Hercules Capital Inc

1. Description of Business

Hercules Capital, Inc. (the “Company”) is a specialty finance company focused on providing senior secured loans to high-growth, innovative venture capital-backed and institutional-backed companies in a variety of technology, life sciences, and sustainable and renewable technology industries. The Company sources its investments through its principal office, which was located in Palo Alto, CA until February 12, 2024 and in San Mateo, CA thereafter and presently, as well as through its additional offices in Boston, MA, New York, NY, Bethesda, MD, San Diego, CA, Denver, CO, and London, United Kingdom. The Company was incorporated under the General Corporation Law of the State of Maryland in December 2003.

The Company is an internally managed, non-diversified closed-end investment company that has elected to be regulated as a Business Development Company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. From incorporation through December 31, 2005, the Company was subject to tax as a corporation under Subchapter C of the Code. Effective January 1, 2006, the Company elected to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Code (see “Note 6 – Income Taxes”).

The Company is not registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”). The Company has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”), pursuant to Rule 4.5 under the CEA. The Company is not, therefore, subject to registration or regulation as a “commodity pool operator” under the CEA.

Hercules Capital IV, L.P. (“HC IV”) is our wholly owned Delaware limited partnership that was formed in December 2010. HC IV received a license to operate as a Small Business Investment Company (“SBIC”) under the authority of the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) on October 27, 2020. SBICs are subject to a variety of regulations concerning, among other things, the size and nature of the companies in which they may invest and the structure of those investments. Hercules Technology SBIC Management, LLC (“HTM”), is a wholly owned limited liability company subsidiary of the Company, which was formed in November 2003 and serves as the general partner of HC IV.

The Company has also established certain wholly owned subsidiaries, all of which are structured as Delaware corporations or Limited Liability Companies (“LLCs”), to hold portfolio companies organized as LLCs (or other forms of pass-through entities). These subsidiaries are consolidated for financial reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). Certain of the subsidiaries are taxable and not consolidated with Hercules for income tax purposes and may generate income tax expense, or benefit, and tax assets and liabilities as a result of their ownership of certain portfolio investments.

The Company formed Hercules Capital Management LLC and Hercules Adviser LLC in 2020 as wholly owned Delaware limited liability subsidiaries. The Company was granted no-action relief by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to allow Hercules Adviser LLC (the "Adviser Subsidiary") to register as a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”). The Adviser Subsidiary provides investment advisory and related services to investment vehicles (“Adviser Funds”) owned by one or more unrelated third-party investors (“External Parties”). The Adviser Subsidiary is owned by Hercules Capital Management LLC and collectively held and presented with Hercules Partner Holdings, LLC, which separately wholly owns the general partnership vehicles to each of the Adviser Funds.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S GAAP and pursuant to Regulation S-X. The Company’s functional currency is U.S. dollars (“USD”) and these consolidated financial statements have been prepared in that currency.

As an investment company, the Company follows accounting and reporting guidance as set forth in Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies (“ASC Topic 946”) of the Financial Accounting Standards Board's (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification, as amended (“ASC”). As provided under Regulation S-X and ASC Topic 946, the Company will not consolidate its investment in a portfolio company other than an investment company subsidiary or a controlled operating company whose business consists of providing services to the Company. Rather, an investment company’s interest in portfolio companies that are not investment companies should be measured at fair value in accordance with ASC Topic 946. The Adviser Subsidiary is not an investment company as defined in ASC Topic 946 and further, the Adviser Subsidiary provides investment advisory services exclusively to the Adviser Funds which are owned by External Parties. As such pursuant to ASC Topic 946, the Adviser Subsidiary is accounted for as a portfolio investment of the Company held at fair value and is not consolidated.

Financial statements prepared on a U.S. GAAP basis require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of income, expenses, gains and losses during the reported periods. Changes in the economic and regulatory environment, financial markets, the credit worthiness of our portfolio companies, other macro-economic developments (for example, global pandemics, natural disasters, terrorism, international conflicts and war), and any other parameters used in determining these estimates and assumptions could cause actual results to differ from these estimates and assumptions.

Principles of Consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company, its consolidated subsidiaries, and all Variable Interest Entities (“VIE”) of which the Company is the primary beneficiary. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

A VIE is an entity that either (i) has insufficient equity to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or (ii) has equity investors who lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is the party with both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb the losses or the right to receive benefits that could be significant to the VIE.

To assess whether the Company has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance, the Company considers all the facts and circumstances including its role in establishing the VIE and its ongoing rights and responsibilities. This assessment includes identifying the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and identifying which party, if any, has power over those activities. In general, the party that makes the most significant decisions affecting the VIE is determined to have the power to direct the activities of a VIE. To assess whether the Company has the obligation to absorb the losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE, the Company considers all of its economic interests, including debt and equity interests, servicing rights and fee arrangements, and any other variable interests in the VIE. If the Company determines that it is the party with the power to make the most significant decisions affecting the VIE, and the Company has a potentially significant interest in the VIE, then it consolidates the VIE.

The Company performs periodic reassessments, usually quarterly, of whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE. The reassessment process considers whether the Company has acquired or divested the power to direct the activities of the VIE through changes in governing documents or other circumstances. The Company also reconsiders whether entities previously determined not to be VIEs have become VIEs, based on certain events, and therefore are subject to the VIE consolidation framework.

The Company's Consolidated Financial Statements included the accounts of the securitization trust, a VIE, formed in 2022 in conjunction with the issuance of the 2031 Asset-Backed Notes (as defined in “Note 5 – Debt”). The Company held no interests in a VIE as of December 31, 2021. The assets of the Company's securitization VIE are restricted to be used to settle obligations of its consolidated securitization VIE, which are disclosed parenthetically on the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The liabilities are the only obligations of its consolidated securitization VIE, and the creditors (or beneficial interest holders) do not have recourse to the Company's general credit.

Fair Value Measurements

The Company follows guidance in ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement (“ASC Topic 820”), where fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC Topic 820 establishes a framework for measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities and outlines a three-tier hierarchy which maximizes the use of observable market data input and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs to establish a classification of fair value measurements. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk, such as the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique used to measure fair value using a pricing model and/or the risk inherent in the inputs for the valuation technique. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the information available. The inputs or methodology used for valuing assets or liabilities may not be an indication of the risks associated with investing in those assets or liabilities. ASC Topic 820 also requires disclosure for fair value measurements based on the level within the hierarchy of the information used in the valuation. ASC Topic 820 applies whenever other standards require (or permit) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value.

The Company categorizes all investments recorded at fair value in accordance with ASC Topic 820 based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. Hierarchical levels, defined by ASC Topic 820 and directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to fair valuation of these assets and liabilities, are as follows:

Level 1—Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets at the measurement date. The types of assets carried at Level 1 fair value generally are equities listed in active markets.

Level 2—Inputs (other than quoted prices included in Level 1) are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset in connection with market data at the measurement date and for the extent of the instrument’s anticipated life. Fair valued assets that are generally included in this category are publicly held debt investments and warrants held in a public company.

Level 3—Inputs reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset at the measurement date. It includes prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable. Generally, assets carried at fair value and included in this category are the debt investments and warrants and equities held in a private company.

Valuation of Investments

The most significant estimate inherent in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements is the valuation of investments and the related amounts of unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments recorded.

As of December 31, 2023, approximately 95.1% of the Company’s total assets represented investments in portfolio companies whose fair value is determined in good faith by the Company's Valuation Committee and approved by the Board. Fair Value, as defined in Section 2(a)(41) of the 1940 Act, is (i) the market price for those securities for which a market quotation is readily available and (ii) for all other securities and assets, fair value is as determined in good faith by the valuation designee of the Board. The Company’s investments are carried at fair value in accordance with the 1940 Act and ASC Topic 946 and measured in accordance with ASC Topic 820. The Company’s debt securities are primarily invested in venture capital-backed and institutional-backed companies in technology-related industries including technology, drug discovery and development, biotechnology, life sciences, healthcare, and sustainable and renewable technology at all stages of development. Given the nature of lending to these types of businesses, substantially all of the Company’s investments in these portfolio companies are considered Level 3 assets under ASC Topic 820 because there generally is no known or accessible market or market indexes for these investment securities to be traded or exchanged. As such, the Company values substantially all of its investments at fair value as determined in good faith pursuant to a consistent valuation policy established by the Board in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 820 and the 1940 Act. Due to the inherent uncertainty in determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the Company’s investments determined in good faith by the Company's Valuation Committee and approved by the Board may differ significantly from the value that would have been used had a readily available market existed for such investments, and the differences could be material.

In accordance with procedures established by its Board, the Company values investments on a quarterly basis following a multistep valuation process. Pursuant to the amended SEC Rule 2a-5 of the 1940 Act, the Board has designated the Company’s Valuation Committee as the “valuation designee”. The quarterly Board approved multi-step valuation process is described below:

(1)The Company’s quarterly valuation process begins with each portfolio company being initially valued by the investment professionals responsible for the portfolio investment;

(2)Preliminary valuation conclusions and business-based assumptions, along with any applicable fair value marks provided by an independent firm, are reviewed with the Company’s investment committee and certain member(s) of credit group as necessary;

(3)The Valuation Committee reviews the preliminary valuations recommended by the investment committee and certain member(s) of the credit group of each investment in the portfolio and determines the fair value of each investment in the Company’s portfolio in good faith and recommends the valuation determinations to the Audit Committee of the Board;

(4)The Audit Committee of the Board provides oversight of the quarterly valuation process in accordance with Rule 2a-5, which includes a review of the quarterly reports prepared by the Valuation Committee, reviews the fair valuation determinations made by the Valuation Committee, and approves such valuations for inclusion in public reporting and disclosures, as appropriate; and

(5)The Board, upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee, discusses valuations and approves the fair value of each investment in the Company’s portfolio.

