SLR Investment Corp. (Form: 8-K, Received: 02/25/2021 17:13:11)

Date: February 25, 2021

SLR Investment Corp.

/s/ Richard L. Peteka

Richard L. Peteka

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event Reported): February 24, 2021

SLR Investment Corp.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Maryland

814-00754

26-1381340

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

(Commission

File Number)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

500 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(212) 993-1670

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Solar Capital Ltd.

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading

Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share

SLRC

The NASDAQ Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On February 25, 2021, SLR Investment Corp. (the “Company”) entered into a First Amended and Restated Trademark License Agreement (the “Amended Trademark License Agreement”) by and between the Company and SLR Capital Partners, LLC, the Company’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”). The Company entered into the Amended Trademark License Agreement in order to: (i) change the name of the Company from “Solar Capital Ltd.” to “SLR Investment Corp.”; (ii) change the name of the Adviser from “Solar Capital Partners, LLC” to “SLR Capital Partners, LLC”; and (iii) revise the definition of “Licensed Mark” to include both “SOLAR” and “SLR.” Capitalized terms used but defined in this Item 1.01 have the meanings ascribed to them in the Amended Trademark License Agreement.

The description above is only a summary of the material provisions of the Amended Trademark License Agreement and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Amended Trademark License Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

On February 24, 2021, the Company filed Articles of Amendment (the “Articles of Amendment”) for the purpose of amending its current Articles of Amendment and Restatement to change its corporate name to “SLR Investment Corp.” The Articles of Amendment became effective on February 25, 2021. A copy of the Articles of Amendment filed on February 24, 2021 is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Item 8.01. Other Events.

On February 24, 2021, the Company issued a press release announcing that it has changed its corporate name to “SLR Investment Corp.” The text of the press release is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(a) Not applicable.

(b) Not applicable.

(d) Exhibits.


Exhibit No.		Description

3.1		Articles of Amendment dated February 24, 2021

10.1		First Amended and Restated Trademark License Agreement, dated February 25, 2021, by and between SLR Investment Corp. and SLR Capital Partners, LLC

99.1		Press release dated February 24, 2021

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Exhibit 3.1

SOLAR CAPITAL LTD.

ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT

Solar Capital Ltd., a Maryland corporation (the “Corporation”), having its principal office in the State of Maryland, hereby certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland that:

FIRST: The Corporation desires to, and does hereby, amend its charter (the “Articles”) immediately upon the Effective Time (as defined below), as currently in effect as hereafter set forth.

SECOND: The Articles are hereby amended by deleting the existing Article I in its entirety and substituting in lieu thereof a new Article I which reads as follows:

ARTICLE I

NAME

The name of the corporation (the “Corporation”) is SLR Investment Corp.

THIRD: The amendment to the Articles as set forth above has been duly approved by at least a majority of the entire Board of Directors of the Corporation as required by law. The amendment set forth herein is made without action by the stockholders of the Corporation, pursuant to Section 2-605(a)(1) of the Maryland General Corporation Law.

FOURTH: The undersigned President acknowledges, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, these Articles of Amendment to be the corporate act of the Corporation and as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned President acknowledges that to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.

FIFTH: The Articles shall be effective at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on February 25, 2021 (the “Effective Time”).

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these Articles of Amendment to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its President and attested by its Corporate Secretary on February 24, 2021.


		SOLAR CAPITAL LTD.

Attest:	/s/ Richard L. Peteka	By:	/s/ Michael S. Gross
	Richard L. Peteka Secretary		Michael S. Gross President

Exhibit 10.1

FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED TRADEMARK LICENSE AGREEMENT

This AMENDED AND RESTATED TRADEMARK LICENSE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and effective as of February 25, 2021 (the “Effective Date”) by and between SLR CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC (f/k/a SOLAR CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (the “Licensor”), and SLR INVESTMENT CORP. (f/k/a SOLAR CAPITAL LTD.), a Maryland corporation (the “Company”) (each a “party,” and collectively, the “parties”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company is a closed-end management investment fund that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Third Amended and Restated Investment Advisory and Management Agreement, dated as of August 2, 2018, by and between the Licensor and the Company (the “Advisory Agreement”), the Company has engaged the Licensor to act as the investment adviser to the Company;

WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amendment to its Certificate of Formation filed in the State of Delaware on February 24, 2021, the Licensor changed its name from Solar Capital Partners, LLC to SLR Capital Partners, LLC;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Articles of Amendment filed in the State of Maryland on February 24, 2021, the Company changed its name from Solar Capital Ltd. to SLR Investment Corp.;

WHEREAS, Licensor is the owner of the trade names “SOLAR” and “SLR” (each, a “Licensed Mark”) in the United States of America (the “Territory”);

WHEREAS, the Company and the Licensor are parties to the trademark license agreement, dated December 17, 2009, by and between the Company and the Licensor (the “Prior Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company is permitted to use the “SOLAR” Licensed Mark in connection with its business;

WHEREAS, the Company now desires to use both the “SOLAR” Licensed Mark and the “SLR” Licensed Mark in connection with the operation of its business, and the Licensor is willing to permit the Company to use the Licensed Marks, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Company and the Licensor desire to amend and restate the Prior Agreement in order to (i) change the name of the Company from “Solar Capital Ltd.” to “SLR Investment Corp.”; (ii) change the name of the Licensor from “Solar Capital Partners, LLC” to “SLR Capital Partners, LLC”; and (iii) revise the definition of “Licensed Mark” to include both “SOLAR” and “SLR”; and

WHEREAS, the board of directors of the Company has approved this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

LICENSE GRANT

1.1 License. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Licensor hereby grants to the Company, and the Company hereby accepts from Licensor, a personal, non-exclusive, royalty-free right and license to use the Licensed Marks solely and exclusively as an element of the Company’s own company name and in connection with the conduct of its business. Except as provided above, neither the Company nor any affiliate, owner, director, officer, employee, or agent thereof shall otherwise use the Licensed Marks or any derivative thereof without the prior express written consent of the Licensor in its sole and absolute discretion. All rights not expressly granted to the Company hereunder shall remain the exclusive property of Licensor.

1.2 Licensor’s Use. Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude Licensor, its affiliates, or any of its respective successors or assigns from using or permitting other entities to use the Licensed Marks whether or not such entity directly or indirectly competes or conflicts with the Company’s business in any manner.

ARTICLE 2

OWNERSHIP

2.1 Ownership. The Company acknowledges and agrees that Licensor is the owner of all right, title, and interest in and to the Licensed Marks, and all such right, title, and interest shall remain with the Licensor. The Company shall not otherwise contest, dispute, or challenge Licensor’s right, title, and interest in and to the Licensed Marks.

2.2 Goodwill. All goodwill and reputation generated by Company’s use of the Licensed Marks shall inure to the benefit of Licensor. The Company shall not by any act or omission use the Licensed Marks in any manner that disparages or reflects adversely on Licensor or its business or reputation. Except as expressly provided herein, neither party may use any trademark or service mark of the other party without that party’s prior written consent, which consent shall be given in that party’s sole discretion.

ARTICLE 3

COMPLIANCE

3.1 Quality Control. In order to preserve the inherent value of the Licensed Marks, the Company agrees to use reasonable efforts to ensure that it maintains the quality of the Company’s business and the operation thereof equal to the standards prevailing in the operation of the Licensor’s and the Company’s business as of the date of this Agreement. The Company further agrees to use the Licensed Marks in accordance with such quality standards as may be reasonably established by Licensor and communicated to the Company from time to time in writing, or as may be agreed to by Licensor and the Company from time to time in writing.

3.2 Compliance With Laws. The Company agrees that the business operated by it in connection with the Licensed Marks shall comply with all laws, rules, regulations and requirements of any governmental body in the Territory or elsewhere as may be applicable to the operation, advertising and promotion of the business, and that it shall notify Licensor of any action that must be taken by the Company to comply with such law, rules, regulations or requirements.

