of Securities pursuant to this Indenture, the Trustee shall transmit by mail (at the expense of the Company) to all Holders of Securities in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c) a brief report dated as of such May 15 which meets the requirements of TIA Section 313(a).

 

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A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to such Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange, if any, upon which the Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of the listing of the Securities on any stock exchange. In the event that, on any such reporting date, no events have occurred under the applicable sections of the TIA within the 12 months preceding such reporting date, the Trustee shall be under no duty or obligation to provide such reports.

Section 7.04. Reports by Company.

The Company will:

(1) file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company is required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents, and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations.

Delivery of such reports, information, and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to conclusively rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, for the purposes of this Section, any information, documents or reports filed electronically with the Commission and made publicly available shall be deemed filed with and delivered to the Trustee at the same time as filed with the Commission.

The Trustee shall transmit by mail to the Holders of Securities (at the expense of the Company), within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to subparagraphs (1) and (2) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission. In no event shall the Trustee be obligated to determine whether or not any report, information or document shall have been filed with the Commission.

Section 7.05. Calculation of Original Issue Discount.

The Company shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods), if any, accrued on Outstanding Securities as of the end of such year.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE OR TRANSFER

Section 8.01. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.

The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into any other entity or convey or transfer all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, unless:

(1) either the Company shall be the continuing entity, or the entity (if other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on all the Securities and the performance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have happened and be continuing; and

(3) the Company and the successor Person have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer and such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

Section 8.02. Successor Person Substituted.

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any conveyance or transfer of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section 801, the successor entity formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the successor Person to which such conveyance or transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor had been named as the Company herein; and in the event of any such conveyance or transfer, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities and may be dissolved and liquidated.

ARTICLE IX

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 9.01. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.

Without the consent of any Holders of Securities, the Company, when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:

(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in the Securities contained; or

 

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(2) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or

(3) to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series); provided, however, that in respect of any such additional Events of Default such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of that or those series of Securities to which such additional Events of Default apply to waive such default; or

(4) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Security Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of such provision; or

(5) to secure the Securities; or

(6) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 201 and 301, including the provisions and procedures relating to Securities convertible into or exchangeable for any securities of any Person (including the Company); or

(7) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee; or

(8) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture; provided that such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series in any material respect; or

(9) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Sections 14.01, 14.02 and 14.03; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series or any other series of Securities in any material respect.

 

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Section 9.02. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.

With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of all Outstanding Securities affected by such supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture that affects such series of Securities or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of such series of Securities under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby:

(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of (or premium, if any) or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Security, subject to the provisions of Section 308; or the terms of any sinking fund with respect to any Security; or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest (or change the manner of calculating the rate of interest, thereon, or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or change any obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 10.04 (except as contemplated by Section 8.01(1) and permitted by Section 9.01(1)), or reduce the portion of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security or Indexed Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.02, or upon the redemption thereof or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 5.04, or adversely affect any right of repayment at the option of the Holder of any Security, or change any Place of Payment where, or the Currency in which, any Security or any premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder, on or after the Redemption Date or the Repayment Date, as the case may be), or adversely affect any right to convert or exchange any Security as may be provided pursuant to Section 3.01 herein, or modify the subordination provisions set forth in Article Sixteen in a manner that is adverse to the Holder of any Outstanding Security, or

(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver with respect to such series (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture, or reduce the requirements of Section 15.04 for quorum or voting, or

(3) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 5.13 or Section 10.06, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder of a Security with respect to changes in the references to “the Trustee” and concomitant changes in this Section, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 6.10(b) and 9.01(8).

It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

 

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A supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or that modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons entitled to consent to any indenture supplemental hereto. If a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such supplemental indenture, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided, that unless such consent shall have become effective by virtue of the requisite percentage having been obtained prior to the date that is 90 days after such record date, any such consent previously given shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be cancelled and of no further effect.

Section 9.03. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modification thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 1.02 of this Indenture, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture that affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Section 9.04. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.

Section 9.05. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.

Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

Section 9.06. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall, if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

 

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ARTICLE X

COVENANTS

Section 10.01. Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest.

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of such series of Securities and this Indenture. Unless otherwise specified with respect to Securities of any series pursuant to Section 301, at the option of the Company, all payments of principal may be paid by check to the registered Holder of the Registered Security or other person entitled thereto against surrender of such Security.

Section 10.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Company shall maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities of that series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of each such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency in respect of any series of Securities or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office as its agent to receive such respective presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all of such purposes, and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in accordance with the requirements set forth above for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to a series of Securities, the Company hereby designates as a Place of Payment for each series of Securities the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, and initially appoints the Trustee at its corporate trust office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, if and so long as the Securities of any series (i) are denominated in a currency other than Dollars or (ii) may be payable in a currency other than Dollars, or so long as it is required under any other provision of the Indenture, then the Company will maintain with respect to each such series of Securities, or as so required, at least one Exchange Rate Agent.

 

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Section 10.03. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.

If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of any Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 3.12(b), 3.12(d) and 3.12(e)), sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Securities of such series so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum (in the Currency or Currencies described in the preceding paragraph) sufficient to pay the principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, so becoming due, such sum of money to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums of money held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such sums.

Except as otherwise provided in the Securities of any series, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company upon Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such money held in trust, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in an Authorized Newspaper, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

 

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Section 10.04. Additional Amounts.

If the Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, the Company will pay to the Holder of any Security of such series such Additional Amounts as may be specified as contemplated by Section 3.01. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of any series or the net proceeds received on the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided for by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 3.01 to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to such terms and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, if the Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, at least 10 days prior to the first Interest Payment Date with respect to that series of Securities (or if the Securities of that series will not bear interest prior to Maturity, the first day on which a payment of principal premium is made), and at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of principal, premium or interest if there has been any change with respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officers’ Certificate, the Company will furnish the Trustee and the Company’s principal Paying Agent or Paying Agents, if other than the Trustee, with an Officers’ Certificate instructing the Trustee and such Paying Agent or Paying Agents whether such payment of principal, premium or interest on the Securities of that series shall be made to Holders of Securities of that series who are not United States persons without withholding for or on account of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge described in the Securities of that series. If any such withholding shall be required, then such Officers’ Certificate shall specify by country the amount, if any, required to be withheld on such payments to such Holders of Securities of that series and the Company will pay to the Trustee or such Paying Agent the Additional Amounts required by the terms of such Securities. In the event that the Trustee or any Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall not so receive the above-mentioned certificate, then the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall be entitled (i) to assume that no such withholding or deduction is required with respect to any payment of principal or interest with respect to any Securities of a series until it shall have received a certificate advising otherwise and (ii) to make all payments of principal and interest with respect to the Securities of a series without withholding or deductions until otherwise advised. The Company covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred without negligence or bad faith on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officers’ Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section or in reliance on the Company’s not furnishing such an Officers’ Certificate.

Section 10.05. Statement as to Compliance.

(1) The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year ending after the date hereof (which fiscal year ends on December 31), so long as any Security is Outstanding hereunder, a brief certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company as to his or her knowledge of the Company’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture. For purposes of this Section 10.05, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice under this Indenture.

 

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(2) The Company will, so long as any series of Securities are Outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, within 5 Business Days of any officer listed in (1) above becoming aware of any Default, Event of Default or default in the performance of any covenant, agreement or condition contained in this Indenture, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default, Event of Default, default or event of default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto and the status thereof.

Section 10.06. Waiver of Certain Covenants.

As specified pursuant to Section 3.01(15), for Securities of any series, the Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any covenant or condition set forth in any covenants of the Company added to Article Ten pursuant to Section 3.01(14) or Section 3.01(15) in connection with the Securities of a series, if before or after the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of all Outstanding Securities of such series, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such covenant or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such covenant or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such covenant or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

ARTICLE XI

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

Section 11.01. Applicability of Article.

Securities of any series that are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article.

Section 11.02. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by or pursuant to a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all of the Securities of any series, the Company shall, at least 60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), an Officers’ Certificate notifying the Trustee in writing of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed, and, if applicable, of the tenor of the Securities to be redeemed, and shall deliver to the Trustee such documentation and records as shall enable the Trustee to select the Securities to be redeemed pursuant to Section 11.03. In the case of any redemption of Securities of any series prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction.

 

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Section 11.03. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.

If less than all the Securities of any series issued on the same day with the same terms are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee in compliance with the requirements of DTC, from the Outstanding Securities of such series issued on such date with the same terms not previously called for redemption, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the Securities are listed (if the Securities are listed on any national securities exchange), or if the Securities are not held through DTC or listed on any national securities exchange, or DTC prescribed no method of selection, on a pro rata basis, or by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and subject to and otherwise in accordance with the procedures of the applicable Depository; provided that such method complies with the rules of any national securities exchange or quotation system on which the Securities are listed, and may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series; provided, however, that no such partial redemption shall reduce the portion of the principal amount of a Security not redeemed to less than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of such series.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar (if other than itself) in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed.

Section 11.04. Notice of Redemption.

Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 1.06, not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, unless a shorter period is specified by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 301, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, but failure to give such notice in the manner herein provided to the Holder of any Security designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in the notice to any such Holder, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other such Security or portion thereof.

Any notice that is mailed to the Holders of Registered Securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives the notice.

All notices of redemption shall state:

(1) the Redemption Date,

 

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(2) the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 11.06,

(3) if less than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amount) of the particular Security or Securities to be redeemed,

(4) in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice that relates to such Security shall state that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the Holder will receive, without a charge, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed,

(5) that on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 11.06 will become due and payable upon each such Security, or the portion thereof, to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after said date,

(6) the Place or Places of Payment where such Securities, are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any,

(7) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case, and

(8) the CUSIP number of such Security, if any.

A notice of redemption published as contemplated by Section 106 need not identify particular Registered Securities to be redeemed. Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

Section 11.05. Deposit of Redemption Price.

On or prior to 10:00 am, New York City time, on any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, which it may not do in the case of a sinking fund payment under Article Twelve, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.03) an amount of money in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 3.12(b), 3.12(d) and 3.12(e)) sufficient to pay on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price of, and (unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01) accrued interest on, all the Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date; provided, however, that to the extent any such funds are received by the Trustee or a Paying Agent from the Company after 10:00 am, New York City time, on the due date, such funds will be deemed deposited within one Business Day of receipt thereof.

Section 11.06. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein

 

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specified in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections Section 3.12(b), Section 3.12(d) and Section 3.12(e)) (together with accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date), and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any) such Securities shall if the same were interest-bearing cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, installments of interest on Registered Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.07.

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the Redemption Price shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate of interest set forth in such Security or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, at the Yield to Maturity of such Security.

Section 11.07. Securities Redeemed in Part.

Any Registered Security that is to be redeemed only in part (pursuant to the provisions of this Article or of Article Twelve) shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security at the expense of the Company and without service charge a new Security or Securities of the same series and of like tenor, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered. If a temporary global Security or permanent global Security is so surrendered, such new Security so issued shall be a new temporary global Security or permanent global Security, respectively. However, if less than all the Securities of any series with differing issue dates, interest rates and stated maturities are to be redeemed, the Company in its sole discretion shall select the particular Securities to be redeemed and shall notify the Trustee in writing thereof at least 45 days prior to the relevant redemption date.

ARTICLE XII

SINKING FUNDS

Section 12.01. Applicability of Article.

The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for Securities of such series.

 

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The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment”, and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of such Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment”. If provided for by the terms of any Securities of any series, the cash amount of any mandatory sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 12.02. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series.

Section 12.02. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of a series, (1) deliver Outstanding Securities of such series (other than any previously called for redemption) and (2) apply as a credit Securities of such series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, as provided for by the terms of such Securities; provided that such Securities so delivered or applied as a credit have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the applicable Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such mandatory sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

Section 12.03. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for Securities of any series, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 3.12(b), 3.12(d) and 3.12(e)) and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 12.02, and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered and credited. If such Officers’ Certificate shall specify an optional amount to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 11.03 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 11.04. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 11.06 and 11.07.

 

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ARTICLE XIII

REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS

Section 13.01. Applicability of Article.

Repayment of Securities of any series before their Stated Maturity at the option of Holders thereof shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities and (except as otherwise specified by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 3.01) in accordance with this Article.

Section 13.02. Repayment of Securities.

Securities of any series subject to repayment in whole or in part at the option of the Holders thereof will, unless otherwise provided in the terms of such Securities, be repaid at the Repayment Price thereof, together with interest, if any, thereon accrued to the Repayment Date specified in or pursuant to the terms of such Securities. The Company covenants that on or before 10:00 am, New York City time, on the Repayment Date it will deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 3.12(b), 3.12(d) and 3.12(e)) sufficient to pay the Repayment Price of, and (unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01) accrued interest on, all the Securities or portions thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid on such date; provided, however, that to the extent any such funds are received by the Trustee or a Paying Agent from the Company after 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the due date, such funds will be distributed to the Holders within one Business Day of receipt thereof.

Section 13.03. Exercise of Option.

Securities of any series subject to repayment at the option of the Holders thereof will contain an “Option to Elect Repayment” form on the reverse of such Securities. To be repaid at the option of the Holder, any Security so providing for such repayment, with the “Option to Elect Repayment” form on the reverse of such Security duly completed by the Holder (or by the Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing), must be received by the Company at the Place of Payment therefor specified in the terms of such Security (or at such other place or places of which the Company shall from time to time notify the Holders of such Securities) not earlier than 45 days nor later than 30 days prior to the Repayment Date. If less than the entire Repayment Price of such Security is to be repaid in accordance with the terms of such Security, the portion of the Repayment Price of such Security to be repaid, in increments of the minimum denomination for Securities of such series, and the denomination or denominations of the Security or Securities to be issued to the Holder for the portion of such Security surrendered that is not to be repaid, must be specified. Any Security providing for repayment at the option of the Holder thereof may not be repaid in part if, following such repayment, the unpaid principal amount of such Security would be less than the minimum authorized denomination of Securities of the series of which such Security to be repaid is a part. Except as otherwise may be provided by the terms of any Security providing for repayment at the option of the Holder thereof, exercise of the repayment option by the Holder shall be irrevocable unless waived by the Company.

 

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Section 13.04. When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and Payable.

If Securities of any series providing for repayment at the option of the Holders thereof shall have been surrendered as provided in this Article and as provided by or pursuant to the terms of such Securities, such Securities or the portions thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid shall become due and payable and shall be paid by the Company on the Repayment Date therein specified, and on and after such Repayment Date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Securities on such Repayment Date) such Securities shall, if the same were interest-bearing, cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for repayment in accordance with such provisions, the Repayment Price of such Security so to be repaid shall be paid by the Company, together with accrued interest, if any, to the Repayment Date; provided, however, that installments of interest on Registered Securities, whose Stated Maturity is prior to (or, if specified pursuant to Section 301, on) the Repayment Date shall be payable (but without interest thereon, unless the Company shall default in the payment thereof) to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.07.

If any Security surrendered for repayment shall not be so repaid upon surrender thereof, the Repayment Price shall, until paid, bear interest from the Repayment Date at the rate of interest set forth in such Security or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, at the Yield to Maturity of such Security.

Section 13.05. Securities Repaid in Part.

Upon surrender of any Registered Security that is to be repaid in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security, without service charge and at the expense of the Company, a new Registered Security or Securities of the same series, and of like tenor, of any authorized denomination specified by the Holder, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the portion of the principal of such Security so surrendered that is not to be repaid. If a temporary global Security or permanent global Security is so surrendered, such new Security so issued shall be a new temporary global Security or a new permanent global Security, respectively.

ARTICLE XIV

DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 14.01. Applicability of Article; Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

If pursuant to Section 3.01 provision is made for either or both of (a) defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 14.02 or (b) covenant defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 1403, then the provisions of such Section or Sections, as the case may be, together with the other provisions of this Article (with such modifications thereto as may be specified pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to any Securities), shall be applicable to

 

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such Securities, and the Company may at its option by Board Resolution, at any time, with respect to such Securities, elect to have either Section 14.02 (if applicable) or Section 14.03 (if applicable) be applied to such Outstanding Securities upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article.

Section 14.02. Defeasance and Discharge.

Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such Outstanding Securities on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 14.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, “defeasance”). For this purpose, such defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Outstanding Securities, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “Outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 14.05 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (A) and (B) of this Section, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (A) the rights of Holders of such Outstanding Securities to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 14.04 and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on such Securities when such payments are due, (B) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 3.05, 3.06, 10.02 and 10.03 and with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, on such Securities as contemplated by Section 1004, (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (D) this Article. Subject to compliance with this Article Fourteen, the Company may exercise its option under this Section notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 14.03 with respect to such Securities. Following a defeasance, payment of such Securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default.

Section 14.03. Covenant Defeasance.

Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section with respect to any Securities of or within a series, if specified pursuant to Section 3.01, the Company shall be released from its obligations under any covenant, with respect to such Outstanding Securities on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 14.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, “covenant defeasance”), and such Securities shall thereafter be deemed to be not “Outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or Act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenant, but shall continue to be deemed “Outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such covenant defeasance means that, with respect to such Outstanding Securities, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Section or such other covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or such other covenant or by reason of reference in any such Section or such other covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 5.01(4) or 5.01(8) or otherwise, as the case may be, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby. Following a covenant defeasance, payment of such Securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default solely by reference to such Sections specified above in this Section 14.03.

 

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Section 14.04. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

The following shall be the conditions to application of either Section 14.02 or 14.03 to any Outstanding Securities of or within a series:

(a) The Company shall have irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 6.07 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Article Fourteen applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for the benefit of, and dedicated solely to, the Holders of such Securities, (1) an amount (in such Currency in which such Securities are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity), or (2) Government Obligations applicable to such Securities (determined on the basis of the Currency in which such Securities are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity) which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment of principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on such Securities, money in an amount, or (3) a combination thereof in an amount, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, (i) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on such Outstanding Securities on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest and (ii) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to such Outstanding Securities on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities.

(b) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.

(c) No Default or Event of Default with respect to such Securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or, insofar as Sections 5.01(5) and 5.01(6) are concerned, at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).

(d) In the case of an election under Section 14.02, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (ii) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Outstanding Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred.

 

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(e) In the case of an election under Section 14.03, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Outstanding Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred.

(f) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to either the defeasance under Section 14.02 or the covenant defeasance under Section 14.03 (as the case may be) have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that as a result of a deposit pursuant to subsection (a) above and the related exercise of the Company’s option under Section 1402 or Section 14.03 (as the case may be), registration is not required under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, by the Company, with respect to the trust funds representing such deposit or by the trustee for such trust funds.

(g) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section, such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional or substitute terms, conditions or limitations which may be imposed on the Company in connection therewith pursuant to Section 3.01.

Section 14.05. Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.03, all money and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 301) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 1405, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 1404 in respect of any Outstanding Securities of any series shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Security pursuant to Section 3.01, if, after a deposit referred to in Section 14.04(a) has been made, (a) the Holder of a Security in respect of which such deposit was made is entitled to, and does, elect pursuant to Section 3.12(b) or the terms of such Security to receive payment in a Currency other than that in which the deposit pursuant to Section 14.04(a) has been made in respect of such Security, or (b) a Conversion Event occurs as contemplated in Section 3.12(d) or 3.12(e) or by the terms of any Security in respect of which the deposit pursuant to Section 14.04(a) has been made, the indebtedness represented by such Security shall be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on such Security as the same becomes due out of the proceeds yielded by converting (from time to time as specified below in the case of any such election) the amount or other property deposited in respect of such Security into the Currency in which such Security becomes payable

 

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as a result of such election or Conversion Event based on the applicable Market Exchange Rate for such Currency in effect on the second Business Day prior to each payment date, except, with respect to a Conversion Event, such conversion shall be based on the applicable Market Exchange Rate for such Currency in effect (as nearly as feasible) at the time of the Conversion Event.

The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the money or Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 14.04 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of such Outstanding Securities.

Anything in this Article to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by it as provided in Section 14.04 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect a defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Article.

ARTICLE XV

MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

Section 15.01. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called.

A meeting of Holders of any series of Securities may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series.

Section 15.02. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.

(a) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series for any purpose specified in Section 15.01, to be held at such time and at such place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 1.06.

(b) In case at any time the Company, pursuant to a Board Resolution, or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of Securities of such series for any purpose specified in Section 15.01, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have made the first publication or mailing of the notice of such meeting within 21 days after receipt of such request or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Company or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in subsection (a) of this Section.

 

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Section 15.03. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings.

To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, a Person shall be (1) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series, or (2) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

Section 15.04. Quorum; Action.

The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Holders of Securities of such series; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at such meeting with respect to a consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization, direction or other action that this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series, the Persons entitled to vote such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes of the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Securities of such series, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section 15.02(a), except that such notice need be given only once not less than five days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series which shall constitute a quorum.

Except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.02, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; provided, however, that, except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.02, any resolution with respect to any consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization, direction or other action which this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series.

 

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Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Holders of Securities of such series, whether or not present or represented at the meeting.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 15.04, if any action is to be taken at a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series with respect to any consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization, direction or other action that this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities affected thereby, or of the Holders of such series and one or more additional series:

(a) there shall be no minimum quorum requirement for such meeting; and

(i) the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series that vote in favor of such consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization, direction or other action shall be taken into account in determining whether such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action has been made, given or taken under this Indenture.

Section 15.05. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings.

(i) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Securities of a series in regard to proof of the holding of Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 1.04 and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 1.04. Such regulations may provide that written instruments appointing proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed valid and genuine without the proof specified in Section 1.04or other proof.

(b) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders of Securities as provided in Section 15.02(b), in which case the Company or the Holders of Securities of the series calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting.

(c) At any meeting of Holders, each Holder of a Security of such series or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by such Holder; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Security of such series or proxy.

 

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(d) Any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly called pursuant to Section 15.02 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

Section 15.06. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings.

The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record, at least in duplicate, of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Securities of any Series shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the fact, setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 15.02 and, if applicable, Section 15.04. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Company and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

ARTICLE XVI

SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

Section 16.01. Agreement to Subordinate.

The Company, for itself, its successors and assigns, covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Subordinated Securities by his acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees, that the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on each and all of the Subordinated Securities is hereby expressly subordinated, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness.

Section 16.02. Distribution on Dissolution, Liquidation and Reorganization; Subrogation of Subordinated Securities.

Upon any distribution of assets of the Company upon any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether in bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or receivership proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshalling of the assets and liabilities of the Company or otherwise (subject to the power of a court of competent jurisdiction to make other equitable provision reflecting the rights conferred in this Indenture upon theSenior Indebtedness and the holders thereof with respect to the Securities and the holders thereof by a lawful plan of reorganization under applicable bankruptcy law):

(a) the holders of all Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled to receive payment in full of the principal thereof (and premium, if any) and interest due thereon (including post-petition interest) before the Holders of the Subordinated Securities are entitled to receive any payment upon the principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on indebtedness evidenced by the Subordinated Securities; and

 

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(b) any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article Sixteen shall be paid by the liquidating trustee or agent or other person making such payment or distribution, whether a trustee in bankruptcy, a receiver or liquidating trustee or otherwise, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any instruments evidencing any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, ratably according to the aggregate amounts remaining unpaid on account of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Senior Indebtedness held or represented by each, to the extent necessary to make payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness; and

(c) in the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, shall be received by the Trustee or the Holders of the Subordinated Securities before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, such payment or distribution shall be paid over, upon written notice to the Trustee, to the holder of such Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any instrument evidencing any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, ratably as aforesaid, for application to payment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid until all such Senior Indebtedness shall have been paid in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the Holders of the Subordinated Securities shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company applicable to Senior Indebtedness until the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on the Subordinated Securities shall be paid in full and no such payments or distributions to the Holders of the Subordinated Securities of cash, property or securities otherwise distributable to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Subordinated Securities be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of the Subordinated Securities. It is understood that the provisions of this Article Sixteen are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Subordinated Securities, on the one hand, and the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand. Nothing contained in this Article Sixteen or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Subordinated Securities is intended to or shall impair, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the

 

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Holders of the Subordinated Securities, the obligation of the Company, which is unconditional and absolute, to pay to the Holders of the Subordinated Securities the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Subordinated Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or to affect the relative rights of the Holders of the Subordinated Securities and creditors of the Company other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, nor shall anything herein or in the Subordinated Securities prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any Subordinated Security from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article Sixteen of the holders of Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company received upon the exercise of any such remedy. Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article Sixteen, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 6.01, shall be entitled to rely upon a certificate of the liquidating trustee or agent or other person making any distribution to the Trustee for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article Sixteen.

If the Trustee or any Holder of Subordinated Securities does not file a proper claim or proof of debt in the form required in any proceeding referred to above prior to 30 days before the expiration of the time to file such claim in such proceeding, then the holder of any Senior Indebtedness is hereby authorized, and has the right, to file an appropriate claim or claims for or on behalf of such Holder of Subordinated Securities.

With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants or obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee does not owe any fiduciary duties to the holders of Senior Indebtedness other than Securities issued under this Indenture.

Section 16.03. No Payment on Subordinated Securities in Event of Default on Senior Indebtedness.

No payment by the Company on account of principal (or premium, if any), sinking funds or interest, if any, on the Subordinated Securities shall be made unless full payment of amounts then due for principal (premium, if any), sinking funds and interest on Senior Indebtedness has been made or duly provided for in money or money’s worth.

Section 16.04. Payments on Subordinated Securities Permitted.

Nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Subordinated Securities shall (a) affect the obligation of the Company to make, or prevent the Company from making, at any time except as provided in Sections 16.02 and 16.03, payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Subordinated Securities, (b) without limiting clause (c) of this sentence, prevent the application by the Trustee of any moneys deposited with it hereunder to the payment of or on account of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Subordinated Securities, unless the Trustee shall have received at its Corporate Trust Office written notice of any event prohibiting the making of such payment more than three Business Days prior to the

 

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date fixed for such payment or (c) prevent the application by the Trustee of any moneys or the proceeds of Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to Section 14.04(a) to the payment of or on account of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) or interest, if any, on the Subordinated Securities if all the conditions specified in Section 14.04 to the application of Section 14.02 or Section 14.03, as applicable, have been satisfied prior to the date the Trustee shall have received at its Corporate Trust Office written notice of any event prohibiting the making of such payment.

Section 16.05. Authorization of Holders to Trustee to Effect Subordination.

Each Holder of Subordinated Securities by his acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination as provided in this Article Sixteen and appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

Section 16.06. Notices to Trustee.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article or any other provisions of this Indenture, neither the Trustee nor any Paying Agent (other than the Company) shall be charged with knowledge of the existence of any Senior Indebtedness or of any event that would prohibit the making of any payment of moneys to or by the Trustee or such Paying Agent, unless and until the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall have received (in the case of the Trustee, at its Corporate Trust Office) written notice thereof from the Company or from the holder of any Senior Indebtedness or from the trustee for any such holder, together with proof satisfactory to the Trustee of such holding of Senior Indebtedness or of the authority of such trustee; provided, however, that if at least three Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any such moneys may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of either the principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Subordinated Security) the Trustee shall not have received with respect to such moneys the notice provided for in this Section 1606, then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such moneys and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary, which may be received by it within three Business Days prior to such date. The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee on behalf of such holder) to establish that such a notice has been given by a holder of Senior Indebtedness or a trustee on behalf of any such holder. In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article Sixteen, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article Sixteen and, if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment.

 

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Section 16.07. Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness.