Investments purchased within the preceding two calendar quarters before the valuation date and debt investments with remaining maturities within 12 months or less may each be valued at cost with interest accrued or discount accreted/premium amortized to the date of maturity, unless such valuation, in the judgment of the Company, does not represent fair value. In this case such investments shall be valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Valuation Committee and approved by the Board. Investments that are not publicly traded or whose market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Valuation Committee and approved by the Board.

As part of the overall process noted above, the Company engages one or more independent valuation firm(s) to provide management with assistance in determining the fair value of selected portfolio investments each quarter. In selecting which portfolio investments to engage an independent valuation firm, the Company considers a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the potential for material fluctuations in valuation results, size, credit quality, and the time lapse since the last valuation of the portfolio investment by an independent valuation firm. The scope of services rendered by the independent valuation firm is at the discretion of the Valuation Committee and subject to approval of the Board, and the Company may engage an independent valuation firm to value all or some of our portfolio investments. In determining the fair value of a portfolio investment in good faith, the Company recognizes these determinations are made using the best available information that is knowable or reasonably knowable. In addition, changes in the market environment, portfolio company performance and other events that may occur over the duration of the investments may cause the gains or losses ultimately realized on these investments to be materially different than the valuations currently assigned. The change in fair value of each individual investment is recorded as an adjustment to the investment's fair value and the change is reflected in unrealized appreciation or depreciation.

Debt Investments

The Company’s debt securities are primarily invested in venture capital-backed and institutional-backed companies in technology-related industries including technology, drug discovery and development, biotechnology, life sciences, healthcare, and sustainable and renewable technology at all stages of development. Given the nature of lending to these types of businesses, substantially all of the Company’s investments in these portfolio companies are considered Level 3 assets under ASC Topic 820 because there generally is no known or accessible market or market indexes for debt instruments for these investment securities to be traded or exchanged. The Company may, from time to time, invest in public debt of companies that meet the Company’s investment objectives, and to the extent market quotations or other pricing indicators (i.e. broker quotes) are available, these investments are considered Level 1 or 2 assets in line with ASC Topic 820.

In making a good faith determination of the value of the Company’s investments, the Company generally starts with the cost basis of the investment, which includes the value attributed to the original issue discount (“OID”), if any, and payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest or other receivables which have been accrued as earned. The Company then applies the valuation methods as set forth below.

The Company assumes the sale of each debt security in a hypothetical market to a hypothetical market participant where buyers and sellers are willing participants. The hypothetical market does not include scenarios where the underlying security was simply repaid or extinguished, but includes an exit concept. The Company determines the yield at inception for each debt investment. The Company then uses senior secured, leveraged loan yields provided by third party providers to calibrate the change in market yields between inception of the debt investment and the measurement date. Industry specific indices and other relevant market data are used to benchmark and assess market-based movements for reasonableness. As part of determining the fair value, the Company also evaluates the collateral for recoverability of the debt investments. The Company considers each portfolio company’s credit rating, security liens and other characteristics of the investment to adjust the baseline yield to derive a credit adjusted hypothetical yield for each investment as of the measurement date. The anticipated future cash flows from each investment are then discounted at the hypothetical yield to estimate each investment’s fair value as of the measurement date. The Company’s process includes an analysis of, among other things, the underlying investment performance, the current portfolio company’s financial condition and market changing events that impact valuation, estimated remaining life, current market yield and interest rate spreads of similar securities as of the measurement date.

The Company values debt securities that are traded on a public exchange at the prevailing market price as of the valuation date. For syndicated debt investments, for which sufficient market data is available and liquidity, the Company values debt securities using broker quotes and bond indices amongst other factors. If there is a significant deterioration of the credit quality of a debt investment, the Company may consider other factors to estimate fair value, including the proceeds that would be received in a liquidation analysis.

The Company records unrealized depreciation on investments when it believes that an investment has decreased in value, including where collection of a debt investment is doubtful or, if under the in-exchange premise, when the value of a debt investment is less than amortized cost of the investment. Conversely, where appropriate, the Company records unrealized appreciation if it believes that the underlying portfolio company has appreciated in value and, therefore, that its investment has also appreciated in value or, if under the in-exchange premise, the value of a debt investment is greater than amortized cost.

When originating a debt instrument, the Company generally receives warrants or other equity securities from the borrower. The Company determines the cost basis of the warrants or other equity securities received based upon their respective fair values on the date of receipt in proportion to the total fair value of the debt and warrants or other equity securities received. Any resulting discount on the debt investments from recording warrant or other equity instruments is accreted into interest income over the life of the debt investment.

Equity Securities and Warrants

Securities that are traded in the over-the-counter markets or on a stock exchange will be valued at the prevailing bid price at period end. The Company has a limited amount of equity securities in public companies. In accordance with the 1940 Act, unrestricted publicly traded securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the closing market quote on the measurement date.

At each reporting date, privately held warrant and equity securities are valued based on an analysis of various factors including, but not limited to, the portfolio company’s operating performance and financial condition, general market conditions, price to enterprise value or price to equity ratios, discounted cash flow, valuation comparisons to comparable public companies or other industry benchmarks. When an external event occurs, such as a purchase transaction, public offering, or subsequent equity sale, the pricing indicated by that external event is utilized to corroborate the Company’s valuation of the warrant and equity securities. The Company periodically reviews the valuation of its portfolio companies that have not been involved in a qualifying external event to determine if the enterprise value of the portfolio company may have increased or decreased since the last valuation measurement date. Absent a qualifying external event, the Company estimates the fair value of warrants using a Black Scholes OPM. For certain privately held equity securities, the income approach is used, in which the Company converts future amounts (for example, cash flows or earnings) to a net present value. 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 the Company may take into account include, as relevant: applicable market yields and multiples, the portfolio company’s capital structure, the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments, its earnings and discounted cash flows, and enterprise value among other factors.

Investment Funds & Vehicles

The Company applies the practical expedient provided by the ASC Topic 820 relating to investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value per share (or its equivalent). ASC Topic 820 permits an entity holding investments in certain entities that either are investment companies, or have attributes similar to an investment company, and calculate NAV per share or its equivalent for which the fair value is not readily determinable, to measure the fair value of such investments on the basis of that NAV per share, or its equivalent, without adjustment. Investments which are valued using NAV per share as a practical expedient are not categorized within the fair value hierarchy as per ASC Topic 820.

Derivative Instruments

The Company's derivative instruments include foreign currency forward contracts. The Company recognizes all derivative instruments as assets or liabilities at fair value in its consolidated financial statements. Derivative contracts entered into by the Company are not designated as hedging instruments, and as a result, the Company presents changes in fair value through net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on non-control/non-affiliate investments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Realized gains and losses of the derivative instruments are included in net realized gains (losses) on non-control/non-affiliate investments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The net cash flows realized on settlement of derivatives are included in realized (gain) loss in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

Cash and cash equivalents consist solely of funds deposited with financial institutions and short-term liquid investments in money market deposit accounts. Cash and cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. As of December 31, 2023, the Company held $804 thousand (Cost basis $842 thousand) of foreign cash. As of December 31, 2022, the Company held $1,178 thousand (Cost basis $1,168 thousand) of foreign cash. Restricted cash includes amounts that are held as collateral securing certain of the Company’s financing transactions, including amounts held in a securitization trust by trustees related to its 2031 Asset-Backed Notes (refer to “Note 5 – Debt”).

Other Assets

Other assets generally consist of prepaid expenses, debt issuance costs on our Credit Facilities net of accumulated amortization, fixed assets net of accumulated depreciation, deferred revenues and deposits and other assets, including escrow and other investment related receivables.

Escrow Receivables

Escrow receivables are collected in accordance with the terms and conditions of the escrow agreement. Escrow balances are typically distributed over a period greater than one year and may accrue interest during the escrow period. Escrow balances are measured for collectability on at least a quarterly basis and fair value is determined based on the amount of the estimated recoverable balances and the contractual maturity date.

Leases

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, and operating lease liability obligations in our Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The Company recognizes a ROU asset and an operating lease liability for all leases, with the exception of short-term leases which have a term of 12 months or less. ROU assets represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and operating lease liability obligations represent the obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components and has separated these components when determining the ROU assets and the related lease liabilities. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company estimated its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The Company uses the implicit rate when readily determinable. The ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives and lease direct costs. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. See “Note 11 – Commitments and Contingencies”.

Investment Income Recognition

The Company’s investment portfolio generates interest, fee, and dividend income. The Company records interest income on an accrual basis, recognizing income as earned in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement, to the extent that such amounts are expected to be collected. The Company’s Structured Debt investments may generate OID. The OID received upfront typically represents the value of detachable equity, warrants, or another asset obtained in conjunction with the acquisition of debt securities. The OID is accreted into interest income over the term of the loan as a yield enhancement following the effective interest method. Additionally, certain debt investments in the Company’s portfolio earn PIK interest. The Company records PIK interest in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement, to the extent that such amounts are expected to be collected. Contractual PIK interest represents contractually deferred interest that is added to the loan balance as principal and is generally due at the end of the loan term.

The Company’s loan origination activities generate fee income, which is generally collected in advance and includes loan commitment, facility fees for due diligence and structuring, as well as fees for transaction services and management services rendered by the Company to portfolio companies and other third parties. Loan commitment and facility fees are capitalized and then amortized into income over the contractual life of the loan using the effective interest method. One-off fees for transaction and management services are generally recognized as income in the period when the services are rendered. The Company may also earn loan exit fees, which are contractual fees that are generally received upon the earlier of maturity or prepayment. The Company accretes loan exit fees into interest income following the effective interest method, recognizing income as earned in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement, to the extent that such amounts are expected to be collected.