3.3 Notification of Infringement. Each party shall immediately notify the other party and provide to the other party all relevant background facts upon becoming aware of (i) any registrations of, or applications for registration of, marks in the Territory that do or may conflict with the Licensed Marks, and (ii) any infringements, imitations, or illegal use or misuse of the Licensed Marks in the Territory.

ARTICLE 4

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

4.1 Mutual Representations. Each party hereby represents and warrants to the other party as follows:

(a) Due Authorization. Such party is duly formed and in good standing as of the Effective Date, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such party have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of such party.

(b) Due Execution. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such party and, with due authorization, execution and delivery by the other party, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such party, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms.

(c) No Conflict. Such party’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement do not: (i) violate, conflict with or result in the breach of any provision of the organizational documents of such party; (ii) conflict with or violate any law or governmental order applicable to such party or any of its assets, properties or businesses; or (iii) conflict with, result in any breach of, constitute a default (or event which with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would become a default) under, require any consent under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration, suspension, revocation or cancellation of any contract, agreement, lease, sublease, license, permit, franchise or other instrument or arrangement to which it is a party.

ARTICLE 5

TERM AND TERMINATION

5.1 Term. This Agreement shall expire upon expiration or termination of the Advisory Agreement.

5.2 Upon Termination. Upon expiration or termination of this Agreement, all rights granted to the Company under this Agreement with respect to the Licensed Marks shall cease, and the Company shall immediately discontinue use of the Licensed Marks.

ARTICLE 6

MISCELLANEOUS

6.1 Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Neither party may assign, delegate or otherwise transfer this Agreement or any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other party. No assignment by either party permitted hereunder shall relieve the applicable party of its obligations under this Agreement. Any assignment by either party in accordance with the terms of this Agreement shall be pursuant to a written assignment agreement in which the assignee expressly assumes the assigning party’s rights and obligations hereunder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall be deemed to be assigned to a newly-formed entity in the event of the merger of the Company into, or conveyance of all of the assets of the Company to, such newly-formed entity; provided, further, however, that the sole purpose of that merger or conveyance is to effect a mere change in the Company’s legal form into another limited liability entity.

6.2 Independent Contractor. Except as expressly provided or authorized in the Advisory Agreement, neither party shall have, or shall represent that it has, any power, right or authority to bind the other party to any obligation or liability, or to assume or create any obligation or liability on behalf of the other party.

6.3 Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given or made (and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made upon receipt) by delivery in person, by overnight courier service (with signature required), by facsimile, or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective parties at the following addresses:

If to the Licensor:

SLR Capital Partners, LLC

500 Park Avenue, 5th Floor

New York, NY 10022

Tel. No.: (212) 993-1670

Fax No.: (212) 993-1699

Attn: Michael S. Gross

If to the Company:

SLR Investment Corp.

500 Park Avenue, 5th Floor

New York, NY 10022

Tel. No.: (212) 993-1670

Fax No.: (212) 993-1699

Attn: Michael S. Gross

6.4 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of law rules. The parties unconditionally and irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in the State of New York and waive any objection with respect thereto, for the purpose of any action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

6.5 Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by an instrument in writing signed by all parties hereto.

6.6 No Waiver. The failure of either party to enforce at any time for any period the provisions of or any rights deriving from this Agreement shall not be construed to be a waiver of such provisions or rights or the right of such party thereafter to enforce such provisions, and no waiver shall be binding unless executed in writing by all parties hereto.

6.7 Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any law or public policy, all other terms and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

6.8 Headings. The descriptive headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

6.9 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original instrument and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

6.10 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to such subject matter.

6.11 Third-Party Beneficiaries. Nothing in this Agreement, either express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any third party any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each party has caused this Agreement to be executed as of the Effective Date by its duly authorized officers.


SLR INVESTMENT CORP.