The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article Sixteen in respect of any Senior Indebtedness at any time held by it to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness and nothing in this Indenture shall be construed to deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.

Nothing in this Article Sixteen shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 6.06.

Section 16.08. Modifications of Terms of Senior Indebtedness.

Any renewal or extension of the time of payment of any Senior Indebtedness or the exercise by the holders of Senior Indebtedness of any of their rights under any instrument creating or evidencing Senior Indebtedness, including, without limitation, the waiver of default thereunder, may be made or done all without notice to or assent from the Holders of the Subordinated Securities or the Trustee.

No compromise, alteration, amendment, modification, extension, renewal or other change of, or waiver, consent or other action in respect of, any liability or obligation under or in respect of, or of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of any indenture or other instrument under which any Senior Indebtedness is outstanding or of such Senior Indebtedness, whether or not any of the foregoing are in accordance with the provisions of any applicable document, shall in any way alter or affect any of the provisions of this Article Sixteen or of the Subordinated Securities relating to the subordination thereof.

Section 16.09. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent.

Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article Sixteen, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution, winding up or similar case or proceeding is pending, or a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, custodian, receiver, assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or other person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of Subordinated Securities, for the purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article Sixteen.

* * * * *

 

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This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same Indenture. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and delivery of signature pages by facsimile, .pdf transmission, e-mail or other electronic means shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile, .pdf transmission, e-mail or other electronic means shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, as of the day and year first above written.

 

TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP.
By:

 

Name:
Title:

[                    ]

as Trustee

By:

 

Name:
Title:

[Signature Page to Indenture]

 

- 1 -

Exhibit (d)(3)

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM T-1

 

 

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY

UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939

OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of

a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2)

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of Trustee as specified in its charter)

 

 

31-0841368

I.R.S. Employer Identification No.

 

800 Nicollet Mall

Minneapolis, Minnesota

  55402
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Karen R. Beard

U.S. Bank National Association

One Federal Street

Boston, MA 02110

(617) 603-6565

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

 

TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP.

(Issuer with respect to the Securities)

 

 

 

Maryland   46-3082016

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

2755 Sand Hill Road, Suite 150

Menlo Park, California

  94025
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

 

 

Debt Securities

(Title of the Indenture Securities)

 

 

 


FORM T-1

 

Item 1.    GENERAL INFORMATIO N . Furnish the following information as to the Trustee.
  

a)       Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

  

Comptroller of the Currency

  
  

Washington, D.C.

  
  

b)       Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

  

Yes

  
Item 2.    AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR. If the obligor is an affiliate of the Trustee, describe each such affiliation.
  

None

  
Items 3-15    Items 3-15 are not applicable because to the best of the Trustee’s knowledge, the obligor is not in default under any Indenture for which the Trustee acts as Trustee.
Item 16.    LIST OF EXHIBITS: List below all exhibits filed as a part of this statement of eligibility and qualification.
  

1.      A copy of the Articles of Association of the Trustee.*

  

2.      A copy of the certificate of authority of the Trustee to commence business, attached as Exhibit 2.

  

3.      A copy of the certificate of authority of the Trustee to exercise corporate trust powers, attached as Exhibit 3.

  

4.      A copy of the existing bylaws of the Trustee.**

  

5.      A copy of each Indenture referred to in Item 4. Not applicable.

  

6.      The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, attached as Exhibit 6.

  

7.      Report of Condition of the Trustee as of March 31, 2015 published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached as Exhibit 7.

 

* Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 25.1 to Amendment No. 2 to registration statement on S-4, Registration Number 333-128217 filed on November 15, 2005.
** Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 25.1 to registration statement on form S-3ASR, Registration Number 333-199863 filed on November 5, 2014.

 

2


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the Trustee, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility and qualification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Boston, Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the 7 th Day of July, 2015

 

By:  

/s/ Karen R. Beard

  Karen R. Beard
  Vice President

 

3


Exhibit 2

 

LOGO     Office of the Comptroller of the Currency     
     Washington, DC 20219

CERTIFICATE OF CORPORATE EXISTENCE

I, Thomas J. Curry, Comptroller of the Currency, do hereby certify that:

1. The Comptroller of the Currency, pursuant to Revised Statutes 324, et seq, as amended, and 12 USC 1, et seq, as amended, has possession, custody, and control of all records pertaining to the chartering, regulation, and supervision of all national banking associations.

2. “U.S. Bank National Association,” Cincinnati, Ohio (Charter No. 24), is a national banking association formed under the laws of the United States and is authorized thereunder to transact the business of banking on the date of this certificate.

 

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, today,
January 21, 2015, I have hereunto
subscribed my name and caused my seal
of office to be affixed to these presents at
the U.S. Department of the Treasury, in
the City of Washington, District of
Columbia.

LOGO  

Comptroller of the Currency

 

LOGO

 

4


Exhibit 3

 

LOGO     Office of the Comptroller of the Currency     
     Washington, DC 20219

CERTIFICATION OF FIDUCIARY POWERS

I, Thomas J. Curry, Comptroller of the Currency, do hereby certify that:

1. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, pursuant to Revised Statutes 324, et seq, as amended, and 12 USC 1, et seq, as amended, has possession, custody, and control of all records pertaining to the chartering, regulation, and supervision of all national banking associations.

2. “U.S. Bank National Association,” Cincinnati, Ohio (Charter No. 24), was granted, under the hand and seal of the Comptroller, the right to act in all fiduciary capacities authorized under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved September 28, 1962, 76 Stat. 668, 12 USC 92a, and that the authority so granted remains in full force and effect on the date of this certificate.

 

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, today,
January 21, 2015, I have hereunto
subscribed my name and caused my seal of
office to be affixed to these presents at the
U.S. Department of the Treasury, in the City
of Washington, District of Columbia.

LOGO  

Comptroller of the Currency

 

LOGO

 

5


Exhibit 6

CONSENT

In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the undersigned, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.

Dated: July 7, 2015

 

By:  

/s/ Karen R. Beard

  Karen R. Beard
  Vice President

 

6


Exhibit 7

U.S. Bank National Association

Statement of Financial Condition

As of 3/31/2015

($000’s)

 

     3/31/2015  

Assets

  

Cash and Balances Due From Depository Institutions

   $ 14,048,386   

Securities

     101,980,067   

Federal Funds

     48,958   

Loans & Lease Financing Receivables

     248,152,881   

Fixed Assets

     4,794,618   

Intangible Assets

     12,898,132   

Other Assets

     23,440,131   
  

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 405,363,173   

Liabilities

  

Deposits

   $ 297,444,787   

Fed Funds

     1,856,185   

Treasury Demand Notes

     0   

Trading Liabilities

     1,179,175   

Other Borrowed Money

     46,898,693   

Acceptances

     0   

Subordinated Notes and Debentures

     3,650,000   

Other Liabilities

     12,682,543   
  

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

   $ 363,711,383   

Equity

  

Common and Preferred Stock

     18,200   

Surplus

     14,266,400   

Undivided Profits

     26,511,651   

Minority Interest in Subsidiaries

     855,539   
  

 

 

 

Total Equity Capital

   $ 41,651,790   

Total Liabilities and Equity Capital

   $ 405,363,173   

 

7

Exhibit (h)(1)

Dated: [            ]

TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP.,

AS COMPANY

TPVG ADVISERS LLC,

AS ADVISER

AND

TPVG ADMINISTRATOR LLC,

AS ADMINISTRATOR

 

 

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  

SECTION 1.

   Representations and Warranties      2   

SECTION 2.

   Sale and Delivery to Underwriters; Closing      18   

SECTION 3.

   Covenants      20   

SECTION 4.

   Payment of Expenses      25   

SECTION 5.

   Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations      26   

SECTION 6.

   Indemnification      29   

SECTION 7.

   Contribution      31   

SECTION 8.

   Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery      33   

SECTION 9.

   Termination of Agreement      33   

SECTION 10.

   Default by One or More of the Underwriters      34   

SECTION 11.

   Notices      35   

SECTION 12.

   Parties      35   

SECTION 13.

   Governing Law and Time      35   

SECTION 14.

   Effect of Headings      36   

SECTION 15.

   Definitions      36   

SECTION 16.

   Absence of Fiduciary Relationship      39   

SECTION 17.

   Research Analyst Independence      40   

SECTION 18.

   Trial By Jury      40   

SECTION 19.

   Consent to Jurisdiction      40   

 

- i -


EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A

     Underwriters

Exhibit B

     List of Persons Subject to Lock-Up

Exhibit C-1

     Form of Lock-Up Agreement

Exhibit C-2

     Form of Press Release Announcing Lock-Up Waiver

Exhibit D

     Form of Opinion of Company Counsel

Exhibit E

     Initial Securities to be Sold

Exhibit F

     Option Securities Which May be Sold

Exhibit G

     Price-Related Information

Exhibit H

     Subsidiaries of the Company

 

- ii -


UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

Shares of Common Stock

[            ]

As Representatives of the several Underwriters named in Exhibit A

c/o [            ]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP., a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), TPVG ADVISERS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a registered investment adviser under the Advisers Act (the “ Adviser ”), and TPVG ADMINISTRATOR LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Administrator ”), each confirms with [            ] and each of the other underwriters named in Exhibit A hereto (collectively, the “ Underwriters ,” which term shall also include any underwriter substituted as hereinafter provided in Section 10 hereof), for whom [            ] are acting as representatives (in such capacities, the “ Representatives ”), with respect to the issue and sale by the Company of a total of [            ] shares (the “ Initial Securities ”) of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Common Stock ”), and the purchase by the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of the respective numbers of Initial Securities set forth in said Exhibit A hereto, and with respect to the grant by the Company to the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of the option described in Section 2(b) hereof to purchase all or any part of [            ] additional shares of Common Stock to cover over-allotments, if any (the “ Option Securities ”). The Initial Securities and the Option Securities are hereinafter called, collectively, the “ Securities .” [            ] are acting as book-running managers with respect to the Securities. Certain terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 15 hereof.

The Company understands that the Underwriters propose to make a public offering of the Securities as soon as the Representatives deem advisable after this Agreement has been executed and delivered.

Promptly after the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company will prepare and file with the Commission a prospectus dated [            ] in accordance with the provisions of Rule 430C and Rule 497 of the 1933 Act, and the Company has previously advised you of all information (financial and other) that will be set forth therein. Such prospectus, in the form first furnished to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering of the Securities (whether to meet the request of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173(d) or otherwise), is herein called the “ Prospectus .”

Prior to the Execution Date and the purchase of the Initial Securities by the Underwriters on the Closing Date referred to in Section 2(c), the following transactions occurred:

(a) On July 1, 2013, the Company was formed as a Maryland corporation.

(b) On February 18, 2014, the Company entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Adviser (the “ Investment Advisory Agreement ”).

 

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(c) On February 18, 2014, the Company entered into an Administration Agreement with the Administrator (the “ Administration Agreement ”).

(d) On February 18, 2014, the Company entered into a License Agreement with TriplePoint Capital LLC (the “ License Agreement ”).

(e) On February 18, 2014, the Adviser entered into a Staffing Agreement with TriplePoint Capital LLC (the “ Staffing Agreement ”).

(f) On February 21, 2014, the Company entered into a $150 million receivables financing agreement, which was amended by Letter Agreements on June 5, 2014 and July 18, 2014 (collectively, the “ Letter Agreements ”), by and among TPVG Variable Funding Company LLC, as borrower, the Company, as collateral manager and as sole equityholder, Portfolio Financial Servicing Company, as backup collateral manager, U.S. Bank National Association, as custodian, the agents from time to time party thereto, the lenders from time to time parties thereto, and Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch, as administrative agent (collectively with the related pledge agreement, blocked account control agreement and the Letter Agreements, the “ Credit Facility Agreement ”).

(g) On March 5, 2014, the Company filed the 1940 Act Notification with the Commission under the 1940 Act and the 1940 Act Regulations, pursuant to which the Company elected to be regulated as a business development company (a “ BDC ”).

The Investment Advisory Agreement, Administration Agreement, License Agreement, Staffing Agreement and the Credit Facility Agreement are hereinafter called, collectively, the “ Fund Agreements .”

SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties .

(a) Representations and Warranties by the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator . The Company, the Adviser and the Administrator, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to each Underwriter as of the date hereof, as of the Applicable Time, as of the Closing Date referred to in Section 2(c) hereof, and as of each Option Closing Date (if any) referred to in Section 2(b) hereof, and agree with each Underwriter, as follows:

(i) Compliance with Registration Requirements . The Company has prepared and filed with the Commission the Registration Statement (file number 333-204933) on Form N-2, including a related Preliminary Prospectus for registration under the 1933 Act of the offering and sale of the Securities. The Company has filed one or more pre-effective amendments thereto, each including a related Preliminary Prospectus, and each of which has previously been furnished to the Representatives. The Company will next file with the Commission the Prospectus in accordance with Rules 430C and 497 of the 1933 Act. The Company has included in such Registration Statement, as amended at the Effective Date, all information (other than Rule 430C Information) required to be included by the 1933 Act. As filed, the Prospectus shall contain all Rule 430C Information, together with all other required information, and shall be in all substantive respects in the form furnished to you prior to the Execution Time or, to the extent not completed at the Execution Time, shall contain only such specific additional information and other changes (beyond that contained in the latest Preliminary Prospectus) as the Company has advised you, prior to the Execution Time, will be included or made therein.

 

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The offer and sale of the Securities has been registered under the 1933 Act pursuant to the Registration Statement. The Registration Statement and any post-effective amendments thereto have been declared effective under the 1933 Act and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement has become effective under the 1933 Act or, not later than 5:00 P.M. (New York City time) on the business day immediately after the Execution Date, will become effective under the 1933 Act, and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement or preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus has been issued under the 1933 Act and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, are contemplated by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information has been complied with. From the time of initial filing of the Registration Statement to the Commission through the date hereof, the Company has been and is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a)(xix) of the 1933 Act (an “ EGC ”).

At the respective times that the 1940 Act Notification was filed with the Commission, and the times that the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any amendments to any of the foregoing were declared or became effective, as the case may be, and at the Closing Date (and, if any Option Securities are purchased, at the applicable Option Closing Date), the 1940 Act Notification, the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any amendments to any of the foregoing complied and will comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1940 Act and the 1940 Act Regulations and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading.

At the respective times the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto was filed pursuant to Rule 497 or issued, at the Closing Date (and, if any Option Securities are purchased, at the applicable Option Closing Date), and at any time when a prospectus is required (or, but for the provisions of Rule 172, would be required) by applicable law to be delivered in connection with sales of Securities (whether to meet the requests of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173(d) or otherwise), neither the Prospectus nor any amendments or supplements thereto included or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

As of the Applicable Time (except in the case of clause (z) below) and as of each time prior to the Closing Date that an investor agrees (orally or in writing) to purchase or, if applicable, reconfirms (orally or in writing) an agreement to purchase any Securities from the Underwriters, neither (x) the Pre-Pricing Prospectus as of the Applicable Time and the information, if any, included on Exhibit G hereto, all considered together (collectively, the “ General Disclosure Package ”), nor (y) any Sales Material considered together with the Pre-Pricing Prospectus as of the Applicable Time, nor (z) any Rule 482 Material, when considered together with the General Disclosure Package, included or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in

 

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the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Any Rule 482 Material, when used, complied with the requirements pertaining thereto as set forth in Rule 482 under the 1933 Act.

Each Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing filed as part of the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto, or filed pursuant to Rule 497 under the 1933 Act, or delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering of the Securities, complied when so filed or when so delivered, as the case may be, in all material respects with the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1940 Act and the 1940 Act Regulations.

The representations and warranties in the preceding paragraphs of this Section 1(a)(i) do not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Rule 482 Material or any amendment or supplement to any the foregoing made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by or on behalf of the Underwriters as aforesaid consists of the information described as such in Section 6(c) hereof.

The copies of the Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any amendments to any of the foregoing and the copies of each Preliminary Prospectus and Rule 482 Material that is required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 482 and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing, that have been or subsequently are delivered to the Underwriters in connection with the offering of the Securities (whether to meet the request of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173(d) or otherwise) were and will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T. For purposes of this Agreement, references to the “delivery” or “furnishing” of any of the foregoing documents to the Underwriters, and any similar terms, include, without limitation, electronic delivery.

Any Rule 482 Material (if any), as of its issue date and at all subsequent times through the completion of the public offering and sale of the Securities, did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus that has not been superseded or modified.

(ii) Investment Company Act . The Company is a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company and has elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act, has duly filed the 1940 Act Notification with the Commission and is eligible to make such an election.

(iii) Independent Accountants . The accountants who certified the financial statements and any supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are independent public accountants as required by the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations and the PCAOB.

 

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(iv) Financial Statements . The financial statements of the Company included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, together with the related schedules and notes, present fairly the financial position of the Company at the dates indicated and the results of operations, changes in net assets and cash flows of the Company and for the periods specified; and any such financial statements comply as to form with the applicable accounting requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act and have been prepared in conformity with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as otherwise noted therein); and the other financial and statistical information and data included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus are accurately derived from such financial statements and the books and records of the Company, as applicable. All “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined in the rules and regulations of the Commission), if any, contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus comply with Item 10 of Regulation S-K of the Commission, to the extent applicable.

(v) No Material Adverse Change in Business . Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (in each case exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement), except as otherwise stated therein, (A) there has been no material adverse change or any development that could be expected to result in a material adverse change in the condition (financial or other), results of operations, business, properties, management or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business (in any such case, a “ Company Material Adverse Effect ”); and (B) except as otherwise disclosed in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (in each case exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement), the Company has not incurred any liability or obligation or entered into any transaction or agreement that, individually or in the aggregate, is material with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and the Company has not sustained any loss or interference with its business or operations from fire, explosion, flood, earthquake or other natural disaster or calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or disturbance or court or governmental action, order or decree which could be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(vi) Good Standing of the Company . The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland and has power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Fund Agreements (other than the Staffing Agreement); and the Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except (solely in the case of jurisdictions other than the State of Maryland) where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(vii) Subsidiaries . Except for the entities listed on Exhibit H hereto, the Company has no subsidiaries.

 

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(viii) Capitalization . The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company as of [            ] is as set forth in the column entitled “Actual” and in the corresponding line items under the caption “Capitalization” in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus. After giving effect to the purchase of the Initial Securities by the Underwriters on the Closing Date, the authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company will be as set forth in the column entitled “Pro Forma” and in the corresponding line items under the caption “Capitalization” (in each case except for any Option Securities issued by the Company pursuant to this Agreement and issuances, if any, subsequent to the date of this Agreement pursuant to employee or director stock option, stock purchase or other equity incentive plans or any dividend reinvestment plan described in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus upon the exercise of options issued pursuant to any such stock option, stock purchase or other equity incentive plans as so described, or upon the exercise of options or the conversion of convertible securities described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus). The shares of issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; and none of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company was issued in violation of any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company or any other person. The Company does not have any debt securities outstanding as of the date of this Agreement.

(ix) Authorization, Validity and Enforceability of Agreements . This Agreement and the Fund Agreements (other than the Staffing Agreement) have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company. Each of the Fund Agreements (other than the Staffing Agreement) constitute valid, binding and enforceable agreements of the Company, subject, as to enforcement, to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally. The Investment Advisory Agreement has been approved by the Company’s board of directors in accordance with Section 15 of the 1940 Act and contains the applicable provisions required by Section 15 of the 1940 Act and Section 205 of the Advisers Act.

(x) Authorization of Securities . The Securities to be sold by the Company under this Agreement have been duly authorized for issuance and sale to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement and, when issued and delivered by the Company pursuant to this Agreement against payment of the consideration set forth herein, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; no holder of the Securities is or will be subject to personal liability by reason of being such a holder; and the issuance and sale of the Securities to be sold by the Company under this Agreement are not subject to any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company or any other person.

(xi) Description of Securities . The Common Stock and the Company’s Organizational Documents conform in all material respects to all of the respective statements relating thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and such statements conform to the rights set forth in the respective instruments and agreements defining the same.

(xii) Absence of Defaults and Conflicts . The Company is not in violation of its Organizational Documents or in default in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any Company Document, except (solely in the

 

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case of Company Documents) for such defaults that would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Company Material Adverse Effect. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Fund Agreements (other than the Staffing Agreement) and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (including the issuance and sale of the Securities and the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds”) and compliance by the Company with its obligations under this Agreement and the Fund Agreements (other than the Staffing Agreement) do not and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or both, conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default, or Repayment Event under, or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any property or assets of the Company pursuant to, any Company Documents, except (solely in the case of Company Documents) for such conflicts, breaches, defaults or Liens that would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Company Material Adverse Effect, nor will such action result in any violation of (i) the provisions of the Organizational Documents of the Company or (ii) any applicable law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any government, government instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its assets, properties or operations.

(xiii) No Employees . As of the date hereof, the Company does not have, and on the Closing Date the Company will not have, any employees.

(xiv) Absence of Proceedings . There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or brought by any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, against or affecting the Company which is required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pre-Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus (other than as disclosed therein), or which might reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect, or which might be expected to materially and adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement and the Fund Agreements, or the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement and the Fund Agreements (other than the Staffing Agreement); the aggregate of all pending legal or governmental proceedings to which the Company is a party or of which any of their respective property or assets is the subject which are not described in the Registration Statement, the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, including ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(xv) Accuracy of Descriptions and Exhibits . The information in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus under the captions “Risk Factors,” “Description of Capital Stock,” “Regulation,” “Related Party Transactions and Certain Relationships,” “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations,” and “Shares Eligible for Future Sale,” in each case to the extent that it constitutes matters of law, summaries of legal matters, summaries of provisions of the Company’s Organizational Documents or any other instruments or agreements, summaries of legal proceedings, or legal conclusions, fairly summarizes the matters described therein in all material respects; all descriptions in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus of any other Company Documents are accurate in all material respects; and there are no franchises, contracts, indentures, mortgages, deeds of trust, loan or credit agreements,

 

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bonds, notes, debentures, evidences of indebtedness, leases or other instruments, agreements or documents required to be described or referred to in the Registration Statement, the Pre-Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement which have not been so described and filed as required.

(xvi) Possession of Intellectual Property . The Company owns or has obtained valid and enforceable licenses or other rights to use, all patents, patent rights, patent applications, licenses, copyrights, inventions, know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures), trademarks, service marks, trade names, service names, software, internet addresses, domain names and other intellectual property (collectively, “ Intellectual Property ”) that is described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or that is necessary for the conduct of its business as currently conducted, as proposed to be conducted and as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except where the failure to own, license or have such rights would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect; the Company has not received any notice and is not otherwise aware of any infringement of, or conflict, with asserted rights of others with respect to any Intellectual Property or of any facts or circumstances which would render any Intellectual Property invalid or inadequate to protect the interests of the Company which would result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(xvii) Absence of Further Requirements . (A) No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any court or governmental authority or agency, domestic or foreign, (B) no authorization, approval, vote or consent of any holder of capital stock or other securities of the Company or creditor of the Company, (C) no authorization, approval, waiver or consent under any Subject Instrument, and (D) no authorization, approval, vote or consent of any other person or entity, is necessary or required for the authorization, execution, delivery or performance by the Company of this Agreement and the Fund Agreements (other than the Staffing Agreement), for the offering of the Securities as contemplated by this Agreement, for the issuance, sale or delivery of the Securities to be sold by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, or for the consummation of any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Fund Agreements, in each case on the terms contemplated by the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except such as have been obtained, and except that no representation is made as to such as may be required under state or foreign securities laws.

(xviii) Possession of Licenses and Permits . The Company possesses such permits, licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations (collectively, “ Governmental Licenses ”) issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the business now operated by them; and, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company is in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such Governmental Licenses, all such Governmental Licenses are valid and in full force and effect and the Company has not received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such Governmental Licenses.

(xix) Title to Property . The Company owns or leases or has access to all properties and assets as are necessary to the conduct of its operations as presently conducted.

 

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(xx) Environmental Laws . The Company is not in violation of any statute or any rule, regulation, decision or order of any governmental agency or body or any court, domestic or foreign, relating to the use, production, disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances or relating to the protection or restoration of the environment or human exposure to hazardous or toxic substances (collectively, “ environmental laws ”), owns or operates any real property contaminated with any substance that is subject to any environmental laws, is liable for any off-site disposal or contamination pursuant to any environmental laws, or is subject to any claim relating to any environmental laws, which violation, contamination, liability or claim, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on the general affairs, business, prospects, management, financial position, shareholders’ equity or results of operations of the Company, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business; and the Company is not aware of any pending investigation which might lead to such a claim.

(xxi) Absence of Registration Rights . There are no persons with registration rights or other similar rights to have any securities (debt or equity) registered pursuant to the Registration Statement or included in the offering contemplated by this Agreement, and there are no persons with co-sale rights, tag-along rights or other similar rights to have any securities (debt or equity) included in the offering contemplated by this Agreement or sold in connection with the sale of Securities pursuant to this Agreement.

(xxii) Parties to Lock-Up Agreements . Each of the persons listed on Exhibit B hereto has executed and delivered to the Representatives a lock-up agreement in the form of Exhibit C-1 hereto. As of the date of this Agreement, exhibit B hereto contains a true, complete and correct list of all directors and officers of the Company.

(xxiii) NYSE . The outstanding shares of Common Stock have been approved for listing, subject only to official notice of issuance, on NYSE.

(xxiv) FINRA Matters . All of the information provided to the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters by the Company in connection with any letters, filings or other supplemental information provided to FINRA pursuant to FINRA Rule 5100, 5110 or 5121 is true, complete and correct in all material respects.

(xxv) Tax Returns . The Company has filed all foreign, federal, state and local tax returns that are required to be filed or have requested extensions thereof, except where the failure to file would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Company Material Adverse Effect, and have paid all taxes (including, without limitation, any estimated taxes) required to be paid and any other assessment, fine or penalty levied against it, to the extent that any of the foregoing is due and payable, except for any such tax, assessment, fine or penalty that is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate actions and except for such taxes, assessments, fines or penalties the nonpayment of which would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(xxvi) Insurance . The Company is insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which it is engaged; all policies of insurance and any fidelity or surety bonds insuring the Company, its business, assets, officers and directors are in full force and effect; the

 

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Company is in compliance with the terms of such policies and instruments in all material respects; there are no claims by the Company under any such policy or instrument as to which any insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause; the Company has not been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and the Company has no reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers at a cost that would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(xxvii) Accounting and Disclosure Controls . The Company has established and maintains effective “internal control over financial reporting” (as defined in Rule 13a-15 of the 1934 Act Regulations). The Company maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations and with the investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Company and the applicable requirements of the 1940 Act and the 1940 Act Regulations; (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability and to maintain material compliance with the books and records requirements under the 1940 Act and the 1940 Act Regulations; (C) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, since the end of the Company’s most recent audited fiscal year, there has been (1) no material weakness (as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X of the Commission) in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated), and (2) no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

(xxviii) Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act . There is and has been no failure on the part of the Company or any of the Company’s directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with any provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act with which any of them is required to comply, including Section 402 related to loans.

(xxix) Absence of Manipulation . The Company has not taken and will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

(xxx) Statistical and Market-Related Data . Any statistical and market-related data included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable and accurate and accurately reflect the materials upon which such data is based or from which it was derived, and the Company has delivered true, complete and correct copies of such materials to the Representatives.

(xxxi) Foreign Corrupt Practices Act . Neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the Company is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that

 

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has resulted or would result in a violation by any such person of the FCPA, including, without limitation, any offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA, and the Company and, to the knowledge of the Company, its other affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to ensure, continued compliance therewith.