From time to time, additional fees may be earned by the Company relating to specific loan modifications, prepayments, or other one-off events. These non-recurring fees are either amortized into fee income over the remaining term of the loan commencing in the quarter for loan modifications, or recognized currently as one-time fee income for items such as prepayment penalties, fees related to select covenant default waiver fees, and acceleration of previously deferred loan fees and OID related to early loan pay-off or material modification of the specific debt outstanding.

Debt investments are placed on non-accrual status when it is probable that principal, interest or fees will not be collected according to contractual terms. When a debt investment is placed on non-accrual status, the Company ceases to recognize interest and fee income until the portfolio company has paid all principal and interest due or demonstrated the ability to repay its current and future contractual obligations to the Company. The Company may determine to continue to accrue interest on a loan where the investment has sufficient collateral value to collect all of the contractual amount due and is in the process of collection. Interest collected on non-accrual investments are generally applied to principal.

Realized Gains or Losses

Realized gains or losses are measured by the difference between the net proceeds from the sale or other realization event and the cost basis of the investment using the specific identification method without regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation previously recognized, and includes investments charged off during the period, net of recoveries.

Secured Borrowings

The Company follows the guidance in ASC Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing (“ASC Topic 860”), when accounting for participation and other partial loan sales. Certain loan sales do not qualify for sale accounting under ASC Topic 860 because these sales do not meet the definition of a “participating interest”, as defined in the guidance, in order for sale accounting treatment to be allowed. Participations or other partial loan sales which do not meet the definition of a participating interest, or which are not eligible for sale accounting treatment remain as an investment on the consolidated balance sheet as required under U.S. GAAP and the proceeds are recorded as a secured borrowing. Secured borrowings are carried at fair value.

Equity Offering Expenses

The Company’s offering expenses are charged against the proceeds from equity offerings when received as a reduction of capital upon completion of an offering of registered securities.

Debt

The debt of the Company is carried at amortized cost which is comprised of the principal amount borrowed net of any unamortized discount and debt issuance costs. Discounts and issuance costs are accreted to interest expense and loan fees, respectively, using the straight-line method, which closely approximates the effective yield method, over the remaining life of the underlying debt obligations (see “Note 5 - Debt”). Accrued but unpaid interest is included within Accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities. In the event that the debt is extinguished, either partially or in full, before maturity, the Company recognizes the gain or loss in the Consolidated Statements of Operations within net realized gains (losses) as a “Loss on extinguishment of debt”.

Debt Issuance Costs

Debt issuance costs are fees and other direct incremental costs incurred by the Company in obtaining debt financing and are recognized as prepaid expenses and amortized over the life of the related debt instrument using the effective yield method or the straight-line method, which closely approximates the effective yield method. In accordance with ASC Subtopic 835-30, Interest – Imputation of Interest, debt issuance costs are presented as a reduction to the associated liability balance on the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities, except for debt issuance costs associated with line-of-credit arrangements.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has issued and may, from time to time, issue stock options, restricted stock, and other stock-based compensation awards to employees and directors. Management follows the guidance set forth under ASC Topic 718, to account for stock-based compensation awards granted. Under ASC Topic 718, compensation expense associated with stock-based compensation is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized over the vesting period. Determining the appropriate fair value model and calculating the fair value of stock-based awards at the grant date requires judgment. This includes certain assumptions such as stock price volatility, forfeiture rate, expected outcome probability, and expected option life, as applicable to each award. In accordance with ASC Topic 480, certain stock awards are classified as a liability. The compensation expense associated with these awards is recognized in the same manner as all other stock-based compensation. The award liability is recorded as deferred compensation and included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 740 Income Taxes, under which income taxes are provided for amounts currently payable and for amounts deferred based upon the estimated future tax effects of differences between the financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities given the provisions of the enacted tax law. Valuation allowances may be used to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount likely to be realized.

Because taxable income as determined in accordance with U.S. federal tax regulations differ from U.S. GAAP, taxable income generally differs from net income for financial reporting purposes due to temporary and permanent differences in the recognition of income and expenses, and generally excludes net unrealized appreciation or depreciation, as such gains or losses are not included in taxable income until they are realized. Permanent differences are reclassified among capital accounts in the financial statements to reflect their appropriate tax character. Permanent differences may also result from the change in the classification of certain items, such as the treatment of short-term gains as ordinary income for tax purposes. Temporary differences arise when certain items of income, expense, gains or losses are recognized at some time in the future for tax or U.S. GAAP purposes.

The Company has elected to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. To qualify as a RIC, the Company is required to meet certain income and asset tests in addition to distributing dividends of an amount generally at least equal to 90% of its investment company taxable income, as defined by the Code and determined without regard to any deduction for distributions paid, to its stockholders. See “Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” for additional information.

As a RIC, the Company is subject to a 4% non-deductible U.S. federal excise tax on certain undistributed income unless the Company makes distributions treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes in a timely manner to its stockholders in respect of each calendar year of an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of its ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) for each calendar year, (2) 98.2% of its capital gain net income (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for the 1-year period ending October 31 of each such calendar year and (3) any ordinary income and capital gain net income realized, but not distributed, in preceding calendar years. The Company will not be subject to this excise tax on any amount on which the Company incurred U.S. federal income tax (such as the tax imposed on a RIC’s retained net capital gains).

The amount to be paid out as a distribution is determined by the Board each quarter and is based upon the annual earnings estimated by the management of the Company. To the extent that the Company's earnings fall below the amount of the dividend distributions declared, however, a portion of the total amount of the Company's distributions for the fiscal year may be deemed a return of capital.

Depending on the level of taxable income earned in a taxable year, the Company may choose to carry over taxable income in excess of current taxable year distributions from such taxable income into the next taxable year and incur a 4% excise tax on such taxable income, as required. The maximum amount of excess taxable income that may be carried over for distribution in the next taxable year under the Code is the total amount of distributions paid in the following taxable year, subject to certain declaration and payment guidelines. To the extent the Company chooses to carry over taxable income into the next taxable year, distributions declared and paid by the Company in a taxable year may differ from the Company’s taxable income for that taxable year as such distributions may include the distribution of current taxable year taxable income, the distribution of prior taxable year taxable income carried over into and distributed in the current taxable year, or returns of capital. The Company intends to timely distribute to its stockholders substantially all of its annual taxable income for each year, except that it may retain certain net capital gains for reinvestment and, depending upon the level of taxable income earned in a year, it may choose to carry forward taxable income for distribution in the following year and pay any applicable U.S. federal excise tax.

Earnings Per Share (“EPS”)

Basic EPS is calculated by dividing net earnings applicable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Common shares outstanding includes common stock and restricted stock for which no future service is required as a condition to the delivery of the underlying common stock. Diluted EPS includes the determinants of basic EPS and, in addition, reflects the dilutive effect of the common stock deliverable pursuant to stock options and to restricted stock for which future service is required as a condition to the delivery of the underlying common stock. In accordance with ASC 260-10-45-60A, the Company uses the two-class method in the computation of basic EPS and diluted EPS, if applicable.

Comprehensive Income

The Company reports all changes in comprehensive income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company didnot have other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, or 2021. The Company’s comprehensive income is equal to its net increase in net assets resulting from operations.

Distributions

Distributions to common stockholders are approved by the Board on a quarterly basis and the distribution payable is recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Company maintains an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan that provides for reinvestment of the Company’s distribution on behalf of the Company’s stockholders, unless a stockholder elects to receive cash. As a result, if the Company declares a distribution, cash distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of its common stock unless the stockholder specifically “opts out” of the dividend reinvestment plan and chooses to receive cash distributions.

Segments

The Company lends to and invests in portfolio companies in various technology-related industries including technology, drug discovery and development, biotechnology, life sciences, healthcare, and sustainable and renewable technology. The Company separately evaluates the performance of each of its lending and investment relationships. However, because each of these loan and investment relationships has similar business and economic characteristics, they have been aggregated into a single reportable segment.

3. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value estimates are made at discrete points in time based on relevant information. These estimates may be subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. Investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are categorized in the tables below based upon the lowest level of significant input to the valuations as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

(1)This investment is included in Cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

(2)Common Stock includes non-voting security in the form of a promissory note with a lien on shares of issuer's Common Stock.

(3)In accordance with U.S. GAAP, certain investments are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient and are not categorized within the fair value hierarchy as per ASC 820. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

(4)Derivative Instruments are carried at fair value and a level 2 security within the Company's fair value hierarchy.

The table below presents a reconciliation of changes for all financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, excluding accrued interest components, using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

(1)Included in net realized gains (losses) in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

(2)Included in net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

(3)Transfers within Level 3 during the year ended December 31, 2023 related to the conversion of Level 3 debt investments into Level 3 preferred stock investments and other assets.

(4)Transfers out of Level 3 during the year ended December 31, 2022 related to the initial public offerings of Gelesis, Inc., Pineapple Energy, LLC, and the conversion of Level 3 debt investments into common stock investments. Transfers into Level 3 during the year ended December 31, 2022 related to the decline of liquidity of Kaleido Biosciences, Inc. shares.

(5)Amounts listed above are inclusive of loan origination fees received at the inception of the loan which are deferred and amortized into fee income as well as the accretion of existing loan discounts and fees during the period. Escrow receivable purchases may include additions due to proceeds held in escrow from the liquidation of level 3 investments. Amounts are net of purchases assigned to the Adviser Funds.

(6)Amounts listed above include the acceleration and payment of loan discounts and loan fees due to early payoffs or restructures along with regularly scheduled amortization.

The following table presents the net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) recorded for preferred stock, common stock, debt and warrant Level 3 investments relating to assets still held at the reporting date.

