As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 6, 2019

Securities Act File No. 333-227605

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-2

 

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Pre-Effective Amendment No.       

Post-Effective Amendment No. 2

 

 

GREAT ELM CAPITAL CORP.

(Registrant’s Exact Name as Specified in Charter)

 

 

800 South Street, Suite 230

Waltham, Massachusetts 02453

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(617) 375-3006

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code)

Peter A. Reed

Chief Executive Officer and President

Great Elm Capital Corp.

800 South Street, Suite 230

Waltham, Massachusetts 02453

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

 

COPIES TO:

 

Rory T. Hood Jones Day 250 Vesey Street New York, New York 10281 (212) 326-3939		Thomas J. Friedmann Matthew J. Carter Dechert LLP One International Place 100 Oliver Street Boston, Massachusetts 02110 (617) 728-7100

 

 

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

☐	Check box if any securities being registered on this form will be 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.

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

 

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

If appropriate, check the following box:

☐	This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed registration statement.

 

☐	This Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act and the Securities Act registration number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is                      .

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

Title of Securities Being Registered		Amount Being Registered (1)		Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit		Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price (1)(2)		Amount of Registration Fee (1)(3)
% Notes due 2024		$50,000,000		$25		$50,000,000		$6,225

(1)	Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee per Rule 457(a).

(2)	Includes notes that may be issued pursuant to the underwriters’ over-allotment option.

(3)

Prior to the initial filing of this registration statement, $11,102,000 aggregate principal amount of securities remained registered and unsold pursuant to Registration Statement No. 333-221882, which was initially filed on December 4, 2017 and declared effective on January 11, 2018. Pursuant to Rule 457(p), $1,382 of the entire fee of $6,225 required in connection with the initial registration of $50,000,000 aggregate principal amount of securities under this registration statement is being offset against the $7,093 filing fee associated with the unsold securities registered under Registration Statement No. 333-221882, and the additional $4,843 was previously paid.

 

 

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(C) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(C), MAY DETERMINE.

 

 

 

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

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 6, 2019

PROSPECTUS

$            

GREAT ELM CAPITAL CORP.

    % NOTES DUE 2024

 

 

Great Elm Capital Corp. is a specialty finance company that is a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company. We have elected to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). We are an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act (the “JOBS Act”). Our investment objective is to seek to generate both current income and capital appreciation, while seeking to protect against risk of capital loss, by investing predominantly in the debt instruments of middle-market companies, which we generally define as companies with enterprise values between $100.0 million and $2.0 billion. We are externally managed by Great Elm Capital Management, Inc. (“GECM”), who provides the administrative and other services necessary for us to operate.

We are offering $            in aggregate principal amount of     % notes due 2024 (the “Notes”). The Notes will mature on             , 2024. We will pay interest on the Notes on             ,              ,              and              of each year, beginning             ,             . We may redeem the Notes in whole or in part at any time or from time to time on or after             ,            , at our option, at the redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest, as discussed under “Description of the Notes—Optional Redemption” in this prospectus. Holders of the Notes will not have the option to have the Notes repaid prior to the stated maturity date. The Notes will be issued in minimum denominations of $25 and integral multiples of $25 in excess thereof.

The Notes will be our direct unsecured obligations and rank pari passu , or equal, with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness issued by us. The Notes will be effectively subordinated, or junior in right of payment, to any future secured indebtedness that we may incur and structurally subordinated to all future indebtedness and other obligations of our subsidiaries.

We intend to list the Notes on The Nasdaq Global Market (“Nasdaq”) and we expect trading to commence thereon within 30 days of the original issue date under the trading symbol “GECCN.” The Notes are expected to trade “flat.” This means that purchasers will not pay, and sellers will not receive, any accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes that is not included in the trading price. Currently, there is no public market for the Notes.

An investment in the Notes is subject to risks and involves a heightened risk of total loss of investment. In addition, the companies in which we invest are subject to special risks. For example, our debt securities either are, or if rated would be, rated below investment grade by independent rating agencies. Below investment grade securities, which are often referred to as “high yield” or “junk,” are regarded as having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. The Notes may be illiquid and difficult to value and typically do not require repayment of principal before maturity, which potentially heightens the risk that we may lose all or part of our investment. Further, our investment in Avanti Communications Group plc ( “ Avanti ” ), which represented approximately 21% of our investment portfolio (excluding cash and short-term investments) as of March 31, 2019 and 17% of our total investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 , has resulted in significant payment-in-kind ( “ PIK ” ) interest, which significantly increases our exposure to the aforementioned risks. PIK income represented 20% of our total interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 . Please see “ Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Investments—We may lose all of our investment in Avanti. ”

 

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “ Risk Factors ” beginning on page 19 of this prospectus to read about factors you should consider, including the risk of leverage, before investing in the Notes.

This prospectus sets forth concisely important information you should know before investing in the Notes. Please read it and the documents we refer you to carefully in their entirety 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 (the “SEC”). We maintain a website at http://www.greatelmcc.com and we make all of our annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other publicly filed information available, free of charge, on or through such website. Information on our website is not incorporated or a part of this prospectus. You may also obtain free copies of our annual and quarterly reports and make stockholder inquiries by contacting us at Great Elm Capital Corp., 800 South Street, Suite 230, Waltham, Massachusetts 02453 or by calling us collect at (617) 375-3006. The SEC maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov where such information is available without charge.

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

 

		Per Note				Total
Public Offering Price		$				$
Underwriting Discount and Commissions (sales load)		$				$
Proceeds to us, before expenses (1)		$				$

 

(1)	Before deducting expenses payable by us related to this offering, estimated at $600,000, or approximately $             per Note. See “Underwriting.”

The underwriters may also purchase up to an additional $             aggregate principal amount of the Notes offered hereby, to cover over-allotments, if any, within 30 days of the date of this prospectus. If the underwriters exercise this option in full, the total public offering price would be $                , the total underwriting discount and commissions (sales load) paid by us would be $            , and total proceeds to us, before expenses, would be $            .

THE NOTES ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF A BANK AND ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY.

Delivery of the Notes in book-entry form only through The Depository Trust Company will be made on or about                     , 2019.

 

 

 

Ladenburg Thalmann		Janney Montgomery Scott

 

Incapital

This prospectus is dated                    , 2019.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS			ii
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY			1
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA			10
SPECIFIC TERMS OF THE NOTES AND THE  OFFERING			12
RISK FACTORS			19
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION			49
USE OF PROCEEDS			50
CAPITALIZATION			51
SENIOR SECURITIES			52
DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES			53
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS			66
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK			81
THE COMPANY			82
MANAGEMENT			110
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS			121
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS			122
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE			124
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN			126
CERTAIN MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS			128
DESCRIPTION OF OUR COMMON STOCK			132
UNDERWRITING			141
CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AND DISTRIBUTION PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR			146
LEGAL MATTERS			146
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM			146
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS			146
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION			146
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS			F-1

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

You should read this prospectus carefully before you invest in the Notes. This prospectus and the exhibits to the registration statement to which this prospectus relates contain the terms of the Notes we are offering. It is important for you to read and consider all of the information contained in this prospectus before making your investment decision. See “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus.

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We and the underwriters have not authorized any other person to provide you with additional information, or with information different from that contained in this prospectus. We and the underwriters take no responsibility for, and provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give to you. We and the underwriters are not making an offer to sell the Notes in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy any security other than the securities to which it relates. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on its front cover. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since such date. To the extent required by law, we will amend or supplement the information contained in this prospectus. We encourage you to consult your own counsel, accountant and other advisors for legal, tax, business, financial and related advice regarding an investment in our securities.

The terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “the Company” and “GECC” in this prospectus refer to Great Elm Capital Corp., a Maryland corporation, and its subsidiaries for the periods after our consummation of the formation transactions (as described under “The Company—Formation Transactions and Merger,” the “Formation Transactions”) and the merger of Full Circle Capital Corporation, a Maryland corporation (“Full Circle”) with and into us (the “Merger”).

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves a number of significant risks. Before you invest in the Notes, 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 the Notes. These are not the only risks we face. The risks described below, as well as additional risks and uncertainties presently unknown by us or currently not deemed significant, could negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and the value of the Notes and our ability to perform our obligations under the Notes. 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 business, 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 securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Risk Factors Related to the Notes and the Offering

The Notes will be unsecured and therefore will be effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness we have currently incurred or may incur in the future.

The Notes will not be secured by any of our assets or any of the assets of our subsidiaries. As a result, the Notes are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness we or our subsidiaries have currently incurred or may incur in the future (or any indebtedness that is initially unsecured to which we subsequently grant security) to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. In any liquidation, dissolution, bankruptcy or other similar proceeding, the holders of any of our existing or future secured indebtedness and the secured indebtedness of our subsidiaries may assert rights against the assets pledged to secure that indebtedness in order to receive full payment of their indebtedness before the assets may be used to pay other creditors, including the holders of the Notes.

The Notes will be structurally subordinated to the indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries.

The Notes are obligations exclusively of GECC and not of any of our subsidiaries. None of our subsidiaries is a guarantor of the Notes and the Notes are not required to be guaranteed by any subsidiary we may acquire or create in the future. Any assets of our subsidiaries will not be directly available to satisfy the claims of our creditors, including holders of the Notes. Except to the extent we are a creditor with recognized claims against our subsidiaries, all claims of creditors of our subsidiaries will have priority over our equity interests in such subsidiaries (and therefore the claims of our creditors, including holders of the Notes) with respect to the assets of such subsidiaries. Even if we are recognized as a creditor of one or more of our subsidiaries, our claims would still be effectively subordinated to any security interests in the assets of any such subsidiary and to any indebtedness or other liabilities of any such subsidiary senior to our claims. Consequently, the Notes will be structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities of any of our subsidiaries and any subsidiaries that we may in the future acquire or establish. Although our subsidiaries currently do not have any indebtedness outstanding, they may incur substantial indebtedness in the future, all of which would be structurally senior to the Notes.

The indenture under which the Notes will be issued contains limited protection for holders of the Notes.

The indenture under which the Notes will be issued offers limited protection to holders of the Notes. The terms of the indenture and the Notes do not restrict our or any of our subsidiaries’ ability to engage in, or otherwise be a party to, a variety of corporate transactions, circumstances or events that could

 

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have an adverse impact on your investment in the Notes. The indenture and the Notes will not place any restrictions on our or our subsidiaries’ ability to:

 

•

issue securities or otherwise incur additional indebtedness or other obligations, including (1) any indebtedness or other obligations that would be equal in right of payment to the Notes, (2) any indebtedness or other obligations that would be secured and therefore rank effectively senior in right of payment to the Notes to the extent of the values of the assets securing such debt, (3) indebtedness of ours that is guaranteed by one or more of our subsidiaries and which therefore is structurally senior to the Notes and (4) securities, indebtedness or obligations issued or incurred by our subsidiaries that would be senior to our equity interests in our subsidiaries and therefore rank structurally senior to the Notes with respect to the assets of our subsidiaries, in each case other than an incurrence of indebtedness or other obligation that would cause a violation of Section 18(a)(1)(A) as modified by Sections 61(a)(1) and (2) of the Investment Company Act or any successor provisions;

 

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pay dividends on, or purchase or redeem or make any payments in respect of, capital stock or other securities ranking junior in right of payment to the Notes, except that we have agreed that for the period of time during which the Notes are outstanding, we will not declare any dividend (except a dividend payable in our stock), or declare any other distribution, upon a class of our capital stock, or purchase any such capital stock, unless, in every such case, at the time of the declaration of any such dividend or distribution, or at the time of any such purchase, we have an asset coverage (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of at least the threshold specified in pursuant to Section 18(a)(1)(B) as modified by Sections 61(a)(1) and (2) of the Investment Company Act or any successor provisions thereto of the Investment Company Act, as such obligation may be amended or superseded (regardless of whether we are subject thereto), after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution or purchase price, as the case may be, and giving effect, in each case, (i) to any exemptive relief granted to us by the SEC and (ii) to any no-action relief granted by the SEC to another BDC (or to us if we determine to seek such similar no-action or other relief) permitting the BDC to declare any cash dividend or distribution notwithstanding the prohibition contained in Section 18(a)(1)(B) as modified by Sections 61(a)(1) and (2) of the Investment Company Act, as such obligation may be amended or superseded, in order to maintain such BDC’s status as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code;

 

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sell assets (other than certain limited restrictions on our ability to consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets);

 

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enter into transactions with affiliates;

 

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create liens (including liens on the stock of our subsidiaries) or enter into sale and leaseback transactions;

 

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make investments; or

 

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create restrictions on the payment of dividends or other amounts to us from our subsidiaries.

Notwithstanding the restrictions on indebtedness and dividends described above, the indenture under which the Notes will be issued may not prohibit us from paying distributions to our stockholders if we incur indebtedness in excess of the limits set forth in Sections 61(a)(1) and (2) of the Investment Company Act or any successor provision if we determine that such indebtedness, which may include indebtedness under a bank credit facility, is not a “senior security” for purposes of determining asset coverage under the Investment Company Act.

In addition, the indenture will not require us to offer to purchase the Notes in connection with a change of control or any other event.

 

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Furthermore, the terms of the indenture and the Notes do not protect holders of the Notes if we experience changes (including significant adverse changes) in our financial condition, results of operations or credit ratings, as they do not require that we or our subsidiaries adhere to any financial tests or ratios or specified levels of net worth, revenues, income, cash flow, or liquidity other than as described under “Description of the Notes—Events of Default.” Any such changes could affect the terms of the Notes.

Our ability to recapitalize, incur additional debt and take a number of other actions that are not limited by the terms of the Notes may have important consequences for you as a holder of the Notes, including making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to the Notes or negatively affecting the trading value of the Notes.

Other debt we issue or incur in the future could contain more protections for its holders than the indenture and the Notes, including additional covenants and events of default. The indenture under which the Notes will be issued does not contain cross-default provisions. The issuance or incurrence of any such debt with incremental protections could affect the market for and trading levels and prices of the Notes.

An active trading market for the Notes may not develop, which could limit the market price of the Notes or your ability to sell them.

The Notes are a new issue of debt securities for which there currently is no trading market. We intend to list the Notes on Nasdaq within 30 days of the original issue date under the symbol “GECCN.” We cannot assure you that the Notes will be listed or that an active trading market will develop for the Notes or that you will be able to sell your Notes. If the Notes are traded after their initial issuance, they may trade at a discount from their initial offering price depending on prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities, our credit ratings, general economic conditions, our financial condition, performance and prospects and other factors. The underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market in the Notes, but they are not obligated to do so. The underwriters may discontinue any market-making in the Notes at any time at their sole discretion. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that a liquid trading market will develop for the Notes, that you will be able to sell your Notes at a particular time or that the price you receive when you sell will be favorable. To the extent an active trading market does not develop, the liquidity and trading price for the Notes may be harmed. Accordingly, you may be required to bear the financial risk of an investment in the Notes for an indefinite period of time.

If we default on our obligations to pay our other indebtedness, we may not be able to make payments on the Notes.