(xxxii) Money Laundering Laws . The operations of the Company are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including those of the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by Title III of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act), and the applicable anti-money laundering statutes of jurisdictions where the Company conducts business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “ Anti-Money Laundering Laws ”), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.

(xxxiii) OFAC . Neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the Company is currently subject to any sanctions administered or enforced by OFAC (the “ Sanctions ”) or is located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions; and the Company will not, directly or indirectly, use any of the proceeds received by the Company from the sale of Securities by the Company in the offering contemplated by this Agreement, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available any such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of funding or facilitating any activities or business of or with any person or in any country or territory that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject of Sanctions, or in any other manner that will result in a violation of Sanctions. The Company has not knowingly engaged in, is not now knowingly engaged in, and will not engage in, any dealings or transactions with any individual or entity, or in any country or territory, that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject of Sanctions.

(xxxiv) Lending and Other Relationship . Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (i) neither the Company, the Adviser nor the Administrator has any lending or similar relationship with any Underwriter or any bank or other lending institution affiliated with any Underwriter; (ii) the Company will not, directly or indirectly, use any of the proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the Securities by the Company hereunder to reduce or retire the balance of any loan or credit facility extended by any Underwriter or any of its “affiliates” or “associated persons” (as such terms are used in FINRA Rule 5121) or otherwise direct any such proceeds to any Underwriter or any of its “affiliates” or “associated persons” (as so defined); and (iii) there are and have been no transactions, arrangements or dealings between the Company, on one hand, and any Underwriter or any of its “affiliates” or “associated persons” (as so defined), on the other

 

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hand, that, under FINRA Rule 5110 or 5121, must be disclosed in a submission to FINRA in connection with the offering of the Securities contemplated hereby or disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or Prospectus.

(xxxv) Changes in Management . Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, none of the persons who were officers or directors of the Company as of the date of the Pre-Pricing Prospectus has given oral or written notice to the Company of his or her resignation (or otherwise indicated to the Company an intention to resign within the next 24 months), nor has any such officer or director been terminated by the Company or otherwise removed from his or her office or from the board of directors, as the case may be (including, without limitation, any such termination or removal which is to be effective as of a future date) nor is any such termination or removal under consideration by the Company or its board of directors.

(xxxvi) Transfer Taxes . There are no stock or other transfer taxes, stamp duties, capital duties or other similar duties, taxes or charges payable in connection with the execution or delivery of this Agreement by the Company or the issuance or sale by the Company of the Securities to be sold by the Company to the Underwriters hereunder.

(xxxvii) Related Party Transactions . There are no business relationships or related party transactions involving the Company or, to the knowledge of the Company, any other person that are required to be described in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus that have not been described as required.

(xxxviii) Portfolio Companies . The Company holds valid and binding agreements with respect to each investment under the Section “Portfolio Companies” (each a “ Portfolio Company Agreement ”) with corporations or other entities (each a “ Portfolio Company ”). Except as otherwise disclosed in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and to the Company’s knowledge, each Portfolio Company is current, in all material respects, with all its obligations under the applicable Portfolio Company Agreements, no event of default (or a default which with the giving of notice or the passage of time would become an event of default) has occurred under such agreements, except to the extent that any such failure to be current in its obligations and any such default would not reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(xxxix) Offer and Sale of Securities . The Company has taken all required action under the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1940 Act and the 1940 Act Regulations to make the public offering and consummate the sale of the Securities as contemplated by this Agreement.

(xl) Relationships with Directors, Officers and Stockholders . Except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, no relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among the Company, on the one hand, and the directors, officers or stockholders of the Company, on the other hand, that is required to be described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, which is not so described.

 

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(xli) Interested Persons . Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, no director of the Company is an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Company or an “affiliated person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any Underwriter listed in Exhibit A hereto.

(xlii) Sales Material . All Sales Material complied and comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act, 1933 Act Regulations, the 1940 Act and 1940 Act Regulations and, if required to be filed with FINRA under FINRA’s conduct rules, were provided to [            ], counsel for the Underwriters, for filing. No Sales Material contained or contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(xliii) Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance and Fidelity Bond . On the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, the Company’s directors’ and officers’ errors and omissions insurance policy and its fidelity bond required by Rule 17g-1 of the 1940 Act Regulations will be in full force and effect; the Company is in compliance with the terms of such policy and fidelity bond in all material respects; and there are no claims by the Company under any such policy or fidelity bond as to which any insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause; the Company has not been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and the Company has no reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

(xliv) Compliance with RIC Requirements . The Company intends to direct the investment of the net proceeds of the offering of the Securities and to continue to conduct its activities in such a manner as to continue to comply with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. The Company intends to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code for its taxable year ending December 31, 2014.

(xlv) 1940 Act Notification . The Company has elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act and has filed with the Commission, pursuant to Section 54(a) of the 1940 Act, a duly completed and executed Form N-54A; the Company has not filed with the Commission any notice of withdrawal of the 1940 Act Notification pursuant to Section 54(c) of the 1940 Act; the 1940 Act Notification remains in full force and effect, and, to the Company’s knowledge, no order of suspension or revocation of such election under the 1940 Act has been issued or proceedings therefore initiated or threatened by the Commission. The operations of the Company are in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act and the 1940 Act Regulations.

(xlvi) Stop Transfer Instructions . The Company has, with respect to any Common Stock (other than the Securities to be sold pursuant to this Agreement) or other capital stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or other capital stock owned or held (of record or beneficially) by the any persons who have entered into or are required to enter into an agreement in the form of Exhibit C-1 hereto, instructed the

 

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transfer agent or other registrar to enter stop transfer instructions and implement stop transfer procedures with respect to such securities during the Lock-Up Period; and, during the Lock-Up Period, the Company will not cause or permit any waiver, release, modification or amendment of any such stop transfer instructions or stop transfer procedures without the prior written consent of the Representatives.

(xlvii) Offering Materials . The Company has not distributed, directly or indirectly (other than through the Underwriters), any “written communication” (as defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act) or other offering materials in connection with the offering or sale of the Securities, other than the Pre-Pricing Prospectus, the Prospectus, any Rule 482 Material and any amendment or supplements to any of the foregoing that are filed with the Commission. The Company (a) has not alone engaged in any Testing-the-Waters Communication and (b) has not authorized anyone other than the Representatives to engage in Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company reconfirms that the Representatives have been authorized to act on its behalf in undertaking Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company has not distributed any Written Testing-the-Waters Communications.

(xlviii) Brokers . There is not a broker, finder or other party that is entitled to receive from the Company any brokerage or finder’s fee or other fee or commission as a result of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for underwriting discounts and commissions payable to the Underwriters in connection with the sale of the Securities to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement.

(b) Representations and Warranties by the Adviser and the Administrator . Each of the Adviser and the Administrator, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to each Underwriter as of the Execution Time, as of the Applicable Time, as of the Closing Date referred to in Section 2(c) hereof, and as of each Option Closing Date (if any) referred to in Section 2(b) hereof, and agree with each Underwriter, as follows:

(i) Absence of Manipulation . Each of the Adviser and the Administrator has not taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that has constituted or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result, under the 1934 Act or otherwise, in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

(ii) No Material Adverse Change in Business . Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (in each case exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the Execution Time), except as otherwise stated therein, (A) there has been no material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Adviser and the Administrator considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business (an “ Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect ”) and (B) there have been no transactions entered into by the Adviser or the Administrator which are material with respect to the Adviser and the Administrator considered as one enterprise.

 

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(iii) Good Standing . Each of the Adviser and the Administrator has been duly organized and is validly existing as a limited liability company in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Fund Agreements, to the extent a party thereto, and each of the Adviser and the Administrator is duly qualified as a limited liability company to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not result in an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect.

(iv) Authorization, Validity and Enforceability of Agreements . This Agreement and each of the Fund Agreements have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the Adviser and the Administrator, as applicable. Each of the Fund Agreements constitute valid, binding and enforceable agreements of the Adviser and the Administrator, as applicable, subject, as to enforcement, to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally.

(v) Absence of Defaults and Conflicts . Neither the Adviser nor the Administrator is in violation of its Organizational Documents or in default in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any Adviser Document or Administrator Document, except for such defaults that would not result in an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Fund Agreements, to the extent a party thereto, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (including the issuance and sale of the Securities and the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds”) and compliance by each of the Adviser and the Administrator with its obligations under this Agreement and the Fund Agreements, to the extent a party thereto, do not and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or both, conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default or Repayment Event under, or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any property or assets of the Adviser or the Administrator pursuant to, any Adviser Document or Administrator Document, except for such conflicts, breaches, defaults or Liens that would not result in an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect, nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of the Organizational Documents of the Adviser or the Administrator, as applicable, or any applicable law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any government, government instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Adviser or the Administrator or any of their respective assets, properties or operations.

(vi) Absence of Labor Dispute . As of the date hereof, neither the Adviser nor the Administrator have, and on the Closing Date, neither the Adviser nor the Administrator will have, any employees. To the knowledge of the Adviser and the Administrator, no labor dispute with the employees of TriplePoint Capital LLC exists or, to the knowledge of the Adviser and the Administrator, is imminent.

 

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(vii) Absence of Proceedings . There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or brought by any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending, or, to the knowledge of the Adviser or the Administrator, threatened, against or affecting the Adviser or the Administrator which is required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (other than as disclosed therein), or which might reasonably be expected to result in an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect, or which might reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the properties or assets thereof or the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement and the Fund Agreements, to the extent a party thereto, or the performance by each of the Adviser and the Administrator of its obligations under this Agreement and Fund Agreements, to the extent a party thereto. The aggregate of all pending legal or governmental proceedings to which the Adviser or the Administrator is a party or of which any of their respective property or assets is the subject which are not described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, including ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, could not reasonably be expected to result in an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect.

(viii) Absence of Misstatements or Omissions . The description of each of the Adviser and the Administrator and its business, and the statements attributable to the Adviser and the Administrator, in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus complied and comply in all material respects with the provisions of the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1940 Act, the 1940 Act Regulations, the Advisers Act and the Advisers Act Regulations and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(ix) Possession of Intellectual Property . Each of the Adviser and Administrator owns, or has obtained valid and enforceable licenses for, or other rights to use, the inventions, patent applications, patents, trademarks (both registered and unregistered), trade names, copyrights, trade secrets and other proprietary information described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus as being licensed by it or which are necessary for the conduct of its businesses, except where the failure to own, license or have such rights would not, individually or in the aggregate, have an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect; except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, neither the Adviser nor the Administrator has received notice and is not otherwise aware of any infringement of, or conflict with, asserted rights of third parties with respect to any Intellectual Property or of any facts or circumstances which would render any Intellectual Property invalid or inadequate to protect the interest of the Adviser or the Administrator, as the case may be, therein, and which infringement or conflict (if the subject of any unfavorable decision, ruling or finding) or invalidity or inadequacy, would result in an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect.

(x) Absence of Further Requirements . (A) No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any court or governmental authority or agency, domestic or foreign, (B) no authorization, approval, vote or other consent of any holder of securities of the Adviser, the Administrator or any creditor of the Adviser or the Administrator, (C) no waiver or consent under any Subject Instrument, and (D) no

 

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authorization, approval, vote or other consent of any other person or entity, is necessary or required for the execution, delivery or performance by each of the Adviser and the Administrator of this Agreement and the Fund Agreements, to the extent a party thereto, for the offering, issuance, sale or delivery of the Securities hereunder, or for the consummation of any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Fund Agreements, to the extent a party thereto, in each case on the terms contemplated by the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except such as have been obtained under the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1934 Act, the 1934 Act Regulations, the 1940 Act and the 1940 Act Regulations or such as may be required under state securities laws.

(xi) Title to Property . Each of the Adviser and the Administrator owns or leases or has access to all properties and assets as are necessary to the conduct of its operations as presently conducted.

(xii) Possession of Licenses and Permits . Each of the Adviser and the Administrator possesses such permits, licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations (collectively, the “ Adviser/Administrator Governmental Licenses ”) issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the business now operated by them; the Adviser and the Administrator are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such Adviser/Administrator Governmental Licenses, except where the failure so to comply would not, individually or in the aggregate, have an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect; all of the Adviser/Administrator Governmental Licenses are valid and in full force and effect, except when the invalidity of such Adviser/Administrator Governmental Licenses or the failure of such Adviser/Administrator Governmental Licenses to be in full force and effect would not, individually or in the aggregate, have an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect; and neither the Adviser nor the Administrator has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such Adviser/Administrator Governmental Licenses which, individually or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would result in an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect.

(xiii) Investment Company Act . Neither the Adviser nor the Administrator is, and upon the sale of the Securities contemplated under this Agreement and the Fund Agreements, to the extent a party thereto, and the application of the net proceeds therefrom as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds” will not be, an “investment company” or an entity “controlled” by an “investment company” as such terms are defined in the 1940 Act.

(xiv) Insurance . Each of the Adviser and the Administrator are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which they are engaged; all policies of insurance and any fidelity or surety bonds insuring the Adviser or the Administrator or their respective businesses, assets, employees, officers and directors are in full force and effect; the Adviser and the Administrator are in compliance with the terms of such policies and instruments in all material respects; there are no claims by the Adviser or the Administrator under any such policy or instrument as to which any insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause; neither the Adviser nor the Administrator has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and neither the Adviser nor the Administrator has any

 

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reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not have an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect.

(xv) Accounting Controls . Each of the Adviser and the Administrator maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (B) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, and (C) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

(xvi) Advisers Act . The Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and is not prohibited by the Advisers Act, the Advisers Act Regulations, the 1940 Act or the 1940 Act Regulations from acting under the Investment Advisory Agreement for the Company as contemplated by the Prospectus.

(xvii) Financial Resources . Each of the Adviser and the Administrator has the financial resources available to it necessary for the performance of its services and obligations as contemplated in the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, this Agreement and the Fund Agreements, to the extent a party thereto, and each of the Adviser and the Administrator owns, leases or has access to all properties and other assets that are necessary to the conduct of its business and to perform the services, as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(xviii) Employment Status . Neither the Adviser nor the Administrator is aware that (i) any executive, key employee or significant group of employees of the Company, if any, the Adviser or the Administrator, as applicable, plans to terminate employment with the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator or (ii) any such executive or key employee is subject to any non-compete, nondisclosure, confidentiality, employment, consulting or similar agreement that would be violated by the present or proposed business activities of the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator except where such termination or violation would not reasonably be expected to have an Adviser Material Adverse Effect.

(xix) No Subsidiaries . Except for the Administrator, the Adviser has no subsidiaries. The Administrator has no subsidiaries.

(c) Certificates . Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator (whether signed on behalf of such officer or the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator) and delivered to the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator, respectively, to each Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby.

SECTION 2. Sale and Delivery to Underwriters; Closing .

(a) Initial Securities . On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set

 

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forth, the Company hereby agrees to sell to the Underwriters, severally and not jointly, the respective numbers of Initial Securities set forth opposite the name of the Company in Exhibit E hereto, and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase the respective number of Initial Securities set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Exhibit A hereto, plus any additional number of Initial Securities which such Underwriter may become obligated to purchase pursuant to the provisions of Section 10 hereof, subject to such adjustments among the Underwriters as the Representatives in their sole discretion shall make to eliminate any sales or purchases of fractional Securities, in each case at a purchase price of $[            ] per share (the “ Purchase Price ”).

(b) Option Securities . In addition, on the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company hereby grants an option to the Underwriters, severally and not jointly, to purchase up to [            ] Option Securities at a price per share equal to the Purchase Price referred to in Section 2(a) above; provided that the price per share for any Option Securities shall be reduced by an amount per share equal to any dividends or distributions declared, paid or payable by the Company on the Initial Securities but not payable on such Option Securities. The option hereby granted will expire at 11:59 P.M. (New York City time) on the 30th day after the date hereof and may be exercised in whole or in part from time to time only for the purpose of covering over-allotments which may be made in connection with the offering and distribution of the Initial Securities upon notice by the Representatives to the Company setting forth the number of Option Securities as to which the several Underwriters are then exercising the option and the time and date of payment and delivery for such Option Securities. Any such time and date of delivery (an “ Option Closing Date ”) shall be determined by the Representatives, but shall not be later than seven full business days after the exercise of said option (unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10), nor in any event prior to the Closing Date. If the option is exercised as to all or any portion of the Option Securities, the Company will sell to the Underwriters that proportion of the total number of Option Securities then being purchased which the number of Option Securities set forth in Section 2(b), and each of the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, will purchase that proportion of the total number of Option Securities then being purchased which the number of Initial Securities set forth in Exhibit A opposite the name of such Underwriter, plus any additional number of Initial Securities which such Underwriter may become obligated to purchase pursuant to the provisions of Section 10 hereof, bears to the total number of Initial Securities, subject in each case to such adjustments as the Representatives in their discretion shall make to eliminate any sales or purchases of fractional shares.

(c) Payment . Payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of, the Initial Securities shall be made at the offices of [            ], [ADDRESS], or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company, at 9:00 A.M. (New York City time) on [            ] (unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10), or such other time not later than five business days after such date as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company (such time and date of payment and delivery being herein called “ Closing Date ”).

In addition, in the event that any or all of the Option Securities are purchased by the Underwriters, payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of, such Option Securities shall be made at the above-mentioned offices at 9:00 A.M. (New York City time), or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company, on each Option Closing Date as specified in the notice from the Representatives to the Company.

 

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Payment shall be made to the Company by wire transfer of immediately available funds to a single bank account designated by the Company, against delivery to the Representatives for the respective accounts of the Underwriters of the Securities to be purchased by them. It is understood that each Underwriter has authorized the Representatives, for its account, to accept delivery of, receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price for, the Initial Securities and the Option Securities, if any, which it has agreed to purchase. [            ] individually and not as Representative of the Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to) make payment of the purchase price for the Initial Securities or the Option Securities, if any, to be purchased by any Underwriter whose funds have not been received by the Closing Date or the relevant Option Closing Date, as the case may be, but such payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from its obligations hereunder.

(d) Delivery of Securities . Delivery of the Initial Securities and any Option Securities shall be made through the facilities of DTC unless the Representatives shall otherwise instruct.

SECTION 3. Covenants . Each of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator covenants, jointly and severally, with each Underwriter as follows:

(a) Compliance with Securities Regulations and Commission Requests . Prior to the termination of the offering of the Securities, subject to Section 3(b), to comply with the requirements of Rule 430C and will promptly notify the Representatives, and confirm the notice in writing, (i) when the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement shall be declared or become effective, or when any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Rule 482 Material or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall have been filed, (ii) of the receipt of any comments from the Commission relating to the Registration Statement (and shall promptly furnish the Representatives with a copy of any comment letters and any transcript of oral comments, and shall furnish the Representatives with copies of any written responses thereto a reasonable amount of time prior to the proposed filing thereof with the Commission and will not file any such response to which the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall reasonably object), (iii) of any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, any Rule 482 Material or for additional information, (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Rule 482 Material or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, or any notice from the Commission objecting to the use of the form of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction or of the loss or suspension of any exemption from any such qualification, or of the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes, or of any examination pursuant to Section 8(e) of the 1933 Act concerning the Registration Statement, (v) if the Company becomes the subject of a proceeding under Section 8A of the 1933 Act in connection with the offering of the Securities, and (vi) if the Company ceases to be an EGC at any time prior to the later of (A) completion of the distribution of the Securities within the meaning of the 1933 Act and (B) completion of the Lock-Up Period referred to in Section 3(j) hereof. The Company will make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any stop order and the suspension or

 

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loss of any qualification of the Securities for offering or sale and any loss or suspension of any exemption from any such qualification, and if any such stop order is issued, or any such suspension or loss occurs, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible moment.

(b) Filing of Amendments . Prior to the termination of the offering of the Securities, to give the Representatives notice of its intention to file or prepare any amendment to the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, any Rule 482 Material or any amendment, supplement or revision to any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Rule 482 Material, whether pursuant to the 1933 Act or otherwise, and the Company will furnish the Representatives with copies of any such documents within a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing or use, as the case may be, and will not file or use any such document to which the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall promptly and reasonably object.

(c) Delivery of Registration Statements . To furnish or deliver to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters, without charge, copies of the conformed Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and of each amendment thereto (including exhibits filed therewith or incorporated by reference therein and documents incorporated by reference therein ) and copies of all consents and certificates of experts.

(d) Delivery of Prospectuses . To deliver to each Underwriter, without charge, as many copies of each Preliminary Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto as such Underwriter reasonably requested, and the Company hereby consents to the use of such copies for purposes permitted by the 1933 Act. The Company will furnish to each Underwriter, without charge, during the period when the Prospectus is required (or, but for the provisions of Rule 172, would be required) to be delivered by applicable law (whether to meet the request of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173(d) or otherwise), such number of copies of the Pre-Pricing Prospectus, the Prospectus and any Rule 482 Material and any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing as such Underwriter may reasonably request; and in case any Underwriter is required to deliver a prospectus in connection with sales of any of the Securities at any time nine months or more after the time of issue of the Prospectus, upon your request but at the expense of such Underwriter, to prepare and deliver to such Underwriter as many written and electronic copies as you may request of an amended or supplemented Prospectus complying with Section 10(a)(iii) of the 1933 Act.

(e) Continued Compliance with Securities Laws . To comply with the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations so as to permit the completion of the distribution of the Securities as contemplated by this Agreement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. If at any time when a prospectus is required (or, but for the provisions of Rule 172, would be required) by the 1933 Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the Securities (whether to meet the request of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173(d) or otherwise), any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which it is necessary (or if the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall notify the Company that, in their reasonable judgment, it is necessary) to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus so that the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, as the case may be, will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made or then

 

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prevailing, not misleading or if it is necessary (or if the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall notify the Company that, in their reasonable judgment, it is necessary) to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus in order to comply with the requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1934 Act or the 1934 Act Regulations, the Company will promptly notify the Representatives of such event or condition and of its intention to file such amendment or supplement (or, if the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall have notified the Company as aforesaid, the Company will promptly notify the Representatives of its intention to prepare such amendment or supplement) and will promptly prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 3(b) hereof, such amendment or supplement as may be necessary to correct such untrue statement or omission or to comply with such requirements, and, in the case of an amendment or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement, the Company will use its best efforts to have such amendment declared or become effective as soon as practicable, and the Company will furnish to the Underwriters such number of copies of such amendment or supplement as the Underwriters may reasonably request. If at any time any Rule 482 Material conflicts with the information contained in the Registration Statement or if an event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which it is necessary (or, if the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall notify the Company that, in their reasonable judgment, it is necessary) to amend or supplement such Rule 482 Material so that it will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made or then prevailing, not misleading, or if it is necessary (or, if the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall notify the Company that, in their reasonable judgment, it is necessary) to amend or supplement such Rule 482 Material in order to comply with the requirements of the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations, the Company will promptly notify the Representatives of such event or condition and of its intention to file such amendment or supplement (or, if the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall have notified the Company as aforesaid, the Company will promptly notify the Representatives of its intention to prepare such amendment or supplement) and will promptly prepare and, if required by the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations, file with the Commission, subject to Section 3(b) hereof, such amendment or supplement as may be necessary to eliminate or correct such conflict, untrue statement or omission or to comply with such requirements, and the Company will furnish to the Underwriters such number of copies of such amendment or supplement as the Underwriters may reasonably request.

(f) Blue Sky and Other Qualifications . To use commercially reasonable efforts, in cooperation with the Underwriters, to qualify the Securities for offering and sale, or to obtain an exemption for the Securities to be offered and sold, under the applicable securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions (domestic or foreign) as the Representatives may designate and to maintain such qualifications and exemptions in effect for so long as required for the distribution of the Securities (but in no event for less than one year from the date of this Agreement); provided , however , that the Company shall not be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject. In each jurisdiction in which the Securities have been so qualified or exempt, the Company will file such statements and reports as may be required by the laws of such jurisdiction to continue such qualification or exemption, as the case may be, in effect for so long as required for the distribution of the Securities (but in no event for a less than one year from the date of this Agreement).

 

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(g) Rule 158 . To timely file such reports pursuant to the 1934 Act as are necessary in order to make generally available to its securityholders as soon as practicable an earnings statement for the purposes of, and to provide to the Underwriters the benefits contemplated by, the last paragraph of Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act.

(h) Use of Proceeds . To use the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the Securities in the manner specified in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus under “Use of Proceeds.”

(i) Listing . To use its best efforts to effect the listing of the Securities on NYSE as and when required by this Agreement.

(j) Restriction on Sale of Securities . During the Lock-Up Period, each of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator will not, without the prior written consent of each of the Representatives, directly or indirectly:

(i) issue, offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of any shares of Common Stock or other capital stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or other capital stock,

(ii) enter into any swap or other agreement, arrangement, hedge or transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any Common Stock or other capital stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any Common Stock or other capital stock,

whether any transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock, other capital stock, other securities, in cash or otherwise, or publicly announce any intention to do any of the foregoing.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator may, without the prior written consent of each of the Representatives:

(i) after providing the Representatives with at least three business days advance written notice, file or cause the filing of any registration statement under the 1933 Act with respect to any Common Stock or other capital stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any Common Stock or other capital stock, provided, however, each of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator will not enter into any transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above during the Lock-Up Period;

(ii) issue Securities to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement; and

 

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(iii) issue shares of Common Stock pursuant to any dividend reinvestment plan described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

If the Representatives, in their sole and absolute discretion, agree to release or waive the restrictions set forth in a lock-up agreement described in S ection 5(h) hereof to permit the transfer of shares of Common Stock or other securities by an officer or director of each of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator and provides the Company with notice of the impending release or waiver at least three business days before the effective date of the release or waiver, the Company agrees to announce the impending release or waiver by a press release substantially in the form of Exhibit C-2 hereto through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver. The provisions of this paragraph will not apply if (i) the release or waiver is effected solely to permit a transfer not for consideration and (ii) the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the same terms described in the applicable lock-up agreement to the extent and for the duration that such terms remain in effect at the time of the transfer.

(k) Stabilization and Manipulation . To not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the 1934 Act or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

(l) Stockholder Communications . To, for a period of one year following the date hereof, furnish to the Representatives all reports or other communications (financial or other) generally made available to stockholders, and deliver such reports and communications to the Representatives as soon as they are available, unless such documents are furnished to or filed with the Commission or any securities exchange on which any class of securities of the Company is listed and generally made available to the public, provided that such filings shall be considered furnished to the Representatives for purposes of this section upon filing pursuant to the EDGAR system.

(m) Securities Laws, Rules and Regulations . To comply with all applicable securities and other applicable laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and will use their best reasonable efforts to cause the Company’s, the Adviser’s and the Administrator’s directors and officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with such laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

(n) Fidelity Bond . To be insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which they are engaged; all policies of insurance and fidelity or surety bonds insuring the Company, the Adviser, the Administrator or their respective businesses, properties, assets, employees, officers, trustees, directors, members, managers and partners will be in full force and effect; the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator will be in compliance with the terms of such policies and instruments.

(o) RIC Status . To elect to be taxable as a RIC within the meaning of Section 851(a) of the Code commencing with its taxable year ending December 31, 2014 by timely filing its

 

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2014 U.S. federal income tax return as a RIC on Internal Revenue Service Form 1120-RIC, and to use its best efforts to maintain such qualification and election in effect for each taxable year during which it is a BDC under the 1940 Act.