By:		/s/ Michael S. Gross
		Name: Michael S. Gross Title: President and Co-Chief Executive Officer

By:		/s/ Bruce Spohler
		Name: Bruce Spohler Title: Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer

SLR CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC

By:		/s/ Michael S. Gross
		Name: Michael S. Gross Title: Managing Member

By:		/s/ Bruce Spohler
		Name: Bruce Spohler Title: Managing Member

Exhibit 99.1

LOGO

Solar Capital Ltd. to Change Name to SLR Investment Corp.;

Investment Advisor Rebrands Platform

NEW YORK, February 24, 2021— Solar Capital Ltd. (Nasdaq: SLRC) today announced that it will change its name to SLR Investment Corp. (“SLR Investment,” “SLRC,” or the “Company”), effective February 25, 2021. This will reflect the concurrent platform rebranding of SLRC’s investment advisor, Solar Capital Partners, to SLR Capital Partners (“SLR” or the “Advisor”). The new names will utilize one brand across the platform. SLR Investment will continue to trade on the Nasdaq under the symbol SLRC.

SLRC will continue to provide U.S. middle market borrowers with a broad suite of financing solutions as well as pursue attractive investment opportunities and complementary lending strategies. The Company will maintain its strategy of investing in cash flow, asset-based and life science loans, as well as equipment financings, and corporate leases.

“The platform’s rebranding reflects our diversified commercial finance firm with a wide range of direct lending strategies supported by experienced investment teams,” said Michael Gross, Co-CEO of SLR Investment Corp. “Our strategy of building attractive specialty finance businesses, furthered by the recent acquisition of Kingsbridge Holdings, should drive growth in net investment income.”

“Since completing our IPO more than 11 years ago, we have focused on expanding our access to high yielding first lien senior secured loans to companies in defensive industries,” said Bruce Spohler, Co-CEO of SLR Investment Corp. “We believe this rebranding reflects our holistic approach to credit investing.”

SLR Investment’s specialty finance companies’ new names will reflect our integrated underwriting platform:

•

Crystal Financial will become SLR Credit Solutions. SLR Credit Solutions is a leading provider of direct private credit, focused on delivering complex, creative credit solutions to middle-market companies, across diverse industries, that require flexible asset-based and cash flow financing solutions to achieve their objectives

•

Nations Equipment Finance will become SLR Equipment Finance. SLR Equipment Finance is a leading independent equipment finance company that provides senior secured financings to primarily non-investment grade U.S. based companies

•

Kingsbridge Holdings, a portfolio company acquired by SLR Investment Corp during the fourth quarter of 2020, will retain its name. Kingsbridge Holdings is a leading independent mid-ticket lessor of information technology, industrial, healthcare and commercial essential-use equipment to a diverse set of investment grade customers.

About SLR Investment Corp.

SLR Investment Corp is a closed-end investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. A specialty finance company with expertise in several niche markets, SLR Investment primarily invests directly and indirectly in leveraged, U. S. middle market companies in the form of cash flow senior secured loans and asset-based loans.

About SLR Capital Partners

SLR Capital Partners is an SEC-registered investment adviser that primarily invests directly in leveraged, U.S. middle market companies in the form of cash flow and asset-based senior secured investments. The Advisor manages over $7.5 billion of investable capital, including potential leverage, across its public and private BDCs, private credit funds and separately managed accounts, including serving as the investment adviser to two publicly-traded Business Development Companies, SLR Investment Corp. (Nasdaq: SLRC) and SLR Senior Investment Corp. (Nasdaq: SUNS).

Since its formation in 2006, SLR Capital Partners’ platform has invested over $13.0 billion in approximately 1,300 different portfolio companies with approximately 200 private equity sponsors. The platform was founded by Michael Gross and Bruce Spohler, who each have over 30 years of investment experience through multiple credit cycles.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements included herein may constitute “forward-looking statements,” which relate to future events or our future performance or financial condition. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, condition or results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including the impact of COVID-19 and related changes in base interest rates and significant market volatility on our business, our portfolio companies, our industry and the global economy. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. SLR Investment Corp. undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made herein, unless required to do so by law.

Contact

SLR Investment Corp.

Investor Relations

(646) 308-8770