Any default under the agreements governing our indebtedness, including our current indebtedness, composed of the 2022 Notes and the 2025 Notes, and any future indebtedness to which we may be a party, that is not waived by the required lenders, and the remedies sought by the holders of such indebtedness could make us unable to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes and substantially decrease the market value of the Notes. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow and are otherwise unable to obtain funds necessary to meet required payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness, or if we otherwise fail to comply with the various covenants, including financial and operating covenants, in the instruments governing our indebtedness, we could be in default under the terms of the agreements governing such indebtedness. In the event of such default, the holders of such indebtedness could elect to declare all the funds borrowed thereunder to be due and payable, together with accrued and unpaid interest, the lenders under other debt we may incur in the future could elect to terminate their commitments, cease making further loans and institute foreclosure proceedings against our assets, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation. If our operating performance declines, we may in the future need to seek to obtain waivers from the required lenders

 

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under other debt that we may incur in the future to avoid being in default. If we breach our covenants under other debt and seek a waiver, we may not be able to obtain a waiver from the required lenders. If this occurs, we would be in default under the other debt, the lenders could exercise their rights as described above, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation. If we are unable to repay debt, lenders having secured obligations could proceed against the collateral securing the debt. Because any future credit facilities would likely have customary cross-default provisions, if we have a default under the terms of the Notes, the obligations under any future credit facility may be accelerated and we may be unable to repay or finance the amounts due.

We may be subject to certain corporate-level taxes which could adversely affect our cash flow and consequently adversely affect our ability to make payments on the Notes.

We currently are a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code for U.S. federal income tax purposes and intend to continue to qualify each year as a RIC. In order to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC, we generally must satisfy certain source-of-income, asset diversification and distribution requirements. As long as we so qualify, we will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax to the extent that we distribute investment company taxable income and net capital gain on a timely basis.

We may, nonetheless, be subject to certain corporate-level taxes regardless of whether we continue to qualify as a RIC. Additionally, should we fail to qualify as a RIC, we would be subject to corporate-level taxes on all of our taxable income. The imposition of corporate-level taxes could adversely affect our cash flow and consequently adversely affect our ability to make payments on the Notes.

A downgrade, suspension or withdrawal of the credit rating assigned by a rating agency to us or our securities, if any, could cause the liquidity or market value of the Notes to decline significantly.

Our credit ratings are an assessment by rating agencies of our ability to pay our debts when due. Consequently, real or anticipated changes in our credit ratings will generally affect the market value of the Notes. These credit ratings may not reflect the potential impact of risks relating to the structure or marketing of the Notes. Credit ratings are not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security, and may be revised or withdrawn at any time by the issuing organization in its sole discretion. Neither we nor any underwriter undertakes any obligation to maintain our credit ratings or to advise holders of Notes of any changes in our credit ratings. The Notes have received a private rating of BBB from Egan-Jones Ratings Company. An explanation of the significance of ratings may be obtained from the rating agency. Generally, rating agencies base their ratings on such material and information, and such of their own investigations, studies and assumptions, as they deem appropriate. Neither we nor any underwriter undertakes any obligation to maintain our credit ratings or to advise holders of Notes of any changes in our credit ratings. There can be no assurance that our credit ratings will remain for any given period of time or that such credit ratings will not be lowered or withdrawn entirely by the rating agency if in their judgment future circumstances relating to the basis of the credit ratings, such as adverse changes in our company, so warrant.

The optional redemption provision may materially adversely affect your return on the Notes.

The Notes are redeemable in whole or in part upon certain conditions at any time or from time to time at our option on or after                 ,                . We may choose to redeem the Notes at times when prevailing interest rates are lower than the interest rate paid on the Notes. In this circumstance, you may not be able to reinvest the redemption proceeds in a comparable security at an effective interest rate as high as the Notes being redeemed.

Our redemption right also may adversely impact your ability to sell the Notes as the optional redemption date or period approaches.

 

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Risks Relating to Our Investments

We may lose all of our investment in Avanti.

We may lose all of our investment in Avanti. As of March 31, 2019, Avanti is our largest investment, representing approximately 21% of our investment portfolio (excluding cash and short-term investments). As of March 31, 2019, we owned approximately 11% of Avanti’s outstanding debt and approximately 9% of Avanti’s outstanding common stock. We acquired our original position in Avanti as part of the Initial GECC Portfolio, which we purchased from the MAST Funds prior to the Merger.

In December 2017, following a series of liability management transactions, including a refinancing that resulted in us adding a representative to Avanti’s board of directors (currently filled by our Chief Compliance Officer), we and other holders of Avanti’s second lien senior secured notes (the “PIK Toggle Notes”) and the Avanti 2019 Notes entered into a restructuring agreement with Avanti. The restructuring closed on April 26, 2018 and resulted in:

 

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all Avanti 2019 Notes converting into common stock of Avanti, representing approximately 92% of the pro forma common stock of Avanti, with our position representing approximately 9.1% of the pro forma common stock of Avanti; and

 

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the cash interest rate on the PIK Toggle Notes being reduced from 10% to 9% and the PIK interest rate being reduced from 15% to 9% on the PIK Toggle Notes, the extension of the maturity date by one year to October 1, 2022 and Avanti being permitted to issue up to $30.0 million of indebtedness that ranks equal with or junior to the PIK Toggle Notes and receiving relaxed financial covenants, including the elimination of certain financial maintenance covenants.

Avanti is highly leveraged. In addition, following the restructuring, Avanti may seek to raise up to an additional $30.0 million of indebtedness that ranks equal with or junior to the PIK Toggle Notes.

If there is an event of default under the indenture governing the PIK Toggle Notes or any other indebtedness and the obligations under the PIK Toggle Notes are accelerated, Avanti likely will not have sufficient liquidity to pay the obligations under the PIK Toggle Notes. Under such circumstances, Avanti may consider other restructuring options, such as entering into an insolvency procedure under English law or by filing for Chapter 11 protection under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”), the consequences of which could include a reduction in the value of the assets available to satisfy the PIK Toggle Notes and the imposition of costs and other additional risks on holders of the PIK Toggle Notes, including a material reduction in the value of the PIK Toggle Notes. In such an event, we may lose all or part of our investment in Avanti.

In addition, as noted above, we now own approximately 9% of Avanti’s common stock. Equity securities expose us to additional risks should Avanti default on its debt or need additional financing. Equity securities rank lower in the capital structure and would likely not pay current income or PIK income, which we had been receiving on our investment in Avanti. Please see, “—We are not in a position to exercise control over our portfolio companies or to prevent decisions by management of our portfolio companies that could decrease the value of our investments” and “—Our investments are very risky and highly speculative, and the lower middle-market companies we target may have difficulty accessing the capital markets to meet their future capital needs, which may limit their ability to grow or to repay their outstanding indebtedness upon maturity.”

The long-term impact of this refinancing transaction on Avanti’s financial condition is uncertain and cannot be predicted. The refinancing transaction did not materially change Avanti’s long term capital structure and it is unclear whether the refinancing transaction addresses the longer term sustainability of Avanti’s business model. We may sell at a loss all or a portion of our investment in Avanti from time to time in order to meet diversification requirements under the Code or as part of our portfolio management strategy.

 

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We are currently receiving PIK interest on our Avanti investment under the PIK Toggle Notes. As part of the restructuring, the PIK Toggle Notes became pay-if-you-can (PIYC) notes whereby Avanti is required to make interest payments in cash, subject to satisfying certain minimum cash thresholds. Otherwise, the interest will be paid as PIK interest. Such PIK interest exposes us to significant risks. Please see “—Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure—We may expose ourselves to risks associated with the inclusion of non-cash income prior to receipt of cash,” and “Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure—We may have difficulty paying our required distributions under applicable tax rules if we recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income.” Additionally, all accrued interest (through March 31, 2018) on the Avanti 2019 Notes has been converted into additional shares of Avanti common equity and both the cash and PIK interest rates on the PIK Toggle Notes have been reduced. The December 2017 restructuring could result in a significant decrease in our net asset value if the market value of the Avanti common stock that we received in the restructuring significantly decreases, a significant decrease in our total investment income and an increase in the risk of investing in the Notes. These factors could also result in lower trading prices for our common stock and/or debt securities, including the Notes. Notwithstanding the risks associated with the December 2017 restructuring, we believe the value of the Avanti common stock we received in exchange for the Avanti 2019 Notes was substantially equal to the value of the Avanti 2019 Notes (including accrued PIK interest) converted in the restructuring. There can be no certainty in this respect and a significant decrease in the market value of the Avanti common stock we received in the restructuring could ultimately have a material adverse effect on our net asset value and the trading prices of our securities, and increase the risks of investing in the Notes.

We face increasing competition for investment opportunities. Limited availability of attractive investment opportunities in the market could cause us to hold a larger percentage of our assets in liquid securities until market conditions improve.

We compete for investments with other BDCs and investment funds (including private equity funds, mezzanine funds and small business investment companies), as well as traditional financial services companies such as commercial banks and other sources of funding. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. For example, some competitors have a lower cost of capital and access to funding sources that are not available to us, including from the Small Business Administration. In addition, increased competition for attractive investment opportunities allows debtors to demand more favorable terms and offer fewer contractual protections to creditors. Some of our competitors have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments than we do. These characteristics could allow our competitors to consider a wider variety of investments, establish more relationships and offer better pricing and more flexible structuring than we are able to offer. We may lose investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure. If we are forced to match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure, we may not be able to achieve acceptable returns on our investments or may bear substantial risk of capital loss. A significant part of our competitive advantage stems from the fact that the market for investments in lower middle-market companies is underserved by traditional commercial banks and other financing sources. A significant increase in the number and/or the size of our competitors in this target market would force us to accept less attractive investment terms. GECM may, at its discretion, decide to pursue such opportunities if it believes that they are in our best interest; however, GECM may decline to pursue available investment opportunities that, although otherwise consistent with our investment policies and objectives, in GECM’s view present unacceptable risk/return profiles. Under such circumstances, we may hold a larger percentage of our assets in liquid securities until market conditions improve in order to avoid having assets remain uninvested. Furthermore, many of our competitors have greater experience operating under, or are not subject to, the regulatory restrictions that the Investment Company Act imposes on us as a BDC. We believe that competitors will make first and second lien loans with interest rates and returns that are lower than the rates and returns that we target. Therefore, we do not seek to compete solely on the interest rates and returns offered to prospective portfolio companies.

 

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Changes in the regulatory framework under which the wireless telecommunications industry operates and significant competition in the wireless telecommunications industry could adversely affect our business prospects or results of operations.

We hold a large position in Avanti. As a result of our stake in Avanti, we are exposed to risks associated with the wireless telecommunications sector.

For example, Avanti’s operations are regulated by various foreign governments and international bodies. These regulatory regimes restrict or impose conditions on Avanti’s ability to operate in designated areas and to provide specified products or services. In addition, new laws or regulations or changes to the existing regulatory framework could impose additional costs, impair revenue opportunities and potentially impede Avanti’s ability to provide services. The further regulation of Avanti’s activities could impact Avanti’s ability to compete in the marketplace and limit the return Avanti, and, as a result, we, can expect to achieve.

In addition, Avanti’s business may also be affected by the significant competition in the wireless telecommunications industry. There is rapid development of new technologies, services and products, which brings new competitors to the market. While these changes have enabled companies like Avanti to offer new types of products and services, they have also allowed other providers to broaden the scope of their own competitive offerings. Avanti’s ability to compete effectively will depend on, among other things, how successfully Avanti anticipates and responds to various factors affecting its industry, including new technologies and business models, changes in consumer preferences and demand for existing services, demographic trends and economic conditions. If Avanti is not able to respond successfully to these competitive challenges, Avanti may face challenges in meeting its required payments under its debt securities held by us, which could result in a material decrease in the fair value of such debt securities, and a corresponding material adverse change in our financial position and results of operations.

Our portfolio will be limited in 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 is likely to hold a limited number of portfolio companies. Beyond the asset diversification requirements associated with qualification as a RIC, we do not have fixed guidelines for diversification, and our investments are likely to be concentrated in relatively few companies. As our portfolio is less diversified than the portfolios of some funds, we are more susceptible to failure if a single investment 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 portfolio will be concentrated in a limited number of industries, which subjects us to a risk of significant loss if there is a downturn in a particular industry in which a number of our investments are concentrated.

Our portfolio is likely to be concentrated in a limited number of industries. A downturn in any particular industry in which we are invested could significantly impact our aggregate realized returns.

In addition, we may from time to time invest a relatively significant percentage of our portfolio in industries in which GECM does not necessarily have extensive historical research coverage. If an industry in which we have significant investments suffers from adverse business or economic conditions, as these industries have to varying degrees, a material portion of our investment portfolio could be affected adversely, which, in turn, could adversely affect our financial position and results of operations.

 

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Any unrealized losses we experience in our portfolio may be an indication of future realized losses, which could reduce our income available for distribution.

As a BDC, we are required to carry our investments at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board. Decreases in the fair values of our investments are recorded as unrealized depreciation. Any unrealized losses in our 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 income available for distribution in future periods.

Prepayments of our debt investments by our portfolio companies could adversely impact our results of operations and reduce our returns on equity.

We are subject to the risk that investments intended to be held over long periods are, instead, repaid prior to maturity. When this occurs, we will generally reinvest these proceeds in temporary investments, repay debt or repurchase our common stock, depending on expected future investment opportunities. These temporary investments will typically have substantially lower yields than the debt being prepaid and we could experience significant delays in reinvesting these amounts. Any future investment may also be at lower yields than the debt that was repaid. As a result, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected if one or more of our portfolio companies elects to prepay amounts owed by them.

We are not in a position to exercise control over our portfolio companies or to prevent decisions by management of our portfolio companies that could decrease the value of our investments.

We generally do not hold controlling equity positions in 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 adverse to our interests. Due to the lack of liquidity of the debt and equity investments that we typically hold in our portfolio companies, we may not be able to dispose of our investments if we disagree with the actions of a portfolio company and may therefore suffer a decrease in the value of our investments.

Defaults by our portfolio companies may harm our operating results.

A portfolio company’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, termination of our investments and foreclosure on our secured assets, which could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize a portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt or equity securities that we hold. We may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms, which may include the waiver of financial covenants, with a defaulting portfolio company. If any of these occur, it could materially and adversely affect our operating results and cash flows.

By investing in companies that are experiencing significant financial or business difficulties, we will be exposed to distressed lending risks.

As part of our lending activities, we may purchase notes or loans to companies that are experiencing significant financial or business difficulties, including companies involved in bankruptcy or other reorganization and liquidation proceedings. Although the terms of such financing may result in significant financial returns to us, they involve a substantial degree of risk. The level of analytical sophistication, both financial and legal, necessary for successful financing to companies experiencing significant business and financial difficulties is unusually high. We cannot assure you that we will correctly evaluate the value of the assets collateralizing our investments or the prospects for a successful

 

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reorganization or similar action. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a portfolio company, we may lose all or part of the amounts advanced to the borrower or may be required to accept collateral with a value less than the amount of the investment advanced by us to the borrower.

As of December 31, 2018, we held approximately $16.0 million at par value of TRU Taj LLC (“TRU Taj”) senior secured notes due 2021 (the “TRU Taj 2021 notes”) and $5.0 million at par value of TRU Taj debtor in possession notes. On August 4, 2018, TRU Taj and Toys “R” Us, Inc. filed a joint Chapter 11 plan (the “Plan”) of restructuring, which included a sale of substantially all of their assets, including the company’s 85% equity interest in an Asia joint venture (“Asia JV”). A credit bid submitted by an ad hoc group of noteholders in an amount of up to $760.0 million (net of any cash, debt and working capital adjustments) was the winning bid. The Plan also included a $365.0 million rights offering for noteholders which we participated in. The Plan was confirmed on December 13, 2018 and became effective on January 23, 2019. As a result, the debtor in possession notes were repaid at maturity and we received 776,954 shares of common stock in the reorganized Asia JV business, TRU (UK) Asia Limited, and 16,000 shares in a liquidating trust that contains all other international assets currently being wound down, partially in exchange for the TRU Taj 2021 notes. Investments in equity securities involve a number of significant risks, including the risk of further dilution as a result of additional issuances, inability to access additional capital and failure to pay current distributions. See “—We may not realize gains from our equity investments.”