(p) BDC Status . During a period of two years from the effective date of the Registration Statement, to use its best efforts to maintain its status as a BDC; provided, however, the Company may change the nature of its business so as to cease to be, or to withdraw its election as, a BDC, with the approval of the board of directors and a vote of stockholders as required by Section 58 of the 1940 Act or any successor provision.

(q) Transfer Agent . To maintain a transfer agent and, if necessary under the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Company, a registrar for the Common Stock.

(r) Distribution of the Securities . To comply with the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1934 Act, the 1934 Act Regulations, the 1940 Act and the 1940 Act Regulations, so as to permit the completion of the distribution of the Securities as contemplated in this Agreement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(s) Performance of Agreements and Discharge to Conditions . To use the Company’s, the Adviser’s and the Administrator’s best reasonable efforts to perform all of the agreements required of them by this Agreement and discharge all conditions of theirs to closing as set forth in this Agreement.

(t) Reporting Requirements . During the period when the Prospectus is required (or, but for the provisions of Rule 172, would be required) by the 1933 Act, 1934 Act and the Rules and Regulations to be delivered (whether to meet the request of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173(d) or otherwise), to file all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations within the time periods required by the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations.

(u) Preparation of Prospectus . Immediately following the execution of this Agreement, subject to Section 3(a) hereof, to prepare the Prospectus, which shall contain the selling terms of the Securities, the plan of distribution thereof and such other information as may be required by the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations or as the Representatives and the Company may reasonably deem appropriate and will file or transmit for filing with the Commission the Prospectus in accordance with the provisions of Rule 430C and in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 497.

SECTION 4. Payment of Expenses .

(a) Expenses . The Company will pay all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including (i) the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement and each amendment or supplement thereto (in each case including exhibits) and any costs associated with electronic delivery of any of the foregoing, (ii) the word processing and delivery to the Underwriters of this Agreement and such other documents as may be required in connection with the offering, purchase, sale, issuance or delivery of the Securities, (iii) the preparation, issuance and delivery of the Securities to be sold by the Company to the Underwriters, including any stock or other transfer taxes and any stamp or other taxes or duties

 

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payable in connection with the sale, issuance or delivery of the Securities to the Underwriters, (iv) the fees and disbursements of the counsel, accountants and other advisers to the Company, (v) the qualification or exemption of the Securities under securities laws in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(f) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection therewith and in connection with the preparation of the Blue Sky Survey and any supplements thereto, (vi) the preparation, printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, any Sales Material and any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing, in each case, as may be reasonably requested, and any costs associated with electronic delivery of any of the foregoing, (vii) the preparation, printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of the Blue Sky Survey and any Canadian “wrapper” and any supplements thereto and any costs associated with electronic delivery of any of the foregoing, (viii) the fees and expenses of the transfer agent and registrar for the Securities, (ix) the filing fees incident to, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters in connection with, the review, if any, by FINRA of the terms of the sale of the Securities, (x) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Securities on NYSE, and (xi) the costs and expenses of the Company and any of its officers, directors, counsel or other representatives in connection with presentations or meetings undertaken in connection with the offering of the Securities, including, without limitation, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics and the production and hosting of any electronic road shows, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with road show presentations, and travel, lodging, transportation, and other expenses of the officers, directors, counsel and other representatives of the Company incurred in connection with any such presentations or meetings.

(b) Termination of Agreement . If this Agreement is terminated by the Representatives prior to the Closing Date in accordance with the provisions of Sections 5, 9(a)(i), 9(a)(ii) or 9(a)(iv)(A) hereof, the Company shall reimburse the Underwriters for all of their out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters.

SECTION 5. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations . The obligations of the several Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator contained in this Agreement, or in certificates signed by any officer of the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator (whether signed on behalf of such officer or the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator) delivered to the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters, to the performance by the Company of its respective covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to the following further conditions:

(a) Effectiveness of Registration Statement . The Registration Statement has been declared effective, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement has become effective, and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement shall have been issued under the 1933 Act or proceedings therefor initiated or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of the Representatives and the Commission shall not have notified the Company of any objection to the use of the form of the Registration Statement. The Prospectus shall have been filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 497 under the 1933 Act within the applicable

 

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time period prescribed for such filing by the 1933 Act Regulations; the Registration Statement shall be effective and no stop order suspending or preventing the use of the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall have been initiated or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened by the Commission; and all requests for additional information on the part of the Commission shall have been complied with to the Representatives’ reasonable satisfaction.

(b) Opinion of Counsel for the Company . At the Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinions, each dated as of the Closing Date, of Clifford Chance US LLP and [            ], each counsel for the Company (each “ Company Counsel ”), in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, together with signed or reproduced copies of such opinion for each of the other Underwriters, to the effect set forth in Exhibit D hereto and to such further effect as the Representatives may reasonably request.

(c) Opinion of Counsel for the Underwriters . At the Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of the Closing Date, of [            ], counsel for the Underwriters (“ Underwriters’ Counsel ”), together with signed or reproduced copies of such opinion for each of the other Underwriters, with respect to the Securities to be sold by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, this Agreement, the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto and such other matters as the Representatives may reasonably request.

(d) Officers’ Certificate . At the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, there shall not have been, since the date hereof or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (in each case exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement), any material adverse change or any development that could be expected to result in a material adverse change, in the condition (financial or other), results of operations, business, properties, management or business prospects of the Company, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, and, at the Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received a certificate, signed on behalf of the Company by the President or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Chief Financial Officer or Chief Accounting Officer of the Company, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that (i) there has been no such material adverse change, (ii) the representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct at and as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of the Closing Date, (iii) the Company has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Date under or pursuant to this Agreement, and (iv) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, are contemplated by the Commission and the Commission has not notified the Company of any objection to the use of the form of the Registration Statement.

(e) Accountant’s Comfort Letter . At the time of the execution of this Agreement, the Representatives and the Company’s board of directors shall have received from Deloitte & Touche LLP a letter, dated the date of this Agreement and in form and substance satisfactory to

 

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the Representatives, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information of the Company contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing.

(f) Bring-down Comfort Letter . At the Closing Date, the Representatives and the Company’s board of directors shall have received from Deloitte & Touche LLP a letter, dated as of the Closing Date and in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, to the effect that they reaffirm the statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section, except that the specified date referred to shall be a date not more than three business days prior to the Closing Date.

(g) Approval of Listing . At the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any, the Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters from the Company at such time shall have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject only to official notice of issuance.

(h) Lock-up Agreements . Prior to the date of this Agreement, the Representatives shall have received an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit C-1 hereto signed by each of the persons listed in Exhibit B hereto.

(i) No Objection . Prior to the date of this Agreement, FINRA shall have confirmed in writing that it has no objection with respect to the fairness and reasonableness of the underwriting terms and arrangements.

(j) Conditions to Purchase of Option Securities . In the event that the Underwriters exercise their option provided in Section 2(b) hereof to purchase all or any portion of the Option Securities on any Option Closing Date that is after the Closing Date, the obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase the applicable Option Securities shall be subject to the conditions specified in the introductory paragraph of this Section 5 and to the further condition that, at the applicable Option Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received:

(i) Opinion of Counsel for Company . The favorable opinion of [each] Company Counsel in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives and dated such Option Closing Date, relating to the Option Securities to be purchased on such Option Closing Date and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(b) hereof.

(ii) Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters . The favorable opinion of Underwriters’ Counsel, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives and dated such Option Closing Date, relating to the Option Securities to be purchased on such Option Closing Date and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(c) hereof.

(iii) Officers’ Certificate . A certificate, dated such Option Closing Date, to the effect set forth in, and signed on behalf of the Company by the officers specified in, Section 5(d) hereof, except that the references in such certificate to the Closing Date shall be changed to refer to such Option Closing Date.

 

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(iv) Bring-down Comfort Letter . A letter from Deloitte & Touche LLP, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives and dated such Option Closing Date, substantially in the same form and substance as the letter furnished to the Representatives pursuant to Section 5(f) hereof, except that the specified date in the letter furnished pursuant to this paragraph shall be a date not more than three business days prior to such Option Closing Date, and except that such letter shall also cover any amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus subsequent to the Closing Date.

(k) Additional Documents . At the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, counsel for the Underwriters shall have been furnished with such documents and opinions as they may reasonably require for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations or warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions, contained in this Agreement, or as the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters may otherwise reasonably request; and all proceedings taken by the Company in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated and in connection with the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Representatives.

(l) Termination of Agreement . If any condition specified in this Section 5 shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this Agreement, or, in the case of any condition to the purchase of Option Securities on an Option Closing Date which is after the Closing Date, the obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase the relevant Option Securities on such Option Closing Date, may be terminated by the Representatives by notice to the Company at any time on or prior to Closing Date or such Option Closing Date, as the case may be, and such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 hereof and except that, in the case of any such termination of this Agreement, Sections 1, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 hereof shall survive such termination of this Agreement and remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 6. Indemnification .

(a) Indemnification by the Company . The Company, the Adviser and the Administrator, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its affiliates, and its officers, directors, employees, partners and members and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act as follows:

(i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact included in any Preliminary Prospectus, any Sales Material, any Rule 482 Material, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing) or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

 

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(ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission; provided that (subject to Section 6(e) below) any such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company; and

(iii) against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred (including the fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by the Representatives), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing for or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under (i) or (ii) above;

provided , however , that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or in any Preliminary Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or in any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Underwriters as aforesaid consists of the information described as such in Section 6(b) hereof.

(b) Indemnification by the Underwriters . Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator, each of their directors, affiliates, officers, employees, partners and members, and each person, if any, who controls the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this Section 6, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or in any Preliminary Prospectus, Rule 482 Material, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein. The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that the information furnished to the Company by the Underwriters through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or in any Preliminary Prospectus, Rule 482 Material, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), consists exclusively of the following: (i) their names and (ii) the information regarding price stabilizations and short positions appearing in the eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth paragraphs under the caption “Underwriting” in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus.

(c) Actions Against Parties; Notification . Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably practicable to each indemnifying party of any action commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability hereunder.

 

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Counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected as follows: counsel to the Underwriters and the other indemnified parties referred to in Section 6(a) above shall be selected by the Representatives, and counsel to the Company, the Adviser, the Administrator, each of their directors, affiliates, officers, employees, partners and members and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall be selected by the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator. An indemnifying party may participate at its own expense in the defense of any such action; provided , however , that counsel to the indemnifying party shall not (except with the consent of the indemnified party) also be counsel to the indemnified party. In no event shall the indemnifying parties be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own counsel for the Underwriters and the other indemnified parties referred to in Section 6(a)(i) above and the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own counsel for the Company, the Adviser, the Administrator each of their directors, affiliates, officers, employees, partners and members and each person, if any, who controls the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, in each case in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Section 6 or Section 7 hereof (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

(d) Settlement Without Consent if Failure to Reimburse . If at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by this Section 6, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of the nature contemplated by Section 6(a)(ii) effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 60 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least 60 days prior to such settlement being entered into and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.

(e) Other Agreements with Respect to Indemnification and Contribution . The provisions of this Section 6 and in Section 7 hereof shall not affect any agreements among the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator with respect to indemnification of each other or contribution between themselves.

SECTION 7. Contribution . If the indemnification provided for in Section 6 hereof is for any reason unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying

 

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party shall contribute to the aggregate amount of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by such indemnified party, as incurred, (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator, on the one hand, and of the Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions, which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.

The relative benefits received by the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator (treated jointly for this purpose as one person), on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator (treated jointly for this as one person) and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth on the cover of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate initial public offering price of the Securities as set forth on such cover.

The relative fault of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

The Company, the Adviser, the Administrator and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 7. The aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by an indemnified party and referred to above in this Section 7 shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in investigating, preparing for or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

 

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No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

For purposes of this Section 7, each affiliate of any Underwriter, each officer, director, employee, partner and member of any Underwriter or any such affiliate, and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each director, affiliate, officer, employee, partner and member of the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator, and each person, if any, who controls the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator. The Underwriters’ respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7 are several in proportion to the number of Initial Securities set forth opposite their respective names in Exhibit A hereto and not joint.

SECTION 8. Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery . All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement or in certificates signed by any officer of the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator (whether signed on behalf of such officer, the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator) and delivered to the Representatives or counsel to the Underwriters, shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter, any officer, director, employee, partner, member or agent of any Underwriter or any person controlling any Underwriter, or by or on behalf of the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator any officer, director or employee of the Company or any person controlling the Company and shall survive delivery of and payment for the Securities.

SECTION 9. Termination of Agreement .

(a) Termination; General . The Representatives may terminate this Agreement, by notice to the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator, at any time on or prior to the Closing Date (and, if any Option Securities are to be purchased on an Option Closing Date which occurs after the Closing Date, the Representatives may terminate the obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase such Option Securities, by notice to the Company at any time on or prior to such Option Closing Date) (i) if there has been, at any time on or after the date of this Agreement or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (in each case exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement), any material adverse change or any development that could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change in the condition (financial or other), results of operations, business, properties, management or business prospects of the Company, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, or (ii) if there has been, since the time of execution of this Agreement or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (in each case exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement), any material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the business affairs or business prospects of the Adviser or the Administrator, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, or (iii) if there has occurred any material adverse change in the financial

 

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markets in the United States or the international financial markets, any declaration of a national emergency or war by the United States, any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis or any change or development involving a prospective change in national or international political, financial or economic conditions (including, without limitation, as a result of terrorist activities), in each case the effect of which is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Representatives, impracticable or inadvisable to market the Securities or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Securities, (iv) if (A) trading in any securities of the Company has been suspended or materially limited by the Commission or NYSE, or (B) trading generally on the NYSE or the Nasdaq Global Select Market has been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices have been required, by any of said exchanges or by order of the Commission, FINRA or any other governmental authority, or (C) a material disruption has occurred in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States or, (v) if a banking moratorium has been declared by either Federal or New York authorities.

(b) Liabilities . If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section 9, such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 hereof and except that Sections 1, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 hereof shall survive such termination and remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 10. Default by One or More of the Underwriters

If one or more of the Underwriters shall fail at the Closing Date or an Option Closing Date to purchase the Securities which it or they are obligated to purchase under this Agreement (the “ Defaulted Securities ”), the Representatives shall have the right, within 24 hours thereafter, to make arrangements for one or more of the non-defaulting Underwriters, or any other underwriters, to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Defaulted Securities in such amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the terms herein set forth; if, however, the Representatives shall not have completed such arrangements within such 24-hour period, then:

(i) if the number of Defaulted Securities does not exceed 10% of the number of Securities to be purchased on such date, each of the non-defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated, severally and not jointly, to purchase the full amount of such Defaulted Securities in the proportions that their respective underwriting obligations hereunder bear to the underwriting obligations of all non-defaulting Underwriters; or

(ii) if the number of Defaulted Securities exceeds 10% of the number of Securities to be purchased on such date, this Agreement or, with respect to any Option Closing Date which occurs after the Closing Date, the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase and of the Company to sell the Option Securities that were to have been purchased and sold on such Option Closing Date, shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter.

No action taken pursuant to this Section 10 shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of its default.

 

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In the event of any such default which does not result in a termination of this Agreement or, in the case of an Option Closing Date which is after the Closing Date, which does not result in a termination of the obligations of the Underwriters to purchase and the Company to sell the relevant Option Securities, as the case may be, the Representatives shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date or the relevant Option Closing Date, as the case may be, for a period not exceeding seven days in order to effect any required changes in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements. As used herein, the term “Underwriter” includes any person substituted for an Underwriter under this Section 10.

SECTION 11. Notices . All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall be effective only upon receipt and shall be mailed, delivered by hand or overnight courier, or transmitted by fax (with the receipt of such fax to be confirmed by telephone). Notices to the Underwriters shall be directed to the Representatives at [            ]. Copies of all such notices should be sent to [            ], [ADDRESS], Attention of [            ]. Notices to the Company, the Adviser and/or the Administrator shall be directed to it at TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp., 2755 Sand Hill Road Suite 150, Menlo Park, CA 94025, Attention of Sajal Srivastava, fax no. 650-854-2092 (with such fax to be confirmed by telephone), and copies of all such notices should be sent to Clifford Change US LLP, 31 West 52nd Street, New York, New York 10019, Attention of Andrew S. Epstein.

In accordance with the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), the Underwriters are required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies their respective clients, including the Company, which information may include the name and address of their respective clients, as well as other information that will allow the Underwriters to properly identify their respective clients.

SECTION 12. Parties . This Agreement shall each inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Underwriters, the Company, the Adviser, the Administrator and their respective successors. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than the Underwriters, the Company, the Adviser, the Administrator and their respective successors and the controlling persons and other indemnified parties referred to in Sections 6 and 7 and their successors, heirs and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. This Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Underwriters, the Company, the Adviser, the Administrator and their respective successors, and said controlling persons and other indemnified parties and their successors, heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no other person or entity. No purchaser of Securities from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase.

SECTION 13. GOVERNING LAW AND TIME . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN, SPECIFIED TIMES OF DAY REFER TO NEW YORK CITY TIME.

 

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SECTION 14. Effect of Headings . The Section and Exhibit headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

SECTION 15. Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below:

1933 Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

1933 Act Regulations ” means the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1933 Act.

1934 Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

1934 Act Regulations ” means the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1934 Act.

1940 Act ” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

1940 Act Notification ” shall mean the Company’s notification of election to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act on Form N-54A, as the 1940 Act Notification may be amended from time to time.

1940 Act Regulations ” means the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1940 Act.

Administrator Document ” means any contracts, indentures, mortgages, deeds of trust, loan or credit agreements, bonds, notes, debentures, evidence of indebtedness, leases or other instruments or agreements to which the Administrator is a party or by which the Administrator is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Administrator is subject.

Advisers Act ” shall mean the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.

Advisers Act Regulations ” shall mean the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Advisers Act.

Adviser Document ” means any contracts, indentures, mortgages, deeds of trust, loan or credit agreements, bonds, notes, debentures, evidence of indebtedness, leases or other instruments or agreements to which the Adviser is a party or by which the Adviser is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Adviser is subject.

Applicable Time ” means [            ] A.M. (New York City time) on [            ], 2015 or such other time as agreed by the Company and the Representatives.

Base Prospectus ” means the prospectus included in the Registration Statement as of the Effective Date.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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Common Stock ” shall have the meaning as defined in the introductory paragraphs of this Agreement.

Company Documents ” means any contracts, indentures, mortgages, deeds of trust, loan or credit agreements, bonds, notes, debentures, evidences of indebtedness, leases or other instruments or agreements to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company is subject including, all Subject Instruments and the formation agreements.

DTC ” means The Depository Trust Company.

EDGAR ” means the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System.

Effective Date ” shall mean each date and time that the Registration Statement, any post-effective amendment or amendments thereto and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement became or become effective.

Execution Time ” shall mean the date and time that this Agreement is executed and delivered by the parties hereto.

FCPA ” means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

FINRA ” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. or the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or both, as the context shall require.

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

General Disclosure Package ” shall mean the Preliminary Prospectus that is generally distributed to investors and used to offer the Securities, and the information set forth in Exhibit G.

Lien ” means any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity.

Lock-Up Period ” means the period beginning on and including the date of this Agreement through and including the date that is the 90th day (or [            ] in the case of the Adviser) after the date of this Agreement.

NYSE ” means the New York Stock Exchange.

OFAC ” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department.

Organizational Documents ” means, when referring to the Company, the Company’s charter and by-laws or, when referring to the Adviser or the Administrator, the Adviser’s or the Administrator’s respective certificates of formation and limited liability company agreements.

PCAOB ” means the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).

 

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Pre-Pricing Prospectus ” means the Preliminary Prospectus dated [            ] relating to the Securities in the form first furnished to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering of the Securities.

Preliminary Prospectus ” means the preliminary prospectus supplement, dated as of [            ], together with the Base Prospectus, in the form filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 497 under the 1933 Act.

Prospectus ” means the prospectus supplement relating to the Securities, together with the Base Prospectus, filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Rule 497 under the 1933 Act on or before the second business day after the date hereof (or such earlier time as may be required under the 1933 Act).

Registration Statement ” shall mean the registration statement referred to in paragraph 1(a)(i) above, including exhibits and financial statements, as amended at the Execution Time (or, if not effective at the Execution Time, in the form in which it shall become effective) and, in the event any post-effective amendment thereto or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement becomes effective prior to the Closing Date, shall also mean such registration statement as so amended or such Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, as the case may be. Such term shall include any Rule 430C Information deemed to be included therein at the Effective Date as provided by Rule 430C.

Regulation S-T ” means Regulation S-T of the Commission.

Repayment Event ” means any event or condition which, either immediately or with notice or passage of time or both, (i) gives the holder of any bond, note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company, or (ii) gives any counterparty (or any person acting on such counterparty’s behalf) under any swap agreement, hedging agreement or similar agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party the right to liquidate or accelerate the payment obligations or designate an early termination date under such agreement or instrument, as the case may be.

RIC ” means a regulated investment company within the meaning of Section 851(a) of the Code.

Rule 172 ,” “ Rule 173 ,” “ Rule 405 ,” “ Rule 430C ,” “ Rule 433 ” “ Rule 462(b) ” and “ Rule 497 ” refer to such rules under the 1933 Act.

Rule 430C Information ” means the information included in the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto that was omitted from the Registration Statement at the time it became effective but that is deemed to be a part of the Registration Statement at the time it became effective pursuant to Rule 430C.

Rule 462(b) Registration Statement ” means a registration statement filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 462(b) for the purpose of registering any of the Securities under the 1933 Act, including the documents and other information incorporated by reference therein and the Rule 430C Information.

 

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Rule 482 Material ” means press releases or similar written materials meeting the definition of an “advertisement” as set forth in Rule 482 under the 1933 Act, the use of which has been consented to by each of the Representatives.

Sales Material ” means advertising, sales literature or other promotional materials (including “prospectus wrappers,” “broker kits,” “road show slides” and “road show scripts”), whether in printed or electronic form, authorized in writing by or prepared by the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator for use in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities.

Sarbanes-Oxley Act ” means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or implementing the provisions thereof.

Subject Instruments ” means all instruments, agreements and documents filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement pursuant to item 25.2 of Form N-2 of the Commission; provided that if any instrument, agreement or other document filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement as aforesaid has been redacted or if any portion thereof has been deleted or is otherwise not included as part of such exhibit (whether pursuant to a request for confidential treatment or otherwise), the term “Subject Instruments” shall nonetheless mean such instrument, agreement or other document, as the case may be, in its entirety, including any portions thereof which shall have been so redacted, deleted or otherwise not filed.

Testing-the-Waters Communication ” means any oral or written communication with potential investors undertaken in reliance on Section 5(d) of the 1933 Act.

Written Testing-the-Waters Communication ” means any Testing-the-Waters Communication that is a written communication within the meaning of Rule 405 under the 1933 Act.

All references in this Agreement to the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall be deemed to include the version thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR and all versions thereof delivered (physically or electronically) to the Representatives or the Underwriters.

SECTION 16. Absence of Fiduciary Relationship . The Company, the Adviser and the Administrator, severally and jointly, acknowledge and agree that:

(a) each of the Underwriters is acting solely as an underwriter in connection with the sale of the Securities and no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator, on the one hand, and any of the Underwriters, on the other hand, has been created in respect of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, irrespective of whether or not any of the Underwriters has advised or is advising the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator on other matters;

(b) the public offering price of the Securities and the price to be paid by the Underwriters for the Securities set forth in this Agreement were established by the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator following discussions and arms-length negotiations with the Representatives;

 

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(c) it is capable of evaluating and understanding, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

(d) it is aware that the Underwriters and their respective affiliates are engaged in a broad range of transactions which may involve interests that differ from those of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator and that none of the Underwriters has any obligation to disclose such interests and transactions to the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator by virtue of any fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship or otherwise; and

(e) it waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims it may have against any of the Underwriters for breach of fiduciary duty or alleged breach of fiduciary duty and agrees that none of the Underwriters shall have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in contract, tort or otherwise) to it in respect of such a fiduciary duty claim or to any person asserting a fiduciary duty claim on its behalf or in right of it or the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator or any stockholders, employees or creditors of the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator.

SECTION 17. Research Analyst Independence . The Company, the Adviser and the Administrator acknowledge that the Underwriters’ respective research analysts and research departments are required to be independent from their respective investment banking divisions and are subject to certain regulations and internal policies, and that such Underwriters’ respective research analysts and research departments may hold views and make statements or investment recommendations and/or publish research reports with respect to the Company and/or the offering that differ from the views of their respective investment banking divisions. The Company, the Adviser and the Administrator hereby waive and release, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any claims that the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator may have against the Underwriters with respect to any conflict of interest that may arise from the fact that the views expressed by their respective research analysts and research departments may be different from or inconsistent with the views or advice communicated to the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator by such Underwriters’ respective investment banking divisions. The Company, the Adviser and the Administrator acknowledge that each of the Underwriters is a full service securities firm and as such from time to time, subject to applicable securities laws, may effect transactions for its own account or the account of its customers and hold long or short positions in debt or equity securities of the Company and other entities that may be the subject of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

SECTION 18. Trial By Jury . The Company, the Adviser and the Administrator (each on its own behalf and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, on behalf of its stockholders and affiliates) and each of the Underwriters hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

SECTION 19. Consent to Jurisdiction . The Company, the Adviser and the Administrator hereby submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any U.S. federal or state court located in the Borough of Manhattan, the City and County of New York in any action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to or based upon this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, and irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of

 

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venue of any such action, suit or proceeding in any such court and agree not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

[ Signature Pages Follow ]

 

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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to the Company a counterpart hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a binding agreement among the Underwriters, the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator in accordance with its terms.

 

Very truly yours,

 

TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP.

 

By

 

Name:
Title:

 

TPVG ADVISERS LLC

 

By

 

Name:
Title:

 

TPVG ADMINISTRATOR LLC

 

By

 

Name:
Title:


CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED, as of the date first above written:

 

By

 

Authorized Signatory

 

By

 

Authorized Signatory

For themselves and as Representatives of the Underwriters named in Exhibit A hereto.