The following tables provide quantitative information about the Company’s Level 3 fair value measurements as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. In addition to the techniques and inputs noted in the tables below, according to the Company’s valuation policy, the Company may also use other valuation techniques and methodologies when determining the Company’s fair value measurements. The tables below are not intended to be all-inclusive, but rather provide information on the significant Level 3 inputs as they relate to the Company’s fair value measurements. See the accompanying Consolidated Schedule of Investments for the fair value of the Company’s investments. The methodology for the determination of the fair value of the Company’s investments is discussed in “Note 2 – Summary of Significant

Accounting Policies”. The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s escrow receivables is the amount recoverable at the contractual maturity date of the escrow receivable.

(1)The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s debt securities are hypothetical market yields and premiums/(discounts). The hypothetical market yield is defined as the exit price of an investment in a hypothetical market to hypothetical market participants where buyers and sellers are willing participants. The premiums/(discounts) relate to company specific characteristics such as underlying investment performance, security liens, and other characteristics of the investment. Significant increases (decreases) in the inputs in isolation may result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement, depending on the materiality of the investment.

Debt investments in the industries noted in the Company’s Consolidated Schedule of Investments are included in the industries noted above as follows:

•Pharmaceuticals, above, is comprised of debt investments in the “Drug Discovery & Development” and “Healthcare Services, Other” industries.

•Technology, above, is comprised of debt investments in the “Communications & Networking”, “Information Services”, “Consumer & Business Services”, “Media/Content/Info” and “Software” industries.

•Sustainable and Renewable Technology, above, is comprised of debt investments in the “Sustainable and Renewable Technology” industry.

•Lower Middle Market, above, is comprised of debt investments in the “Healthcare Services – Other”, “Consumer & Business Services”, “Diversified Financial Services”, “Sustainable and Renewable Technology”, and “Software” industries.

(2)The weighted averages are calculated based on the fair market value of each investment.

(3)The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of impaired debt securities is the probability weighting of alternative outcomes.

(4)Imminent Payoffs represent debt investments that the Company expects to be fully repaid within the next three months, prior to their scheduled maturity date.

(1)The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s debt securities are hypothetical market yields and premiums/(discounts). The hypothetical market yield is defined as the exit price of an investment in a hypothetical market to hypothetical market participants where buyers and sellers are willing participants. The premiums/(discounts) relate to company specific characteristics such as underlying investment performance, security liens, and other characteristics of the investment. Significant increases (decreases) in the inputs in isolation may result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement, depending on the materiality of the investment.

Debt investments in the industries noted in the Company’s Consolidated Schedule of Investments are included in the industries noted above as follows:

•Pharmaceuticals, above, is comprised of debt investments in the “Drug Discovery & Development” and “Healthcare Services, Other” industries.

•Technology, above, is comprised of debt investments in the “Communications & Networking”, “Information Services”, “Consumer & Business Services”, “Media/Content/Info” and “Software” industries.

•Sustainable and Renewable Technology, above, is comprised of debt investments in the “Sustainable and Renewable Technology” industry.

•Lower Middle Market, above, is comprised of debt investments in the “Healthcare Services – Other”, “Consumer & Business Services”, “Diversified Financial Services”, “Sustainable and Renewable Technology”, and “Software” industries.

(2)The weighted averages are calculated based on the fair market value of each investment.

(3)The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of impaired debt securities is the probability weighting of alternative outcomes.

(4)Imminent payoffs represent debt investments that the Company expects to be fully repaid within the next three months, prior to their scheduled maturity date.

(1)The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s warrant and equity securities are revenue and/or earnings multiples (e.g. EBITDA, EBT, ARR), market equity adjustment factors, and discounts for lack of marketability. Significant increases/(decreases) in the inputs in isolation would result in a significantly higher/(lower) fair value measurement, depending on the materiality of the investment. For some investments, additional consideration may be given to data from the last round of financing or merger/acquisition events near the measurement date. The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of impaired equity securities is the probability weighting of alternative outcomes.

(2)Represents amounts used when the Company has determined that market participants would use such multiples when pricing the investments.

(3)Represents amounts used when the Company has determined market participants would take into account these discounts when pricing the investments.

(4)Represents the range of changes in industry valuations since the portfolio company's last external valuation event.

(5)Weighted averages are calculated based on the fair market value of each investment.

(6)The fair market value of these investments is derived based on recent market private market and merger and acquisition transaction prices.

(7)The discount rate used is based on current portfolio yield adjusted for uncertainty of actual performance and timing in capital deployments.

(1)The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s warrant and equity securities are revenue and/or earnings multiples (e.g. EBITDA, EBT, ARR), market equity adjustment factors, and discounts for lack of marketability. Significant increases/(decreases) in the inputs in isolation would result in a significantly higher/(lower) fair value measurement, depending on the materiality of the investment. For some investments, additional consideration may be given to data from the last round of financing or merger/acquisition events near the measurement date. The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of impaired equity securities is the probability weighting of alternative outcomes.

(2)Represents amounts used when the Company has determined that market participants would use such multiples when pricing the investments.

(3)Represents amounts used when the Company has determined market participants would take into account these discounts when pricing the investments.

(4)Represents the range of changes in industry valuations since the portfolio company's last external valuation event.

(5)Weighted averages are calculated based on the fair market value of each investment.

(6)The fair market value of these investments is derived based on recent market transactions.

(7)The discount rate used is based on current portfolio yield adjusted for uncertainty of actual performance and timing in capital deployments.

The Company believes that the carrying amounts of its financial instruments, other than investments and debt, which consist of cash and cash equivalents, receivables including escrow receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, approximate the fair values of such items due to the short maturity of such instruments. The debt obligations of the Company are recorded at amortized cost and not at fair value on the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The fair value of the Company’s outstanding debt obligations are based on observable market trading prices or quotations and unobservable market rates as applicable for each instrument.

As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the 2033 Notes were trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") at $25.25 and $24.59 per unit at par value. The par value at underwriting for the 2033 Notes was $25.00 per unit. Based on market quotations on or around December 31, 2023 the 2031 Asset-Backed Notes were quoted for 0.950. The fair values of the SBA debentures, July 2024 Notes, February 2025 Notes, June 2025 Notes, June 2025 3-Year Notes, March 2026 A Notes, March 2026 B Notes, September 2026, and January 2027 Notes are calculated based on the net present value of payments over the term of the notes using estimated market rates for similar notes and remaining terms. The fair values of the outstanding debt under the MUFG Bank Facility and the SMBC Facility are equal to their outstanding principal balances as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

The following tables provide additional information about the approximate fair value and level in the fair value hierarchy of the Company’s outstanding borrowings as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

(1)In June 2022 the MUFG Bank Facility replaced the Union Bank Facility via an amendment which changed the lead lender.

4. Investments

Control and Affiliate Investments

As required by the 1940 Act, the Company classifies its investments by level of control. “Control investments” are defined in the 1940 Act as investments in those companies that the Company is deemed to “control”. Under the 1940 Act, the Company is generally deemed to “control” a company in which it has invested if it owns 25% or more of the voting securities of such company or has greater than 50% representation on its board. “Affiliate investments” are investments in those companies that are “affiliated companies” of the Company, as defined in the 1940 Act, which are not control investments. The Company is deemed to be an “affiliate” of a company in which it has invested if it owns 5% or more, but generally less than 25%, of the voting securities of such company. “Non-control/non-affiliate investments” are investments that are neither control investments nor affiliate investments. For purposes of determining the classification of its investments, the Company has included consideration of any voting securities or board appointment rights held by the Adviser Funds.

The following table summarizes the Company’s realized gains and losses and changes in unrealized appreciation and depreciation on control and affiliate investments for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021.

(1)In accordance with Rules 3-09, 4-08(g), and Rule 10-01(b)(1) of Regulation S-X, (“Rule 3-09”, “Rule 4-08(g)”, and “Rule 10-01(b)(1)”, respectively), the Company must determine if its unconsolidated subsidiaries are considered “significant subsidiaries”. As of December 31, 2023, December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021 there were no unconsolidated subsidiaries that are considered “significant subsidiaries”.

(2)As of September 30, 2022, Black Crow AI, Inc. and Pineapple Energy LLC were no longer affiliates as defined under the 1940 Act.

(3)Gibraltar Acquisition LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary, which is the holding company for their wholly-owned affiliated portfolio companies, Gibraltar Business Capital, LLC and Gibraltar Equipment Finance, LLC. The subsidiary has no significant assets or liabilities, other than their equity and debt investments and equity interest in Gibraltar Business Capital, LLC and Gibraltar Equipment Finance, LLC, respectively.

(4)Hercules Adviser LLC is owned by Hercules Capital Management LLC and presented with Hercules Partner Holdings, LLC which are both wholly owned by the Company. Please refer to “Note 1” for additional disclosure.

Portfolio Composition

The following table shows the fair value of the Company’s portfolio of investments by asset class as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

A summary of the Company’s investment portfolio, at value, by geographic location as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 is shown as follows:

The following table shows the fair value of the Company’s portfolio by industry sector as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

No single portfolio investment represents more than 10% of the fair value of the Company’s total investments as of December 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

The Company’s customers are primarily privately held companies and public companies which are active in the “Drug Discovery & Development", "Software”, “Consumer & Business Services”, “Healthcare Services, Other”, and “Communications & Networking” sectors. These sectors are characterized by high margins, high growth rates, consolidation and product and market extension opportunities. Value for companies in these sectors is often vested in intangible assets and intellectual property.

Industry and sector concentrations vary as new loans are recorded and loans are paid off. Loan revenue, consisting of interest, fees, and recognition of gains on equity and warrant or other equity interests, can fluctuate materially when a loan is paid off or a related warrant or equity interest is sold. Revenue recognition in any given year can be highly concentrated among several portfolio companies.