Our investments are very risky and highly speculative, and the lower middle-market companies we target may have difficulty accessing the capital markets to meet their future capital needs, which may limit their ability to grow or to repay their outstanding indebtedness upon maturity.

Senior Secured Loans and Notes . There is a risk that the collateral securing our loans and notes may decrease in value over time, may be difficult to sell in a timely manner, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value based upon the success of the business and market conditions, including as a result of the inability of the portfolio company to raise additional capital, and, in some circumstances, our lien could be subordinated to claims of other creditors. In addition, deterioration in a portfolio company’s financial condition and prospects, including its inability to raise additional capital, may be accompanied by deterioration in the value of the collateral for the loan or note. Consequently, the fact that a loan or note is secured does not guarantee that we will receive principal and interest payments according to the loan’s or note’s terms, or at all, or that we will be able to collect on the loan or note should we be forced to enforce our remedies.

Mezzanine Loans . Our mezzanine debt investments will be generally subordinated to senior loans and will be generally unsecured. As such, other creditors may rank senior to us in the event of an insolvency, which could likely result in a substantial or complete loss on such investment in the case of such insolvency. This may result in an above average amount of risk and loss of principal.

Unsecured Loans and Notes . We may invest in unsecured loans and notes. If the issuer defaults or has an event of insolvency, other creditors may rank senior, be structurally senior or have lien protection that effectively renders their claim superior to our rights under our unsecured notes or loans, which could likely result in a substantial or complete loss on such investment in the case of such insolvency. This may result in an above average amount of risk and loss of principal.

Equity Investments . When we invest in senior secured loans or mezzanine loans, we may acquire equity securities, including warrants, as well. In addition, we may invest directly in the equity securities of portfolio companies. The equity interests we receive may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline in value. Accordingly, we may not be able to realize gains from our equity interests, and any gains that we realize on the disposition of any equity interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we experience.

 

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In addition, investing in middle-market companies involves a number of significant risks, including:

 

•

these companies may have limited financial resources and may be unable to meet their obligations under their debt securities that we hold, which may be accompanied by a deterioration in the value of any collateral and a reduction in the likelihood of us realizing any guarantees we may have obtained in connection with our investment;

 

•

they typically have shorter operating histories, narrower product lines and smaller market shares than larger businesses, which tend to render them more vulnerable to competitors’ actions and market conditions, as well as general economic downturns;

 

•

they are more likely to depend on the management talents and efforts of a small group of persons; therefore, the death, disability, resignation or termination of one or more of these persons could have a material adverse impact on our portfolio company and, in turn, on you;

 

•

they generally have less predictable operating results, may from time to time be parties to litigation, may be engaged in rapidly changing businesses with products subject to a substantial risk of obsolescence, and may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, finance expansion or maintain their competitive position. In addition, our executive officers, directors and GECM may be named as defendants in litigation arising from our investments in the portfolio companies;

 

•

they may have difficulty accessing the capital markets to meet future capital needs, which may limit their ability to grow or to repay their outstanding indebtedness upon maturity; and

 

•

a portion of our income may be non-cash income, such as contractual PIK interest, which represents interest added to the debt balance and due at the end of the instrument’s term, in the case of loans, or issued as additional notes in the case of bonds. Instruments bearing PIK interest typically carry higher interest rates as a result of their payment deferral and increased credit risk. When we recognize income in connection with PIK interest, there is a risk that such income may become uncollectable if the borrower defaults.

Investing in middle-market companies involves a high degree of risk and our financial results may be affected adversely if one or more of our portfolio investments defaults on its loans or notes or fails to perform as we expect.

Our portfolio consists primarily of debt and equity investments in privately owned lower middle-market companies. Investing in lower middle-market companies involves a number of significant risks. Typically, the debt instruments in which we invest are not initially rated by any rating agency; however, we believe that if such investments were rated, they would be below investment grade, which are referred to as “junk bonds.” Compared to larger publicly owned companies, these middle-market companies may be in a weaker financial position and experience wider variations in their operating results, which may make them more vulnerable to economic downturns and other business disruptions. Typically, these companies need more capital to compete; however, their access to capital is limited and their cost of capital is often higher than that of their competitors. Our portfolio companies face intense competition from larger companies with greater financial, technical and marketing resources and their success typically depends on the managerial talents and efforts of an individual or a small group of persons. Therefore, the loss of any of their key employees could affect a portfolio company’s ability to compete effectively and harm its financial condition. Further, some of these companies conduct business in regulated industries that are susceptible to regulatory changes. These factors could impair the cash flow of our portfolio companies and result in other events, such as bankruptcy. These events could limit a portfolio company’s ability to repay its obligations to us. Deterioration in a borrower’s financial condition and prospects may be accompanied by deterioration in the value of the loan’s collateral and the fair market value of the loan.

 

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Most of the loans in which we invest are not structured to fully amortize during their lifetime. In order to create liquidity to pay the final principal payment, borrowers typically must raise additional capital or sell their assets, which could potentially result in the collateral being sold for less than its fair market value. If they are unable to raise sufficient funds to repay us, the loan will go into default, which will require us to foreclose on the borrower’s assets, even if the loan was otherwise performing prior to maturity. This will deprive us from immediately obtaining full recovery on the loan and prevent or delay the reinvestment of the loan proceeds in other, more profitable investments. Moreover, there are no assurances that any recovery on such loan will be obtained. Most of these companies cannot obtain financing from public capital markets or from traditional credit sources, such as commercial banks. Accordingly, loans made to these types of companies pose a higher default risk than loans made to companies that have access to traditional credit sources.

An investment strategy that includes privately held companies presents challenges, including the lack of available information about these companies, a dependence on the talents and efforts of only a few key portfolio company personnel and a greater vulnerability to economic downturns.

We will invest in privately held companies. Generally, little public information exists about these companies, and we are required to rely on GECM’s ability 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 may lose money on our investments. Also, privately held companies frequently have less diverse product lines and smaller market presence than larger competitors. These factors could adversely affect our investment returns as compared to companies investing primarily in the securities of public companies.

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

Our portfolio companies may have, or may be permitted to incur, other debt that ranks equally with, or in some cases senior to, the debt in which we invest. By their terms, such debt instruments may entitle the holders to receive payment of interest or principal on or before the dates on which we are entitled to receive payments with respect to the debt instruments in which we invested. Also, in 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. After repaying such senior creditors, such portfolio company may not have any remaining assets to use for repaying its obligation to us. In the case of debt ranking equally with debt instruments in which we invest, we would have to share on an equal basis any distributions with other creditors holding such debt in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of the relevant portfolio company.

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

Even though we may have structured investments as secured investments, 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 investment 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

 

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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 managerial assistance or actions to compel and collect payments from the borrower outside the ordinary course of business.

Second priority liens on collateral securing loans and notes that we invest in may be subject to control by senior creditors with first priority liens. If there is a default, the value of the collateral may not be sufficient to repay in full both the first priority creditors and us.

We may purchase loans or notes that are secured by a second priority security interest in the same collateral pledged by a portfolio company to secure senior debt owed by the portfolio company to commercial banks or other traditional lenders. Often the senior lender has procured covenants from the portfolio company prohibiting the incurrence of additional secured debt without the senior lender’s consent. Prior to and as a condition of permitting the portfolio company to borrow money from us secured by the same collateral pledged to the senior lender, the senior lender will require assurances that it will control the disposition of any collateral in the event of bankruptcy or other default. In many such cases, the senior lender will require us or the indenture trustee to enter into an “intercreditor agreement” prior to permitting the portfolio company to borrow. Typically the intercreditor agreements expressly subordinate our debt instruments to those held by the senior lender and further provide that the senior lender shall control: (1) the commencement of foreclosure or other proceedings to liquidate and collect on the collateral; (2) the nature, timing and conduct of foreclosure or other collection proceedings; (3) the amendment of any collateral document; (4) the release of the security interests in respect of any collateral; and (5) the waiver of defaults under any security agreement. Because of the control we may cede to senior lenders under intercreditor agreements we may enter, we may be unable to realize the proceeds of any collateral securing some of our loans and notes.

The reference rates for our loans may be manipulated or changed.

Concerns have been publicized that some of the member banks surveyed by the British Bankers’ Association (the “BBA”) in connection with the calculation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) across a range of maturities and currencies may have been under reporting or otherwise manipulating the inter-bank lending rate applicable to them in order to profit on their derivatives positions or to avoid an appearance of capital insufficiency or adverse reputational or other consequences that may have resulted from reporting inter-bank lending rates higher than those they actually submitted. A number of BBA member banks have entered into settlements with their regulators and law enforcement agencies with respect to alleged manipulation of LIBOR, and investigations by regulators and governmental authorities in various jurisdictions are ongoing.

Central banks have engaged in quantitative easing, currency purchase programs and other activities that caused government borrowing rates and currencies to trade at prices different than those that would prevail in an unaffected market.

Actions by market participants, like the BBA, or by government agencies, like the Federal Reserve Board, may affect prevailing interest rates and the reference rates for loans to our portfolio companies. Actions by governments may create inflation in asset prices that over-state the value of our portfolio companies and their assets and drive cycles of capital market activities (like mergers and acquisitions) at a rate and at prices in excess of those that would prevail in an unaffected market.

We cannot assure you that actions by market participants, like the BBA, or by government agencies, like the Federal Reserve Board, will not materially adversely affect trading markets or our portfolio companies or us or our and our portfolio companies’ respective business, prospects, financial condition or results of operations.

 

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In July 2017, the head of the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority announced the desire to phase out the use of LIBOR by the end of 2021. The U.S. Federal Reserve, in conjunction with the Alternative Reference Rates Committee, a steering committee comprised of large U.S. financial institutions, was considering replacing U.S. dollar LIBOR with a new index calculated by short-term repurchase agreements, backed by Treasury securities. If LIBOR ceases to exist, we may need to renegotiate outstanding loans to our portfolio companies which extend beyond 2021, and that utilize LIBOR as a factor in determining the interest rate, to replace LIBOR with the new standard that is established. There is currently no definitive information regarding the future utilization of LIBOR or of any particular replacement rate. As such, the potential effect of any such event on our cost of capital and net investment income cannot yet be determined.

We may mismatch the interest rate and maturity exposure of our assets and liabilities.

Our net investment income depends, in part, upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the rate at which we invest those funds. We cannot assure you that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on our net investment income. In periods of rising interest rates, our cost of funds could increase, which could reduce our net investment income. We expect that our fixed-rate investments will be financed primarily with equity and/or long-term debt. We may use interest rate risk management techniques in an effort to limit our exposure to interest rate fluctuations. Such techniques may include various interest rate hedging activities to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act. If we do not implement these techniques properly, we could experience losses on our hedging positions, which could be material.

If interest rates fall, our portfolio companies are likely to refinance their obligations to us at lower interest rates. Our proceeds from these refinancings are likely to be reinvested at lower interest rates than our refinanced loans resulting in a material decrease in our net investment income.

We may not realize gains from our equity investments.

Our portfolio may include warrants or other equity securities. We may take back equity securities in exchange for our debt investments in workouts of troubled investments. Investments in equity securities involve a number of significant risks, including the risk of further dilution as a result of additional issuances, inability to access additional capital and failure to pay current distributions. Investments in preferred securities involve special risks, such as the risk of deferred distributions, credit risk, illiquidity and limited voting rights. In addition, we may from time to time make non-control, equity investments in portfolio companies. The equity interests we invest in may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline in value. Accordingly, we may not be able to realize gains from our equity interests, and any gains that we do realize on the disposition of any equity interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we experience. 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, recapitalization or public offering, which would allow us to sell the underlying equity interests. We may seek puts or similar rights to give it the right to sell our equity securities back to the portfolio company. We may be unable to exercise these put rights if the issuer is in financial distress or otherwise lacks sufficient liquidity to purchase the underlying equity investment.

Investments in foreign securities may involve significant risks in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments.

Our investment strategy contemplates investments in debt securities of foreign companies. Investing in foreign companies may expose us to additional risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies. These risks include changes in exchange control regulations, political and social instability, expropriation, imposition of foreign taxes, less liquid markets and less available information than is generally the case in the United States, higher transaction costs, less government supervision of

 

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exchanges, brokers and issuers, less developed bankruptcy laws, difficulty in enforcing contractual obligations, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards and greater price volatility. Such investments will generally not represent “qualifying assets” under Section 55(a) of the Investment Company Act. Pursuant to the Investment Company Act, qualifying assets must represent at least 70% of our total assets at the time of acquisition of any additional non-qualifying assets. If we do not meet the 70% threshold, we will be limited to purchasing qualifying assets until such threshold is met. See “The Company—Regulation as a Business Development Company.”

Any investments denominated in a foreign currency will be subject to the risk that the value of a particular currency will change in relation to one or more other currencies. Among the factors that may affect currency values are trade balances, the level of short-term interest rates, differences in relative values of similar assets in different currencies, long-term opportunities for investment and capital appreciation, and political developments. We may employ hedging techniques to minimize these risks, but we offer no assurance that we will, in fact, hedge currency risk, or that if it does, such strategies will be effective.

We may hold a significant portion of our portfolio assets in cash, cash equivalents, money market mutual funds, U.S. government securities, repurchase agreements and high-quality debt instruments maturing in one year or less, which may have a negative impact on our business and operations.

We may hold a significant portion of our portfolio assets in cash, cash equivalents, money market mutual funds, U.S. government securities, repurchase agreements and high-quality debt instruments maturing in one year or less for many reasons, including, among others:

 

•

as part of GECM’s strategy in order to take advantage of investment opportunities as they arise;

 

•

when GECM believes that market conditions are unfavorable for profitable investing;

 

•

when GECM is otherwise unable to locate attractive investment opportunities;

 

•

as a defensive measure in response to adverse market or economic conditions; or

 

•

to meet RIC qualification requirements.

We may also be required to hold higher levels of cash, money market mutual funds or other short-term securities in order to pay our expenses or make distributions to stockholders in the ordinary course of business given the relatively high percentage of our total investment income represented by non-cash income, including PIK income and accretion of OID. During periods when we maintain exposure to cash, money market mutual funds or short-term securities, we may not participate in market movements to the same extent that it would if we were fully invested, which may have a negative impact on our business and operations and, accordingly, our returns may be reduced.

Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure

Capital markets experience periods of disruption and instability. These market conditions have historically materially and adversely affected debt and equity capital markets in the United States and abroad, which had, and may in the future have, a negative impact on our business and operations.

The global capital markets are subject to disruption as evidenced by, among other things, a lack of liquidity in the debt capital markets, significant write-offs in the financial services sector, the re-pricing of credit risk in the broadly syndicated credit market and the failure of major financial institutions. Despite actions of the U.S. federal government and foreign governments, these events have contributed to worsening general economic conditions that have historically materially and adversely impacted the broader financial and credit markets

 

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and reduced the availability of debt and equity capital for the market as a whole and financial services firms in particular. We cannot provide any assurance that these conditions will not significantly worsen. Equity capital may be difficult to raise because, as a BDC, we are generally not able to issue additional shares of our common stock at a price less than net asset value. In addition, our ability to incur indebtedness or issue preferred stock is limited by applicable regulations such that our asset coverage, as defined in the Investment Company Act, must equal at least 150% immediately after each time we incur indebtedness or issue preferred stock. The debt capital that may be available, if at all, may be at a higher cost and on less favorable terms and conditions in the future. Any inability to raise capital could have a negative effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Market conditions may in the future make it difficult to extend the maturity of or refinance our existing indebtedness, and any failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business. The expected illiquidity of our investments may make it difficult for us to sell such investments if required. As a result, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we have recorded our investments.