Exhibit (h)(2)

Dated: [            ]

TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP.,

AS COMPANY

TPVG ADVISERS LLC,

AS ADVISER

AND

TPVG ADMINISTRATOR LLC,

AS ADMINISTRATOR

 

 

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

[SENIOR SECURITIES/SUBORDINATED

SECURITIES/WARRANTS TO PURCHASE DEBT

SECURITIES]

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  
SECTION 1.    Representations and Warranties      3   
SECTION 2.    Sale and Delivery to Underwriters; Closing      19   
SECTION 3.    Covenants      21   
SECTION 4.    Payment of Expenses      27   
SECTION 5.    Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations      28   
SECTION 6.    Indemnification      31   
SECTION 7.    Contribution      33   
SECTION 8.    Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery      35   
SECTION 9.    Termination of Agreement      35   
SECTION 10.    Default by One or More of the Underwriters      36   
SECTION 11.    Notices      37   
SECTION 12.    Parties      37   
SECTION 13.    Governing Law and Time      37   
SECTION 14.    Effect of Headings      37   
SECTION 15.    Definitions      37   
SECTION 16.    Absence of Fiduciary Relationship      41   
SECTION 17.    Research Analyst Independence      42   
SECTION 18.    Trial By Jury      42   
SECTION 19.    Consent to Jurisdiction      42   

 

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EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A Underwriters
Exhibit B List of Persons Subject to Lock-Up
Exhibit C-1 Form of Lock-Up Agreement
Exhibit C-2 Form of Press Release Announcing Lock-Up Waiver
Exhibit D Form of Opinion of Company Counsel
Exhibit E Initial Securities to be Sold
Exhibit F Option Securities Which May be Sold
Exhibit G Price-Related Information
Exhibit H Subsidiaries of the Company

 

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UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

[Senior Securities/Subordinated Securities/Warrants to Purchase Debt Securities]

[            ]

As Representatives of the several Underwriters named in Exhibit A

c/o [            ]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP., a Maryland corporation (the “Company ), TPVG ADVISERS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a registered investment adviser under the Advisers Act (the “Adviser ), and TPVG ADMINISTRATOR LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Administrator ), each confirms with [            ] and each of the other underwriters named in Exhibit A hereto (collectively, the “Underwriters ,” which term shall also include any underwriter substituted as hereinafter provided in Section 10 hereof), for whom [            ] are acting as representatives (in such capacities, the “Representatives ), with respect to the issue and sale by the Company of a total of $[            ] aggregate principal amount of senior debt securities (the  “Senior Securities” ) or subordinated debt securities (the “Subordinated Securities ), or both, or Warrants (the “Debt Warrants ) to purchase Senior Securities or Subordinated Securities, or both, of the Company, and the purchase by the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of the respective aggregate principal amounts of Initial Securities set forth in Exhibit A hereto (the “Initial Securities ), and with respect to the grant by the Company to the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of the option described in Section 2(b) hereof to purchase additional Securities (as hereinafter defined) to cover overallotments, if any (the “Option Securities ). The Initial Securities and the Option Securities are hereinafter called, collectively, the “Securities .” Certain terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 15 hereof.

The Company understands that the Underwriters propose to make a public offering of the Securities as soon as the Representatives deem advisable after this Agreement has been executed and delivered.

The [Senior Securities][Subordinated Securities] will be issued under an indenture dated as of [            ], as supplemented by a supplemental indenture, dated as of [            ] (collectively, the “Indenture ) between the Company and [            ], as trustee (the “Trustee ). The Debt Warrants will be issued under one or more warrant agreements (the warrant agreement relating to any issue of Debt Warrants to be sold pursuant to this Agreement is referred to herein as the “Warrant Agreement ) between the Company and the Warrant Agent identified in such Warrant Agreement (the “Warrant Agent ). The Senior Securities, Subordinated Securities and the Debt Warrant may be offered either together or separately. Each issue of Senior Securities, Subordinated Securities and Debt Warrants may vary as applicable, as to aggregate principal amount, maturity date, interest rate or formula and timing of payments thereof, redemption provisions, conversion provisions and sinking fund requirements, if any, and any other variable terms which the Indenture or any Warrant Agreement, as the case may be, contemplates may be set forth in the Senior Securities, Subordinated Securities and Debt Warrants as issued from time to time. Securities issued in book-entry form will be issued to [            ], as nominee of the Depository Trust Company ( “DTC ), pursuant to a blanket letter of representations, to be dated on or prior to the Closing Date (the “DTC Agreement ), between the Company and DTC.

 

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Promptly after the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company will prepare and file with the Commission a prospectus dated [            ] in accordance with the provisions of Rule 430C and Rule 497 of the 1933 Act, and the Company has previously advised you of all information (financial and other) that will be set forth therein. Such prospectus, in the form first furnished to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering of the Securities (whether to meet the request of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173(d) or otherwise), is herein called the “Prospectus .”

Prior to the Execution Date and the purchase of the Initial Securities by the Underwriters on the Closing Date referred to in Section 2(c), the following transactions occurred:

(a) On July 1, 2013, the Company was formed as a Maryland corporation.

(b) On February 18, 2014, the Company entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Adviser (the “ Investment Advisory Agreement ”).

(c) On February 18, 2014, the Company entered into an Administration Agreement with the Administrator (the “ Administration Agreement ”).

(d) On February 18, 2014, the Company entered into a License Agreement with TriplePoint Capital LLC (the “ License Agreement ”).

(e) On February 18, 2014, the Adviser entered into a Staffing Agreement with TriplePoint Capital LLC (the “ Staffing Agreement ”).

(f) On February 21, 2014, the Company entered into a $150 million receivables financing agreement, which was amended by Letter Agreements on June 5, 2014 and July 18, 2014 (collectively, the “ Letter Agreements ”), by and among TPVG Variable Funding Company LLC, as borrower, the Company, as collateral manager and as sole equityholder, Portfolio Financial Servicing Company, as backup collateral manager, U.S. Bank National Association, as custodian, the agents from time to time party thereto, the lenders from time to time parties thereto, and Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch, as administrative agent (collectively with the related pledge agreement, blocked account control agreement and the Letter Agreements, the “ Credit Facility Agreement ”).

(g) On March 5, 2014, the Company filed the 1940 Act Notification with the Commission under the 1940 Act and the 1940 Act Regulations, pursuant to which the Company elected to be regulated as a business development company (a “ BDC ”).

The Investment Advisory Agreement, Administration Agreement, License Agreement, Staffing Agreement and the Credit Facility Agreement are hereinafter called, collectively, the “ Fund Agreements .”

 

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SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties .

(a) Representations and Warranties by the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator . The Company, the Adviser and the Administrator, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to each Underwriter as of the date hereof, as of the Applicable Time, as of the Closing Date referred to in Section 2(c) hereof, and as of each Option Closing Date (if any) referred to in Section 2(b) hereof, and agree with each Underwriter, as follows:

(i) Compliance with Registration Requirements . The Company has prepared and filed with the Commission the Registration Statement (file number 333-204933) on Form N-2, including a related Preliminary Prospectus for registration under the 1933 Act of the offering and sale of the Securities. The Company has filed one or more pre-effective amendments thereto, each including a related Preliminary Prospectus, and each of which has previously been furnished to the Representatives. The Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the 1939 Act ). The Company will next file with the Commission the Prospectus in accordance with Rules 430C and 497 of the 1933 Act. The Company has included in such Registration Statement, as amended at the Effective Date, all information (other than Rule 430C Information) required to be included by the 1933 Act. As filed, the Prospectus shall contain all Rule 430C Information, together with all other required information, and shall be in all substantive respects in the form furnished to you prior to the Execution Time or, to the extent not completed at the Execution Time, shall contain only such specific additional information and other changes (beyond that contained in the latest Preliminary Prospectus) as the Company has advised you, prior to the Execution Time, will be included or made therein.

The offer and sale of the Securities has been registered under the 1933 Act pursuant to the Registration Statement. The Registration Statement and any post-effective amendments thereto have been declared effective under the 1933 Act and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement has become effective under the 1933 Act or, not later than 5:00 P.M. (New York City time) on the business day immediately after the Execution Date, will become effective under the 1933 Act, and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement or preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus has been issued under the 1933 Act and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, are contemplated by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information has been complied with. From the time of initial filing of the Registration Statement to the Commission through the date hereof, the Company has been and is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a)(xix) of the 1933 Act (an EGC ”).

At the respective times that the 1940 Act Notification was filed with the Commission, and the times that the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any amendments to any of the foregoing were declared or became effective, as the case may be, and at the Closing Date (and, if any Option Securities are purchased, at the applicable Option Closing Date), the 1940 Act Notification, the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any amendments to any of the foregoing complied and will comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1940 Act and the 1940 Act Regulations and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading.

 

- 3 -


At the respective times the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto was filed pursuant to Rule 497 or issued, at the Closing Date (and, if any Option Securities are purchased, at the applicable Option Closing Date), and at any time when a prospectus is required (or, but for the provisions of Rule 172, would be required) by applicable law to be delivered in connection with sales of Securities (whether to meet the requests of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173(d) or otherwise), neither the Prospectus nor any amendments or supplements thereto included or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

As of the Applicable Time (except in the case of clause (z) below) and as of each time prior to the Closing Date that an investor agrees (orally or in writing) to purchase or, if applicable, reconfirms (orally or in writing) an agreement to purchase any Securities from the Underwriters, neither (x) the Pre-Pricing Prospectus as of the Applicable Time and the information, if any, included on Exhibit G hereto, all considered together (collectively, the “ General Disclosure Package ”), nor (y) any Sales Material considered together with the Pre-Pricing Prospectus as of the Applicable Time, nor (z) any Rule 482 Material, when considered together with the General Disclosure Package, included or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Any Rule 482 Material, when used, complied with the requirements pertaining thereto as set forth in Rule 482 under the 1933 Act.

Each Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing filed as part of the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto, or filed pursuant to Rule 497 under the 1933 Act, or delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering of the Securities, complied when so filed or when so delivered, as the case may be, in all material respects with the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1940 Act and the 1940 Act Regulations.

The representations and warranties in the preceding paragraphs of this Section 1(a)(i) do not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Rule 482 Material or any amendment or supplement to any the foregoing made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement, including the part of the Registration Statement that constitutes the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the 1939 Act (Form T-1) of the Trustee under the Indenture, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by or on behalf of the Underwriters as aforesaid consists of the information described as such in Section 6(c) hereof.

The copies of the Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any amendments to any of the foregoing and the copies of each Preliminary Prospectus and Rule 482 Material that is required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to

 

- 4 -


Rule 482 and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing, that have been or subsequently are delivered to the Underwriters in connection with the offering of the Securities (whether to meet the request of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173(d) or otherwise) were and will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T. For purposes of this Agreement, references to the “delivery” or “furnishing” of any of the foregoing documents to the Underwriters, and any similar terms, include, without limitation, electronic delivery.

Any Rule 482 Material (if any), as of its issue date and at all subsequent times through the completion of the public offering and sale of the Securities, did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus that has not been superseded or modified.

(ii) Investment Company Act. The Company is a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company and has elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act, has duly filed the 1940 Act Notification with the Commission and is eligible to make such an election.

(iii) Independent Accountants . The accountants who certified the financial statements and any supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are independent public accountants as required by the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations and the PCAOB.

(iv) Financial Statements . The financial statements of the Company included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, together with the related schedules and notes, present fairly the financial position of the Company at the dates indicated and the results of operations, changes in net assets and cash flows of the Company and for the periods specified; and any such financial statements comply as to form with the applicable accounting requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act and have been prepared in conformity with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as otherwise noted therein); and the other financial and statistical information and data included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus are accurately derived from such financial statements and the books and records of the Company, as applicable. All “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined in the rules and regulations of the Commission), if any, contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus comply with Item 10 of Regulation S-K of the Commission, to the extent applicable.

(v) No Material Adverse Change in Business . Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (in each case exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement), except as otherwise stated therein, (A) there has been no material adverse change or any development that could be expected to result in a material adverse change in the condition (financial or other), results of operations, business, properties, management or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business (in any such case, a “ Company Material Adverse Effect ”);

 

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and (B) except as otherwise disclosed in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (in each case exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement), the Company has not incurred any liability or obligation or entered into any transaction or agreement that, individually or in the aggregate, is material with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and the Company has not sustained any loss or interference with its business or operations from fire, explosion, flood, earthquake or other natural disaster or calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or disturbance or court or governmental action, order or decree which could be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(vi) Good Standing of the Company . The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland and has power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Fund Agreements (other than the Staffing Agreement); and the Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except (solely in the case of jurisdictions other than the State of Maryland) where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(vii) Subsidiaries . Except for the entities listed on Exhibit H hereto, the Company has no subsidiaries.

(viii) Capitalization . The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company as of [            ] is as set forth in the column entitled “Actual” and in the corresponding line items under the caption “Capitalization” in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus. After giving effect to the purchase of the Initial Securities by the Underwriters on the Closing Date, the authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company will be as set forth in the column entitled “Pro Forma” and in the corresponding line items under the caption “Capitalization” (in each case except for any Option Securities issued by the Company pursuant to this Agreement and issuances, if any, subsequent to the date of this Agreement pursuant to employee or director stock option, stock purchase or other equity incentive plans or any dividend reinvestment plan described in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus upon the exercise of options issued pursuant to any such stock option, stock purchase or other equity incentive plans as so described, or upon the exercise of options or the conversion of convertible securities described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus). The shares of issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; and none of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company was issued in violation of any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company or any other person. The Company does not have any debt securities outstanding as of the date of this Agreement.

(ix) Authorization, Validity and Enforceability of Agreements . This Agreement, the Fund Agreements (other than the Staffing Agreement) and the Indenture have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company. Each of the Fund Agreements

 

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(other than the Staffing Agreement) and the Indenture constitute valid, binding and enforceable agreements of the Company, subject, as to enforcement, to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally. The Investment Advisory Agreement has been approved by the Company’s board of directors in accordance with Section 15 of the 1940 Act and contains the applicable provisions required by Section 15 of the 1940 Act and Section 205 of the Advisers Act.

(x) Authorization of Securities . The Securities to be sold by the Company under this Agreement have been duly authorized for issuance and sale to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement and, if applicable, the Indenture or Warrant Agreement, or both, as the case may be, and, when issued and delivered by the Company pursuant to this Agreement against payment of the consideration set forth herein, will be valid and legally binding obligations of the Company; no holder of the Securities is or will be subject to personal liability by reason of being such a holder; and the issuance and sale of the Securities to be sold by the Company under this Agreement are not subject to any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company or any other person. [If applicable, upon issuance and delivery of the Securities in accordance with this Agreement and the Indenture, the Securities will be convertible at the option of the holder thereof into shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “ Common Stock ”), in accordance with the terms of the Securities and the Indenture, the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of any issue of the Securities will have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance upon such conversion by all necessary corporate action and, when issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement relating thereto.]

(xi) Description of Securities . The Securities, the Company’s Organizational Documents, the Indenture and the Warrant Agreement, if any, conform in all material respects to all of the respective statements relating thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and such statements conform to the rights set forth in the respective instruments and agreements defining the same.

(xii) Absence of Defaults and Conflicts . The Company is not in violation of its Organizational Documents or in default in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any Company Document, except (solely in the case of Company Documents) for such defaults that would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Company Material Adverse Effect. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Fund Agreements (other than the Staffing Agreement), the Securities, the Indenture and the DTC Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (including the issuance and sale of the Securities and the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds” and, if applicable, the issuance of the shares of Common Stock upon conversion of the Securities) and compliance by the Company with its obligations under this Agreement and the Fund Agreements (other than the Staffing Agreement) do not and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or both, conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default, or Repayment Event under, or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any property or assets of the Company pursuant to, any Company Documents, except (solely in the case of Company Documents) for such conflicts, breaches, defaults or Liens that would not,

 

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individually or in the aggregate, result in a Company Material Adverse Effect, nor will such action result in any violation of (i) the provisions of the Organizational Documents of the Company or (ii) any applicable law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any government, government instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its assets, properties or operations.

(xiii) No Employees . As of the date hereof, the Company does not have, and on the Closing Date the Company will not have, any employees.

(xiv) Absence of Proceedings . There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or brought by any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, against or affecting the Company which is required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pre-Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus (other than as disclosed therein), or which might reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect, or which might be expected to materially and adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement, the Fund Agreements, the Securities, the Indenture or the DTC Agreement or the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement and the Fund Agreements (other than the Staffing Agreement); the aggregate of all pending legal or governmental proceedings to which the Company is a party or of which any of their respective property or assets is the subject which are not described in the Registration Statement, the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, including ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(xv) Accuracy of Descriptions and Exhibits . The information in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus under the captions “Risk Factors,” “Description of Capital Stock,” “Regulation,” “Related Party Transactions and Certain Relationships,” “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations,” and “Shares Eligible for Future Sale,” in each case to the extent that it constitutes matters of law, summaries of legal matters, summaries of provisions of the Company’s Organizational Documents or any other instruments or agreements, summaries of legal proceedings, or legal conclusions, fairly summarizes the matters described therein in all material respects; all descriptions in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus of any other Company Documents are accurate in all material respects; and there are no franchises, contracts, indentures, mortgages, deeds of trust, loan or credit agreements, bonds, notes, debentures, evidences of indebtedness, leases or other instruments, agreements or documents required to be described or referred to in the Registration Statement, the Pre-Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement which have not been so described and filed as required.

(xvi) Possession of Intellectual Property . The Company owns or has obtained valid and enforceable licenses or other rights to use, all patents, patent rights, patent applications, licenses, copyrights, inventions, know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures), trademarks, service marks, trade names, service names, software, internet addresses, domain names and other intellectual property (collectively, “ Intellectual Property ”) that is described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or that is necessary for the conduct

 

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of its business as currently conducted, as proposed to be conducted and as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except where the failure to own, license or have such rights would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect; the Company has not received any notice and is not otherwise aware of any infringement of, or conflict, with asserted rights of others with respect to any Intellectual Property or of any facts or circumstances which would render any Intellectual Property invalid or inadequate to protect the interests of the Company which would result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(xvii) Absence of Further Requirements . (A) No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any court or governmental authority or agency, domestic or foreign, (B) no authorization, approval, vote or consent of any holder of capital stock or other securities of the Company or creditor of the Company, (C) no authorization, approval, waiver or consent under any Subject Instrument, and (D) no authorization, approval, vote or consent of any other person or entity, is necessary or required for the authorization, execution, delivery or performance by the Company of this Agreement, the Fund Agreements (other than the Staffing Agreement), the Securities or the Indenture for the offering of the Securities as contemplated by this Agreement, for the issuance, sale or delivery of the Securities to be sold by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, or for the consummation of any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Fund Agreements, the Securities and the Indenture in each case on the terms contemplated by the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except such as have been obtained, and except that no representation is made as to such as may be required under state or foreign securities laws.

(xviii) Possession of Licenses and Permits . The Company possesses such permits, licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations (collectively, “ Governmental Licenses ”) issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the business now operated by them; and, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company is in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such Governmental Licenses, all such Governmental Licenses are valid and in full force and effect and the Company has not received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such Governmental Licenses.

(xix) Title to Property . The Company owns or leases or has access to all properties and assets as are necessary to the conduct of its operations as presently conducted.

(xx) Environmental Laws . The Company is not in violation of any statute or any rule, regulation, decision or order of any governmental agency or body or any court, domestic or foreign, relating to the use, production, disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances or relating to the protection or restoration of the environment or human exposure to hazardous or toxic substances (collectively, “ environmental laws ”), owns or operates any real property contaminated with any substance that is subject to any environmental laws, is liable for any off-site disposal or contamination pursuant to any environmental laws, or is subject to any claim relating to any environmental laws, which violation, contamination, liability or claim, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on the general affairs, business, prospects, management, financial position, shareholders’ equity or results of operations of the Company, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business; and the Company is not aware of any pending investigation which might lead to such a claim.

 

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(xxi) Absence of Registration Rights . There are no persons with registration rights or other similar rights to have any securities (debt or equity) registered pursuant to the Registration Statement or included in the offering contemplated by this Agreement, and there are no persons with co-sale rights, tag-along rights or other similar rights to have any securities (debt or equity) included in the offering contemplated by this Agreement or sold in connection with the sale of Securities pursuant to this Agreement.

(xxii) Parties to Lock-Up Agreements . Each of the persons listed on Exhibit B hereto has executed and delivered to the Representatives a lock-up agreement in the form of Exhibit C-1 hereto. As of the date of this Agreement, exhibit B hereto contains a true, complete and correct list of all directors and officers of the Company.

(xxiii) FINRA Matters . All of the information provided to the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters by the Company in connection with any letters, filings or other supplemental information provided to FINRA pursuant to FINRA Rule 5100, 5110 or 5121 is true, complete and correct in all material respects.

(xxiv) Tax Returns . The Company has filed all foreign, federal, state and local tax returns that are required to be filed or have requested extensions thereof, except where the failure to file would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Company Material Adverse Effect, and have paid all taxes (including, without limitation, any estimated taxes) required to be paid and any other assessment, fine or penalty levied against it, to the extent that any of the foregoing is due and payable, except for any such tax, assessment, fine or penalty that is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate actions and except for such taxes, assessments, fines or penalties the nonpayment of which would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(xxv) Insurance . The Company is insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which it is engaged; all policies of insurance and any fidelity or surety bonds insuring the Company, its business, assets, officers and directors are in full force and effect; the Company is in compliance with the terms of such policies and instruments in all material respects; there are no claims by the Company under any such policy or instrument as to which any insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause; the Company has not been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and the Company has no reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers at a cost that would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(xxvi) Accounting and Disclosure Controls . The Company has established and maintains effective “internal control over financial reporting” (as defined in Rule 13a-15 of the 1934 Act Regulations). The Company maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations and with the investment objectives, policies and

 

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restrictions of the Company and the applicable requirements of the 1940 Act and the 1940 Act Regulations; (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability and to maintain material compliance with the books and records requirements under the 1940 Act and the 1940 Act Regulations; (C) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, since the end of the Company’s most recent audited fiscal year, there has been (1) no material weakness (as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X of the Commission) in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated), and (2) no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

(xxvii) Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act . There is and has been no failure on the part of the Company or any of the Company’s directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with any provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act with which any of them is required to comply, including Section 402 related to loans.

(xxviii) Absence of Manipulation . The Company has not taken and will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

(xxix) Statistical and Market-Related Data . Any statistical and market-related data included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable and accurate and accurately reflect the materials upon which such data is based or from which it was derived, and the Company has delivered true, complete and correct copies of such materials to the Representatives.

(xxx) Foreign Corrupt Practices Act . Neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the Company is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that has resulted or would result in a violation by any such person of the FCPA, including, without limitation, any offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA, and the Company and, to the knowledge of the Company, its other affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to ensure, continued compliance therewith.

(xxxi) Money Laundering Laws . The operations of the Company are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including those of the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by Title III of the Uniting

 

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and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act), and the applicable anti-money laundering statutes of jurisdictions where the Company conducts business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “ Anti-Money Laundering Laws ”), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.

(xxxii) OFAC . Neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the Company is currently subject to any sanctions administered or enforced by OFAC (the “ Sanctions ”) or is located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions; and the Company will not, directly or indirectly, use any of the proceeds received by the Company from the sale of Securities by the Company in the offering contemplated by this Agreement, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available any such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of funding or facilitating any activities or business of or with any person or in any country or territory that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject of Sanctions, or in any other manner that will result in a violation of Sanctions. The Company has not knowingly engaged in, is not now knowingly engaged in, and will not engage in, any dealings or transactions with any individual or entity, or in any country or territory, that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject of Sanctions.

(xxxiii) Lending and Other Relationship . Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (i) neither the Company, the Adviser nor the Administrator has any lending or similar relationship with any Underwriter or any bank or other lending institution affiliated with any Underwriter; (ii) the Company will not, directly or indirectly, use any of the proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the Securities by the Company hereunder to reduce or retire the balance of any loan or credit facility extended by any Underwriter or any of its “affiliates” or “associated persons” (as such terms are used in FINRA Rule 5121) or otherwise direct any such proceeds to any Underwriter or any of its “affiliates” or “associated persons” (as so defined); and (iii) there are and have been no transactions, arrangements or dealings between the Company, on one hand, and any Underwriter or any of its “affiliates” or “associated persons” (as so defined), on the other hand, that, under FINRA Rule 5110 or 5121, must be disclosed in a submission to FINRA in connection with the offering of the Securities contemplated hereby or disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or Prospectus.

(xxxiv) Changes in Management . Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, none of the persons who were officers or directors of the Company as of the date of the Pre-Pricing Prospectus has given oral or written notice to the Company of his or her resignation (or otherwise indicated to the Company an intention to resign within the next 24 months), nor has any such officer or director been terminated by the Company or otherwise removed from his or her office or from the board of directors, as the case may be (including, without limitation, any such termination or removal which is to be effective as of a future date) nor is any such termination or removal under consideration by the Company or its board of directors.

 

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(xxxv) Transfer Taxes . There are no stock or other transfer taxes, stamp duties, capital duties or other similar duties, taxes or charges payable in connection with the execution or delivery of this Agreement by the Company or the issuance or sale by the Company of the Securities to be sold by the Company to the Underwriters hereunder.

(xxxvi) Related Party Transactions . There are no business relationships or related party transactions involving the Company or, to the knowledge of the Company, any other person that are required to be described in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus that have not been described as required.

(xxxvii) Portfolio Companies . The Company holds valid and binding agreements with respect to each investment under the Section “Portfolio Companies” (each a “ Portfolio Company Agreement ”) with corporations or other entities (each a “ Portfolio Company ”). Except as otherwise disclosed in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and to the Company’s knowledge, each Portfolio Company is current, in all material respects, with all its obligations under the applicable Portfolio Company Agreements, no event of default (or a default which with the giving of notice or the passage of time would become an event of default) has occurred under such agreements, except to the extent that any such failure to be current in its obligations and any such default would not reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(xxxviii) Offer and Sale of Securities . The Company has taken all required action under the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1940 Act and the 1940 Act Regulations to make the public offering and consummate the sale of the Securities as contemplated by this Agreement.

(xxxix) Relationships with Directors, Officers and Stockholders . Except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, no relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among the Company, on the one hand, and the directors, officers or stockholders of the Company, on the other hand, that is required to be described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, which is not so described.

(xl) Interested Persons . Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, no director of the Company is an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Company or an “affiliated person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any Underwriter listed in Exhibit A hereto.

(xli) Sales Material . All Sales Material complied and comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act, 1933 Act Regulations, the 1940 Act and 1940 Act Regulations and, if required to be filed with FINRA under FINRA’s conduct rules, were provided to [            ], counsel for the Underwriters, for filing. No Sales Material contained or contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

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(xlii) Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance and Fidelity Bond . On the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, the Company’s directors’ and officers’ errors and omissions insurance policy and its fidelity bond required by Rule 17g-1 of the 1940 Act Regulations will be in full force and effect; the Company is in compliance with the terms of such policy and fidelity bond in all material respects; and there are no claims by the Company under any such policy or fidelity bond as to which any insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause; the Company has not been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and the Company has no reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

(xliii) Compliance with RIC Requirements . The Company intends to direct the investment of the net proceeds of the offering of the Securities and to continue to conduct its activities in such a manner as to continue to comply with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. The Company intends to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code for its taxable year ending December 31, 2014.

(xliv) 1940 Act Notification . The Company has elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act and has filed with the Commission, pursuant to Section 54(a) of the 1940 Act, a duly completed and executed Form N-54A; the Company has not filed with the Commission any notice of withdrawal of the 1940 Act Notification pursuant to Section 54(c) of the 1940 Act; the 1940 Act Notification remains in full force and effect, and, to the Company’s knowledge, no order of suspension or revocation of such election under the 1940 Act has been issued or proceedings therefore initiated or threatened by the Commission. The operations of the Company are in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act and the 1940 Act Regulations.

(xlv) Stop Transfer Instructions . The Company has, with respect to any debt securities (other than the Securities to be sold pursuant to this Agreement) or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for debt securities owned or held (of record or beneficially) by the any persons who have entered into or are required to enter into an agreement in the form of Exhibit C-1 hereto, instructed the transfer agent or other registrar to enter stop transfer instructions and implement stop transfer procedures with respect to such securities during the Lock-Up Period; and, during the Lock-Up Period, the Company will not cause or permit any waiver, release, modification or amendment of any such stop transfer instructions or stop transfer procedures without the prior written consent of the Representatives.