As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company’s ten largest portfolio companies represented approximately 29.7% and 29.0% of the total fair value of the Company’s investments in portfolio companies, respectively. As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company hadfive andeight portfolio companies, respectively, that represented 5% or more of the Company’s net assets. As of December 31, 2023, the Company hadfive equity investments representing approximately 56.5% of the total fair value of the Company’s equity investments, and each represented 5% or more of the total fair value of the Company’s equity investments. As of December 31, 2022, the Company hadfour equity investments which represented approximately 39.8% of the total fair value of the Company’s equity investments, and each represented 5% or more of the total fair value of such investments.

Investment Collateral

In the majority of cases, the Company collateralizes its investments by obtaining a first priority security interest in a portfolio company’s assets, which may include its intellectual property. In other cases, the Company may obtain a negative pledge covering a company’s intellectual property. The Company's investments were collateralized as follows as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

Derivative Instruments

The Company enters into forward currency contracts from time to time to help mitigate the impact that an adverse change in foreign exchange rates would have on the value of the Company’s investments denominated in foreign currencies. The following is a summary of the fair value and location of the Company’s derivative instruments in the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities held as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

Net realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments recorded by the Company during the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 are in the following locations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations:

Investment Income

The Company’s investment portfolio generates interest, fee, and dividend income. The composition of the Company’s interest income and fee income is as follows:

(1)Other interest income includes OID interest income and interest recorded on other assets.

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, unamortized capitalized fee income was recorded as follows:

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, loan exit fees receivable were recorded as follows:

5. Debt

As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had the following available and outstanding debt:

(1)Except for the SMBC Facility and MUFG Bank Facility (f.k.a. Union Bank Facility), all carrying values represent the principal amount outstanding less the remaining unamortized debt issuance costs and unaccreted premium or discount, if any, associated with the debt as of the balance sheet date.

(2)Availability subject to the Company meeting the borrowing base requirements.

(3)In June 2022 the MUFG Bank Facility replaced the Union Bank Facility via an amendment which changed the lead lender.

(4)Includes$175.0 million of available commitment through the letter of credit facility as of December 31, 2023.

Debt issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization, were as follows as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

(1)The MUFG Bank Facility (f.k.a. Union Bank Facility) and SMBC Facility, are line-of-credit arrangements, the debt issuance costs associated with these instruments are included within Other assets on the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities in accordance with ASC Subtopic 835-30.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, the components of interest expense, related fees, losses on debt extinguishment and cash paid for interest expense for debt were as follows:

(1)Interest expense includes amortization of original issue discounts for the year ended December 31, 2023, of $166 thousand, $503 thousand, and $188 thousand related to the September 2026 Notes, January 2027 Notes, and 2031 Asset-Backed Notes, respectively.

(2)The June 2022 amendment of the MUFG Bank Facility replaced the Union Bank Facility via an amendment which changed the lead lender.

For the year ended December 31, 2022, the components of interest expense, related fees, and cash paid for interest expense for debt were as follows:

(1)Interest expense includes amortization of original issue discounts for the year ended December 31, 2022, of $23 thousand, $112 thousand, $166 thousand, $475 thousand, $98 thousand related to the 2022 Notes, 2022 Convertible Notes, September 2026 Notes, January 2027 Notes, and 2031 Asset-Backed Notes, respectively.

(2)The June 2022 amendment of the MUFG Bank Facility replaced Union Bank Facility via an amendment as the lead lender.

(3)The Company fully redeemed the 2022 Notes on February 22, 2022 and fully repaid the 2022 Convertible Notes on February 1, 2022.

For the year ended December 31, 2021, the components of interest expense, related fees, and cash paid for interest expense for debt were as follows:

(1)Interest expense includes amortization of original issue discounts for the year ended December 31, 2021, of $165 thousand, $671 thousand, and $48 thousand for the 2022 Notes, 2022 Convertible Notes, and September 2026 Notes, respectively.

(2)“Amortization of debt issuance cost (loan fees)” includes $1,477 thousand, $1,272 thousand, and $1,670 thousand related to debt extinguishment costs for the April 2025 Notes, 2027 Asset-Backed Notes, and 2028 Asset-Backed Notes, respectively for the year ended December 31, 2021 disclosed as a “Loss on debt extinguishment” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

(3)The April 2025 Notes, 2027 Asset-Backed Notes and 2028 Asset-Backed Notes were retired on July 1, 2021, and October 20, 2021, respectively. The Wells Facility was terminated on November 29, 2021.

(4)The June 2022 amendment of the MUFG Bank Facility replaced Union Bank Facility via an amendment as the lead lender.

As of December 31, 2023, December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, the Company was in compliance with the terms of all borrowing arrangements. There are no sinking fund requirements for any of the Company’s debt.

SBA Debentures

The Company held the following SBA debentures outstanding principal balances as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

(1)Interest rates are determined initially at issuance and reset to a fixed rate at the debentures pooling date. The rates are inclusive of annual SBA charges.

SBICs are subject to a variety of regulations and oversight by the SBA concerning the size and nature of the companies in which they may invest as well as the structures of those investments. The SBA as part of its oversight periodically examines and audits to determine SBICs' compliance with SBA regulations. Our SBIC was in compliance with all SBIC terms, including those pertaining to the SBA Debentures as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

HC IV received its license to operate as a SBIC on October 27, 2020. The license has a 10-year term. Through the license, HC IV has access to $175.0 million of capital through the SBA debenture program, in addition to the Company’s regulatory capital commitment of $87.5 million to HC IV. As of December 31, 2023, HC IV has issued the entire $175.0 million in SBA guaranteed debentures.

As of December 31, 2023, the Company held 25 investments through HC IV, with a fair value of approximately $331.5 million, accounting for approximately 10.2% of the Company’s total investment portfolio. Further, HC IV held approximately $341.8 million in tangible assets which accounted for approximately 10.0% of the Company’s total assets as of December 31, 2023.

As of December 31, 2022, the Company held 21 investments through HC IV, with a fair value of approximately $343.7 million, accounting for approximately 11.6% of the Company’s total investment portfolio. HC IV held approximately $348.6 million in tangible assets which accounted for approximately 11.5% of the Company’s total assets as of December 31, 2022.

July 2024 Notes

On July 16, 2019, the Company issued $105.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.77% interest-bearing unsecured notes due on July 16, 2024 (the “July 2024 Notes”), unless repurchased in accordance with their terms, to qualified institutional investors in a private placement notes offering. Interest on the July 2024 Notes is due semiannually. The July 2024 Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company that rank pari passu with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness issued by the Company.

February 2025 Notes

On February 5, 2020, the Company issued $50.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.28% interest-bearing unsecured notes due February 5, 2025 (the “February 2025 Notes”), unless repurchased in accordance with their terms, to qualified institutional investors in a private placement notes offering. Interest on the February 2025 Notes is due semiannually. The February 2025 Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company that rank pari passu with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness issued by the Company.

June 2025 Notes

On June 3, 2020, the Company issued $70.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.31% interest-bearing unsecured notes due June 3, 2025 (the “June 2025 Notes”), unless repurchased in accordance with their terms, to qualified institutional investors in a private placement notes offering. Interest on the June 2025 Notes is due semiannually. The June 2025 Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company that rank pari passu with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness issued by the Company.

June 2025 3-Year Notes

On June 23, 2022, the Company issued $50.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.00% interest-bearing unsecured notes due June 23, 2025 (the “June 2025 3-Year Notes”), unless repurchased in accordance with their terms, to qualified institutional investors in a private placement notes offering. Interest on the June 2025 3-Year Notes is due semiannually. The June 2025 3-Year Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company that rank pari passu with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness issued by the Company.

March 2026 A Notes

On November 4, 2020, the Company issued $50.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.50% interest-bearing unsecured notes due March 4, 2026 (the “March 2026 A Notes”), unless repurchased in accordance with their terms, to qualified institutional investors in a private placement notes offering. Interest on the March 2026 A Notes is due semiannually. The March 2026 A Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company that rank pari passu with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness issued by the Company.

March 2026 B Notes

On March 4, 2021, the Company issued $50.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.55% interest-bearing unsecured notes due March 4, 2026 (the “March 2026 B Notes”), unless repurchased in accordance with their terms, to qualified institutional investors in a private placement pursuant note offering. Interest on the March 2026 B Notes is due semiannually. The March 2026 B Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company that rank pari passu with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness issued by the Company.

September 2026 Notes

On September 16, 2021, the Company issued $325.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 2.625% interest-bearing unsecured notes due September 16, 2026 (the “September 2026 Notes”), unless repurchased in accordance with the terms of the Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated September 16, 2021. Interest on the September 2026 Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 16 and September 16 of each year. The September 2026 Notes are general unsecured obligations and rank pari passu, or equally in right of payment, with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness issued by the Company.

January 2027 Notes

On January 20, 2022, the Company issued $350.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.375% interest-bearing unsecured notes due January 20, 2027 (the “January 2027 Notes”), unless repurchased in accordance with the terms of the Eight Supplemental Indenture, dated January 20, 2022. Interest on the January 2027 Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on January 20 and July 20 of each year. The January 2027 Notes are general unsecured obligations and rank pari passu, or equally in right of payment, with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness issued by the Company. The Company may redeem some or all of the January 2027 Notes at any time, or from time to time, at the redemption price set forth under the terms of the January 2027 Notes Indenture.

2031 Asset-Backed Notes

On June 22, 2022, the Company completed a term debt securitization in connection with which an affiliate of the Company issued $150.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.95% interest-bearing asset-backed notes due on July 20, 2031 (the “2031 Asset-Backed Notes”). The 2031 Asset-Backed Notes were issued by Hercules Capital Funding Trust 2022-1 LLC (the “2022 Securitization Issuer”) pursuant to a note purchase agreement, dated as of June 22, 2022, by and among the Company, Hercules Capital Funding 2022-1 LLC, as trust depositor, the 2022 Securitization Issuer, and U.S. Bank Trust Company, N. A., as trustee, and are backed by a pool of senior loans made to certain portfolio companies of the Company and secured by certain assets of those portfolio companies and are to be serviced by the Company. Interest on the 2031 Asset-Backed Notes will be paid, to the extent of funds available.