In addition, significant changes in the capital markets, including recent volatility and disruption, have had, and may in the future have, a negative effect on the valuations of our investments and on the potential for liquidity events involving our investments. An inability to raise capital, and any required sale of our investments for liquidity purposes, could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may borrow money, which would magnify the potential for loss on amounts invested and may increase the risk of investing with us.

We have existing indebtedness and may in the future borrow additional money, each of which magnifies the potential for loss on amounts invested and may increase the risk of investing with us. Our ability to service our existing and potential future debt depends largely on our financial performance and is subject to prevailing economic conditions and competitive pressures. The amount of leverage that we could employ at any particular time will depend on GECM’s and our Board’s assessment of market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing.

Any GECC credit facility would impose financial and operating covenants that would restrict our business activities, including limitations that could hinder our ability to finance additional loans and investments or to make the distributions required to maintain our status as a RIC under the Code. A failure to renew our credit facilities or to add new or replacement debt facilities could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Borrowings, also known as leverage, magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and, therefore, increase the risks associated with investing in our securities. When a company issues debt, the issuer gives the debt holders a call right on the issuer’s business and assets. Holders of such debt securities would have fixed dollar claims on our consolidated assets that would be superior to the claims of our common stockholders or any preferred stockholders.

If the value of our consolidated assets decreases while we have debt outstanding, leveraging would cause our net asset value to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had we not leveraged. Similarly, any decrease in our consolidated income while we have debt outstanding would cause net income to decline more sharply than it would have had we not borrowed. Such a decline could negatively affect our ability to make common stock distributions. We cannot assure you that our leveraging strategy will be successful.

Illustration . The following tables illustrate the effect of leverage on returns from an investment in our common stock assuming various annual returns, net of expenses. The first table assumes the amount of

 

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senior securities outstanding as of March 31, 2019. The second table assumes the amount of senior securities outstanding as permitted under our asset coverage ratio of 150%. See “—Recently enacted legislation permits us to incur additional debt.” The calculations in the tables below are hypothetical and actual returns may be higher or lower than those appearing below.

Table 1

 

Assumed Return on Our Portfolio (1)(2) (net of expenses)			(10.0	)%			(5.0	)%			0.0	%			5.0	%			10.0	%
Corresponding net return to common stockholder			(12.83	)%			(7.83	)%			(2.83	)%			2.17	%			7.17	%

 

(1)	Assumes $185.7 million in total portfolio assets, $79.0 million in senior securities outstanding, $114.0 million in net assets, and an average cost of funds of 6.65%. Actual interest payments may be different.

(2)	In order for us to cover our annual interest payments on indebtedness, we must achieve annual returns on our March 31, 2019 total portfolio assets of at least 2.83%.

Table 2

 

Assumed Return on Our Portfolio (1)(2) (net of expenses)			(10.0	)%			(5.0	)%			0.0	%			5.0	%			10.0	%
Corresponding net return to common stockholder			(14.53	)%			(9.53	)%			(4.53	)%			0.47	%			5.47	%

 

(1)	Assumes $334.6 million in total portfolio assets, $227.9 million in senior securities outstanding, $114.0 million in net assets, and an average cost of funds of 6.65%. Actual interest payments may be different.

(2)	In order for us to cover our annual interest payments on indebtedness, we must achieve annual returns on our March 31, 2019 total portfolio assets of at least 4.53%.

We may experience fluctuations in our quarterly results.

Our quarterly operating results will fluctuate due to a number of factors, including the level of 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. Our quarterly operating results will also fluctuate due to a number of other factors, including the interest rates payable on the debt investments we make and the default rates on such investments. As a result of these factors, results for any period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in future periods.

Our success depends on the ability of our investment adviser to attract and retain qualified personnel in a competitive environment.

Our growth requires that GECM retain and attract new investment and administrative personnel in a competitive market. GECM’s ability to attract and retain personnel with the requisite credentials, experience and skills depends on several factors, including, but not limited to, its ability to offer competitive wages, benefits and professional growth opportunities. Many of the entities, including investment funds (such as private equity funds and mezzanine funds) and traditional financial services companies, which compete for experienced personnel with GECM, have greater resources than GECM.

Our ability to grow depends on our ability to raise capital and/or access debt financing.

We intend to periodically access the capital markets to raise cash to fund new investments. We expect to continue to elect to be treated as a RIC and operate in a manner so as to qualify for the U.S. federal

 

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income tax treatment applicable to RICs. Among other things, in order to maintain our RIC status, we must distribute to our stockholders on a timely basis generally an amount equal to at least 90% of our investment company taxable income (as defined by the Code), and, as a result, such distributions will not be available to fund new investments. As a result, we must borrow from financial institutions or issue additional securities to fund our growth. Unfavorable economic or capital market conditions may increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or could result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. There has been and will continue to be uncertainty in the financial markets in general. An inability to successfully access the capital or credit markets for either equity or debt could limit our ability to grow our business and fully execute our business strategy and could decrease our earnings, if any.

If the fair value of our assets declines substantially, we may fail to maintain the asset coverage ratios imposed upon us by the Investment Company Act or our lenders. Any such failure, or a tightening or general disruption of the credit markets, would affect our ability to issue senior securities, including borrowings, and pay dividends or other distributions, which could materially impair our business.

In addition, with certain limited exceptions, effective as of May 4, 2018, we are only allowed to borrow or issue debt securities or preferred stock such that our asset coverage, as defined in the Investment Company Act, equals at least 150% immediately after such borrowing, which, in certain circumstances, may restrict our ability to borrow or issue debt securities or preferred stock. The amount of leverage that we may employ will depend on GECM’s and our Board’s assessments of market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing or issuance of debt securities or preferred stock. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain lines of credit at all or on terms acceptable to us.

Economic recessions or downturns could impair our portfolio companies and harm our operating results.

The economy is subject to periodic downturns that, from time to time, result in recessions or more serious adverse macroeconomic events. Our portfolio companies are susceptible to economic slowdowns or recessions and may be unable to repay loans or notes during these periods. Therefore, our non-performing assets may increase and the value of our portfolio may decrease during these periods as we are required to record the market value of our investments. Adverse economic conditions may also decrease the value of collateral securing some of our investments and the value of our equity investments. Economic slowdowns or recessions could lead to financial losses in our portfolio and a decrease in revenues, net income and assets. Unfavorable economic conditions also could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. These events could prevent us from increasing investments and harm our operating results.

A portfolio company’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants in its agreements with us or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, acceleration of the time when the debt obligations are due and foreclosure on its secured assets, which could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize the portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt that we hold. We may incur additional expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting portfolio company. In addition, if one of our portfolio companies were to go bankrupt, depending on the facts and circumstances, including the extent to which we actually provided significant managerial assistance to that portfolio company, a bankruptcy court might re-characterize our debt holding and subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors.

Uncertainty about the financial stability of the United States and of several countries in the European Union could have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Downgrades of the U.S. government’s credit rating, or warnings regarding downgrades, by S&P Global Ratings or other rating agencies, and the U.S. government’s credit and deficit concerns in general, could

 

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cause interest rates and borrowing costs to rise, which may negatively impact both the perception of credit risk associated with our debt portfolio and our ability to access the debt markets on favorable terms. In addition, a decreased U.S. government credit rating could create broader financial turmoil and uncertainty, which may weigh heavily on our financial performance and the value of our common stock.

Protectionism, other governmental causes of recessions and other negative economic factors may increase. Risks resulting from any future debt crisis in Europe or any similar crisis could have a detrimental impact on the global economic recovery, sovereign and non-sovereign debt in these countries and the financial condition of European financial institutions. Market and economic disruptions have affected, and may in the future affect, consumer confidence levels and spending, personal bankruptcy rates, levels of incurrence and defaults on consumer debt and home prices, among other factors. We cannot assure you that market disruptions in Europe, including the increased cost of funding for certain governments and financial institutions, will not impact the global economy. To the extent uncertainty regarding the United Kingdom or the European Union negatively impacts consumer confidence, market conditions and credit factors, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

In October 2014, the Federal Reserve announced that it was concluding its bond-buying program, or quantitative easing, which was designed to stimulate the economy and expand the Federal Reserve’s holdings of long-term securities. It is unclear what effect, if any, the conclusion of the Federal Reserve’s bond-buying program has had or will have on the value of our investments. However, it is possible that, without quantitative easing by the Federal Reserve, these developments, along with the U.S. government’s credit and deficit concerns and the European sovereign debt crisis, could cause interest rates and borrowing costs to rise, which may negatively impact our ability to access the debt markets on favorable terms. In December 2018, the Federal Reserve increased the federal funds rate to 2.50%.

The United Kingdom held a referendum on June 23, 2016 in which a majority of voters voted to exit the European Union and on March 29, 2017, the United Kingdom submitted a formal notification of its intention to withdraw from the European Union pursuant to Article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon. The United Kingdom had a period of a maximum of two years from the date of its formal notification (such period ended on March 29, 2019 and was subsequently extended) to negotiate the terms of its withdrawal from, and future relationship with, the European Union, including the terms of trade between the United Kingdom and the European Union and potentially other countries. It is not possible to ascertain the precise impact these events may have on us from an economic, financial or regulatory perspective but any such impact could have material adverse consequences for us or our portfolio companies.

The U.S. Congress has passed, and the President signed into law on December 22, 2017, a tax reform bill that, among other things, significantly changed the taxation of business entities (including by significantly lowering corporate tax rates), the deductibility of interest expense, and the timing in which certain income items are recognized. Additionally, the Trump administration has called for significant change to U.S. trade, healthcare, immigration, foreign, and government regulatory policy. In this regard, there is significant uncertainty with respect to legislation, regulation and government policy at the federal level, as well as the state and local levels. Recent events have created a climate of heightened uncertainty and introduced new and difficult-to-quantify macroeconomic and political risks with potentially far-reaching implications. There has been a corresponding meaningful increase in the uncertainty surrounding interest rates, inflation, foreign exchange rates, trade volumes and fiscal and monetary policy. To the extent the U.S. Congress or Trump administration implements changes to U.S. policy, those changes may impact, among other things, the U.S. and global economy, international trade and relations, unemployment, immigration, corporate taxes, healthcare, the U.S. regulatory environment, inflation and other areas. Some particular areas identified as subject to potential change, amendment or repeal include the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), including the Volcker

 

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Rule and various swaps and derivatives regulations, credit risk retention requirements and the authorities of the Federal Reserve, the Financial Stability Oversight Council and the SEC. Although we cannot predict the impact, if any, of these changes to our business, they could adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows. Until we know what policy changes are made and how those changes impact our business and the business of our competitors over the long term, we will not know if, overall, we will benefit from them or be negatively affected by them.

Changes in tax laws, including recently enacted U.S. tax reform legislation, could have a negative effect on us.

Recently enacted tax reform legislation has made substantial changes to U.S. tax law, including new tax rates, immediate expensing of certain capital expenses and significant limitations on deductibility of interest. This legislation could have significant effects on us and on an investment in the Notes, some of which may be adverse. The magnitude of the net impact remains uncertain at this time and is subject to any other regulatory or administrative developments, including any regulations or other guidance promulgated by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”).

We may acquire other funds, portfolios of assets or pools of debt and those acquisitions may not be successful.

We may acquire other funds, portfolios of assets or pools of debt investments. Any such acquisition program has a number of risks, including among others:

 

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management’s attention will be diverted from running our existing business by efforts to source, negotiate, close and integrate acquisitions;

 

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our due diligence investigation of potential acquisitions may not reveal risks inherent in the acquired business or assets;

 

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we may over-value potential acquisitions resulting in dilution to you, incurrence of excessive indebtedness, asset write downs and negative perception of our common stock;

 

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stockholder’s interest in GECC may be diluted by the issuance of additional common stock or preferred stock;

 

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we may borrow to finance acquisitions, and there are risks associated with borrowing as described in this prospectus;

 

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GECM has an incentive to increase our assets under management in order to increase its fee stream, which may not be aligned with your interests;

 

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we and GECM may not successfully integrate any acquired business or assets; and

 

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GECM may compensate the existing managers of any acquired business or assets in a manner that results in the combined company taking on excessive risk.

Our failure to maintain our status as a BDC would reduce our operating flexibility.

We have elected to be regulated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act. The Investment Company Act imposes numerous constraints on the operations of BDCs and their external advisers. For example, BDCs are required to invest at least 70% of their gross assets in specified types of securities, primarily in private companies or illiquid U.S. public companies below a certain market capitalization, cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. Furthermore, any failure to comply with the requirements imposed on BDCs by the Investment Company Act could cause the SEC to bring an enforcement action against us and/or expose us to claims of private litigants. In addition, upon approval of a majority of our voting securities (as defined under the Investment Company Act), we may elect to withdraw our status as a BDC. If we

 

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decide to withdraw our BDC election, or if we otherwise fail to qualify, or to maintain our qualification, as a BDC, we may be subject to substantially greater regulation under the Investment Company Act as a closed-end management investment company. Compliance with such regulations would significantly decrease our operating flexibility and would significantly increase our costs of doing business.

Regulations governing our operations as a BDC affect our ability to raise additional capital and the way in which we do so. 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, referred to collectively as “senior securities,” up to the maximum amount permitted under the Investment Company Act. Under the provisions of the Investment Company Act applicable to BDCs, we are permitted to issue senior securities (e.g., notes and preferred stock) in amounts such that our asset coverage ratio, as defined in the Investment Company Act, equals at least 150% of 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 and, depending on the nature of our leverage, repay a portion of our indebtedness at a time when such sales may be disadvantageous. Also, any amounts that we use to service our indebtedness would not be available for distributions to our stockholders. Furthermore, as a result of issuing senior securities, we would also be exposed to typical risks associated with leverage, including an increased risk of loss.

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

Our Board has the authority to modify or waive our investment objectives, current operating policies, investment criteria and strategies without prior notice and without stockholder approval. We cannot predict the effect any changes to our current operating policies, investment criteria and strategies would have on our business, net asset value, operating results and value of the Notes.

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

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we may be required to include in income certain amounts before our receipt of the cash attributable to such amounts, such as OID, which may arise if we receive warrants in connection with the making of a loan or possibly in other circumstances, or PIK interest, which represents contractual interest added to the loan balance and due at the end of the loan term. For example, such OID or increases in loan balances as a result of PIK interest will be included in income before we receive any corresponding cash payments. Also, we may be required to include in income other amounts that we will not receive in cash, including, for example, non-cash income from PIK securities, deferred payment securities and hedging and foreign currency transactions. In addition, we intend to seek debt investments in the secondary market that represent attractive risk-adjusted returns, taking into account both stated interest rates and current market discounts to par value. Such market discount may be included in income before we receive any corresponding cash payments. One of our debt investments in Avanti currently only earns PIK interest and, if converted to common stock, is not expected to earn cash dividends.

Since we may recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income, we may have difficulty meeting the U.S. federal income tax requirement to distribute generally an amount equal to at least 90% of our investment company taxable income to maintain our status as a RIC. Accordingly, we may have to sell some of our investments at times we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or reduce new investment originations to meet these distribution requirements. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify as a RIC and thus become subject to additional corporate-level taxes.

 

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However, in order to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement for a RIC, we may, but have no current intention to, declare a large portion of a dividend in our common stock instead of in cash. As long as a portion of such dividend is paid in cash (which portion may be as low as 20% of such dividend) and certain requirements are met, the entire distribution will be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

We may expose ourselves to risks associated with the inclusion of non-cash income prior to receipt of cash.