(xlvi) Offering Materials . The Company has not distributed, directly or indirectly (other than through the Underwriters), any “written communication” (as defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act) or other offering materials in connection with the offering or sale of the Securities, other than the Pre-Pricing Prospectus, the Prospectus, any Rule 482 Material and any amendment or supplements to any of the foregoing that are filed with the Commission. The Company (a) has not alone engaged in any Testing-the-Waters Communication and (b) has not authorized anyone other than the Representatives to engage in Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company reconfirms that the Representatives have been authorized to act on its behalf in undertaking Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company has not distributed any Written Testing-the-Waters Communications.

 

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(xlvii) Brokers . There is not a broker, finder or other party that is entitled to receive from the Company any brokerage or finder’s fee or other fee or commission as a result of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for underwriting discounts and commissions payable to the Underwriters in connection with the sale of the Securities to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement.

(b) Representations and Warranties by the Adviser and the Administrator . Each of the Adviser and the Administrator, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to each Underwriter as of the Execution Time, as of the Applicable Time, as of the Closing Date referred to in Section 2(c) hereof, and as of each Option Closing Date (if any) referred to in Section 2(b) hereof, and agree with each Underwriter, as follows:

(i) Absence of Manipulation . Each of the Adviser and the Administrator has not taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that has constituted or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result, under the 1934 Act or otherwise, in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

(ii) No Material Adverse Change in Business . Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (in each case exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the Execution Time), except as otherwise stated therein, (A) there has been no material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Adviser and the Administrator considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business (an “ Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect ”) and (B) there have been no transactions entered into by the Adviser or the Administrator which are material with respect to the Adviser and the Administrator considered as one enterprise.

(iii) Good Standing . Each of the Adviser and the Administrator has been duly organized and is validly existing as a limited liability company in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Fund Agreements, to the extent a party thereto, and each of the Adviser and the Administrator is duly qualified as a limited liability company to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not result in an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect.

(iv) Authorization, Validity and Enforceability of Agreements . This Agreement and each of the Fund Agreements have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the Adviser and the Administrator, as applicable. Each of the Fund Agreements

 

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constitute valid, binding and enforceable agreements of the Adviser and the Administrator, as applicable, subject, as to enforcement, to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally.

(v) Absence of Defaults and Conflicts . Neither the Adviser nor the Administrator is in violation of its Organizational Documents or in default in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any Adviser Document or Administrator Document, except for such defaults that would not result in an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Fund Agreements, to the extent a party thereto, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (including the issuance and sale of the Securities and the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds”) and compliance by each of the Adviser and the Administrator with its obligations under this Agreement and the Fund Agreements, to the extent a party thereto, do not and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or both, conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default or Repayment Event under, or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any property or assets of the Adviser or the Administrator pursuant to, any Adviser Document or Administrator Document, except for such conflicts, breaches, defaults or Liens that would not result in an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect, nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of the Organizational Documents of the Adviser or the Administrator, as applicable, or any applicable law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any government, government instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Adviser or the Administrator or any of their respective assets, properties or operations.

(vi) Absence of Labor Dispute . As of the date hereof, neither the Adviser nor the Administrator have, and on the Closing Date, neither the Adviser nor the Administrator will have, any employees. To the knowledge of the Adviser and the Administrator, no labor dispute with the employees of TriplePoint Capital LLC exists or, to the knowledge of the Adviser and the Administrator, is imminent.

(vii) Absence of Proceedings . There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or brought by any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending, or, to the knowledge of the Adviser or the Administrator, threatened, against or affecting the Adviser or the Administrator which is required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (other than as disclosed therein), or which might reasonably be expected to result in an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect, or which might reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the properties or assets thereof or the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement, the Fund Agreements, the Securities and the Indenture, to the extent a party thereto, or the performance by each of the Adviser and the Administrator of its obligations under this Agreement and Fund Agreements, to the extent a party thereto. The aggregate of all pending legal or governmental proceedings to which the Adviser or the Administrator is a party or of which any of their respective property or assets is the subject which are not described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, including ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, could not reasonably be expected to result in an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(viii) Absence of Misstatements or Omissions . The description of each of the Adviser and the Administrator and its business, and the statements attributable to the Adviser and the Administrator, in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus complied and comply in all material respects with the provisions of the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1940 Act, the 1940 Act Regulations, the Advisers Act and the Advisers Act Regulations and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(ix) Possession of Intellectual Property . Each of the Adviser and Administrator owns, or has obtained valid and enforceable licenses for, or other rights to use, the inventions, patent applications, patents, trademarks (both registered and unregistered), trade names, copyrights, trade secrets and other proprietary information described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus as being licensed by it or which are necessary for the conduct of its businesses, except where the failure to own, license or have such rights would not, individually or in the aggregate, have an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect; except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, neither the Adviser nor the Administrator has received notice and is not otherwise aware of any infringement of, or conflict with, asserted rights of third parties with respect to any Intellectual Property or of any facts or circumstances which would render any Intellectual Property invalid or inadequate to protect the interest of the Adviser or the Administrator, as the case may be, therein, and which infringement or conflict (if the subject of any unfavorable decision, ruling or finding) or invalidity or inadequacy, would result in an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect.

(x) Absence of Further Requirements . (A) No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any court or governmental authority or agency, domestic or foreign, (B) no authorization, approval, vote or other consent of any holder of securities of the Adviser, the Administrator or any creditor of the Adviser or the Administrator, (C) no waiver or consent under any Subject Instrument, and (D) no authorization, approval, vote or other consent of any other person or entity, is necessary or required for the execution, delivery or performance by each of the Adviser and the Administrator of this Agreement, the Fund Agreements, the Indenture and the DTC Agreement, to the extent a party thereto, for the offering, issuance, sale or delivery of the Securities hereunder, or for the consummation of any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Fund Agreements, the Indenture and the DTC Agreement, to the extent a party thereto, in each case on the terms contemplated by the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except such as have been obtained under the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1934 Act, the 1934 Act Regulations, the 1940 Act and the 1940 Act Regulations or such as may be required under state securities laws.

(xi) Title to Property . Each of the Adviser and the Administrator owns or leases or has access to all properties and assets as are necessary to the conduct of its operations as presently conducted.

 

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(xii) Possession of Licenses and Permits . Each of the Adviser and the Administrator possesses such permits, licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations (collectively, the “ Adviser/Administrator Governmental Licenses ”) issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the business now operated by them; the Adviser and the Administrator are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such Adviser/Administrator Governmental Licenses, except where the failure so to comply would not, individually or in the aggregate, have an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect; all of the Adviser/Administrator Governmental Licenses are valid and in full force and effect, except when the invalidity of such Adviser/Administrator Governmental Licenses or the failure of such Adviser/Administrator Governmental Licenses to be in full force and effect would not, individually or in the aggregate, have an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect; and neither the Adviser nor the Administrator has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such Adviser/Administrator Governmental Licenses which, individually or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would result in an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect.

(xiii) Investment Company Act . Neither the Adviser nor the Administrator is, and upon the sale of the Securities contemplated under this Agreement and the Fund Agreements, to the extent a party thereto, and the application of the net proceeds therefrom as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds” will not be, an “investment company” or an entity “controlled” by an “investment company” as such terms are defined in the 1940 Act.

(xiv) Insurance . Each of the Adviser and the Administrator are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which they are engaged; all policies of insurance and any fidelity or surety bonds insuring the Adviser or the Administrator or their respective businesses, assets, employees, officers and directors are in full force and effect; the Adviser and the Administrator are in compliance with the terms of such policies and instruments in all material respects; there are no claims by the Adviser or the Administrator under any such policy or instrument as to which any insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause; neither the Adviser nor the Administrator has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and neither the Adviser nor the Administrator has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not have an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect.

(xv) Accounting Controls . Each of the Adviser and the Administrator maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (B) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, and (C) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

(xvi) Advisers Act . The Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and is not prohibited by the Advisers Act, the Advisers Act Regulations, the 1940 Act or the 1940 Act Regulations from acting under the Investment Advisory Agreement for the Company as contemplated by the Prospectus.

 

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(xvii) Financial Resources . Each of the Adviser and the Administrator has the financial resources available to it necessary for the performance of its services and obligations as contemplated in the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, this Agreement and the Fund Agreements, to the extent a party thereto, and each of the Adviser and the Administrator owns, leases or has access to all properties and other assets that are necessary to the conduct of its business and to perform the services, as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(xviii) Employment Status . Neither the Adviser nor the Administrator is aware that (i) any executive, key employee or significant group of employees of the Company, if any, the Adviser or the Administrator, as applicable, plans to terminate employment with the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator or (ii) any such executive or key employee is subject to any non-compete, nondisclosure, confidentiality, employment, consulting or similar agreement that would be violated by the present or proposed business activities of the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator except where such termination or violation would not reasonably be expected to have an Adviser Material Adverse Effect.

(xix) No Subsidiaries . Except for the Administrator, the Adviser has no subsidiaries. The Administrator has no subsidiaries.

(c) Certificates . Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator (whether signed on behalf of such officer or the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator) and delivered to the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator, respectively, to each Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby.

SECTION 2. Sale and Delivery to Underwriters; Closing .

(a) Initial Securities . On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company hereby agrees to sell to the Underwriters, severally and not jointly, the respective aggregate principal amount of Initial Securities set forth opposite the name of the Company in Exhibit E hereto, and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase the respective aggregate principal amount of Initial Securities set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Exhibit A hereto, plus any additional aggregate principal amount of Initial Securities which such Underwriter may become obligated to purchase pursuant to the provisions of Section 10 hereof, subject to such adjustments among the Underwriters as the Representatives in their sole discretion shall make to eliminate any sales or purchases of fractional Securities, in each case at a purchase price of $[            ] (the “ Purchase Price ”).

(b) Option Securities . In addition, on the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company hereby grants an option to the Underwriters, severally and not jointly, to purchase up to $[            ] aggregate principal amount of Option Securities at a price equal to the Purchase Price referred to in Section 2(a)

 

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above. The option hereby granted will expire at 11:59 P.M. (New York City time) on the 30th day after the date hereof and may be exercised in whole or in part from time to time only for the purpose of covering over-allotments which may be made in connection with the offering and distribution of the Initial Securities upon notice by the Representatives to the Company setting forth the aggregate principal amount of Option Securities as to which the several Underwriters are then exercising the option and the time and date of payment and delivery for such Option Securities. Any such time and date of delivery (an “ Option Closing Date ”) shall be determined by the Representatives, but shall not be later than seven full business days after the exercise of said option (unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10), nor in any event prior to the Closing Date. If the option is exercised as to all or any portion of the Option Securities, the Company will sell to the Underwriters that proportion of the total aggregate principal amount of Option Securities then being purchased which the aggregate principal amount of Option Securities set forth in Section 2(b), and each of the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, will purchase that proportion of the total aggregate principal amount of Option Securities then being purchased which the aggregate principal amount of Initial Securities set forth in Exhibit A opposite the name of such Underwriter, plus any additional aggregate principal amount of Initial Securities which such Underwriter may become obligated to purchase pursuant to the provisions of Section 10 hereof, bears to the total aggregate principal amount of Initial Securities.

(c) Payment . Payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of, the Initial Securities shall be made at the offices of [            ], [ADDRESS], or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company, at 9:00 A.M. (New York City time) on [            ] (unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10), or such other time not later than five business days after such date as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company (such time and date of payment and delivery being herein called “ Closing Date ”).

In addition, in the event that any or all of the Option Securities are purchased by the Underwriters, payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of, such Option Securities shall be made at the above-mentioned offices at 9:00 A.M. (New York City time), or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company, on each Option Closing Date as specified in the notice from the Representatives to the Company.

Payment shall be made to the Company by wire transfer of immediately available funds to a single bank account designated by the Company, against delivery to the Representatives through the facilities of DTC for the respective accounts of the Underwriters of the Securities to be purchased by them. It is understood that each Underwriter has authorized the Representatives, for its account, to accept delivery of, receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price for, the Initial Securities and the Option Securities, if any, which it has agreed to purchase. [            ] individually and not as Representative of the Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to) make payment of the purchase price for the Initial Securities or the Option Securities, if any, to be purchased by any Underwriter whose funds have not been received by the Closing Date or the relevant Option Closing Date, as the case may be, but such payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from its obligations hereunder.

 

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(d) Delivery of Securities . Delivery of the Initial Securities and any Option Securities shall be made through the facilities of DTC unless the Representatives shall otherwise instruct.

SECTION 3. Covenants . Each of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator covenants, jointly and severally, with each Underwriter as follows:

(a) Compliance with Securities Regulations and Commission Requests . Prior to the termination of the offering of the Securities, subject to Section 3(b), to comply with the requirements of Rule 430C and will promptly notify the Representatives, and confirm the notice in writing, (i) when the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement shall be declared or become effective, or when any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Rule 482 Material or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall have been filed, (ii) of the receipt of any comments from the Commission relating to the Registration Statement (and shall promptly furnish the Representatives with a copy of any comment letters and any transcript of oral comments, and shall furnish the Representatives with copies of any written responses thereto a reasonable amount of time prior to the proposed filing thereof with the Commission and will not file any such response to which the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall reasonably object), (iii) of any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, any Rule 482 Material or for additional information, (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Rule 482 Material or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, or any notice from the Commission objecting to the use of the form of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction or of the loss or suspension of any exemption from any such qualification, or of the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes, or of any examination pursuant to Section 8(e) of the 1933 Act concerning the Registration Statement, (v) if the Company becomes the subject of a proceeding under Section 8A of the 1933 Act in connection with the offering of the Securities, and (vi) if the Company ceases to be an EGC at any time prior to the later of (A) completion of the distribution of the Securities within the meaning of the 1933 Act and (B) completion of the Lock-Up Period referred to in Section 3(l) hereof. The Company will make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any stop order and the suspension or loss of any qualification of the Securities for offering or sale and any loss or suspension of any exemption from any such qualification, and if any such stop order is issued, or any such suspension or loss occurs, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible moment.

(b) Filing of Amendments . Prior to the termination of the offering of the Securities, to give the Representatives notice of its intention to file or prepare any amendment to the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, any Rule 482 Material or any amendment, supplement or revision to any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Rule 482 Material, whether pursuant to the 1933 Act or otherwise, and the Company will furnish the Representatives with copies of any such documents within a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing or use, as the case may be, and will not file or use any such document to which the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall promptly and reasonably object.

 

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(c) Delivery of Registration Statements . To furnish or deliver to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters, without charge, copies of the conformed Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and of each amendment thereto (including exhibits filed therewith or incorporated by reference therein and documents incorporated by reference therein ) and copies of all consents and certificates of experts.

(d) Delivery of Prospectuses . To deliver to each Underwriter, without charge, as many copies of each Preliminary Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto as such Underwriter reasonably requested, and the Company hereby consents to the use of such copies for purposes permitted by the 1933 Act. The Company will furnish to each Underwriter, without charge, during the period when the Prospectus is required (or, but for the provisions of Rule 172, would be required) to be delivered by applicable law (whether to meet the request of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173(d) or otherwise), such number of copies of the Pre-Pricing Prospectus, the Prospectus and any Rule 482 Material and any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing as such Underwriter may reasonably request; and in case any Underwriter is required to deliver a prospectus in connection with sales of any of the Securities at any time nine months or more after the time of issue of the Prospectus, upon your request but at the expense of such Underwriter, to prepare and deliver to such Underwriter as many written and electronic copies as you may request of an amended or supplemented Prospectus complying with Section 10(a)(iii) of the 1933 Act.

(e) Continued Compliance with Securities Laws . To comply with the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations so as to permit the completion of the distribution of the Securities as contemplated by this Agreement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. If at any time when a prospectus is required (or, but for the provisions of Rule 172, would be required) by the 1933 Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the Securities (whether to meet the request of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173(d) or otherwise), any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which it is necessary (or if the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall notify the Company that, in their reasonable judgment, it is necessary) to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus so that the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, as the case may be, will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made or then prevailing, not misleading or if it is necessary (or if the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall notify the Company that, in their reasonable judgment, it is necessary) to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus in order to comply with the requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1934 Act or the 1934 Act Regulations, the Company will promptly notify the Representatives of such event or condition and of its intention to file such amendment or supplement (or, if the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall have notified the Company as aforesaid, the Company will promptly notify the Representatives of its intention to prepare such amendment or supplement) and will promptly prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 3(b) hereof, such amendment or supplement as may be necessary to correct such untrue statement or omission or to comply with such requirements, and, in the case of an amendment or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement, the Company will use its best efforts to have such amendment declared or become effective as soon as

 

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practicable, and the Company will furnish to the Underwriters such number of copies of such amendment or supplement as the Underwriters may reasonably request. If at any time any Rule 482 Material conflicts with the information contained in the Registration Statement or if an event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which it is necessary (or, if the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall notify the Company that, in their reasonable judgment, it is necessary) to amend or supplement such Rule 482 Material so that it will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made or then prevailing, not misleading, or if it is necessary (or, if the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall notify the Company that, in their reasonable judgment, it is necessary) to amend or supplement such Rule 482 Material in order to comply with the requirements of the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations, the Company will promptly notify the Representatives of such event or condition and of its intention to file such amendment or supplement (or, if the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall have notified the Company as aforesaid, the Company will promptly notify the Representatives of its intention to prepare such amendment or supplement) and will promptly prepare and, if required by the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations, file with the Commission, subject to Section 3(b) hereof, such amendment or supplement as may be necessary to eliminate or correct such conflict, untrue statement or omission or to comply with such requirements, and the Company will furnish to the Underwriters such number of copies of such amendment or supplement as the Underwriters may reasonably request.

(f) Blue Sky and Other Qualifications . To use commercially reasonable efforts, in cooperation with the Underwriters, to qualify the Securities for offering and sale, or to obtain an exemption for the Securities to be offered and sold, under the applicable securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions (domestic or foreign) as the Representatives may designate and to maintain such qualifications and exemptions in effect for so long as required for the distribution of the Securities (but in no event for less than one year from the date of this Agreement); provided , however , that the Company shall not be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject. In each jurisdiction in which the Securities have been so qualified or exempt, the Company will file such statements and reports as may be required by the laws of such jurisdiction to continue such qualification or exemption, as the case may be, in effect for so long as required for the distribution of the Securities (but in no event for a less than one year from the date of this Agreement).

(g) Rule 158 . To timely file such reports pursuant to the 1934 Act as are necessary in order to make generally available to its securityholders as soon as practicable an earnings statement for the purposes of, and to provide to the Underwriters the benefits contemplated by, the last paragraph of Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act.

(h) DTC . The Company will cooperate with the Representatives and use its commercially reasonable efforts to permit the Initial Securities to be eligible for clearance and settlement through the facilities of DTC.

 

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(i) Reservation of Shares of Common Stock . The Company will, at all times, reserve and keep available, free of preemptive rights, enough shares of Common Stock for the purpose of enabling the Company to satisfy any obligations to issue shares of Common Stock upon conversion of the Securities.

(j) Use of Proceeds . To use the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the Securities in the manner specified in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus under “Use of Proceeds.”

(k) [ Restriction on Sale of Common Stock . During a period of [            ] days from the date of the Prospectus, the Company will not, without the prior written consent of the Representatives, (i) directly or indirectly, offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase or otherwise transfer or dispose of any share of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or file any registration statement under the 1933 Act with respect to any of the foregoing or (ii) enter into any swap or any other agreement or any transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, the economic consequence of ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such swap or transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. The foregoing sentence shall not apply to (A) the registration and sale of Securities to be sold hereunder, (B) the issuance of any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company upon the exercise of an option or warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date hereof and referred to in the Prospectus, and any registration related thereto, (C) any shares of Common Stock issued or options to purchase Common Stock granted pursuant to existing dividend reinvestment plans or employee benefit plans of the Company referred to in the Prospectus, and any registration related thereto, (D) any shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to any non-employee director stock plan or dividend reinvestment plan, and any registration related thereto, (E) any shares of Common Stock issued to directors in lieu of directors’ fees, and any registration related thereto, (F) any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement filed solely to add exhibits to the Registration Statement and which post-effective amendment becomes effective immediately upon filing with the Commission in accordance with Rule 462 (d) under the 1933 Act, or (G) the issuance by the Company of any shares of Common Stock as consideration for any strategic acquisitions, provided, that (i) such issuance would not result in the issuance of shares in an amount greater than 5% of the Company’s then outstanding shares of Common Stock, (ii) the Company does not file a registration statement with respect to such shares prior to the expiration of the period set forth in this subsection (l) and (iii) the Representatives receive a signed lock-up agreement for the balance of the period set forth in this subsection (l) from each recipient of shares of Common Stock issued in connection with such an acquisition under this clause (G). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if: (1) during the last 17 days of such [            ]-day period the Company releases earnings results in an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs; or (2) prior to the expiration of such [            ]-day period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of such [            ]-day period or becomes aware that material news or a material event will occur during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of such [            ]-day period, the restrictions imposed in this clause (l) shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the release of the Company’s earnings results or the occurrence of the material news or material event.]

 

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(l) Restriction on Sale of Securities . During the Lock-Up Period, each of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator will not, without the prior written consent of each of the Representatives, directly or indirectly:

(i) issue, offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of any debt securities, issued or guaranteed by the Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for debt securities issued or guaranteed by the Company or file any registration statement under the 1933 Act with respect to any of the foregoing

(ii) enter into any swap or other agreement, arrangement, hedge or transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any debt securities or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any debt securities,

whether any transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of debt securities, other securities, in cash or otherwise, or publicly announce any intention to do any of the foregoing.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator may, without the prior written consent of each of the Representatives:

(i) after providing the Representatives with at least three business days advance written notice, file or cause the filing of any registration statement under the 1933 Act with respect to any debt securities or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any debt securities, provided, however, each of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator will not enter into any transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above during the Lock-Up Period; and

(ii) issue Securities to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement.

If the Representatives, in their sole and absolute discretion, agree to release or waive the restrictions set forth in a lock-up agreement described in Section 5(h) hereof to permit the transfer of debt securities or other securities by an officer or director of each of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator and provides the Company with notice of the impending release or waiver at least three business days before the effective date of the release or waiver, the Company agrees to announce the impending release or waiver by a press release substantially in the form of Exhibit C-2 hereto through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver. The provisions of this paragraph will not apply if (i) the release or waiver is effected solely to permit a transfer not for consideration and (ii) the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the same terms described in the applicable lock-up agreement to the extent and for the duration that such terms remain in effect at the time of the transfer.

(m) Stabilization and Manipulation . To not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the 1934 Act or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

 

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(n) Stockholder Communications . To, for a period of one year following the date hereof, furnish to the Representatives all reports or other communications (financial or other) generally made available to stockholders, and deliver such reports and communications to the Representatives as soon as they are available, unless such documents are furnished to or filed with the Commission or any securities exchange on which any class of securities of the Company is listed and generally made available to the public, provided that such filings shall be considered furnished to the Representatives for purposes of this section upon filing pursuant to the EDGAR system.

(o) Securities Laws, Rules and Regulations . To comply with all applicable securities and other applicable laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and will use their best reasonable efforts to cause the Company’s, the Adviser’s and the Administrator’s directors and officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with such laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

(p) Fidelity Bond . To be insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which they are engaged; all policies of insurance and fidelity or surety bonds insuring the Company, the Adviser, the Administrator or their respective businesses, properties, assets, employees, officers, trustees, directors, members, managers and partners will be in full force and effect; the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator will be in compliance with the terms of such policies and instruments.

(q) RIC Status . To elect to be taxable as a RIC within the meaning of Section 851(a) of the Code commencing with its taxable year ending December 31, 2014 by timely filing its 2014 U.S. federal income tax return as a RIC on Internal Revenue Service
Form 1120-RIC, and to use its best efforts to maintain such qualification and election in effect for each taxable year during which it is a BDC under the 1940 Act.

(r) BDC Status . During a period of two years from the effective date of the Registration Statement, to use its best efforts to maintain its status as a BDC; provided, however, the Company may change the nature of its business so as to cease to be, or to withdraw its election as, a BDC, with the approval of the board of directors and a vote of stockholders as required by Section 58 of the 1940 Act or any successor provision.

(s) Transfer Agent . To maintain a transfer agent and, if necessary under the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Company, a registrar for the Securities.

(t) Distribution of the Securities . To comply with the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1934 Act, the 1934 Act Regulations, the 1940 Act and the 1940 Act Regulations, so as to permit the completion of the distribution of the Securities as contemplated in this Agreement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

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(u) Performance of Agreements and Discharge to Conditions . To use the Company’s, the Adviser’s and the Administrator’s best reasonable efforts to perform all of the agreements required of them by this Agreement and discharge all conditions of theirs to closing as set forth in this Agreement.

(v) Reporting Requirements . During the period when the Prospectus is required (or, but for the provisions of Rule 172, would be required) by the 1933 Act, 1934 Act and the Rules and Regulations to be delivered (whether to meet the request of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173(d) or otherwise), to file all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations within the time periods required by the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations.

(w) Preparation of Prospectus . Immediately following the execution of this Agreement, subject to Section 3(a) hereof, to prepare the Prospectus, which shall contain the selling terms of the Securities, the plan of distribution thereof and such other information as may be required by the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations or as the Representatives and the Company may reasonably deem appropriate and will file or transmit for filing with the Commission the Prospectus in accordance with the provisions of Rule 430C and in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 497.

SECTION 4. Payment of Expenses .

(a) Expenses . The Company will pay all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including (i) the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement and each amendment or supplement thereto (in each case including exhibits) and any costs associated with electronic delivery of any of the foregoing, (ii) the word processing and delivery to the Underwriters of this Agreement, the Indenture and such other documents as may be required in connection with the offering, purchase, sale, issuance or delivery of the Securities, (iii) the preparation, issuance and delivery of the Securities to be sold by the Company to the Underwriters, including any stock or other transfer taxes and any stamp or other taxes or duties payable in connection with the sale, issuance or delivery of the Securities to the Underwriters, (iv) the fees and disbursements of the counsel, accountants and other advisers to the Company, (v) the qualification or exemption of the Securities under securities laws in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(f) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection therewith and in connection with the preparation of the Blue Sky Survey and any supplements thereto, (vi) the preparation, printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, any Sales Material and any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing, in each case, as may be reasonably requested, and any costs associated with electronic delivery of any of the foregoing, (vii) the preparation, printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of the Blue Sky Survey and any Canadian “wrapper” and any supplements thereto and any costs associated with electronic delivery of any of the foregoing, (viii) the fees and expenses of the transfer agent and registrar for the Securities, (ix) the filing fees incident to, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters in connection with, the review, if any, by FINRA of the terms of the sale of the Securities, and (x) the costs and expenses of the Company and any of its officers, directors, counsel or other representatives in connection with presentations or meetings undertaken in connection with the

 

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offering of the Securities, including, without limitation, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics and the production and hosting of any electronic road shows, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with road show presentations, and travel, lodging, transportation, and other expenses of the officers, directors, counsel and other representatives of the Company incurred in connection with any such presentations or meetings.

(b) Termination of Agreement . If this Agreement is terminated by the Representatives prior to the Closing Date in accordance with the provisions of Sections 5, 9(a)(i), 9(a)(ii) or 9(a)(iv)(A) hereof, the Company shall reimburse the Underwriters for all of their out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters.