Under the terms of the 2031 Asset-Backed Notes, the Company is required to maintain a reserve cash balance, funded through proceeds from the sale of the 2031 Asset-Backed Notes and through interest and principal collections from the underlying securitized debt portfolio, which may be used to pay monthly interest and principal payments on the 2031 Asset-Backed Notes. The Company has segregated these funds and classified them as restricted cash. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, there was approximately $17.1 million and $10.1 million, respectively, of funds segregated as restricted cash related to the 2031 Asset-Backed Notes.

2033 Notes

On September 24, 2018, the Company issued $40.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.25% interest-bearing unsecured notes due October 30, 2033 (the “2033 Notes”), unless repurchased in accordance with the terms of the Sixth Supplemental Indenture to the Base Indenture, dated September 24, 2018. Interest on the 2033 Notes is payable quarterly in arrears on January 30, April 30, July 30, and October 30 of each year. The 2033 Notes trade on the NYSE under the symbol “HCXY.” The 2033 Notes are general unsecured obligations and rank pari passu, or equally in right of payment, with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness issued by the Company. The Company may redeem some or all of the 2033 Notes at any time, or from time to time, at the redemption price set forth under the terms of the 2033 Notes indenture after October 30, 2023.

Credit Facilities

As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company hastwo available credit facilities, the MUFG Bank Facility and the SMBC Facility (together, the “Credit Facilities”). For the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the weighted average interest rate was 7.41% and 4.51%, respectively, and the average debt outstanding under the Credit Facilities was $192.3 million and $127.7 million, respectively.

MUFG Bank Facility

On January 13, 2023, the Company entered into a third amended credit facility agreement, which amends the agreement dated as of June 10, 2022. The Company, through a special purpose wholly owned subsidiary, Hercules Funding IV LLC (“Hercules Funding IV”), as borrower, entered into the credit facility (the “MUFG Bank Facility”) with MUFG Bank Ltd. (formerly MUFG Union Bank and known as the “Union Bank Facility”) as the arranger and administrative agent, and the lenders party to the MUFG Bank Facility from time to time.

Under the MUFG Bank Facility, the lenders have made commitments of $400.0 million, which may be further increased via an accordion feature up to an aggregate $600.0 million, funded by existing or additional lenders and with the agreement of MUFG Bank and subject to other customary conditions. There can be no assurances that additional lenders will join the MUFG Bank Facility to increase available borrowings. Debt under the MUFG Bank Facility generally bears interest at a rate per annum equal to SOFR plus 2.75% for SOFR loans. The MUFG Bank Facility matures on January 13, 2026, plus a twelve month amortization period, unless sooner terminated in accordance with its terms. The MUFG Bank Facility is secured by all of the assets of Hercules Funding IV. The MUFG Bank Facility requires payment of a non-use fee during the revolving credit availability period.

The MUFG Bank Facility also includes financial and other covenants applicable to the Company and the Company’s subsidiaries, in addition to those applicable to Hercules Funding IV, including covenants relating to certain changes of control of Hercules Funding IV. Among other things, these covenants require the Company to maintain certain financial ratios, including a minimum interest coverage ratio and a minimum tangible net worth with respect to Hercules Funding IV. The MUFG Bank Facility provides for customary events of default, including with respect to payment defaults, breach of representations and covenants, servicer defaults, certain key person provisions, cross default provisions to certain other debt, lien and judgment limitations, and bankruptcy.

SMBC Facility

On June 14, 2022, the Company entered into a second amendment to a revolving credit agreement, which amends the revolving credit agreement, dated as of November 9, 2021, with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (the “SMBC Facility”), as administrative agent, and the lenders and issuing banks to the SMBC Facility. As of December 31, 2023, the SMBC Facility provides for borrowings in U.S. dollars and certain agreed upon foreign currencies of up to $225.0 million, from which the Company may access subject to certain conditions. The SMBC Facility contains an accordion feature, in which the Company can increase the credit line up to an aggregate of $500.0 million, funded by existing or additional lenders and with the agreement of SMBC Bank and subject to other customary conditions. Availability under the SMBC Facility will terminate on November 7, 2025, and the outstanding loans under the SMBC Facility will mature on November 9, 2026. Borrowings under the SMBC Facility are subject to compliance with a borrowing base and an aggregate portfolio balance. The Company’s obligations under the SMBC Facility may in the future be guaranteed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries and primarily secured by a first priority security interest (subject to certain exceptions) in only certain specified property and assets of the Company and the subsidiary guarantors thereunder.

Additionally in January 2023, the Company entered into a Letter of Credit Facility Agreement (the “SMBC LC Facility”) with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation that provides for a letter of credit facility with a final maturity date ending on January 13, 2026 and a commitment amount of $175.0 million as amended. Further, the SMBC LC Facility includes an accordion provision to increase the commitment up to $400.0 million, subject to certain conditions. The Company’s obligations under the SMBC LC Facility may in the future be guaranteed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries and is primarily secured by a first priority security interest (subject to certain exceptions) in only certain specified property and assets of the Company and any subsidiary guarantors thereunder.

Interest under the SMBC Facility is determined by the nature and denomination of the borrowing. Interest rates are determined by the appropriate benchmark rate (SOFR, EURIBOR, Prime, CDOR, or TIBOR) as applicable for the type of borrowing plus an applicable margin adjustment which can range from 0.875% to 2.0% per annum subject to certain conditions. In addition to interest, the SMBC Facility is subject to a non-usage fee of 0.375% per annum (based on the immediately preceding period’s average usage) on the unused portion of the commitment under the SMBC Facility during the revolving period. The Company is required to pay letter of credit participation fees and a fronting fee on the average daily amount of any lender’s exposure with respect to any letters of credit issued under the SMBC Facility.

The SMBC Facility contains customary events of default with customary cure and notice provisions, including, without limitation, nonpayment, misrepresentation of representations and warranties in a material respect, breach of covenant, cross-default and cross-acceleration to other indebtedness and bankruptcy. The SMBC Facility also includes financial and other covenants applicable to the Company and the Company’s subsidiaries, including covenants relating to minimum stockholders' equity, asset coverage ratios, and our status as a RIC.

6. Income Taxes

The determination of taxable income pursuant to U.S. federal income tax regulations differs from U.S. GAAP. As a result, permanent differences are reclassified among capital accounts in the financial statements to reflect their appropriate tax character.

During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company reclassified accumulated net realized gains (losses) to additional paid-in capital for book purposes primarily related to net realized gains from portfolio companies which are held in taxable subsidiaries and are not consolidated with the Company for income tax purposes, as follows:

During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company reclassified amounts from undistributed ordinary income or accumulated realized gains (losses) to additional paid-in capital for book purposes, as follows:

For income tax purposes, distributions paid to stockholders are reported as ordinary income, long-term capital gains, return of capital, or a combination thereof. The tax character of distributions paid are as follows for each of the years ended:

As of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis detailed below differ from the amounts reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities by temporary book or tax differences primarily arising from the treatment of loan related yield enhancements.

Taxable income and taxable net realized gains (losses) for the year ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 appears as follows:

The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of the Company's investment over cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes appears as follows:

For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company paid approximately $5.3 million of income tax, including excise tax, and had $6.0 million of accrued, but unpaid tax expense as of December 31, 2023. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company paid approximately $7.4 million of income tax, including excise tax, and had $5.2 million of accrued, but unpaid tax expense as of December 31, 2022.

Additionally, the Company has taxable subsidiaries which hold certain portfolio investments in an effort to limit potential legal liability and/or comply with source-income type requirements contained in the RIC tax provisions of the Code. These taxable subsidiaries are consolidated for U.S. GAAP and the portfolio investments held by the taxable subsidiaries are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and are recorded at fair value. These taxable subsidiaries are not consolidated with the Company for income tax purposes and may generate income tax expense, or benefit, and tax assets and liabilities as a result of their ownership of certain portfolio investments. Any income generated by these taxable subsidiaries generally would be subject to tax at normal U.S. federal tax rates based on its taxable income.

In accordance with ASC 740, the Company evaluates tax positions taken in the course of preparing the Company’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax benefits of positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold, or uncertain tax positions, would be recorded as a tax expense in the current year. It is the Company’s policy to recognize accrued interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of provision for income taxes. Based on an analysis of the Company’s tax position, there are no uncertain tax positions that met the recognition or measurement criteria. The Company is currently not undergoing any tax examinations. The Company does not anticipate any significant increase or decrease in unrecognized tax benefits for the next twelve months. The 2019 – 2022 federal tax years for the Company remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. The 2018 – 2022 state tax years for the Company remain subject to examination by the state taxing authorities.

7. Stockholders’ Equity and Distributions

The Company has issued and outstanding 157,758,072 and 133,044,602 shares of common stock as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The Company currently sell shares through our equity distribution agreement with JMP Securities LLC (“JMP”) and Jefferies LLC (“Jefferies”) (the “2023 Equity Distribution Agreement”) entered into on May 5, 2023. The 2023 Equity Distribution Agreement provides that the Company may offer and sell up to 25.0 million shares of our common stock from time to time through JMP or Jefferies, as the Company's sales agents. Sales of the Company's common stock, if any, may be made in negotiated transactions or transactions that are deemed to be “at the market,” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), including sales made directly on the NYSE or similar securities exchange or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange, at prices related to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The 2023 Equity Distribution Agreement replaced the ATM equity distribution agreement between the Company, JMP and Jefferies executed on May 9, 2022. Additionally, on August 7, 2023, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, UBS Securities, and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC as joint book-running managers to sell 6.5 million shares of common stock through an upsized public offering.