To the extent we invest in OID instruments, including PIK loans, zero coupon bonds, and debt securities with attached warrants, investors will be exposed to the risks associated with the inclusion of such non-cash income in taxable and accounting income prior to receipt of cash.

The deferred nature of payments on PIK loans creates specific risks. Interest payments deferred on a PIK loan are subject to the risk that the borrower may default when the deferred payments are due in cash at the maturity of the loan. Since the payment of PIK income does not result in cash payments to us, we may also have to sell some of our investments at times we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or reduce new investment originations (and thus hold higher cash or cash equivalent balances, which could reduce returns) to pay our expenses or make distributions to stockholders in the ordinary course of business, even if such loans do not default. An election to defer PIK interest payments by adding them to principal increases our gross assets and, thus, increases future base management fees to GECM and, because interest payments will then be payable on a larger principal amount, the PIK election also increases GECM’s future Income Incentive Fees at a compounding rate. The deferral of interest on a PIK loan increases its loan-to-value ratio, which is a measure of the riskiness of a loan.

More generally, market prices of OID instruments are more volatile because they are impacted to a greater extent by interest rate changes than instruments that pay interest periodically in cash. Ordinarily, OID would also create the risk of non-refundable cash payments to GECM, based on non-cash accruals that may never be realized; however, this risk is mitigated since the Investment Management Agreement requires GECM to defer any incentive fees on accrued but unpaid income, the effect of which is that Income Incentive Fees otherwise payable with respect to Accrued Unpaid Income become payable only if, as, when and to the extent cash is received by us or our consolidated subsidiaries in respect thereof.

Additionally, we will be required under the tax laws to make distributions of non-cash income to stockholders without receiving any cash. Such required cash distributions may have to be paid from the sale of our assets without investors being given any notice of this fact. The required recognition of non-cash income, including PIK and OID interest, for U.S. federal income tax purposes may have a negative impact on liquidity because it represents a non-cash component of our taxable income that must, nevertheless, be distributed in cash to investors to avoid us being subject to corporate level taxation.

Further, our investment in Avanti, which represented approximately 21% of our investment portfolio (excluding cash and short-term investments) as of March 31, 2019 and 17% of our total investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2019, has resulted in significant PIK interest, which significantly increases our exposure to the aforementioned risks. Conversion of the Avanti 2019 Notes to equity has resulted in us owning more Avanti common stock, which are not expected to generate cash dividends. Please see “—Risks Relating to Our Investments—We may lose all of our investment in Avanti.”

 

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We may expose our self to risks if we engage in hedging transactions.

If we engage in hedging transactions, we may expose our self to risks associated with such transactions. We may utilize instruments such as forward contracts, currency options and interest rate swaps, caps, collars and floors to seek to hedge against fluctuations in the relative values of our portfolio positions from changes in currency exchange rates and market interest rates. Hedging against a decline in the values of our portfolio positions does not eliminate the possibility of fluctuations in the values of such positions or prevent losses if the values of such positions decline. Such hedging transactions may also limit the opportunity for gain if the values of the underlying portfolio positions increase. It may not be possible to hedge against an exchange rate or interest rate fluctuation that is generally anticipated because we may not be 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 portfolio holdings being hedged.

Any such imperfect correlation may prevent us from achieving the intended hedge and expose us to risk of loss. In addition, it may not be possible to hedge fully or perfectly against currency fluctuations affecting the value of securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies because the value of those securities is likely to fluctuate as a result of factors not related to currency fluctuations.

We will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax if we are unable to qualify as a RIC under the Code.

No assurance can be given that we will be able to qualify for and maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code. To maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code, we must meet certain annual distribution, source of income and asset diversification requirements.

The Annual Distribution Requirement for a RIC will be satisfied if we distribute to our stockholders on an annual basis at least 90% of our net ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any. Because we may use debt financing, we may be subject to asset coverage ratio requirements under the Investment Company Act and financial covenants under loan and credit agreements that could, under certain circumstances, restrict us from making distributions necessary to satisfy the distribution requirement. If we are unable to make the required distributions, we could fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax.

The source of income requirement will be satisfied if we obtain at least 90% of our income for each year from dividends, interest, gains from the sale of stock or securities or similar sources.

The asset diversification requirement will be satisfied if we meet asset diversification requirements at the end of each quarter of our taxable year. We expect to satisfy the asset diversification requirements, but our business model calls for concentration in a relatively small number of portfolio companies. Failure to meet the asset diversification requirements could result in us having to dispose of investments quickly in order to prevent the loss of RIC status. Because most of our investments will be relatively illiquid, any such dispositions could be made at disadvantageous prices and could result in substantial losses. Further, the illiquidity of our investments may make them difficult or impossible to dispose of in a timely manner.

If we fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment for any reason and become subject to corporate U.S. federal income tax, the resulting corporate taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distribution and the amount of our distributions.

 

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The incentive fee structure and the formula for calculating the management fee may incentivize GECM to pursue speculative investments, advise us to use leverage when it may be unwise to do so, or advise us to refrain from reducing debt levels when it would otherwise be appropriate to do so.

The incentive fee payable by us to GECM creates an incentive for GECM to pursue investments on our behalf that are riskier or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of such a compensation arrangement. The incentive fee payable to GECM is calculated based on a percentage of our return on invested capital. In addition, GECM’s base management fee is calculated on the basis of our gross assets, including assets acquired through the use of leverage. This may encourage GECM to use leverage to increase the aggregate amount of and the return on our investments, even when it may not be appropriate to do so, and to refrain from reducing debt levels when it would otherwise be appropriate to do so. The use of leverage increases our likelihood of default, which would impair the value of our securities. In addition, GECM will receive the incentive fee based, in part, upon net capital gains realized on our investments. Unlike that portion of the incentive fee based on income, there will be no hurdle rate applicable to the portion of the incentive fee based on net capital gains. As a result, GECM may have a tendency to invest more capital in investments that are likely to result in capital gains as compared to income producing securities. Such a practice could result in us investing in more speculative securities than would otherwise be the case, which could result in higher investment losses, particularly during economic downturns.

We may invest in the securities and instruments of other investment companies, including private funds, and we will bear our ratable share of any such investment company’s expenses, including management and performance fees. We will also remain obligated to pay management and incentive fees to GECM with respect to the assets invested in the securities and instruments of other investment companies. With respect to each of these investments, each of our stockholders will bear its share of the management and incentive fee payable to GECM, as well as indirectly bearing the management and performance fees and other expenses of any investment companies in which we invest.

In addition, if we purchase our debt instruments and such purchase results in our recording a net gain on the extinguishment of debt for financial reporting and tax purposes, such net gain will be included in our pre-incentive fee net investment income for purposes of determining the Income Incentive Fee payable to GECM under the Investment Management Agreement.

Finally, the incentive fee payable by us to GECM also may create an incentive for GECM to invest on our behalf in instruments that have a deferred interest feature, such as investments with PIK provisions. Under these investments, we would accrue the interest over the life of the investment but would typically not receive the cash income from the investment until the end of the term or upon the investment being called by the issuer. Our net investment income used to calculate the income portion of our incentive fee, however, includes accrued interest. The portion of the incentive fee that is attributable to deferred interest, such as PIK, will not be paid to GECM until we receive such interest in cash. Even though such portion of the incentive fee will be paid only when the accrued income is collected, the accrued income is capitalized and included in the calculation of the base management fee. In other words, when deferred interest income (such as PIK) is accrued, a corresponding Income Incentive Fee (if any) is also accrued (but not paid) based on that income. After the accrual of such income, it is capitalized and added to the debt balance, which increases our total assets and thus the base management fee paid following such capitalization. If any such interest is reversed in connection with any write-off or similar treatment of the investment, we will reverse the Income Incentive Fee accrual and an Income Incentive Fee will not be payable with respect to such uncollected interest. If a portfolio company defaults on a loan, it is possible that accrued interest previously used in the calculation of whether GECM met the hurdle rate to earn the incentive fee will become uncollectible.

 

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A general increase in interest rates will likely have the effect of making it easier for GECM to receive incentive fees, without necessarily resulting in an increase in our net earnings.

Given the structure of the Investment Management Agreement, any general increase in interest rates will likely have the effect of making it easier for GECM to meet the quarterly hurdle rate for payment of Income Incentive Fees under the Investment Management Agreement without any additional increase in relative performance on the part of GECM. In addition, in view of the catch-up provision applicable to income incentive fees under the Investment Management Agreement, GECM could potentially receive a significant portion of the increase in our investment income attributable to such a general increase in interest rates. If that were to occur, our increase in net earnings, if any, would likely be significantly smaller than the relative increase in GECM’s Income Incentive Fee resulting from such a general increase in interest rates.

GECM has the right to resign on 60 days’ notice, and we may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, resulting in a disruption in our operations that could adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.

GECM has the right, under the Investment Management Agreement, to resign at any time upon not more than 60 days’ written notice, whether we have found a replacement or not. If GECM resigns, we may not be able to find a new investment adviser 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, business and results of operations, as well as our ability to pay distributions, are likely to be adversely affected; and the market price of our common stock may decline. In addition, the coordination of our internal management and investment activities 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 investment adviser and its affiliates. 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 and current investment portfolio may result in additional costs and time delays that may adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations and cause you to lose your investment.

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 Exchange Act, as well as additional corporate governance requirements, including requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Act and other rules implemented by our government.

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

We and our portfolio companies are subject to applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations. New legislation may be enacted or new interpretations, rulings or regulations could be adopted, including those governing the types of investments we are permitted to make, any of which could harm us and you, potentially with retroactive effect. Additionally, any changes to the laws and regulations governing our operations relating to permitted investments may cause us to alter our investment strategy in order to avail our self of new or different opportunities. Such changes could result in material differences to the strategies and plans and may result in our investment focus shifting from the areas of expertise of GECM to other types of investments in which the investment committee may have less expertise or little or no experience. Specifically, tax reform legislation could have an adverse impact on us, the credit markets and our portfolio companies, notwithstanding the reduction in corporate tax rates. Thus, any such changes, if they occur, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment in us.

 

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In December 2015, the SEC proposed Rule 18f-4 under the Investment Company Act to regulate the use of derivatives by registered investment companies that applies to BDCs, including us. Although Rule 18f-4 was ultimately not adopted, the SEC’s Regulatory Flexibility Agenda for Spring 2018 included a prospective rule titled “Use of Derivatives by Registered Investment Companies and Business Development Companies.” The prospective rule stated that the Division of Investment Management is “considering recommending that the SEC re-propose a new rule designed to enhance the regulation of the use of derivatives by registered investment companies, including mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds and business development companies.” If such a rule goes into effect, it could limit our ability to invest or remain invested in derivatives. In addition, other future regulatory developments may impact our ability to invest or remain invested in derivatives. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which we are regulated. We cannot predict the effects of any new governmental regulation that may be implemented on our ability to use swaps or any other financial derivative product, and there can be no assurance that any new governmental regulation will not adversely affect our ability to achieve our investment objective.

Recently enacted legislation permits us to incur additional debt.

On March 23, 2018, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018, which includes the Small Business Credit Availability Act (the “Act”), was signed into law. The Act amends the Investment Company Act to permit a BDC to reduce the required minimum asset coverage ratio applicable to it from 200% to 150%, subject to certain requirements described therein. This reduction significantly increases the amount of debt that BDCs may incur.

Prior to the enactment of the Act, BDCs were required to maintain an asset coverage ratio of at least 200% in order to incur debt or to issue other senior securities. Generally, for every $1.00 of debt incurred or in senior securities issued, a BDC was required to have at least $2.00 of assets immediately following such incurrence or issuance. For those BDCs that satisfy the Act’s disclosure and approval requirements, the minimum asset coverage ratio is reduced such that for every $1.00 of debt incurred or in senior securities issued, a BDC must now have at least $1.50 of assets.

At our 2018 annual meeting of stockholders, which was held on May 3, 2018 (the “Annual Meeting”), a majority of our stockholders approved the application of the modified minimum asset coverage requirements set forth in Section 61(a)(2) of the Investment Company Act, to the Company. As a result of such approval, and subject to satisfying certain ongoing disclosure requirements, effective May 4, 2018 the asset coverage ratio test applicable to the Company was decreased from 200% to 150%, permitting us to incur additional leverage and thereby potentially increasing the risk of an investment in us.

Incurring additional indebtedness could increase the risk in investing in our Company.

Pursuant to the Act, at the Annual Meeting our stockholders approved of the reduction of our required minimum asset coverage ratio from 200% to 150%, permitting us to incur additional leverage. The use of leverage magnifies the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested. The use of leverage is generally considered a speculative investment technique and increases the risks associated with investing in our securities.

As of March 31, 2019, we had approximately $79.0 million of total outstanding indebtedness under two series of senior securities (unsecured notes)—the 2022 Notes and the 2025 Notes—and our asset coverage ratio was 244%. Holders of our 2022 Notes and 2025 Notes have, and holders of the Notes will have, fixed dollar claims on our assets that are superior to the claims of our common stockholders, and such holders may seek to recover against our assets in the event of a default.

If we are unable to meet the financial obligations under any of the 2022 Notes, the 2025 Notes or the Notes, the holders of such indebtedness would have a superior claim to our assets over our common

 

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stockholders in the event of a default by us. If the value of our assets decreases, leveraging would cause net asset value to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had we not leveraged, thereby magnifying losses. 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. Moreover, as the base management fee payable to GECM, our investment adviser, is payable based on the average value of our total assets, including those assets acquired through the use of leverage, GECM will have a financial incentive to incur leverage, which may not be consistent with our stockholders’ interests. In addition, our common stockholders bear the burden of any increase in our fees or expenses as a result of our use of leverage, including interest expenses and any increase in the base management fee payable to GECM.

If our asset coverage ratio falls below the required limit, we will not be able to incur additional debt until we are able to comply with the asset coverage ratio applicable to us. This could have a material adverse effect on our operations, and we may not be able to make distributions to stockholders. The actual amount of leverage that we employ will depend on GECM’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.

Incurring additional leverage may magnify our exposure to risks associated with changes in interest rates, including fluctuations in interest rates which could adversely affect our profitability.

If we incur additional leverage, including through the offering of Notes hereby, general interest rate fluctuations may have a more significant negative impact on our financial condition and results of operations than they would have absent such additional incurrence, and, accordingly, may have a material adverse effect on our investment objectives and rate of return on investment capital. A portion of our income will depend upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the interest rate on the debt securities in which we invest. Because we may borrow money to make investments and may issue debt securities, preferred stock or other securities, our net investment income is dependent upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds or pay interest or dividends on such debt securities, preferred stock or other securities and the rate at which we invest these borrowed funds.

We expect that a majority of our investments in debt will continue to be at floating rates with a floor. As a result, significant increase in market interest rates could result in an increase in our non-performing assets and a decrease in the value of our portfolio because our floating-rate loan portfolio companies may be unable to meet higher payment obligations. In periods of rising interest rates, our cost of funds would increase, resulting in a decrease in our net investment income. Incurring additional leverage will magnify the impact of an increase to our cost of funds. In addition, a decrease in interest rates may reduce net income, because new investments may be made at lower rates despite the increased demand for our capital that the decrease in interest rates may produce. To the extent our additional borrowings are in fixed-rate instruments, we may be required to invest in higher-yield securities in order to cover our interest expense and maintain our current level of return to stockholders, which may increase the risk of an investment in our securities.

There is, and will be, uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments.