SECTION 5. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations . The obligations of the several Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator contained in this Agreement, or in certificates signed by any officer of the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator (whether signed on behalf of such officer or the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator) delivered to the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters, to the performance by the Company of its respective covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to the following further conditions:

(a) Effectiveness of Registration Statement . The Registration Statement has been declared effective, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement has become effective, and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement shall have been issued under the 1933 Act or proceedings therefor initiated or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of the Representatives and the Commission shall not have notified the Company of any objection to the use of the form of the Registration Statement. The Prospectus shall have been filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 497 under the 1933 Act within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing by the 1933 Act Regulations; the Registration Statement shall be effective and no stop order suspending or preventing the use of the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall have been initiated or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened by the Commission; and all requests for additional information on the part of the Commission shall have been complied with to the Representatives’ reasonable satisfaction.

(b) Opinion of Counsel for the Company . At the Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinions, each dated as of the Closing Date, of Clifford Chance US LLP and [            ], each counsel for the Company (each “ Company Counsel ”), in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, together with signed or reproduced copies of such opinion for each of the other Underwriters, to the effect set forth in Exhibit D hereto and to such further effect as the Representatives may reasonably request.

(c) Opinion of Counsel for the Underwriter s . At the Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of the Closing Date, of [            ], counsel for the Underwriters (“ Underwriters’ Counse l”), together with signed or reproduced copies of such opinion for each of the other Underwriters, with respect to the Securities to be

 

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sold by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, this Agreement, the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto and such other matters as the Representatives may reasonably request.

(d) Officers’ Certificate . At the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, there shall not have been, since the date hereof or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (in each case exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement), any material adverse change or any development that could be expected to result in a material adverse change, in the condition (financial or other), results of operations, business, properties, management or business prospects of the Company, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, and, at the Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received a certificate, signed on behalf of the Company by the President or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Chief Financial Officer or Chief Accounting Officer of the Company, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that (i) there has been no such material adverse change, (ii) the representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct at and as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of the Closing Date, (iii) the Company has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Date under or pursuant to this Agreement, and (iv) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, are contemplated by the Commission and the Commission has not notified the Company of any objection to the use of the form of the Registration Statement.

(e) Accountant’s Comfort Lette r . At the time of the execution of this Agreement, the Representatives and the Company’s board of directors shall have received from Deloitte & Touche LLP a letter, dated the date of this Agreement and in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information of the Company contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing.

(f) Bring-down Comfort Letter . At the Closing Date, the Representatives and the Company’s board of directors shall have received from Deloitte & Touche LLP a letter, dated as of the Closing Date and in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, to the effect that they reaffirm the statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section, except that the specified date referred to shall be a date not more than three business days prior to the Closing Date.

(g) Indenture . At or prior to the Closing Date, the Company and the Trustee shall have executed and delivered the Indenture.

 

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(h) Lock-up Agreements . Prior to the date of this Agreement, the Representatives shall have received an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit C-1 hereto signed by each of the persons listed in Exhibit B hereto.

(i) No Objection . Prior to the date of this Agreement, FINRA shall have confirmed in writing that it has no objection with respect to the fairness and reasonableness of the underwriting terms and arrangements.

(j) [ Ratings . On the Closing Date, the Securities shall be rated at least by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and by Standard & Poor’s and since the date of this Agreement, there shall not have occurred a downgrading in the rating assigned to the Securities by any “nationally recognized statistical rating agency,” as that term is defined by the Commission for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the 1933 Act, and no such organization shall have publicly announced it has under surveillance or review its rating of the Securities.]

(k) Conditions to Purchase of Option Securitie s . In the event that the Underwriters exercise their option provided in Section 2(b) hereof to purchase all or any portion of the Option Securities on any Option Closing Date that is after the Closing Date, the obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase the applicable Option Securities shall be subject to the conditions specified in the introductory paragraph of this Section 5 and to the further condition that, at the applicable Option Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received:

(i) Opinion of Counsel for Company . The favorable opinion of [each] Company Counsel in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives and dated such Option Closing Date, relating to the Option Securities to be purchased on such Option Closing Date and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(b) hereof.

(ii) Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters . The favorable opinion of Underwriters’ Counsel, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives and dated such Option Closing Date, relating to the Option Securities to be purchased on such Option Closing Date and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(c) hereof.

(iii) Officers’ Certificate . A certificate, dated such Option Closing Date, to the effect set forth in, and signed on behalf of the Company by the officers specified in, Section 5(d) hereof, except that the references in such certificate to the Closing Date shall be changed to refer to such Option Closing Date.

(iv) Bring-down Comfort Letter . A letter from Deloitte & Touche LLP, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives and dated such Option Closing Date, substantially in the same form and substance as the letter furnished to the Representatives pursuant to Section 5(f) hereof, except that the specified date in the letter furnished pursuant to this paragraph shall be a date not more than three business days prior to such Option Closing Date, and except that such letter shall also cover any amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus subsequent to the Closing Date.

(l) Additional Documents . At the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, counsel for the Underwriters shall have been furnished with such documents and opinions as they may reasonably require for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale

 

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of the Securities as herein contemplated, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations or warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions, contained in this Agreement, or as the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters may otherwise reasonably request; and all proceedings taken by the Company in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated and in connection with the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Representatives.

(m) Termination of Agreement . If any condition specified in this Section 5 shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this Agreement, or, in the case of any condition to the purchase of Option Securities on an Option Closing Date which is after the Closing Date, the obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase the relevant Option Securities on such Option Closing Date, may be terminated by the Representatives by notice to the Company at any time on or prior to Closing Date or such Option Closing Date, as the case may be, and such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 hereof and except that, in the case of any such termination of this Agreement, Sections 1, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 hereof shall survive such termination of this Agreement and remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 6. Indemnification .

(a) Indemnification by the Company . The Company, the Adviser and the Administrator, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its affiliates, and its officers, directors, employees, partners and members and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act as follows:

(i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact included in any Preliminary Prospectus, any Sales Material, any Rule 482 Material, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing) or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

(ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission; provided that (subject to Section 6(e) below) any such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company; and

(iii) against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred (including the fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by the Representatives), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing for or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or

 

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proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under (i) or (ii) above;

provided , however , that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or in any Preliminary Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or in any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Underwriters as aforesaid consists of the information described as such in Section 6(b) hereof.

(b) Indemnification by the Underwriters . Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator, each of their directors, affiliates, officers, employees, partners and members, and each person, if any, who controls the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this Section 6, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or in any Preliminary Prospectus, Rule 482 Material, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein. The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that the information furnished to the Company by the Underwriters through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or in any Preliminary Prospectus, Rule 482 Material, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), consists exclusively of the following: (i) their names and (ii) the information regarding price stabilizations and short positions appearing in the eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth paragraphs under the caption “Underwriting” in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus.

(c) Actions Against Parties; Notification . Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably practicable to each indemnifying party of any action commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability hereunder. Counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected as follows: counsel to the Underwriters and the other indemnified parties referred to in Section 6(a) above shall be selected by the Representatives, and counsel to the Company, the Adviser, the Administrator, each of their directors, affiliates, officers, employees, partners and members and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall be selected by the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator. An indemnifying party may participate at its own expense in the defense of any such action; provided , however , that counsel to the indemnifying party shall not (except with the consent of the indemnified party) also be counsel to the indemnified party. In no event shall the indemnifying parties be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to

 

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any local counsel) separate from their own counsel for the Underwriters and the other indemnified parties referred to in Section 6(a)(i) above and the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own counsel for the Company, the Adviser, the Administrator each of their directors, affiliates, officers, employees, partners and members and each person, if any, who controls the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, in each case in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Section 6 or Section 7 hereof (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

(d) Settlement Without Consent if Failure to Reimburse . If at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by this Section 6, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of the nature contemplated by Section 6(a)(ii) effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 60 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least 60 days prior to such settlement being entered into and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.

(e) Other Agreements with Respect to Indemnification and Contribution . The provisions of this Section 6 and in Section 7 hereof shall not affect any agreements among the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator with respect to indemnification of each other or contribution between themselves.

SECTION 7. Contribution . If the indemnification provided for in Section 6 hereof is for any reason unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by such indemnified party, as incurred, (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator, on the one hand, and of the Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions, which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.

 

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The relative benefits received by the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator (treated jointly for this purpose as one person), on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator (treated jointly for this as one person) and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth on the cover of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate initial public offering price of the Securities as set forth on such cover.

The relative fault of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

The Company, the Adviser, the Administrator and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 7. The aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by an indemnified party and referred to above in this Section 7 shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in investigating, preparing for or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

For purposes of this Section 7, each affiliate of any Underwriter, each officer, director, employee, partner and member of any Underwriter or any such affiliate, and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each director, affiliate, officer, employee, partner and member of the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator, and each person, if any, who controls the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act

 

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shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator. The Underwriters’ respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7 are several in proportion to the aggregate principal amount of Initial Securities set forth opposite their respective names in Exhibit A hereto and not joint.

SECTION 8. Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery . All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement or in certificates signed by any officer of the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator (whether signed on behalf of such officer, the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator) and delivered to the Representatives or counsel to the Underwriters, shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter, any officer, director, employee, partner, member or agent of any Underwriter or any person controlling any Underwriter, or by or on behalf of the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator any officer, director or employee of the Company or any person controlling the Company and shall survive delivery of and payment for the Securities.

SECTION 9. Termination of Agreement .

(a) Termination; General . The Representatives may terminate this Agreement, by notice to the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator, at any time on or prior to the Closing Date (and, if any Option Securities are to be purchased on an Option Closing Date which occurs after the Closing Date, the Representatives may terminate the obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase such Option Securities, by notice to the Company at any time on or prior to such Option Closing Date) (i) if there has been, at any time on or after the date of this Agreement or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (in each case exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement), any material adverse change or any development that could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change in the condition (financial or other), results of operations, business, properties, management or business prospects of the Company, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, or (ii) if there has been, since the time of execution of this Agreement or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (in each case exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement), any material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the business affairs or business prospects of the Adviser or the Administrator, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, or (iii) if there has occurred any material adverse change in the financial markets in the United States or the international financial markets, any declaration of a national emergency or war by the United States, any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis or any change or development involving a prospective change in national or international political, financial or economic conditions (including, without limitation, as a result of terrorist activities), in each case the effect of which is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Representatives, impracticable or inadvisable to market the Securities or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Securities, (iv) if (A) trading in any securities of the Company has been suspended or materially limited by the Commission or NYSE, or (B) trading generally on the NYSE or the Nasdaq Global Select Market has been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices have been required, by any of said exchanges or by order of the Commission, FINRA or any other

 

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governmental authority, or (C) a material disruption has occurred in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States or, (v) if a banking moratorium has been declared by either Federal or New York authorities.

(b) Liabilities . If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section 9, such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 hereof and except that Sections 1, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 hereof shall survive such termination and remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 10. Default by One or More of the Underwriters

If one or more of the Underwriters shall fail at the Closing Date or an Option Closing Date to purchase the Securities which it or they are obligated to purchase under this Agreement (the “ Defaulted Securities ”), the Representatives shall have the right, within 24 hours thereafter, to make arrangements for one or more of the non-defaulting Underwriters, or any other underwriters, to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Defaulted Securities in such amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the terms herein set forth; if, however, the Representatives shall not have completed such arrangements within such 24-hour period, then:

(i) if the aggregate principal amount of Defaulted Securities does not exceed 10% of the aggregate principal amount of Securities to be purchased on such date, each of the non-defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated, severally and not jointly, to purchase the full amount of such Defaulted Securities in the proportions that their respective underwriting obligations hereunder bear to the underwriting obligations of all non-defaulting Underwriters; or

(ii) if the aggregate principal amount of Defaulted Securities exceeds 10% of the aggregate principal amount of Securities to be purchased on such date, this Agreement or, with respect to any Option Closing Date which occurs after the Closing Date, the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase and of the Company to sell the Option Securities that were to have been purchased and sold on such Option Closing Date, shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter.

As used in this Section only, if the Defaulted Securities include Debt Warrants, the aggregate amount or aggregate principal amount of Securities shall mean the aggregate principal amount of any Securities plus the public offering price of any Debt Warrants included in the relevant Securities.

No action taken pursuant to this Section 10 shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of its default.

In the event of any such default which does not result in a termination of this Agreement or, in the case of an Option Closing Date which is after the Closing Date, which does not result in a termination of the obligations of the Underwriters to purchase and the Company to sell the relevant Option Securities, as the case may be, the Representatives shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date or the relevant Option Closing Date, as the case may be, for a period not exceeding seven days in order to effect any required changes in the Registration Statement,

 

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the General Disclosure Package or Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements. As used herein, the term “Underwriter” includes any person substituted for an Underwriter under this Section 10.

SECTION 11. Notices . All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall be effective only upon receipt and shall be mailed, delivered by hand or overnight courier, or transmitted by fax (with the receipt of such fax to be confirmed by telephone). Notices to the Underwriters shall be directed to the Representatives at [            ]. Copies of all such notices should be sent to [            ], [ADDRESS], Attention of [            ]. Notices to the Company, the Adviser and/or the Administrator shall be directed to it at TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp., 2755 Sand Hill Road Suite 150, Menlo Park, CA 94025, Attention of Sajal Srivastava, fax no. 650-854-2092 (with such fax to be confirmed by telephone), and copies of all such notices should be sent to Clifford Change US LLP, 31 West 52nd Street, New York, New York 10019, Attention of Andrew S. Epstein.

In accordance with the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), the Underwriters are required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies their respective clients, including the Company, which information may include the name and address of their respective clients, as well as other information that will allow the Underwriters to properly identify their respective clients.

SECTION 12. Parties . This Agreement shall each inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Underwriters, the Company, the Adviser, the Administrator and their respective successors. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than the Underwriters, the Company, the Adviser, the Administrator and their respective successors and the controlling persons and other indemnified parties referred to in Sections 6 and 7 and their successors, heirs and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. This Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Underwriters, the Company, the Adviser, the Administrator and their respective successors, and said controlling persons and other indemnified parties and their successors, heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no other person or entity. No purchaser of Securities from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase.

SECTION 13. GOVERNING LAW AND TIME . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN, SPECIFIED TIMES OF DAY REFER TO NEW YORK CITY TIME.

SECTION 14. Effect of Headings . The Section and Exhibit headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

SECTION 15. Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below:

1933 Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

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1933 Act Regulations ” means the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1933 Act.

1934 Ac t ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

1934 Act Regulations ” means the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1934 Act.

1940 Act ” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

1940 Act Notification ” shall mean the Company’s notification of election to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act on Form N-54A, as the 1940 Act Notification may be amended from time to time.

1940 Act Regulations ” means the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1940 Act.

Administrator Document ” means any contracts, indentures, mortgages, deeds of trust, loan or credit agreements, bonds, notes, debentures, evidence of indebtedness, leases or other instruments or agreements to which the Administrator is a party or by which the Administrator is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Administrator is subject.

Advisers Act ” shall mean the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.

Advisers Act Regulations ” shall mean the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Advisers Act.

Adviser Document ” means any contracts, indentures, mortgages, deeds of trust, loan or credit agreements, bonds, notes, debentures, evidence of indebtedness, leases or other instruments or agreements to which the Adviser is a party or by which the Adviser is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Adviser is subject.

Applicable Time ” means [            ] A.M. (New York City time) on [            ] or such other time as agreed by the Company and the Representatives.

Base Prospectus ” means the prospectus included in the Registration Statement as of the Effective Date.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Common Stock ” shall have the meaning as defined in Section 1(a)(x) of this Agreement.

Company Documents ” means any contracts, indentures, mortgages, deeds of trust, loan or credit agreements, bonds, notes, debentures, evidences of indebtedness, leases or other instruments or agreements to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company is subject including, all Subject Instruments and the formation agreements.

 

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DTC ” means The Depository Trust Company.

EDGAR ” means the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System.

Effective Date ” shall mean each date and time that the Registration Statement, any post-effective amendment or amendments thereto and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement became or become effective.

Execution Time ” shall mean the date and time that this Agreement is executed and delivered by the parties hereto.

FCPA ” means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

FINRA ” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. or the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or both, as the context shall require.

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

General Disclosure Package ” shall mean the Preliminary Prospectus that is generally distributed to investors and used to offer the Securities, and the information set forth in Exhibit G.

Lien ” means any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity.

Lock-Up Period ” means the period beginning on and including the date of this Agreement through and including the date that is the 90th day (or [            ] in the case of the Adviser) after the date of this Agreement.

NYSE ” means the New York Stock Exchange.

OFAC ” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department.

Organizational Documents ” means, when referring to the Company, the Company’s charter and by-laws or, when referring to the Adviser or the Administrator, the Adviser’s or the Administrator’s respective certificates of formation and limited liability company agreements.

PCAOB ” means the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).

Pre-Pricing Prospectus ” means the Preliminary Prospectus dated [            ] relating to the Securities in the form first furnished to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering of the Securities.

 

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Preliminary Prospectus ” means the preliminary prospectus supplement, dated as of [            ], together with the Base Prospectus, in the form filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 497 under the 1933 Act.

Prospectus ” means the prospectus supplement relating to the Securities, together with the Base Prospectus, filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Rule 497 under the 1933 Act on or before the second business day after the date hereof (or such earlier time as may be required under the 1933 Act).

Registration Statement ” shall mean the registration statement referred to in paragraph 1(a)(i) above, including exhibits and financial statements, as amended at the Execution Time (or, if not effective at the Execution Time, in the form in which it shall become effective) and, in the event any post-effective amendment thereto or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement becomes effective prior to the Closing Date, shall also mean such registration statement as so amended or such Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, as the case may be. Such term shall include any Rule 430C Information deemed to be included therein at the Effective Date as provided by Rule 430C.

Regulation S-T ” means Regulation S-T of the Commission.

Repayment Event ” means any event or condition which, either immediately or with notice or passage of time or both, (i) gives the holder of any bond, note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company, or (ii) gives any counterparty (or any person acting on such counterparty’s behalf) under any swap agreement, hedging agreement or similar agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party the right to liquidate or accelerate the payment obligations or designate an early termination date under such agreement or instrument, as the case may be.

RIC ” means a regulated investment company within the meaning of Section 851(a) of the Code.

Rule 172 ,” “ Rule 173 ,” “ Rule 405 ,” “ Rule 430C ,” “ Rule 433 ” “ Rule 462(b) ” and “ Rule 497 ” refer to such rules under the 1933 Act.

Rule 430C Information ” means the information included in the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto that was omitted from the Registration Statement at the time it became effective but that is deemed to be a part of the Registration Statement at the time it became effective pursuant to Rule 430C.

Rule 462(b) Registration Statement ” means a registration statement filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 462(b) for the purpose of registering any of the Securities under the 1933 Act, including the documents and other information incorporated by reference therein and the Rule 430C Information.

Rule 482 Material ” means press releases or similar written materials meeting the definition of an “advertisement” as set forth in Rule 482 under the 1933 Act, the use of which has been consented to by each of the Representatives.

 

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Sales Material ” means advertising, sales literature or other promotional materials (including “prospectus wrappers,” “broker kits,” “road show slides” and “road show scripts”), whether in printed or electronic form, authorized in writing by or prepared by the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator for use in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities.

Sarbanes-Oxley Act ” means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or implementing the provisions thereof.

Subject Instruments ” means all instruments, agreements and documents filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement pursuant to item 25.2 of Form N-2 of the Commission; provided that if any instrument, agreement or other document filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement as aforesaid has been redacted or if any portion thereof has been deleted or is otherwise not included as part of such exhibit (whether pursuant to a request for confidential treatment or otherwise), the term “Subject Instruments” shall nonetheless mean such instrument, agreement or other document, as the case may be, in its entirety, including any portions thereof which shall have been so redacted, deleted or otherwise not filed.

Testing-the-Waters Communication ” means any oral or written communication with potential investors undertaken in reliance on Section 5(d) of the 1933 Act.

Written Testing-the-Waters Communication ” means any Testing-the-Waters Communication that is a written communication within the meaning of Rule 405 under the 1933 Act.

All references in this Agreement to the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall be deemed to include the version thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR and all versions thereof delivered (physically or electronically) to the Representatives or the Underwriters.

SECTION 16. Absence of Fiduciary Relationship . The Company, the Adviser and the Administrator, severally and jointly, acknowledge and agree that:

(a) each of the Underwriters is acting solely as an underwriter in connection with the sale of the Securities and no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator, on the one hand, and any of the Underwriters, on the other hand, has been created in respect of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, irrespective of whether or not any of the Underwriters has advised or is advising the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator on other matters;

(b) the public offering price of the Securities and the price to be paid by the Underwriters for the Securities set forth in this Agreement were established by the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator following discussions and arms-length negotiations with the Representatives;

(c) it is capable of evaluating and understanding, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

 

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(d) it is aware that the Underwriters and their respective affiliates are engaged in a broad range of transactions which may involve interests that differ from those of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator and that none of the Underwriters has any obligation to disclose such interests and transactions to the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator by virtue of any fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship or otherwise; and

(e) it waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims it may have against any of the Underwriters for breach of fiduciary duty or alleged breach of fiduciary duty and agrees that none of the Underwriters shall have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in contract, tort or otherwise) to it in respect of such a fiduciary duty claim or to any person asserting a fiduciary duty claim on its behalf or in right of it or the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator or any stockholders, employees or creditors of the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator.

SECTION 17. Research Analyst Independence . The Company, the Adviser and the Administrator acknowledge that the Underwriters’ respective research analysts and research departments are required to be independent from their respective investment banking divisions and are subject to certain regulations and internal policies, and that such Underwriters’ respective research analysts and research departments may hold views and make statements or investment recommendations and/or publish research reports with respect to the Company and/or the offering that differ from the views of their respective investment banking divisions. The Company, the Adviser and the Administrator hereby waive and release, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any claims that the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator may have against the Underwriters with respect to any conflict of interest that may arise from the fact that the views expressed by their respective research analysts and research departments may be different from or inconsistent with the views or advice communicated to the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator by such Underwriters’ respective investment banking divisions. The Company, the Adviser and the Administrator acknowledge that each of the Underwriters is a full service securities firm and as such from time to time, subject to applicable securities laws, may effect transactions for its own account or the account of its customers and hold long or short positions in debt or equity securities of the Company and other entities that may be the subject of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

SECTION 18. Trial By Jury . The Company, the Adviser and the Administrator (each on its own behalf and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, on behalf of its stockholders and affiliates) and each of the Underwriters hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

SECTION 19. Consent to Jurisdiction . The Company, the Adviser and the Administrator hereby submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any U.S. federal or state court located in the Borough of Manhattan, the City and County of New York in any action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to or based upon this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, and irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action, suit or proceeding in any such court and agree not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to the Company a counterpart hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a binding agreement among the Underwriters, the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator in accordance with its terms.

 

Very truly yours,
TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP.
By

 

Name:
Title:
TPVG ADVISERS LLC
By

 

Name:
Title:
TPVG ADMINISTRATOR LLC
By

 

Name:
Title:


CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED, as of the date first above written:

 

By

 

Authorized Signatory
By

 

Authorized Signatory

For themselves and as Representatives of the Underwriters named in Exhibit A hereto.

Exhibit (l)

 

LOGO

July 7, 2015

TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp.

2755 Sand Hill Road, Suite 150

Menlo Park, California 94025

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp., a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), in connection with the registration statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-204933) (the “ Registration Statement ”) filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), and in connection with possible offerings from time to time by the Company of up to $500,000,000 in aggregate offering amount of: (1) its common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“ Common Stock ”); (2) its preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (“ Preferred Stock ”); (3) warrants representing rights to purchase Common Stock (“ Warrants ”); (4) subscription rights entitling the holders to purchase Common Stock (“ Subscription Rights ”); and (5) debt securities (“ Debt Securities ”).

In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have examined and relied upon originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such corporate records, documents, certificates and other instruments as in our judgment are necessary or appropriate. As to factual matters relevant to the opinions set forth below, we have, with your permission, relied upon certificates of officers of the Company and public officials.

Based on the foregoing, and such other examination of law as we have deemed necessary, we are of the opinion that:

 

  1. When the Board authorizes the issuance of authorized but unissued Common Stock and in accordance with that authorization that Common Stock (a) is sold for at least its par value as contemplated in the Registration Statement or (b) is issued on exercise of a right to convert Preferred Stock, on the exercise of Warrants or on the exercise of Subscription Rights, which are sold for at least the par value of the Common Stock (including any amount paid at the time of conversion or exercise) as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

  2. When the Board authorizes the creation and sale of the Preferred Stock in accordance with the provisions of the Charter relating to the issuance of Preferred Stock and in accordance with that authorization that Preferred Stock is sold for at least its par value as contemplated in the Registration Statement, that Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

  3. When the Board authorizes the issuance of Warrants which provide for the issuance of Common Stock upon payment of consideration equal at least to the par value of the Common Stock being issued, if applicable, and which do not contain provisions which violate applicable law, and in accordance with that authorization those Warrants are issued as contemplated in the Registration Statement, those Warrants will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company.


LOGO

 

  4. When the Board authorizes the issuance of Subscription Rights which provide for the right to purchase Common Stock, upon payment of consideration equal at least to the par value of the Common Stock being issued, and which do not contain provisions which violate applicable law, and in accordance with that authorization those Subscription Rights are issued as contemplated in the Registration Statement, those Subscription Rights will be duly authorized.

 

  5. When the Board authorizes the creation of one or more series of Debt Securities, and in accordance with that authorization and a duly executed and delivered indenture and any supplemental indenture between the Company and the trustee named therein, those Debt Securities are sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement, and if the interest on those Debt Securities is not at a rate which violates applicable law, those Debt Securities will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company.

The opinion set forth in this letter relates only to the Maryland General Corporation Law and we express no opinion as to the laws of another jurisdiction and we assume no responsibility for the applicability or effect of the law of any other jurisdiction.

We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to us under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not concede that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

This letter is given solely for your benefit and may not be relied upon by any other person for any purpose without our prior written consent in each instance.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Clifford Chance US LLP

Clifford Chance US LLP

Exhibit(n)(1)

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the use in this Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement No. 333-204933 on Form N-2 of our report dated March 18, 2015, relating to the consolidated financial statements of TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp. and subsidiaries, appearing in the Prospectus, which is part of such Registration Statement, and to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in the Prospectus, which is part of such Registration Statement.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

San Francisco, CA

July 7, 2015

Exhibit (n)(2)

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp.

Menlo Park, California

We have audited in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated statement of assets and liabilities of TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp. and subsidiaries (the “Company”), including the consolidated schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in net assets, cash flows and the consolidated financial highlights for the period from March 5, 2014 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2014, and have issued our report on those consolidated financial statements and financial highlights dated March 18, 2015. Such consolidated financial statements and financial highlights and our report thereon are included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2014 and for the period from March 5, 2014 to December 31, 2014 and in the Registration Statement on Form N-2 (the “Prospectus”).

In our opinion, the financial information set forth under the heading “Senior Securities” as of December 31, 2014, appearing on page 79 of the Prospectus, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated financial statements from which it has been derived.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

San Francisco, California

March 26, 2015

Exhibit (n)(3)

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the use in this Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement No. 333-204933 on Form N-2 of our report dated March 26, 2015, relating to the financial information set forth under the heading “Senior Securities” appearing in the Prospectus, which is a part of such Registration Statement and to the references to us under the heading “Senior Securities” in such Prospectus.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

San Francisco, CA

July 7, 2015

Exhibit (r)

TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP.