The Company issued and sold the following shares of common stock during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021:

The Company generally uses net proceeds from these offerings to make investments, to repurchase or pay down liabilities and for general corporate purposes. As of December 31, 2023, approximately 17.3 million shares remain available for issuance and sale under the current equity distribution agreement.

The Company currently pays quarterly distributions to its stockholders. The following table summarizes the Company’s distributions declared during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:

In 2023, for income tax purposes, the distributions paid of $1.90 per share were comprised of ordinary income. As of December 31, 2023, the Company estimates that it has generated undistributed taxable earnings “spillover” of $0.80 per share. The undistributed taxable earnings spillover will be carried forward toward distributions to be paid in accordance with RIC requirements.

The Company has a distribution reinvestment plan, whereby the Company may buy shares of its common stock in the open market or issue new shares in order to satisfy dividend reinvestment requests. When the Company issues new shares in connection with the dividend reinvestment plan, the issue price is equal to the closing price of its common stock on the dividend record date. During the year ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, the Company issued 303,960 ,259,466, and 248,041 shares, respectively, of common stock to stockholders in connection with the dividend reinvestment plan.

8. Equity Incentive Plans

The Company grants equity-based awards to employees and non-employee directors for the purpose of attracting and retaining the services of its executive officers, key employees, and members of the Board. The Company’s equity-based awards are granted under the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”) for employees and 2018 Non-Employee Director Plan (the “Director Plan”) for non-employee directors. The 2018 Plan and the Director Plan were approved by stockholders on June 28, 2018 and unless earlier terminated by the Board, terminate on May 12, 2028. Subject to certain adjustments and permitted reversions of shares, the maximum aggregate number of shares that may be authorized for issuance under awards granted under the 2018 Plan and Director Plan is 9,261,229 shares and 300,000 shares, respectively. In connection with the issuance of shares under the 2018 Plan and Director Plan, the Company has registered, in aggregate,18.7 million and 300,000 shares of common stock, respectively. Outstanding awards issued under plans that precede the 2018 Plan and Director Plan remain outstanding, unchanged and subject to the terms of such plans and their respective award agreements, until the vesting, expiration or lapse of such awards in accordance with their terms.

The Company has received exemptive relief from the SEC that permits it to issue restricted stock to non-employee directors under the Director Plan and restricted stock and restricted stock units to certain of its employees, officers, and directors (excluding non-employee directors) under the 2018 Plan. The exemptive order also allows participants in the Director Plan and the 2018 Plan to (i) elect to have the Company withhold shares of its common stock to pay for the exercise price and applicable taxes with respect to an option exercise (“net issuance exercise”) and/or (ii) permit the holders of restricted stock to elect to have the Company withhold shares of its stock to pay the applicable taxes due on restricted stock at the time of vesting. Each individual employee would be able to make a cash payment to satisfy applicable tax withholding at the time of option exercise or vesting on restricted stock.

The Company has granted equity-based awards that have service and performance conditions. Certain of the Company’s equity-based awards are classified as liability awards in accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation. All of the Company’s equity-based awards require future service and are expensed over the relevant service period. The Company does not estimate forfeitures, and reverses all unvested costs associated with equity-awards in the period they are forfeited. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, the Company recognized $13.2 million, $13.4 million, and $11.9 million of stock-based compensation expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, respectively. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, approximately $21.7 million and $13.1 million of total unrecognized compensation costs expected to be recognized over the next 3.5 and 1.7 years, respectively.

Service-Vesting Awards

The Company grants equity-based awards which have service conditions, which generally begin to vest one-third after one year after the date of grant and ratably over the succeeding 2 years in accordance with the individual award terms. Certain awards have service conditions of longer duration and may begin to vest up toseven years after the date of grant. These equity-based awards which vest upon achievement of service conditions are collectively referred to as the “Service Vesting Awards”. The grant date fair value of Service Vesting Awards granted during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, were approximately $22.2 million, $11.1 million and $12.1 million, respectively.

The Company has granted restricted stock equity awards in the form of restricted stock awards and restricted stock units. The Company determines the grant date fair values of restricted stock equity awards using the grant date stock close price. The activities for the Company's unvested restricted stock equity awards for each of the three years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 are summarized below:

(1)With respect to certain restricted stock equity awards granted prior to January 1, 2019, receipt of the shares of the Company’s common stock underlying vested restricted stock equity awards will be deferred for four years from grant date unless certain conditions are met. Accordingly, such vested restricted stock equity awards will not be issued as common stock upon vesting until the completion of the deferral period.

In addition to the restricted stock equity-based awards, the Company has also issued stock options to certain employees. The fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, was approximately $148,000, $166,000 and $144,000, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, approximately $105,000, $76,000, and $37,000 of share-based cost due to stock option grants was expensed, respectively.

Performance-Vesting Awards

The Company has granted equity-based awards, which have market and performance conditions in addition to a service condition (“Performance Awards”). The value of these awards may increase dependent on increases to the Company’s total stockholder return (“TSR”). The total compensation will be determined by the Company’s TSR relative to specified BDCs during a specified performance period. Depending on the results achieved during the specified performance period, the actual number of shares that a grant recipient receives at the end of the period may range from 0% to 200% of the target shares granted. The Performance Awards typically vest after four years, and generally may not be disposed untilone year post vesting. The Company determines the fair values of the Performance Awards at the grant date using a Monte-Carlo simulation multiplied by the target payout level and is recognized over the service period. For certain Performance Awards, distribution equivalent units (“Performance DEUs”) will accrue in the form of additional shares, but will not be paid unless the Performance Awards to which such Performance DEUs relate actually vest.

During the year ended December 31, 2023, no Performance Awards were granted or vested. During the year ended December 31, 2022, a total of 487,409 Performance Awards shares vested. During the year ended December 31, 2023,54,858 Performance DEUs were issued and vested immediately with an aggregate grant date fair value of $0.7 million. During the year ended December 31, 2022,639,413 Performance DEUs were issued and vested immediately with a grant fair value of $6.2 million. During the year ended December 31, 2021, no Performance DEUs were issued, nor were any Performance Awards or Performance DEUs granted or vested. As of December 31, 2023, 2022, or 2021, there were zero, zero, and 487,409 shares of unvested Performance Awards.

Liability Classified Awards

The Company has granted equity-based awards which are subject to both service and performance conditions. These awards are settled either in cash or a fixed dollar value of shares, subject to the terms of each individual award, and therefore classified as liability awards (the “Liability Awards”). The remaining maximum total potential value of the Liability Awards granted is $3.1 million, which assumes all performance conditions are met for each Liability award. If the performance conditions are not met, the total compensation expense related to the Liability Awards may be less than the maximum granted value of the awards. The awards are recorded as deferred compensation within Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities included on the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Certain Liability Awards are structured similar to the Performance Awards and increase in value with corresponding increases to the Company’s TSR and vest after four years. The Company remeasures the value of these awards each period based on the Company’s TSR achieved to date. Certain other Liability Awards are linked to attainment of investment funding goals. The Company determines the fair value of these Liability Awards based on the expected probability of the performance conditions being met and recognized over the service period. As of December 31, 2023, the Company determined that the weighted average expected probability of the performance conditions being met within each Liability Award was 100%. The expected probability is re-evaluated each period, and may be adjusted to reflect changes in this assumption. These other Liability Awards vest over athree-year service term.

As of December 31, 2023, all Liability Awards are unvested and there was approximately $0.5 million of total unrecognized compensation costs expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.3 years. For the year ended December 31, 2023, there was approximately $1.4 million of compensation expense related to the Liability Awards recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and $2.6 million accrued within Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities. During the year ended December 31, 2023, no Liability Awards vested.

As of December 31, 2022, all Liability Awards are unvested and there was approximately $1.9 million of total unrecognized compensation costs expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.3 years. For the year ended December 31, 2022, there was approximately $2.7 million of compensation expense related to the Liability Awards recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and $1.2 million accrued within Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities. During the year ended December 31, 2022, $7.2 million of the Liability Awards vested.

9. Earnings Per Share

Shares used in the computation of the Company’s basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows:

In the table above, unvested share-based payment awards that have non-forfeitable rights to distributions or distribution equivalents are treated as participating securities for calculating earnings per share. Unvested common stock options and restricted stock units are also considered for the purpose of calculating diluted earnings per share. Diluted EPS was computed using the if-converted method as it was determined to be the most dilutive method.

The calculation of change in net assets resulting from operations per common share—assuming dilution, excludes all anti-dilutive shares. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the number of anti-dilutive shares, as calculated based on the weighted average closing price of the Company’s common stock for the periods, are as follows:

*Included in these amounts are shares related to certain equity-based awards, which are fully vested but have not been delivered and thus not outstanding for purposes of calculating earnings per share.

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company was authorized to issue 200.0 million shares of common stock with a par value of $0.001. Each share of common stock entitles the holder to one vote.

10. Financial Highlights

Following is a schedule of financial highlights for the five years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019:

(1)All per share activity is calculated based on the weighted average shares outstanding for the relevant period, except net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions, which is based on the common shares outstanding as of the relevant balance sheet date.

(2)Adjusts for the impact of stock-based compensation expense, which is a non-cash expense and has no net impact to net asset value. Pursuant to ASC Topic 718, the expense is offset by a corresponding increase in paid-in capital. Additionally, adjusts for other items attributed to the difference between certain per share data based on the weighted-average basic shares outstanding and those calculated using the shares outstanding as of a period end or transaction date.

(3)The total return for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019 equals to the change in the ending market value over the beginning of the period price per share plus distributions paid per share during the period, divided by the beginning price assuming the distribution is reinvested on the date of the distribution. As such, the total return is not annualized. The total return does not reflect any sales load that must be paid by investors.