Under the Investment Company Act, we are required to carry our portfolio investments at market value or, if there is no readily available market value, at fair value as determined by us in accordance with our written valuation policy, with our Board having final responsibility for overseeing, reviewing and

 

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approving, in good faith, our estimate of fair value. Often, there will not be a public market for the securities of the privately held companies in which we invest. As a result, we will value these securities on a quarterly basis at fair value based on input from management, third-party independent valuation firms and our Audit Committee, with the oversight, review and approval of our Board. We consult with an independent valuation firm in valuing all securities in which we invest classified as “Level 3,” other than investments which are less than 1% of our net asset value as of the applicable quarter end. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies—Valuation of Portfolio Investments.”

The determination of fair value and consequently, the amount of unrealized gains and losses in our portfolio, are subjective and dependent on a valuation process approved and overseen by our Board. Factors that may be considered in determining the fair value of our investments include, among others, estimates of the collectability of the principal and interest on our debt investments and expected realization on our equity investments, as well as external events, such as private mergers, sales and acquisitions involving comparable companies. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of private securities and private companies and small cap public companies, are inherently uncertain, they 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 securities existed. Due to this uncertainty, our fair value determinations may cause our net asset value on a given date to materially misstate the value that we may ultimately realize on one or more of our investments. As a result, investors purchasing our securities based on an overstated net asset value would pay a higher price than the value of our investments might warrant. Conversely, investors selling securities during a period in which the net asset value understates the value of our investments will receive a lower price for their securities than the value of our investments might otherwise warrant.

Our financial condition and results of operations depend on our ability to effectively manage and deploy capital.

Our ability to achieve our investment objective depends on our ability to effectively manage and deploy capital, which depends, in turn, on GECM’s ability to identify, evaluate and monitor, and our ability to finance and invest in, companies that meet our investment criteria.

Accomplishing our investment objective on a cost-effective basis is largely a function of GECM’s handling of the investment process, its ability to provide competent, attentive and efficient services and its access to investments offering acceptable terms. In addition to monitoring the performance of our existing investments, GECM may also be called upon, from time to time, to provide managerial assistance to some of our portfolio companies. These demands on their time may distract them or slow the rate of investment.

Even if we are able to grow and build out our investment operations, any failure to manage our growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Our results of operations will depend on many factors, including the availability of opportunities for investment, readily accessible short and long-term funding alternatives in the financial markets and economic conditions.

We may hold assets in cash or short-term treasury securities in situations where we or GECM expects downward pricing in the high yield market. Our strategic decision not to be fully invested may, from time to time, reduce funds available for distribution and cause downward pressure on the price of our common stock.

 

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The failure in cyber security systems, as well as the occurrence of events unanticipated in our disaster recovery systems and management continuity planning, could impair our ability to conduct business effectively.

The occurrence of a disaster such as a cyber-attack, a natural catastrophe, an industrial accident, a terrorist attack or war, events anticipated or unanticipated in our disaster recovery systems, or a failure in externally provided data systems, could have an adverse effect on our ability to conduct business and on our results of operations and financial condition, particularly if those events affect our computer-based data processing, transmission, storage, and retrieval systems or destroy data. Our ability to effectively conduct our business could be severely compromised. The financial markets we operate in are dependent upon third-party data systems to link buyers and sellers and provide pricing information.

We depend heavily upon computer systems to perform necessary business functions. Our computer systems could be subject to cyber-attacks and unauthorized access, such as physical and electronic break-ins or unauthorized tampering. Like other companies, we will experience threats to our data and systems, including malware and computer virus attacks, unauthorized access, system failures and disruptions. If one or more of these events occurs, it could potentially jeopardize the confidential, proprietary and other information processed and stored in, and transmitted through, our computer systems and networks, or otherwise cause interruptions or malfunctions in our operations, which could result in damage to our reputation, financial losses, litigation, increased costs, regulatory penalties and/or customer dissatisfaction or loss, respectively.

Terrorist attacks, acts of war or natural disasters may affect the market for our securities, impact the businesses in which we invest and harm our business, operating results and financial condition.

Terrorist acts, acts of war or natural disasters may disrupt our operations, as well as the operations of the businesses in which we invest. Such acts have created, and continue to create, economic and political uncertainties and have contributed to global economic instability. Future terrorist activities, military or security operations, or natural disasters could further weaken the domestic/global economies and create additional uncertainties, which may negatively impact the businesses in which we invest directly or indirectly and, in turn, could have a material adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition. Losses from terrorist attacks and natural disasters are generally uninsurable.

We cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our securities less attractive to investors.

We are and will remain an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act, until the earliest of (a) December 31, 2021, (b) the last day of the fiscal year (i) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.0 billion or (ii) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of its common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700.0 million as of the end of the previous second fiscal quarter, and (c) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period. For so long as we remain an “emerging growth company” we may take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other 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. We cannot predict if investors will find our securities less attractive because we will rely on some or all of these exemptions. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active and more volatile trading market for our securities.

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” may take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other

 

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words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. To the extent we take advantage of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards, it will be more difficult for investors and securities analysts to evaluate us since our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates and may result in less investor confidence.

There are significant potential conflicts of interest that could impact our investment returns.

Certain of our executive officers and directors, and members of the investment committee of GECM, serve or may serve as officers, directors or principals of other entities and affiliates of GECM and investment funds managed by our affiliates. Accordingly, they may have obligations to investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which might not be in our or our stockholders’ best interests or that may require them to devote time to services for other entities, which could interfere with the time available to provide services to us. For example, Peter A. Reed, our President, Chief Executive Officer and chairman of our Board is GECM’s Chief Investment Officer and Chief Executive Officer of the largest beneficial owner of our stock, GEC.

Although funds managed by GECM may have different primary investment objectives than we do, they may from time to time invest in asset classes similar to those targeted by us. GECM is not restricted from raising an investment fund with investment objectives similar to ours. Any such funds may also, from time to time, invest in asset classes similar to those targeted by us. It is possible that we may not be given the opportunity to participate in certain investments made by investment funds managed by investment managers affiliated with GECM.

We will pay management and incentive fees to GECM, and will reimburse GECM for certain expenses it incurs. In addition, investors in our common stock will invest on a gross basis and receive distributions on a net basis after expenses, resulting in, among other things, a lower rate of return than one might achieve through direct investments.

GECM’s management fee is based on a percentage of our total assets (other than cash or cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed funds) and GECM may have conflicts of interest in connection with decisions that could affect our total assets, such as decisions as to whether to incur indebtedness.

The part of the incentive fee payable by us that relates to our pre-incentive fee net investment income is computed and paid on income that may include interest that is accrued but not yet received in cash. If a portfolio company defaults on a loan or note that is structured to provide accrued interest, it is possible that accrued interest previously used in the calculation of the incentive fee will become uncollectible.

The Investment Management Agreement renews for successive annual periods if approved by our Board or by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities, including, in either case, approval by a majority of our directors who are not interested persons. However, both we and GECM have the right to terminate the agreement without penalty upon 60 days’ written notice to the other party. Moreover, conflicts of interest may arise if GECM seeks to change the terms of the Investment Management Agreement, including, for example, the terms for compensation.

Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, we pay GECM our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by GECM in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including our allocable portion of the cost of our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer and their respective staffs.

 

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As a result of the arrangements described above, there may be times when our management team has interests that differ from those of our stockholders, giving rise to a conflict.

Our stockholders may have conflicting investment, tax and other objectives with respect to their investments in us. The conflicting interests of individual stockholders may relate to or arise from, among other things, the nature of our investments, the structure or the acquisition of our investments, and the timing of disposition of our investments. As a consequence, conflicts of interest may arise in connection with decisions made by GECM, including with respect to the nature or structuring of our investments, that may be more beneficial for one stockholder than for another stockholder, especially with respect to stockholders’ individual tax situations. In selecting and structuring investments appropriate for us, GECM will consider the investment and tax objectives of us and our stockholders, as a whole, not the investment, tax or other objectives of any stockholder individually.

 

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Some of the statements in this prospectus (including in the following discussion) constitute forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or our future performance or financial conditions. The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including statements concerning:

 

•

our, or our portfolio companies’, future business, operations, operating results or prospects;

 

•

the return or impact of current and future investments;

 

•

the impact of a protracted decline in the liquidity of credit markets on our business;

 

•

the impact of fluctuations in interest rates on our business;

 

•

the impact of changes in laws or regulations governing our operations or the operations of our portfolio companies;

 

•

our contractual arrangements and relationships with third parties;

 

•

our current and future management structure;

 

•

the general economy and its impact on the industries in which we invest;

 

•

the financial condition of and ability of our current and prospective portfolio companies to achieve their objectives;

 

•

our expected financings and investments;

 

•

the adequacy of our financing resources and working capital;

 

•

the ability of our investment adviser to locate suitable investments for us and to monitor and administer our investments;

 

•

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

 

•

the timing, form and amount of any dividend distributions;

 

•

the valuation of any investments in portfolio companies, particularly those having no liquid trading market; and

 

•

our ability to maintain our qualification as a RIC and as a BDC.

We use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “plan” and similar words to identify forward- looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those implied or expressed in the forward-looking statements for any reason, including the factors set forth under “Risk Factors.”

We have based the forward-looking statements included in this prospectus on information available to us on the date of this prospectus, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Although we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, you are advised to consult any additional disclosures that we may make directly to you or through reports that we have filed or in the future may file with the SEC.

You should understand that, under Sections 27A(b)(2)(B) of the Securities Act and Section 21E(b)(2)(B) of the Exchange Act, the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 do not apply to statements made in connection with any offering of securities pursuant to this prospectus or in any report that we file under the Exchange Act.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

The net proceeds of the offering are estimated to be approximately $         (or approximately $        if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full) after deducting the underwriting discount and commissions and estimated offering expenses of approximately $600,000 payable by us.

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes to make investments consistent with our investment objectives and for general corporate purposes. We do not intend to use any proceeds of the offering to pay required distributions, management fees or other expenses. Nevertheless, to the extent that our current cash and cash equivalents holdings are invested in other investment opportunities before we receive the proceeds of this offering, some portion of the proceeds from this offering may be used to pay required distributions, management fees and other expenses. We anticipate that it will take approximately three to six months after completion of this offering to invest substantially all of the net proceeds in investments consistent with our investment objectives or to otherwise utilize such proceeds. Pending the investment of the net proceeds in investments consistent with our investment objectives, we may invest the net proceeds of this offering in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. Government securities, money market mutual funds and other high-quality debt instruments that mature in one year or less, or “temporary investments,” as appropriate. These securities may have lower yields than our other investments and accordingly result in lower distributions, if any, by us during such period. See “The Company—Regulation as a Business Development Company.”

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our capitalization as of March 31, 2019:

 

•

On an actual basis; and

 

•

On an as adjusted basis to give effect to the assumed sale of $40.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Notes at a public offering price of $25.00 per Note, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions of approximately $1.2 million and estimated offering expenses of $0.6 million payable by us.

This table should be read in conjunction with our “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our financial statements and notes thereto included in this prospectus.

 

Dollar amounts in thousands (except per share amounts)		As of March 31, 2019
		Actual				As Adjusted (1)
Cash and cash equivalents		$	3,407			$	41,607
Total assets			290,213				328,413
2022 Notes (2)			31,562				31,562
2025 Notes (2)			44,879				44,879
The Notes (2)			—				38,200
Total liabilities		$	176,259			$	214,459
NET ASSETS
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 100,000,000 shares of common stock authorized, 10,460,401 shares issued and outstanding		$	105			$	105
Additional paid in capital			196,655				196,655
Accumulated losses			(82,806	)			(82,806	)
Total net assets			113,954				113,954
Total liabilities and net assets		$	290,213			$	328,413

 

(1)	Excludes up to $6.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Notes issuable by us upon exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option.

(2)	Net of deferred offering costs.

 

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SENIOR SECURITIES

Information about our senior securities is shown in the following table. Dollar amounts are presented in thousands.

 

Year		Total Amount Outstanding (1)					Asset Coverage Ratio Per Unit (2)					Involuntary Liquidation Preference Per Unit (3)					Average Market Value Per Unit (4)
December 31, 2016
2020 Notes			$	33,646				$	6.17					N/A				$	1.02
December 31, 2017
2022 Notes			$	32,631				$	5.01					N/A				$	1.02
December 31, 2018
2022 Notes			$	32,631				$	2.39					N/A				$	1.01
2025 Notes			$	46,398				$	2.39					N/A				$	0.98
March 31, 2019
2022 Notes			$	32,631				$	2.44					N/A				$	1.00
2025 Notes			$	46,398				$	2.44					N/A				$	1.00

 

(1)	Total amount of each class 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 consolidated assets, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, to the aggregate amount of senior securities representing indebtedness. Asset coverage per unit is expressed in terms of dollar amounts per $1 of indebtedness.

(3)	The amount to which such class of senior security would be entitled upon the voluntary liquidation of the issuer in preference to any security junior to it.

(4)	The average market value per unit for the notes is based on the average daily prices of such notes and is expressed per $1 of indebtedness for each period, and since November 4, 2016 for the period ended December 31, 2016.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

The Notes will be issued under an indenture, dated as of September 18, 2017, and the third supplemental indenture thereto, to be entered into between us and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as trustee. We refer to the indenture, as supplemented by the third supplemental indenture, as the indenture and to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC as the Trustee. The Notes are governed by the indenture, as required by federal law for all bonds and notes of companies that are publicly offered. 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 our Notes.

This section includes a description of the material terms of the Notes and the indenture. Because this section is a summary, however, it does not describe every aspect of the Notes and the indenture. We urge you to read the indenture because it, and not this description, defines your rights as a holder of the Notes. The indenture has been attached as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and filed with the SEC. See “Where You Can Find More Information” for information on how to obtain a copy of the indenture.

We are permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness if our asset coverage, as defined in the Investment Company Act, is at least equal to 150% immediately after each such issuance, as such obligation may be amended or superseded and giving effect to any exemptive relief that may be granted to us by the SEC. In addition, while any indebtedness and senior securities remain outstanding, we must make provisions to prohibit the distribution to our stockholders or the repurchase of such securities or common stock in certain cases, 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 purposes without regard to asset coverage.

General

The Notes will mature on                     , 2024. The principal payable at maturity will be 100.0% of the aggregate principal amount. The interest rate of the Notes is     % per year, and interest will be paid every                 ,                 ,                   and                 , beginning                 ,                  and the regular record dates for interest payments will be every                 ,                 ,                   and                 , commencing                 ,                 . If an interest payment date falls on a non-business day, the applicable interest payment will be made on the next business day and no additional interest will accrue as a result of such delayed payment. The initial interest period will be the period from and including                 , 2019 to, but excluding, the initial interest payment date, and the subsequent interest periods will be the periods from and including an interest payment date to, but excluding, the next interest payment date or the stated maturity date, as the case may be.

We will issue the Notes in minimum denominations of $25 and integral multiples of $25 in excess thereof. The Notes will not be subject to any sinking fund and holders of the Notes will not have the option to have the Notes repaid prior to the stated maturity date.

The indenture does not limit the amount of debt (including secured debt) that may be issued by us or our subsidiaries under the indenture or otherwise, but does contain a covenant regarding our asset coverage that would have to be satisfied at the time of our incurrence of additional indebtedness. See “—Other Covenants.” Other than the foregoing and as described under “—Other Covenants,” the indenture does not contain any financial covenants and does not restrict us from paying dividends or

 

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issuing or repurchasing our other securities. Other than restrictions described under “—Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets” below, the indenture does not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to afford holders of the Notes protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction involving us or if our credit rating declines as the result of a takeover, recapitalization, highly leveraged transaction or similar restructuring involving us that could adversely affect your investment in us.