AND

TPVG ADVISERS LLC

Code of Ethics Pursuant to Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act

This Code of Ethics (the “ Code ”) has been adopted by the Board of Directors of TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP. (the “ Company ”) and TPVG ADVISERS LLC, investment adviser to the Company (the “ Adviser ”), in accordance with Rule 17j-l(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “ 1940 Act ”). Rule 17j-1 generally describes fraudulent or manipulative practices with respect to purchases or sales of securities held or to be acquired by business development companies if effected by access persons of such companies. The Company and Adviser recognize the importance of high ethical standards in the conduct of their business and require that this Code be observed by each Access Person (as defined below in Section 2). All directors, managers, partners, officers and employees of the Company or Adviser and any employee of any company in a control relationship with the Company or Adviser who is associated with Company or Adviser by virtue of his or her performance of functions for and on behalf of the Company or Adviser (collectively, “ Associated Persons ”) are hereby directed to read this Code carefully, retain it for future reference and abide by the rules and policies set forth herein.

While compliance with the provisions of this Code is anticipated, Access Persons should be aware that in response to any violations, the Company and the Adviser will take whatever action is deemed appropriate under the circumstances including, but not necessarily limited to, dismissal of such Access Person. Technical compliance with the procedures of this Code will not automatically insulate from scrutiny trades or transactions that show a pattern of abuse of an individual’s fiduciary duties 1 to the Company.

The purpose of this Code is to reflect the following: (1) the duty at all times to place the interests of shareholders first; (2) the requirement that all personal securities transactions be conducted consistent with the Code and in such a manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest or any abuse of an individual’s position of trust and responsibility; and (3) the fundamental standard that business development company personnel should not take inappropriate advantage of their positions.

SECTION 1. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY

1.01 Statement of Purpose . It is the policy of the Company and Adviser that no affiliated person of the Company shall, in connection with the purchase or sale, directly or indirectly, by such person of any security held or to be acquired by the Company,

(a) Employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud the Company;

 

 

1   A fiduciary duty is a duty to act for someone else’s ( i.e ., the Company’s shareholders) benefit, while subordinating one’s personal interests to that of the other person. It is the highest standard of duty imposed by law.


(b) Make to the Company any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state to the Company a material fact necessary in order to make the statement made, in light of the circumstances under which it is made, not misleading;

(c) Engage in any act, practice, or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon the Company; or

(d) Engage in any manipulative practice with respect to the Company.

1.02 Scope of the Code . In order to prevent Access Persons from engaging in any of these prohibited acts, practices or courses of business, the Board has adopted this Code.

SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS

2.01 “ Access Person ” means any director, officer, or “ Advisory Person of the Company or the Adviser.

2.02 “ Access Person of an Affiliated Underwriter ” shall mean any director, officer or general partner of an Affiliated Underwriter who, in the ordinary course of business, makes, participates in or obtains information regarding the purchase or sale of Reportable Securities by the Company for which the principal underwriter acts, or whose functions or duties in the ordinary course of business relate to the making of any recommendation to the Company regarding the purchase or sale of Reportable Securities.

2.03 “ Advisory Person ” of the Company or Adviser means: (i) any director, officer or employee of the Company or the Adviser or of any company in a control relationship to the Company or the Adviser, who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, makes, participates in, or obtains information regarding the purchase or sale of a Reportable Security by the Company, or whose functions relate to the making of any recommendations with respect to such purchases or sales; and (ii) any natural person in a control relationship to the Company or the Adviser who obtains information concerning recommendations made to the Company or the Adviser with regard to the purchase or sale of a “ Reportable Security by the Company.

2.04 “ Affiliated Underwriter ” shall mean any principal underwriter of the Company that (i) is an affiliated person, as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act, of the Company or the Adviser or (ii) has an officer, director or general partner who serves as an officer, director or general partner of the Company or the Adviser.

2.05 “ Beneficial Interest ” includes any entity, person, trust, or account with respect to which an Access Person exercises investment discretion or provides investment advice. A beneficial interest shall be presumed to include all accounts in the name of or for the benefit of the Access Person, his or her spouse, dependent children, or any person living with him or her or to whom he or she contributes economic support.

2.06 “ Beneficial Ownership ” shall be determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act ”), except that the determination of direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership shall apply to all

 

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securities, and not just equity securities, that an Access Person holds or acquires. Rule 16a-1(a)(2) provides that the term “ beneficial owner ” means any person who, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship, or otherwise, has or shares a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in any equity security. Therefore, an Access Person may be deemed to have Beneficial Ownership of securities held by members of his or her immediate family sharing the same household, or by certain partnerships, trusts, corporations, or other arrangements.

2.07 “ Chief Compliance Officer ” shall mean the Chief Compliance Officer of the Company (who also may serve as the compliance officer of the Adviser and/or one or more affiliates of the Adviser).

2.08 “ Control ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act.

2.09 “ Independent Director ” means a director of the Company who is not an “ interested person ” of the Company within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.

2.10 “ Initial Public Offering ” means an offering of securities registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), the issuer of which, immediately before the registration, was not subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

2.11 “ Investment Personnel ” means: (i) any employee of the Company or the Adviser (or of any company in a control relationship to the Company or the Adviser) who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, makes or participates in making recommendations regarding the purchase or sale of securities by the Company; and (ii) any natural person who controls the Company or the Adviser and who obtains information concerning recommendations regarding the purchase or sale of securities by the Company.

2.12 “ Limited Offering ” means an offering that is exempt from registration under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) or Section 4(6) or pursuant to Rule 504, Rule 505 or Rule 506 under the Securities Act.

2.13 “ Reportable Security ” means a security as defined in Section 2(a)(36) of the 1940 Act, except that it does not include (i): direct obligations of the Government of the United States; (ii) banker’s acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments including repurchase agreements; and (iii) shares issued by registered open-end investment companies ( i . e ., mutual funds); however, exchange traded funds structured as unit investment trusts or open-end funds are considered “ Reportable Securities .” References to a Reportable Security in this Code ( e.g ., a prohibition or requirement applicable to the purchase or sale of a Reportable Security) shall be deemed to refer to and to include any warrant for, option in, or security immediately convertible into that Reportable Security, and shall also include any instrument that has an investment return or value that is based, in whole or in part, on that Reportable Security (collectively, “ Derivatives ”). Therefore, except as otherwise specifically provided by this Code: (i) any prohibition or requirement of this Code applicable to the purchase or sale of a Reportable Security shall also be applicable to the purchase or sale of a

 

- 3 -


Derivative relating to that Reportable Security; and (ii) any prohibition or requirement of this Code applicable to the purchase or sale of a Derivative shall also be applicable to the purchase or sale of a Reportable Security relating to that Derivative.

SECTION 3. STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

3.01 General Requirements .

(a) No Associated Person shall engage, directly or indirectly, in any business transaction or arrangement for personal profit that is inconsistent with the best interests of the Company or its shareholders; nor shall he or she make use of any confidential information gained by reason of his or her employment by or affiliation with the Company or the Adviser, or affiliates of the Company or the Adviser, in order to derive a personal profit for himself or herself or for any Beneficial Interest, in violation of the fiduciary duty owed to the Company or its shareholders.

(b) Any Associated Person recommending or authorizing the purchase or sale of a Reportable Security by the Company shall, at the time of such recommendation or authorization, disclose any Beneficial Interest in, or Beneficial Ownership of, such Reportable Security or the issuer thereof.

(c) No Associated Person shall dispense any information concerning securities holdings or securities transactions of the Company to anyone outside the Company or the Adviser, without obtaining prior written approval from the Chief Compliance Officer, or such person or persons as these individuals may designate to act on their behalf. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, such Access Person may dispense such information without obtaining prior written approval:

(i) when there is a public report containing the same information;

(ii) when such information is dispensed in accordance with compliance procedures established to prevent conflicts of interest between the Company and its affiliates or the Adviser and its affiliates;

(iii) when such information is reported to directors of the Company or the managers of the Adviser; or

(iv) in the ordinary course of his or her duties on behalf of the Company.

(d) All personal securities transactions by Associated Persons should be conducted consistent with this Code and in such a manner as to avoid actual or potential conflicts of interest, the appearance of a conflict of interest, or any abuse of an individual’s position of trust and responsibility within the Company or the Adviser.

 

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3.02 Prohibited Transactions and Activities .

(a) General Prohibition . Other than securities purchased or acquired by a fund affiliated with the Company and pursuant to an exemptive order under Section 57(i) of the 1940 Act permitting certain types of co-investments, an Access Person may not purchase or otherwise acquire direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership of any Reportable Security, and may not sell or otherwise dispose of any Reportable Security in which he or she has direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership, if he or she knows or should know at the time of entering into the transaction that:

(i) the Company has purchased or sold the Reportable Security within the last 15 calendar days, or is purchasing or selling or intends to purchase or sell the Reportable Security in the next 15 calendar days; or

(ii) the Adviser has within the last 15 calendar days considered purchasing or selling the Reportable Security for the Company or within the next 15 calendar days intends to consider purchasing or selling the Reportable Security for the Company.

(b) Initial Public Offerings and Limited Offerings . Investment Personnel of the Company or the Adviser must obtain approval from the Company or the Adviser, as the case may be, before directly or indirectly acquiring Beneficial Ownership in any securities in an Initial Public Offering or in a Limited Offering, except when such securities are acquired by a fund affiliated with the Company and pursuant to an exemptive order under Section 57(i) of the 1940 Act permitting certain types of co-investments. Such approval must be obtained from the Chief Compliance Officer, unless he is the person seeking such approval, in which case such approval must be obtained from the Chief Executive Officer of the Company or the Adviser.

(c) Disclosure of Beneficial Ownership . No Access Person shall recommend any transaction in any Reportable Securities by the Company without having disclosed to the Chief Compliance Officer his or her interest, if any, in such Reportable Securities or the issuer thereof, including: the Access Person’s Beneficial Ownership of any Reportable Securities of such issuer, except when such securities transactions are to be made by a fund affiliated with the Company and pursuant to an exemptive order under Section 57(i) of the Act permitting certain types of co-investments; any contemplated transaction by the Access Person in such Reportable Securities; any position the Access Person has with such issuer; and any present or proposed business relationship between such issuer and the Access Person (or a party which the Access Person has a significant interest).

(d) Blackout Trading Restriction . No Investment Personnel shall execute a securities transaction in any security that the Company owns or is considering for purchase or sale.

(e) Company Acquisition of Shares in Companies that Investment Personnel Hold Through Limited Offerings . Investment Personnel who have been authorized to acquire securities in a Limited Offering must disclose (on Form F) that investment to the Designated Officer when they are involved in the Company’s or the Adviser’s subsequent

 

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consideration of an investment in the issuer, and the Company’s decision to purchase such securities (or the Adviser’s decision to purchase such securities on behalf of the Company) must be independently reviewed by Investment Personnel with no personal interest in that issuer.

(f) Gifts . No Access Person may accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, favor, or service of more than a de minimis value ( e . g ., $100) from any person with whom he or she transacts business on behalf of the Company.

(g) Service as Director . No Access Person shall serve on the board of directors of a portfolio company of the Company or, if the Company invests in Reportable Securities other than interests in private investment funds, a publicly traded company without prior written authorization of the Designated Officer based upon a determination that the board service would be consistent with the interests of the Company and its shareholders. Advance notice of any such intent should be given so the Company or the Adviser may take such action concerning potential conflicts of interests as deemed appropriate by management. Form G can be used to disclose any intent to serve as a board director of a portfolio company of the Company or a publicly traded company.

3.03 Exempted Transactions .

(a) The prohibitions of Section 3.02(a), (b) and (d) of this Code shall not apply to:

(i) Purchases or sales effected in any account over which the Access Person has no direct or indirect influence or control.

(ii) Purchases that are made by reinvesting cash dividends pursuant to an automatic dividend or distribution reinvestment program or employee stock option plan (this exception does not apply to optional cash purchases).

(iii) Purchases effected upon the exercise of rights issued by an issuer pro rata to all holders of a class of its securities, to the extent such rights were acquired from such issuer, and sales of such rights so acquired.

(iv) Purchases or sales which are non-volitional on the part of either the Access Person, the Company or the Adviser.

SECTION 4. PROCEDURES TO IMPLEMENT CODE OF ETHICS

The following reporting procedures have been established to assist Access Persons in avoiding a violation of this Code, and to assist the Company in preventing, detecting, and imposing sanctions for violations of this Code. Every Access Person must follow these procedures. Questions regarding these procedures should be directed to the Designated Officer.

 

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4.01 Applicability . All Access Persons are subject to the reporting requirements set forth in Section 4.02 except:

(a) with respect to transactions effected for, and Reportable Securities held in, any account over which the Access Person has no direct or indirect influence or control;

(b) an Independent Director, who would be required to make a report solely by reason of being a Director, need not make: (1) an initial holdings or an annual holdings report; and (2) a quarterly transaction report, unless the Independent Director knew or, in the ordinary course of fulfilling his or her official duties as a Director, should have known that during the 15-day period immediately before or after such Independent Director’s transaction in a Reportable Security, the Company purchased or sold the Reportable Security, or the Company or the Adviser considered purchasing or selling the Reportable Security.

(c) an Access Person need not make a quarterly transaction report if the report would duplicate information contained in broker account statements received by the Company with respect to the Access Person in the time required by subsection 4.02(b) of this Section 4, if all of the information required by subsection 4.02(b) of this Section 4 is contained in the broker account statements, or in the records of the Company, as specified in subsection 4.02(e) of this Section 4.

4.02 Report Types .

(a) Initial Accounts and Holdings Report . An Access Person must file an initial report not later than 10 days after that person became an Access Person. The initial report (which must be current as of a date no more than 30 days prior to the date the person becomes an Access Person) must: (a) contain the title, number of shares and principal amount of each Reportable Security in which the Access Person had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership when the person became an Access Person; (b) identify any broker, dealer or bank with whom the Access Person maintained an account in which any securities were held for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person as of the date the person became an Access Person; and (c) indicate the date that the report is filed with the Designated Person. A form of such report, which is hereinafter called an “ Initial Accounts and Holdings Report ,” is attached hereto as Form B.

(b) Quarterly Accounts and Transaction Report . An Access Person must file a quarterly accounts and transaction report not later than 30 days after the end of a calendar quarter.

(i) With respect to any transaction made during the reporting quarter in a Reportable Security in which such Access Person had any Beneficial Ownership, the quarterly accounts and transaction report must contain: (A) the transaction date, title, interest date and maturity date (if applicable), the number of shares and the principal amount of each Reportable Security; (B) the nature of the transaction ( i . e ., purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition); (C) the price of the Reportable Security at which the transaction was effected; (D) the name of the broker, dealer or bank through which the transaction was effected; and (E) the date that the report is submitted by the Access Person. A form of such report, which is hereinafter called a “ Quarterly Accounts and Transaction Report ,” is attached hereto as Form C.

 

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(ii) With respect to any account established by the Access Person in which any securities were held during the quarter for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person, the Quarterly Accounts and Transaction Report must contain: (A) the name of the broker, dealer or bank with whom the Access Person established the account; (B) the date the account was established; and (C) the date that the report is submitted by the Access Person.

(c) Annual Accounts and Holdings Report . An Access Person must file an annual accounts and holdings report not later than 45 days after the end of a fiscal year. The annual report must contain the following information (which information must be current as of a date no more than 30 days before the report is submitted): (a) the title, number of shares, and principal amount of each Reportable Security in which the Access Person had any Beneficial Ownership; (b) the name of any broker, dealer or bank in which any Reportable Securities are held for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person; and (c) the date the report is submitted. A form of such report, which is hereinafter called an “ Annual Accounts and Holdings Report ,” is attached hereto as Form D.

(d) Access Person of an Affiliated Underwriter . Any Access Person of an Affiliated Underwriter shall also submit the reports described in subsections 4.02(a), 4.02(b) and 4.03(c) of this Section 4. The Designated Officer or appropriate management personnel will notify any Access Person of an Affiliated Underwriter of his or her obligation to file such reports.

(e) Account Statements . In lieu of providing a Quarterly Accounts and Transaction Report, an Access Person may direct his or her broker to provide to the Designated Officer copies of periodic statements for all investment accounts in which they have Beneficial Ownership that provide the information required in Quarterly Accounts and Transaction Reports, as set forth above.

(f) Company Reports . No less frequently than annually, the Company, the Adviser and any Affiliated Underwriter must furnish to the Board, and the Board must consider, a written report that:

(i) describes any issues arising under the Code or procedures since the last report to the Board, including but not limited to, information about material violations of the Code or procedures and sanctions imposed in response to the material violations; and

(ii) certifies that the Company, the Adviser and any Affiliated Underwriter, as applicable, has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from violating the Code.

4.03 Disclaimer of Beneficial Ownership . Any report required under this Section 4 may contain a statement that the report shall not be construed as an admission by the person making such report or submitting such duplicate account statement that he or she has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the Reportable Security to which the report relates.

 

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4.04 Review of Reports . The reports required to be submitted under this Section 4 shall be delivered to the Chief Compliance Officer. Pursuant to Section 6.02(d), the Chief Compliance Officer shall review such reports to determine whether any transactions recorded therein constitute a violation of the Code. Before making any determination that a violation has been committed by any Access Person, such Access Person shall be given an opportunity to supply additional explanatory material.

4.05 Acknowledgment and Certification . Upon becoming an Access Person and annually thereafter, all Access Persons shall sign an acknowledgment and certification of their receipt of and intent to comply with this Code in the form attached hereto as Form A and return it to the Designated Officer. Each Access Person must also certify annually that he or she has read and understands the Code and recognizes that he or she is subject to the Code. In addition, each access person must certify annually that he or she has complied with the requirements of the Code and that he or she has disclosed or reported all personal securities transactions required to be disclosed or reported pursuant to the requirements of the Code.

4.06 Obligation to Report a Violation . Every Access Person who becomes aware of a violation or potential violation of this Code by any person must report it to the Designated Officer, who shall report it to appropriate management personnel. The management personnel will take such disciplinary action that they consider appropriate under the circumstances. In the case of officers or other employees of the Company or the Adviser, such action may include removal from office. If the management personnel consider disciplinary action against any person, they will cause notice thereof to be given to that person and provide to that person the opportunity to be heard. The Board or the board of the Adviser will be notified, in a timely manner, of remedial action taken with respect to violations of the Code.

4.07 Confidentiality . All reports of Reportable Securities transactions, duplicate confirmations, account statements and other information filed with the Company or the Adviser or furnished to any person pursuant to this Code shall be treated as confidential, but are subject to review as provided herein and by representatives of the SEC or otherwise to comply with applicable law or the order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

SECTION 5. SANCTIONS

Upon determination that a violation of this Code has occurred, appropriate management personnel of the Company or the Adviser may impose such sanctions as they deem appropriate, including, but not limited to, a letter of censure, suspension with or without pay, or termination of the employment of the violator. All violations of this Code and any sanctions imposed with respect thereto shall be reported in a timely manner to the Board.

Any profits realized on personal transactions in violation of this Code must be disgorged in a manner directed by appropriate management personnel of the Company or the Adviser.

SECTION 6. ADMINISTRATION OF CODE

6.01 The administration of this Code shall be the responsibility of the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

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6.02 The duties of the Chief Compliance Officer are as follows:

(a) Continuous maintenance of a current list of the names of all Access Persons with an appropriate description of their title or employment, including a notation of any directorships held by Access Persons who are officers or employees of the Adviser or of any company that controls the Adviser, and informing all Access Persons of their reporting obligations hereunder;

(b) On an annual basis providing all Associated Persons copies of this Code and informing such persons of their duties and obligations hereunder including any supplemental training that may be required from time to time;

(c) Maintaining or supervising the maintenance of all records and reports required by this Code;

(d) Reviewing all Initial Accounts and Holdings Reports, Annual Accounts and Holdings Reports and Quarterly Accounts and Transaction Reports;

(e) Preparing listings of all transactions effected by Access Persons who are subject to the requirement to file Quarterly Accounts and Transaction Reports and reviewing such transactions against a listing of all transactions effected by the Company;

(f) Issuance either personally or with the assistance of counsel, as may be appropriate, of any interpretation of this Code that may appear consistent with the objectives of Rule 17j-1 and this Code;

(g) Conduct such inspections or investigations as shall reasonably be required to detect and report, with recommendations, any apparent violations of this Code to the Board; and

(h) Submission of a report to the Board, no less frequently than annually, a written report that describes any issues arising under the Code since the last such report, including but not limited to the information described in Section 4.02(f).

6.03 The Chief Compliance Officer shall maintain and cause to be maintained in an easily accessible place at the principal place of business of the Company or the Adviser, as appropriate, the following records and must make these records available to the Securities and Exchange Commission at any time and from time to time for reasonable periodic, special or other examinations:

(a) A copy of all codes of ethics adopted by the Company or the Adviser and its Affiliated Underwriters, if any, as the case may be, pursuant to Rule 17j-1 that have been in effect at any time during the past five (5) years;

(b) A record of each violation of such codes of ethics and of any action taken as a result of such violation for at least five (5) years after the end of the fiscal year in which the violation occurs;

 

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(c) A list of all persons who are, or within the past five (5) years have been, required to make reports pursuant to the Rule 17j-1 and this Code of Ethics, or who are or were responsible for reviewing such reports;

(d) A copy of each report made by an Access Person, or any information provided in lieu of the reports under Section 4.01(c), for at least two (2) years after the end of the fiscal year in which the report is made, and for an additional three (3) years in a place that need not be easily accessible;

(e) A copy of each report required by Section 4.02(f) for at least two (2) years after the end of the fiscal year in which it is made, and for an additional three (3) years in a place that need not be easily accessible;

(f) A copy of each further report made by the Chief Compliance Officer to the board of directors for two (2) years from the end of the fiscal year of the Company in which such report is made or issued and for an additional three (3) years in a place that need not be easily accessible; and

(g) A record of any decision, and the reasons supporting the decision, to approve the acquisition by Investment Personnel of securities in an Initial Public Offering or Limited Offering for at least five (5) years after the end of the fiscal year in which the approval is granted.

SECTION 7. AMENDMENTS

7.01 Any material change to this Code must be approved by the Board, including a majority of the Independent Directors, within six months after such material change has been adopted. Further:

(a) Any approval of a material change to this Code by the Board must be based on a determination that the amended Code contains provisions reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from engaging in any conduct prohibited by Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act; and

(b) Prior to the approval of any amendments to this Code, the Fund or Adviser will provide the Board with a certification that it has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from violating this Code.

7.02 Any Affiliated Underwriter must adopt a written code of ethics that contains provisions reasonably necessary to comply with Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. Any material change to such Affiliated Underwriter’s code of ethics must be approved by the Board in the manner prescribed under Section 6.01 of this Code.

 

Adopted: November 22, 2013
Revised: April 28, 2015
Last Reviewed: April 28, 2015

 

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TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP.

AND

TPVG ADVISERS LLC

Form A to the

Code of Ethics Pursuant to Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940

ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND CERTIFICATION

I acknowledge receipt of the Code of Ethics of TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp. I have read and understand such Code of Ethics and agree to be governed by it at all times. Further, if I have been subject to the Code of Ethics during the preceding year, I certify that I have complied with the requirements of the Code of Ethics and have disclosed or reported all personal securities transactions required to be disclosed or reported pursuant to the requirements of the Code of Ethics.

 

 

(Signature)

 

(Print name)

 

Date:                     

 

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TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP.

AND

TPVG ADVISERS LLC

Form B to the

Code of Ethics Pursuant to Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940

Confidential Initial Personal Securities Holdings Report

I hereby certify that the following is a complete listing of all Reportable Securities 2 beneficially owned (as described in Section 2.04 of the Code) by me as of the date hereof.

 

Name of

Security

 

Type of

Security

 

Number of Shares
or Principal Value
of Bonds

   Year
Acquired
   Broker /
Dealer / Bank
   Account
Number
            
            
            

 

(Use additional sheets if necessary)

 

Signature

 

Please Print Name

 

Date

 

 

2   Note: The term “Reportable Securities” includes all stocks, bonds, derivatives, private placements, limited partnership interests and other securities of any kind or nature whatsoever except for the exclusions noted in Section 2.13 of the Code.

 

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TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP.

AND

TPVG ADVISERS LLC

Form C to the

Code of Ethics Pursuant to Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940

Confidential Quarterly New Accounts and Reportable Securities Transaction Report

 

Calendar quarter ended:

(Circle & Complete One)

  March 31,            June 30,         
  September 30,            December 31,         

This report is submitted by                      (print name).

I certify that the transactions listed below are the only transactions effected in Reportable Securities 3 of which I had or shared Beneficial Ownership, as defined in Section 2.04 of the Code, during the calendar quarter noted above.

 

Date of

Transaction

 

Type of
Transaction

 

Title of

Security 4

   Number
of Shares
   Principal
Amount
   Price    Executing
Broker/
Dealer /

Bank
               
               
               

 

P    =    Purchase    (Use additional sheets if necessary)
S    =    Sale   
E    =    Exercise of Option   

(Form C continued on next page)

 

 

3   Note: The term “Reportable Securities” includes all stocks, bonds, derivatives, private placements, limited partnership interests and other securities of any kind or nature whatsoever except for the exclusions noted in Section 2.13 of the Code.
4   If applicable, include the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number of such security.

 

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I hereby certify that the accounts listed below are the only accounts which were initially established during the calendar quarter noted above in which securities of any kind or nature whatsoever were held for my direct or indirect benefit.

 

Broker / Dealer / Bank

   Date Account Established
  
  
  

 

   (Use additional sheets if necessary)

 

  
Signature   

 

  
Date   

 

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TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP.

AND

TPVG ADVISERS LLC

Form D to the

Code of Ethics Pursuant to Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940

Confidential Annual Reportable Securities Holdings Report for the Year Ended December 31,             

This report is submitted by                      (print name).

I certify that as of the date listed above all Reportable Securities 5 of which I had Beneficial Ownership (as defined in Section 2.04 of the Code) are listed below.

 

Title/Type of

Security

 

Number of

Shares

 

Principal Amount

   Broker / Dealer
/ Bank
   Account
Number
         
         
         

 

(Use additional sheets if necessary)

 

Signature

 

Date

 

 

5   Note: The term “Reportable Securities” includes all stocks, bonds, derivatives, private placements, limited partnership interests and other securities of any kind or nature whatsoever except for the exclusions noted in Section 2.13 of the Code.

 

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TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP.

AND

TPVG ADVISERS LLC

Form E to the

Code of Ethics Pursuant to Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940

Confidential Initial and Annual Personal Securities Account Information Report

 

Name                                     Date                                 

 

Account Custodian

Firm Name and Address

 

Account Number

 

Account Owner Name(s)

   
   
   

I certify that the foregoing is a complete and accurate list of all accounts holding securities of any kind or nature whatsoever in which I had any Beneficial Ownership (as defined in Section 2.04 of the Code) as of              , 20     .

 

 

Signature

 

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TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP.

AND

TPVG ADVISERS LLC

Form F to the

Code of Ethics Pursuant to Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940

Confidential Report of Conflicted Private Security Holdings

I hereby report, as required by Section 3.02(a)(v) of the Code, that I beneficially own securities issued by the following privately-held company which TPVG Advisers LLC is or may soon be considering for investment by TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp.

 

Issuer

   Security    Date Initially Acquired
     
     
     

 

 

Signature

 

Date

 

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TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP.

AND

TPVG ADVISERS LLC

Form G to the

Code of Ethics Pursuant to Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940

Notice of Intention to Serve as a Director

I hereby issue notice, as required by Section 3.02(vii) of the Code, that I intend to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of the following company:

 

Company

   Publicly or Privately Held
  
  
  

I will be pleased to respond to whatever questions which the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee may have in this regard.

 

 

Signature
                                
Date

 

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