(4)The ratios are calculated based on weighted average net assets for the relevant period and are annualized.

(5)The portfolio turnover rate for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019 equals to the lesser of investment portfolio purchases or sales during the period, divided by the average investment portfolio value during the period. As such, portfolio turnover rate is not annualized.

(6)Includes distributions on unvested restricted stock awards.

11. Commitments and Contingencies

The Company’s commitments and contingencies consist primarily of unfunded commitments to extend credit in the form of loans to the Company’s portfolio companies. A portion of these unfunded contractual commitments as of December 31, 2023 are dependent upon the portfolio company reaching certain milestones before the debt commitment becomes available. Furthermore, the Company’s credit agreements with its portfolio companies generally contain customary lending provisions which allow the Company relief from funding obligations for previously made unfunded commitments in instances where the underlying portfolio company experiences materially adverse events that affect the financial condition or business outlook for the portfolio company. Since a portion of these commitments may expire without being drawn, unfunded contractual commitments do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. As such, the Company’s disclosure of unfunded contractual commitments includes only those which are available at the request of the portfolio company and unencumbered by future or unachieved milestones.

As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had approximately $335.3 million and $628.9 million, respectively, of available unfunded commitments, including undrawn revolving facilities, which were available at the request of the portfolio company and unencumbered by future or unachieved milestones. In order to draw a portion of the Company's available unfunded commitments, a portfolio company must submit to the Company a formal funding request that complies with the applicable advance notice and other operational requirements. The amounts disclosed exclude unfunded commitments (i) for which, with respect to a portfolio company's agreement, a milestone was achieved after the last day on which the portfolio company could have requested a drawdown funding to be completed within the reporting period; and (ii) related to the portion of portfolio company investments assigned to or directly committed by the Adviser Funds as described in "Note -13 Related Party Transactions".

The fair value of the Company’s unfunded commitments is considered to be immaterial as the yield determined at the time of underwriting is expected to be materially consistent with the yield upon funding, given that interest rates are generally pegged to market indices and given the existence of milestones, conditions and/or obligations embedded in the borrowing agreements.

As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company’s unfunded contractual commitments available at the request of the portfolio company, including undrawn revolving facilities, and unencumbered by milestones were as follows:

(1)For debt investments, amounts represent unfunded commitments, including undrawn revolving facilities, which are available at the request of the portfolio company. Amount excludes unfunded commitments which are unavailable due to the borrower having not met certain milestones. These amounts also exclude $127.7 million and $173.5 million of unfunded commitments as of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively, to portfolio companies related to loans assigned to or directly committed by the Adviser Funds as described in "Note -13 Related Party Transactions".

(2)For investment funds and vehicles, the amount represents uncalled capital commitments in private equity funds.

The following table provides additional information on the Company’s unencumbered unfunded commitments regarding milestones, expirations and type:

The following tables provide the Company’s contractual obligations as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

(1)Excludes commitments to extend credit to the Company’s portfolio companies and uncalled capital commitments in investment funds.

(2)Includes $175.0 million in principal outstanding under the SBA Debentures, $105.0 million of the July 2024 Notes, $50.0 million of the February 2025 Notes, $70.0 million of the June 2025 Notes, $50.0 million of the June 2025 3-Year Notes, $50.0 million of the March 2026 A Notes, $50.0 million of the March 2026 B Notes, $150.0 million of the 2031 Asset-Backed Notes, $40.0 million of the 2033 Notes, $325.0 million of the September 2026 Notes, and $350.0 million of the January 2027 Notes as of December 31, 2023. There was also $94.0 million outstanding under the SMBC Facility and $61.0 million outstanding under the MUFG Bank Facility as of December 31, 2023.

(3)Amounts represent future principal repayments and not the carrying value of each liability. See “Note 5 – Debt”.

(4)Facility leases and licenses including short-term leases.

(5)Includes $175.0 million in principal outstanding under the SBA Debentures, $105.0 million of the July 2024 Notes, $50.0 million of the February 2025 Notes, $70.0 million of the June 2025 Notes, $50.0 million of the June 2025 3-Year Notes, $50.0 million of the March 2026 A Notes, $50.0 million of the March 2026 B Notes, $150.0 million of the 2031 Asset-Backed Notes, $40.0 million of the 2033 Notes, $325.0 million of the September 2026 Notes and $350.0 million of the January 2027 Notes as of December 31, 2022. There was also $72.0 million outstanding under the SMBC Facility and $107.0 million outstanding under the MUFG Bank Facility as of December 31, 2022.

Certain premises are leased or licensed under agreements which expire at various dates through July 2034. Total rent expense, including short-term leases, amounted to approximately $3.4 million, $3.2 million, and $3.1 million, during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. The Company recognizes an operating lease liability and a ROU asset for all leases, with the exception of short-term leases. The lease payments on short-term leases are recognized as rent expense on a straight-line basis. The discount rate applied to measure each ROU asset and lease liability is based on the Company’s incremental weighted average cost of debt. The Company considers the general economic environment and its credit rating and factors in various financing and asset specific adjustments to ensure the discount rate applied is appropriate to the intended use of the underlying lease. While some of the leases contained options to extend and terminate, it is not reasonably certain that either option will be utilized and therefore, only the payments in the initial term of the leases were included in the lease liability and ROU asset.

The following table sets forth information related to the measurement of the Company’s operating lease liabilities and supplemental cash flow information related to operating leases as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:

The following table shows future minimum lease payments under the Company’s operating leases and a reconciliation to the operating lease liability as of December 31, 2023:

The Company may, from time to time, be involved in litigation arising out of its operations in the normal course of business or otherwise. Furthermore, third parties may try to seek to impose liability on the Company in connection with the activities of its portfolio companies. While the outcome of any current legal proceedings cannot at this time be predicted with certainty, the Company does not expect any current matters will materially affect the Company’s financial condition or results of operations; however, there can be no assurance whether any pending legal proceedings will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations in any future reporting period.

12. Indemnification

The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and executive officers. The indemnification agreements are intended to provide its directors and executive officers the maximum indemnification permitted under Maryland law and the 1940 Act. Each indemnification agreement provides that the Company shall indemnify the director or executive officer who is a party to the agreement, or an “Indemnitee,” including the advancement of legal expenses, if, by reason of his or her corporate status, the Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be, made a party to or a witness in any threatened, pending, or completed proceeding, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and the 1940 Act.

The Company and its executives and directors are covered by Directors and Officers Insurance, with the directors and officers being indemnified by the Company to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law subject to the restrictions in the 1940 Act.

13. Related Party Transactions

As disclosed in “Note 1 - Description of Business”, the Adviser Subsidiary is the Company's wholly owned registered investment advisor business, comprised of the collectively held and presented entities Hercules Adviser LLC, Hercules Capital Management, LLC, and Hercules Partner Holdings, LLC entities. The Adviser Subsidiary is accounted for as a portfolio investment of the Company held at fair value. The Adviser Subsidiary has entered into investment management agreements with its privately offered Adviser Funds, and it receives management fees based on the assets under management of the Adviser Funds. In addition, the general partner interests (the “GP Interests”) held by Hercules

Partner Holdings, LLC may receive incentive fees based on the performance of the Adviser Funds. Both the Adviser Subsidiary and Hercules Partner Holdings, LLC are owned by Hercules Capital Management LLC. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Advisor Subsidiary declared and paid dividend distributions to the Company of $1.4 million. No dividends distributions were made during the year ended December 31, 2022. Refer to “Note 4 – Investments” for information related to income, gains and losses recognized related to the Company’s investment.

The Company has a shared services agreement (“Sharing Agreement”) with the Adviser Subsidiary, through which the Adviser Subsidiary has access to the Company's human capital resources (including administrative functions) and other resources and infrastructure (including office space and technology). Under the terms of the Sharing Agreement, the Company allocates the related expenses of shared services to the Adviser Subsidiary based on direct time spent, investment activity, and proportion of assets under management depending on the nature of the expense. The Company’s total expenses for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, are net of expenses allocated to the Adviser Subsidiary of $9.1 million and $8.3 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, there was $0.1 million and $0.1 million receivable, respectively from the Adviser Subsidiary.

In addition, the Company may from time-to-time make investments alongside the Adviser Funds or assign a portion of investments to the Adviser Funds in accordance with the Company’s allocation policy. During the year ended December 31, 2023, $595.6 million of all investment commitments of the Company and the Adviser Subsidiary were assigned to or directly committed by the Adviser Funds. During the year ended December 31, 2023, fundings of $350.7 million were assigned to, directly originated, or funded by the Adviser Funds. The Company received $12.1 million from the Adviser Funds relating to the assigned investments during the year ended December 31, 2023.

During the year ended December 31, 2022, $747.1 million of all investment commitments of the Company and the Adviser Subsidiary were assigned to or directly committed by the Adviser Funds, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2022, fundings of $330.2 million were assigned to, directly originated, or funded by the Adviser Funds. The Company received $137.0 million from the Adviser Funds relating to the assigned investments during the year ended December 31, 2022. Additionally, in May 2022, the Company sold $73.5 million of assets to the Adviser Funds and realized a $0.1 million gain.

14. Subsequent Events

Dividend Distribution Declaration

On February 8, 2024, the Board declared (i) a fourth quarter cash distribution of $0.40 per share and (ii) a supplemental cash distribution of $0.32 per share, to be paid in four quarterly distributions of $0.08 per share beginning with the first quarter of 2024 (the "$0.32 Supplemental Cash Distribution"). The fourth quarter cash distribution and the first quarterly distribution of the $0.32 Supplemental Cash Distribution (a total of $0.48 per share) will be paid on March 6, 2024 to stockholders of record as of February 28, 2024.