We have the ability to issue indenture securities with terms different from the Notes and, without the consent of the holders thereof, to reopen the Notes and issue additional Notes.

Private Rating of the Notes

Our Notes have a private credit rating of BBB from Egan-Jones Ratings Company. An explanation of the significance of ratings may be obtained from the rating agency. Generally, rating agencies base their ratings on such material and information, and such of their own investigations, studies and assumptions, as they deem appropriate. The rating of the Notes should be evaluated independently from similar ratings of other securities.

A credit rating of a security is paid for by the issuer and is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and maybe subject to review, revision, suspension, reduction or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating agency. See ‘‘Risk Factors—A downgrade, suspension or withdrawal of the credit rating assigned by a rating agency to us or our securities, if any, could cause the liquidity or market value of the Notes to decline significantly.”

Optional Redemption

The Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at our option on or after                 ,                 upon not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days written notice by mail prior to the date fixed for redemption thereof, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest payments otherwise payable for the then-current quarterly interest period accrued to the date fixed for redemption.

You may be prevented from exchanging or transferring the Notes when they are subject to redemption. In case any Notes are to be redeemed in part only, the redemption notice will provide that, upon surrender of such Note, you will receive, without a charge, a new Note or Notes of authorized denominations representing the principal amount of your remaining unredeemed Notes. Any exercise of our option to redeem the Notes will be done in compliance with the Investment Company Act, to the extent applicable.

If we redeem only some of the Notes, the Trustee or, with respect to global securities, DTC will determine the method for selection of the particular Notes to be redeemed, in accordance with the indenture and the Investment Company Act, to the extent applicable, and in accordance with the rules of any national securities exchange or quotation system on which the Notes are listed. Unless we default in payment of the redemption price, on and after the date of redemption, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes called for redemption.

Global Securities

Each Note will be issued in book-entry form and represented by a global security that we deposit with and register in the name of DTC, New York, New York, or its nominee. 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. As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and holder of all the Notes represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only beneficial interests in a global security. For more information about these arrangements, see “—Book-Entry Procedures” below.

 

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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 Notes 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.

Payment and Paying Agents

We will pay interest to the person listed in the Trustee’s records as the owner of the Notes 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 Notes on the interest due date. That day, usually about two weeks in advance of the interest due date, is called the “record date.” Because we will pay all the interest for an interest period to the holders on the record date, holders buying and selling the Notes must work out between themselves the appropriate purchase price. The most common manner is to adjust the sales price of the Notes 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 the Notes so long as they are represented by 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 “—Book-Entry Procedures.”

Payments on Certificated Securities

In the event the Notes become represented by certificated securities, we will make payments on the Notes as follows. We will pay interest that is due on an interest payment date to the holder of the Notes as shown on the Trustee’s records as of the close of business on the regular record date at our office in Waltham, Massachusetts. We will make all payments of principal and premium, if any, by check at the office of the Trustee in New York, New York and/or at other offices that may be specified in a notice to holders against surrender of the Note.

Alternatively, at our option, we may pay any cash interest that becomes due on the Notes 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.

Payment When Offices Are Closed

If any payment is due on the Notes 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. Such payment will not result in a default under the Notes 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 the Notes.

 

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Events of Default

You will have rights if an Event of Default occurs with respect to the Notes and the Event of Default is not cured, as described later in this subsection.

The term “Event of Default” with respect to the Notes means any of the following:

 

•

We do not pay the principal of any Note when due and payable.

 

•

We do not pay interest on any Note when due, and such default is not cured within 30 days.

 

•

We remain in breach of any other covenant with respect to the Notes 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% of the principal amount of the Notes.

 

•

We file for bankruptcy or certain other events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur and, in the case of certain orders or decrees entered against us under any bankruptcy law, such order or decree remains undischarged or unstayed for a period of 90 days.

 

•

If, pursuant to Sections 18(a)(1)(c)(ii) and 61 of the Investment Company Act, or any successor provisions thereto of the Investment Company Act, on the last business day of each of 24 consecutive calendar months the Notes have an asset coverage (as such term is used in the Investment Company Act) of less than 100%, as such obligation may be amended or superseded but giving effect to any exemptive relief that may be granted to us by the SEC.

An Event of Default for the Notes 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 the Notes of any default, except in the payment of principal or interest, if it in good faith considers the withholding of notice to be in the best interests of the holders.

Remedies if an Event of Default Occurs

If an Event of Default has occurred and has not been cured, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes may declare the entire principal amount of all the Notes to be due and immediately payable. If an Event of Default referred to in the second to last bullet point above with respect to us has occurred, the entire principal amount of all the Notes will automatically become due and immediately payable. This is called a declaration of acceleration of maturity. In certain circumstances, a declaration of acceleration of maturity may be canceled by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes if (1) we have deposited with the Trustee all amounts due and owing with respect to the Notes (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.

Except in cases of default, where the Trustee has some special duties, 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 reasonably satisfactory to it from expenses and liability (called an “indemnity”). If reasonable indemnity is provided, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes 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 the 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 Notes, the following must occur:

 

•

You must give the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default has occurred with respect to the Notes and remains uncured.

 

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•

The holders of at least 25% in principal amount of all the Notes must make a written request that the Trustee take action because of the default and must offer reasonable indemnity to the Trustee against the cost 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.

 

•

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes 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 Notes 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 the Trustee a written statement of certain of our officers certifying that to their knowledge we are in compliance with the indenture and the Notes, or else specifying any default.

Waiver of Default

Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes may waive any past defaults other than a default:

 

•

in the payment of principal or interest; or

 

•

in respect of a covenant that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each holder of the Notes.

Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets

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 convey or transfer substantially all of our assets, the resulting entity must agree to be legally responsible for our obligations under the Notes;

 

•

The merger or sale of assets must not cause a default on the Notes 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 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 specified period of time were disregarded; and

 

•

We must deliver certain certificates and documents to the Trustee.

Modification or Waiver

There are three types of changes we can make to the indenture and the Notes issued thereunder.

Changes Requiring Your Approval

First, there are changes that we cannot make to the Notes without approval from each affected holder. The following is a list of those types of changes:

 

•

change the stated maturity of the principal of or interest on the Notes;

 

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•

reduce any amounts due on the Notes;

 

•

reduce the amount of principal payable upon acceleration of the maturity of the Notes following a default;

 

•

change the place or currency of payment on the Notes;

 

•

impair your right to sue for payment;

 

•

reduce the percentage of holders of Notes whose consent is needed to modify or amend the indenture; and

 

•

reduce the percentage of holders of Notes whose consent is needed to waive compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or to waive certain defaults.

Changes Not Requiring Approval

The second type of change does not require any vote by the holders of the Notes. This type is limited to clarifications and certain other changes that would not adversely affect holders of the Notes in any material respect.

Changes Requiring Majority Approval

Any other change to the indenture and the Notes would require the following approval:

 

•

If the change affects only the Notes, it must be approved by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes.

 

•

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.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of all of the series of debt securities issued under an indenture, voting together as one class for this purpose, may waive our compliance with some of our covenants in that indenture. 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 (including the Notes):

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. Debt securities will also not be eligible to vote if they have been fully defeased as described below 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. 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 eleven 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 request a waiver.

 

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Defeasance

The following defeasance provisions will be applicable to the Notes. “Defeasance” means that, by depositing with a trustee an amount of cash and/or government securities sufficient to pay all principal and interest, if any, on the Notes when due and satisfying any additional conditions noted below, we will be deemed to have been discharged from our obligations under the Notes. In the event of a “covenant defeasance,” upon depositing such funds and satisfying similar conditions discussed below, we would be released from certain covenants under the indenture relating to the Notes. The consequences to the holders of the Notes would be that, while they would no longer benefit from certain covenants under the indenture, and while the Notes could not be accelerated for any reason, the holders of Notes nonetheless would be guaranteed to receive the principal and interest owed to them.

Covenant Defeasance

Under current U.S. federal tax law, 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 applicable, you also would be released from the subordination provisions described under “—Indenture Provisions—Ranking” below. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do the following:

 

•

Since the Notes are denominated in U.S. dollars, we must deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of the Notes a combination of money and U.S. government or U.S. government agency notes or bonds that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the Notes on their due dates.

 

•

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 Notes any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid the Notes ourselves at maturity.

 

•

Defeasance must not result in a breach or violation of, or result in a default under, the indenture or any of our other material agreements or instruments.

 

•

No default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes 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.

 

•

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 Investment Company Act and a legal opinion and officers’ certificate stating that all conditions precedent to covenant defeasance have been complied with.

If we accomplish covenant defeasance, you can still look to us for repayment of the Notes 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 Notes became immediately due and payable, there might be a shortfall. Depending on the event causing the default, you may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.

 

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Full Defeasance

If there is a change in U.S. federal tax law, as described below, we can legally release ourselves from all payment and other obligations on the Notes of a particular series (called “full defeasance”) if the following conditions are satisfied in order for you to be repaid:

 

•

Since the Notes are denominated in U.S. dollars, we must deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of the Notes a combination of money and U.S. government or U.S. government agency notes or bonds that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the Notes on their various due dates.

 

•

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 taxed on the Notes any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid the Notes ourselves at maturity. Under current U.S. federal tax law, the deposit and our legal release from the Notes 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 the Notes and you would recognize a gain or loss on the Notes at the time of 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 Investment Company 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, the indenture or any of our other material agreements or instruments.

 

•

No default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes 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.

If we ever did accomplish full defeasance, as described above, you would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment of the Notes. 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 if we ever became bankrupt or insolvent. If your Notes were subordinated as described later under “—Indenture Provisions—Ranking,” 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 Notes for the benefit of the subordinated debtholders.

Other Covenants

In addition to any other covenants described in this prospectus, as well as standard covenants relating to payment of principal and interest, maintaining an office where payments may be made or securities can be surrendered for payment, our payment of taxes and related matters, the following covenants will apply to the Notes:

 

•

We agree that for the period of time during which the Notes are outstanding, we will not violate, whether or not it is subject to, Section 18 (a)(1)(A) as modified by Sections 61(a)(1) and (2) of the Investment Company Act or any successor provisions thereto of the Investment Company Act, as such obligation may be amended or superseded but giving effect to any exemptive relief that may be granted to us by the SEC. Currently, these provisions generally prohibit us from making additional borrowings, including through the issuance of additional debt securities, unless our asset coverage, as defined in the Investment Company Act, equals at least 150% after such borrowings. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure—Recently enacted legislation permits us to incur additional debt.”

 

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•

We agree that for the period of time during which the Notes are outstanding, we will not declare any dividend (except a dividend payable in our stock), or declare any other distribution, upon a class of our capital stock, or purchase any such capital stock, unless, in every such case, at the time of the declaration of any such dividend or distribution, or at the time of any such purchase, we have an asset coverage (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of at least the threshold specified in pursuant to Section 18(a)(1)(B) as modified by Sections 61(a)(1) and (2) of the Investment Company Act or any successor provisions thereto of the Investment Company Act, as such obligation may be amended or superseded (regardless of whether we are subject thereto), after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution or purchase price, as the case may be, and giving effect, in each case, (i) to any exemptive relief granted to us by the SEC and (ii) to any no-action relief granted by the SEC to another BDC (or to us if we determine to seek such similar no-action or other relief) permitting the BDC to declare any cash dividend or distribution notwithstanding the prohibition contained in Section 18(a)(1)(B) as modified by Sections 61(a)(1) and (2) of the Investment Company Act, as such obligation may be amended or superseded, in order to maintain such BDC’s status as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code.

 

•

If, at any time, we are not subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act to file any periodic reports with the SEC, we will furnish to holders of the Notes and the Trustee, for the period of time during which the Notes are outstanding, our audited annual consolidated financial statements, within 90 days of our fiscal year end, and unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, within 45 days of our fiscal quarter end (other than our fourth fiscal quarter). All such financial statements will be prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with applicable GAAP.

Notwithstanding the restrictions on indebtedness and dividends described above, the indenture under which the Notes will be issued may not prohibit us from paying distributions to our stockholders if we incur indebtedness in excess of the limits set forth in Sections 61(a)(1) and (2) of the Investment Company Act or any successor provision if we determine that such indebtedness, which may include indebtedness under a bank credit facility, is not a “senior security” for purposes of determining asset coverage under the Investment Company Act.

Form, Exchange and Transfer of Certificated Registered Securities

If registered Notes 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 denominations of $25 and amounts that are multiples of $25.

Holders may exchange their certificated securities for Notes of smaller denominations or combined into fewer Notes of larger denominations, as long as the total principal amount is not changed and as long as the denomination is equal to or greater than $25.

Holders may exchange or transfer their certificated securities at the office of the Trustee. We have appointed the Trustee to act as our agent for registering Notes in the names of holders transferring Notes. We may appoint another entity to perform these functions or perform them ourselves.

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 is satisfied with the holder’s proof of legal ownership.

 

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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.

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.

Concerning the Trustee

The Trustee serves as trustee for the 2022 Notes and the 2025 Notes and as transfer agent for our common stock and agent for our dividend reinvestment plan. We will appoint the Trustee as registrar and paying agent under the indenture.

Resignation of Trustee

The Trustee may resign or be removed with respect to the Notes provided that a successor trustee is appointed to act with respect to the Notes. 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—Ranking

The Notes will be our direct unsecured obligations and will rank:

 

•

pari passu , or equal, with our existing and future unsecured indebtedness, including, without limitation, the 2022 Notes and the 2025 Notes;

 

•

senior to our common stock and any of our future indebtedness that expressly provides it is subordinated to the Notes;

 

•

effectively subordinated to all of our existing and future secured indebtedness (including indebtedness that is initially unsecured to which we subsequently grant security), to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and

 

•

structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations of any of our subsidiaries.

Effective subordination means that in any liquidation, dissolution, bankruptcy or other similar proceeding, the holders of any of our existing or future secured indebtedness and the secured indebtedness of our subsidiaries may assert rights against the assets pledged to secure that indebtedness in order to receive full payment of their indebtedness before the assets may be used to pay other creditors. Structural subordination means that creditors of a parent entity are subordinate to creditors of a subsidiary entity with respect to the subsidiary’s assets.

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

 

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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). 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 the 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 or subordinated debt securities. 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.

Book-Entry Procedures

The Notes will be represented by global securities that will be deposited and registered in the name of DTC or its nominee. This means that, except in limited circumstances, you will not receive certificates for the Notes. Beneficial interests in the Notes will be represented through book-entry accounts of financial institutions acting on behalf of beneficial owners as direct and indirect participants in DTC. Investors may elect to hold interests in the Notes through either DTC, if they are a participant, or indirectly through organizations that are participants in DTC.

The Notes will be issued as fully registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co. (DTC’s partnership nominee) or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC, and will be deposited with DTC. Interests in the Notes will trade in DTC’s Same Day Funds Settlement System, and any permitted secondary market trading activity in such Notes will, therefore, be required by DTC to be settled in immediately available funds. None of us, the Trustee or the Paying Agent will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC or its participants or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System,

 

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a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds and provides asset servicing for over 3.5 million issues of U.S. and non-U.S. equity, corporate and municipal debt issues, and money market instruments from over 100 countries that DTC’s participants (“Direct Participants”) deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the post-trade settlement among Direct Participants of sales and other securities transactions in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between Direct Participants’ accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct Participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (“DTCC”).

DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly (“Indirect Participants”). DTC has a Standard & Poor’s rating of AA+. The DTC Rules applicable to its participants are on file with the SEC. More information about DTC can be found at www.dtcc.com and www.dtc.org .

Purchases of the Notes under the DTC system must be made by or through Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for the Notes on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each security, or the “Beneficial Owner,” is in turn to be recorded on the Direct and Indirect Participants’ records. Beneficial Owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase. Beneficial Owners are, however, expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the Direct or Indirect Participant through which the Beneficial Owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in the Notes are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of Direct and Indirect Participants acting on behalf of Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the Notes, except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the Notes is discontinued.

To facilitate subsequent transfers, all Notes deposited by Direct Participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede & Co. or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of the Notes with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other DTC nominee do not affect any change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of the Notes; DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants to whose accounts the Notes are credited, which may or may not be the Beneficial Owners. The Direct and Indirect Participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

Redemption notices shall be sent to DTC. If less than all of the Notes within an issue are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each Direct Participant in such issue to be redeemed.

Redemption proceeds, distributions, and interest payments on the Notes will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit Direct Participants’ accounts upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from us or the Trustee on the payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on

 

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DTC’s records. Payments by Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such Participant and not of DTC nor its nominee, the Trustee, or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of redemption proceeds, distributions, and interest payments to Cede & Co. (or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC) is the responsibility of us or the Trustee, but disbursement of such payments to Direct Participants will be the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of such payments to the Beneficial Owners will be the responsibility of Direct and Indirect Participants.

DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depository with respect to the Notes at any time by giving reasonable notice to us or to the Trustee. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor securities depository is not obtained, certificates are required to be printed and delivered. We may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry-only transfers through DTC (or a successor securities depository). In that event, certificates will be printed and delivered to DTC.

The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this prospectus.

Overview

We are a BDC that seeks to generate both current income and capital appreciation through debt and equity investments. Our investment focus is on debt obligations of middle-market companies for which quotations are typically available in the credit markets. We invest primarily in the debt of middle-market companies as well as small businesses, generally in the form of senior secured and unsecured notes, as well as in senior secured loans, junior loans and mezzanine debt. We will from time to time make equity investments as part of restructuring credits and in rare instances reserve the right to make equity investments directly.

On September 27, 2016, we and GECM entered into the Investment Management Agreement and the Administration Agreement, and, upon closing the Merger, we began to accrue obligations to our external investment manager under those agreements.

We have elected to be treated as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a RIC, we will not be taxed on our income to the extent that we distribute such income each year and satisfy other applicable income tax requirements. To qualify as a RIC, we must, among other things, meet source-of-income and asset diversification requirements and annually distribute to our stockholders generally at least 90% of our investment company taxable income on a timely basis. If we qualify as a RIC, we generally will not have to pay corporate level taxes on any income that we distribute to our stockholders.

Formation Transactions

On June 23, 2016, we entered into the subscription agreement with GEC and the MAST Funds (the “Subscription Agreement”) under which:

 

◾

On June 23, 2016, GEC contributed $30.0 million in exchange for 1,966,667 shares of our common stock.

 

◾

On September 27, 2016, before we elected to be a BDC, the MAST Funds contributed to us the Initial GECC Portfolio that we valued at $90.0 million in exchange for 5,935,800 shares of our common stock.

For financial reporting purposes, we have accounted for the contribution of the Initial GECC Portfolio as an asset acquisition per the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 805,  Business Combinations (“Topic 805”). For tax purposes, we recorded our basis in the Initial GECC Portfolio at the fair market value of the Initial GECC Portfolio as of the date of contribution.

Under the Subscription Agreement, upon consummation of the Merger, we became obligated to reimburse the costs incurred by GEC and the MAST Funds in connection with the Merger and the transactions contemplated by the Subscription Agreement.

Following the closing of the Merger, we entered into a registration rights agreement with GEC and the MAST Funds.

 

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Full Circle Merger

On June 23, 2016, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Full Circle (the “Merger Agreement”). Following approval on October 31, 2016 of the Merger by Full Circle’s stockholders, on November 3, 2016:

 

◾

Full Circle merged into us resulting in our acquisition by operation of the Merger of Full Circle’s portfolio that we valued at $74.7 million at November 3, 2016;

 

◾

We became obligated to issue an aggregate of 4,986,585 shares of our common stock to former Full Circle stockholders; and

 

◾

Our exchange agent paid a $5.4 million special cash dividend to former Full Circle stockholders.

We accounted for the Merger as a business combination under Topic 805 and Regulation S-X’s purchase accounting guidance. GECC was designated as the acquirer for accounting purposes. The difference between the fair value of Full Circle’s net assets and the consideration was recorded as a purchase accounting loss because the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as of the date of the Merger, was less than that of the merger consideration paid.

Investments

Our level of investment activity can and does vary substantially from period to period depending on many factors, including, among others, the amount of debt and equity capital available from other sources to middle-market companies, the level of merger and acquisition activity, pricing in the high yield credit markets, our expectations of future investment opportunities, the general economic environment as well as the competitive environment for the types of investments we make.

As a BDC, our investments and the composition of our portfolio are required to comply with regulatory requirements. See “The Company—Regulation as a Business Development Company” and “Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

Revenues

We generate revenue primarily from interest on the debt investments that we hold. We also may generate revenue from dividends on the equity investments that we hold, capital gains on the disposition of investments, and lease, fee, and other income. Our investments in fixed income instruments generally have an expected maturity of three to five years, although we have no lower or upper constraint on maturity. Our debt investments generally pay interest quarterly or semi-annually. Payments of principal of our debt investments may be amortized over the stated term of the investment, deferred for several years or due entirely at maturity. In some cases, our debt investments and preferred stock investments may defer payments of cash interest or dividends or PIK. In addition, we may generate revenue in the form of prepayment fees, commitment, origination, due diligence fees, end-of-term or exit fees, fees for providing significant managerial assistance, consulting fees and other investment-related income.

Expenses

Our primary operating expenses include the payment of a base management fee, administration fees (including the allocable portion of overhead under the Administration Agreement), and, depending on our operating results, an incentive fee. The base management fee and incentive fee remunerates GECM for work in identifying, evaluating, negotiating, closing and monitoring our investments. The Administration Agreement provides for reimbursement of costs and expenses incurred for office space rental, office equipment and utilities allocable to us under the Administration Agreement, as well as

 

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certain costs and expenses incurred relating to non-investment advisory, administrative or operating services provided by GECM or its affiliates to us. We also bear all other costs and expenses of our operations and transactions. Our expenses include interest on our outstanding indebtedness.

Critical Accounting Policies

Valuation of Portfolio Investments

We value our portfolio investments at fair value based upon the principles and methods of valuation set forth in policies adopted by our Board. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Market participants are buyers and sellers in the principal (or most advantageous) market for the asset that (1) are independent of us; (2) are knowledgeable, having a reasonable understanding about the asset based on all available information (including information that might be obtained through due diligence efforts that are usual and customary); (3) are able to transact for the asset; and (4) are willing to transact for the asset (that is, they are motivated but not forced or otherwise compelled to do so).

Investments for which market quotations are readily available are valued at such market quotations unless the quotations are deemed not to represent fair value. We generally obtain market quotations from recognized exchanges, market quotation systems, independent pricing services or one or more broker-dealers or market makers. However, short-term debt investments with remaining maturities within 90 days are generally valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.

Debt and equity securities for which market quotations are not readily available or for which market quotations are deemed not to represent fair value, are valued at fair value using a valuation process consistent with our Board-approved policy. Our Board approves in good faith the valuation of our portfolio as of the end of each quarter. Due to the inherent uncertainty and subjectivity of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of our investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a readily available market value existed for such investments and may differ materially from the values that we may ultimately realize. In addition, changes in the market environment and other events may impact the market quotations used to value some of our investments.

The valuation process approved by our Board with respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available or for which market quotations are deemed not to represent fair value is as follows:

 

◾

The investment professionals of GECM provide recent portfolio company financial statements and other reporting materials to independent valuation firms approved by our Board;

 

◾

Such firms evaluate this information along with relevant observable market data to conduct independent appraisals each quarter, and their preliminary valuation conclusions are documented and discussed with senior management of GECM;

 

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The fair value of smaller investments comprising in the aggregate less than 5% of our total capitalization may be determined by GECM in good faith in accordance with our valuation policy without the employment of an independent valuation firm; and

 

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Our audit committee recommends, and our Board determines, the fair value of the investments in our portfolio in good faith based on the input of GECM, our independent valuation firms (to the extent applicable) and the business judgment of our audit committee and our Board, respectively.

 

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Those investments for which market quotations are not readily available or for which market quotations are deemed not to represent fair value are valued utilizing a market approach, an income approach, or both approaches, as appropriate. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities (including a business). The income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts (for example, cash flows or earnings) to a single present amount (discounted). The measurement is based on the value indicated by current market expectations about those future amounts. In following these approaches, the types of factors that we may take into account in determining the fair value of our investments include, as relevant and among other factors: available current market data, including relevant and applicable market trading and transaction comparables; applicable market yields and multiples, security covenants, call protection provisions, information rights, the nature and realizable value of any collateral; the portfolio company’s ability to make payments, its earnings and discounted cash flows, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, comparisons of financial ratios of peer companies that are public, merger and acquisition comparables; and enterprise values.

We prefer the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in our valuation process. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of us. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect our assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.

Investments are classified in accordance with GAAP into the three broad levels as follows:

 

Level 1		Investments valued using unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.
Level 2		Investments valued using other unadjusted observable market inputs, e.g. quoted prices for our securities in markets that are not active or quotes for comparable instruments.
Level 3		Investments that are valued using quotes for our securities or comparable instruments and other observable market data to the extent available, but which also take into consideration one or more unobservable inputs that are significant to the valuation taken as a whole.

All Level 3 investments that comprise more than 5% of the investments of GECC are valued by independent third party valuation firms. Although our Board remains ultimately and solely responsible for the valuation of each of our investments.

Revenue Recognition

Interest and dividend income, including PIK income, is recorded on an accrual basis. Origination, structuring, closing, commitment and other upfront fees, including OID, earned with respect to capital commitments are generally amortized or accreted into interest income over the life of the respective debt investment, as are end-of-term or exit fees receivable upon repayment of a debt investment if such fees are fixed in nature. Other fees, including certain amendment fees, prepayment fees and commitment fees on broken deals, and end-of-term or exit fees that have a contingency feature or are variable in nature are recognized as earned. Prepayment fees and similar income due upon the early repayment of a loan or debt security are recognized when earned and are included in interest income.

We may purchase debt investments at a discount to their face value. Discounts on the acquisition of corporate debt instruments are generally amortized using the effective-interest or constant-yield method, unless there are material questions as to collectability. For debt instruments where we are amortizing OID, when principal payments on the debt instrument are received in an amount in excess of the debt instrument’s amortized cost, the excess principal payments are recorded as interest income.

 

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Net Realized Gains (Losses) and Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

We measure realized gains or losses by the difference between the net proceeds from the repayment or sale of an investment and the amortized cost basis of the investment, without regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation previously recognized. Realized gains and losses are computed using the first-in, first-out method. Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation reflects the net change in portfolio investment fair value and portfolio investment cost bases during the reporting period, including the reversal of previously recorded unrealized appreciation or depreciation when gains or losses are realized.

Portfolio and Investment Activity

The following is a summary of our investment activity since our inception in April 2016 (in thousands):

 

Time Period		Acquisitions (1)				Dispositions (2)				Weighted Average Interest Rate End of  Period (3)
Formation Transactions		$	90,494			$	—
Merger			74,658				—
November 4, 2016 through December 31, 2016			42,006				(41,738	)			10.00	%
For the period ended December 31, 2016			207,158				(41,738	)
Quarter ended March 31, 2017			75,852				(78,758	)			9.87	%
Quarter ended June 30, 2017			21,395				(37,570	)			9.59	%
Quarter ended September 30, 2017			49,467				(18,884	)			9.62	%
Quarter ended December 31, 2017			53,163				(39,772	)			11.17	%
For the year ended December 31, 2017			199,877				(174,984	)
Quarter ended March 31, 2018			63,220				(29,069	)			11.05	%
Quarter ended June 30, 2018			37,927				(27,729	)			9.94	%
Quarter ended September 30, 2018			38,969				(37,991	)			10.40	%
Quarter ended December 31, 2018			34,849				(40,028	)			10.32	%
For the year ended December 31, 2018			174,965				(134,817	)
For the quarter ended March 31, 2019			54,846				(59,869	)			11.28	%
Since inception		$	636,846			$	(411,408	)

 

(1)	Includes new deals, additional fundings (inclusive of those on revolving credit facilities), refinancings and PIK income. Investments in short-term securities, including United States Treasury Bills and money market mutual funds, were excluded.

(2)	Includes scheduled principal payments, prepayments, sales and repayments (inclusive of those on revolving credit facilities). Investments in short-term securities, including United States Treasury Bills and money market mutual funds, were excluded.

(3)

Weighted average interest rate is based upon the stated coupon rate and par value of outstanding debt securities at the measurement date. Debt securities on non-accrual status are included in the calculation and are treated as having 0.00% as their applicable interest rate for purposes of this calculation, unless such debt securities are valued at zero.

 

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Portfolio Reconciliation

The following is a reconciliation of the investment portfolio for the three months ended March 31, 2019, the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the period from inception through December 31, 2016 (in thousands). Investments in short-term securities, including U.S. Treasury Bills and money market mutual funds, are excluded.

 

		For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019				For the Year Ended  December 31, 2018				For the Year Ended December 31, 2017				For the Period from Inception through December  31, 2016
Beginning Investment Portfolio		$	184,186			$	164,870			$	154,677			$	—
Portfolio Investments acquired via the Formation Transactions and the Merger			—				—				—				165,152
Portfolio Investments acquired (1)			54,846				174,965				199,878				42,006
Amortization of premium and accretion of discount, net			1,272				3,485				5,627				2,438
Portfolio Investments repaid or sold (2)			(59,869	)			(134,817	)			(174,983	)			(41,738	)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments			4,669				(26,752	)			(23,962	)			(13,455	)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments			604				2,435				3,633				274
Ending Investment Portfolio			$185,708			$	184,186			$	164,870			$	154,677

 

(1)	Includes new investments, additional fundings (inclusive of those on revolving credit facilities), refinancings, and capitalized PIK income.

(2)	Includes scheduled principal payments, prepayments, sales, and repayments (inclusive of those on revolving credit facilities).

Portfolio Classifications

The following table shows the fair value of our portfolio of investments by industry as of March 31, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):

 

		March 31, 2019								March 31, 2018
Industry		Investments at Fair Value				Percentage of Fair Value				Investments at Fair Value				Percentage of Fair Value
Wireless Telecommunications Services		$	38,956				20.98	%		$	40,685				20.90	%
Building Cleaning and Maintenance Services			20,683				11.14	%			17,297				8.90	%
Retail			20,292				10.93	%			14,083				7.20	%
Software Services			19,393				10.44	%			12,088				6.20	%
Business Services			12,742				6.86	%			6,744				3.50	%
Water Transport			11,389				6.13	%			5,387				2.80	%
Gaming, Lodging & Restaurants			9,766				5.26	%			9,820				5.00	%
Food & Staples Retailing			8,904				4.79	%			—				0.00	%
Radio Broadcasting			8,536				4.60	%			8,898				4.60	%
Industrial Conglomerates			7,538				4.06	%			9,120				4.70	%
Specialty Finance			7,367				3.97	%			—				0.00	%
Internet Media			3,486				1.88	%			—				0.00	%
Real Estate Services			3,238				1.74	%			5,122				2.60	%
Hotel Operator			3,087				1.66	%			2,501				1.30	%
Restaurants			2,903				1.56	%			—				0.00	%

 

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