UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020

 

[  ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the Transition Period from _____ to _______

 

Commission File Number: 814-00235

 

Rand Capital Corporation

(Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)

 

New York   16-0961359
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

2200 Rand Building, Buffalo, NY   14203
(Address of Principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(716) 853-0802

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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

 

Title of each class  

Trading

Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Common Stock, $0.10 par value   RAND   Nasdaq Capital Market

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes [X] No [  ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes [  ] No [  ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer [  ] Accelerated filer [  ]
Non-accelerated filer [X] Smaller reporting company [  ]
    Emerging growth company [  ]

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes [  ] No [X]

 

As of October 30, 2020, there were 2,583,772 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

 

 

 

 
 

 

RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR FORM 10-Q

 

PART I. – FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
       
Item 1.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 1
       
    Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of September 30, 2020 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2019 1
       
    Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 (Unaudited) 2
       
    Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 (Unaudited) 3
       
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 (Unaudited) 4
       
    Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments as of September 30, 2020 (Unaudited) 5
       
    Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments as of December 31, 2019 13
       
    Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 21
       
Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 37
       
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 48
       
Item 4.   Controls and Procedures 49
       
PART II. – OTHER INFORMATION  
       
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings 50
       
Item 1A.   Risk Factors 50
       
Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 51
       
Item 3.   Defaults upon Senior Securities 51
       
Item 4.   Mine Safety Disclosures 51
       
Item 5.   Other Information 51
       
Item 6.   Exhibits 52

 

 
 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

 

   September 30,
2020
(Unaudited)
   December 31,
2019
 
ASSETS          
Investments at fair value:          
Affiliate investments (cost of $22,859,230 and $19,035,446, respectively)  $15,459,415   $12,151,435 
Non- Control/Non-Affiliate investments (cost of $26,961,995 and $25,584,017, respectively)   26,223,106    24,869,357 
Total investments, at fair value (cost of $49,821,225 and $44,619,463, respectively)   41,682,521    37,020,792 
Cash and cash equivalents   19,074,372    25,815,720 
Interest receivable (net of allowance: $142,413 at 9/30/20 and $166,413 at 12/31/19)   457,501    142,265 
Deferred tax asset   -    1,204,198 
Prepaid income taxes   40,789    343,096 
Other assets   53,732    265,378 
Total assets  $61,308,915   $64,791,449 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (NET ASSETS)          
Liabilities:          
Debentures guaranteed by the SBA (net of debt issuance costs)  $10,815,169   $10,786,913 
Amounts due to investment adviser   152,447    50,564 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   82,785    207,873 
Deferred tax payable   228,695    - 
Bonus payable   -    80,000 
Deferred revenue   79,666    37,583 
Total liabilities   11,358,762    11,162,933 
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 5)          
           
Stockholders’ equity (net assets):          
Common stock, $0.10 par; shares authorized 100,000,000; shares issued: 2,648,916 at 9/30/20 and 1,688,485 at 12/31/19; shares outstanding: 2,585,403 at 9/30/20 and 1,628,369 at 12/31/19   2,384,547    1,519,637 
Capital in excess of par value   34,142,455    34,142,455 
Treasury stock, at cost: shares: 63,513 at 9/30/20 and 60,116 at 12/31/19   (1,507,093)   (1,469,105)
Total distributable earnings   14,930,244    19,435,529 
Total stockholders’ equity (net assets) (per share – 9/30/20: $19.32, 12/31/19: $32.93)   49,950,153    53,628,516 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (net assets)  $61,308,915   $64,791,449 

 

See accompanying notes

 

1
 

 

RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

  

Three months
ended

September 30,
2020

  

Three months
ended

September 30, 2019

  

Nine months
ended

September 30, 2020

  

Nine months
ended

September 30,
2019

 
Investment income:                    
Interest from portfolio companies:                    
Affiliate investments  $178,714   $217,953   $487,822   $632,705 
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments   456,160    110,150    1,253,439    416,852 
Total interest from portfolio companies   634,874    328,103    1,741,261    1,049,557 
                     
Interest from other investments:                    
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments   1,157    36,797    87,161    108,146 
Total interest from other investments   1,157    36,797    87,161    108,146 
                     
Dividend and other investment income:                    
Affiliate investments   13,125    65,996    39,375    307,681 
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments   80,212    -    161,525    - 
Total dividend and other investment income   93,337    65,996    200,900    307,681 
                     
Fee income:                    
Affiliate investments   5,000    3,607    10,417    11,460 
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments   2,500    2,852    7,500    262,927 
Total fee income   7,500    6,459    17,917    274,387 
Total investment income   736,868    437,355    2,047,239    1,739,771 
Expenses:                    
Base management fee (see Note 8)   152,438    -    434,201    - 
Interest on SBA obligations   104,190    94,191    312,570    303,849 
Professional fees   126,759    68,931    383,795    406,859 
Stockholders and office operating   50,022    85,782    217,866    466,543 
Directors’ fees   28,375    30,124    85,125    87,372 
Insurance   8,033    10,500    26,101    31,070 
Corporate development   10,474    18,301    12,480    51,627 
Other operating   107    604    572    3,413 
Salaries   -    181,500    -    544,500 
Employee benefits   -    40,606    -    143,705 
Bad debt (recovery) expense   (24,000)   -    (24,000)   5,413 
Total expenses   456,398    530,539    1,448,710    2,044,351 
Net investment income (loss) before income taxes   280,470    (93,184)   598,529    (304,580)
Income tax benefit   -    (27,635)   (419,101)   (118,498)
Net investment income (loss)   280,470    (65,549)   1,017,630    (186,082)
                     
Net realized gain (loss) on sales and dispositions of investments:                    
Control investments   -    -    -    80,393 
Affiliate investments   -    -    56,916    (472,632)
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments   -    -    2,355,130    - 
Income tax benefit   -    -    -    (90,861)
Net realized gain (loss) on sales and dispositions of investments   -    -    2,412,046    (301,378)
Net change in unrealized depreciation on investments:                    
Affiliate investments   -    (1,847,468)   (515,804)   (1,176,320)
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments   (17,947)   (1,749,661)   (24,229)   (3,020,961)
                     
Change in unrealized depreciation before income taxes   (17,947)   (3,597,129)   (540,033)   (4,197,281)
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense   -    (783,790)   1,773,412    (913,719)
Net change in unrealized depreciation on investments   (17,947)   (2,813,339)   (2,313,445)   (3,283,562)
                     
Net realized and unrealized (loss) gain on investments   (17,947)   (2,813,339)   98,601    (3,584,940)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations  $262,523   $(2,878,888)  $1,116,231   $(3,771,022)
Weighted average shares outstanding   2,587,155    702,443    2,162,308    702,443 
Basic and diluted net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations per share  $0.10   $(4.10)  $0.52   $(5.37)

 

See accompanying notes

 

2
 

 

RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

(Unaudited)

 

  

Three months
ended

September 30,
2020

  

Three months
ended

September 30,
2019

  

Nine months
ended

September 30,
2020

  

Nine months
ended

September 30,
2019

 
                 
Net assets at beginning of period  $49,711,314   $30,632,053   $53,628,516   $31,524,187 
                     
Net investment income (loss)   280,470    (65,549)   1,017,630    (186,082)
Net realized gain (loss) on sales and dispositions of investments   -    -    2,412,046    (301,378)
Net change in unrealized depreciation on investments   (17,947)   (2,813,339)   (2,313,445)   (3,283,562)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations   262,523    (2,878,888)   1,116,231    (3,771,022)
Purchase of treasury shares   (23,684)   -    (37,988)   - 
Payment of cash dividend   -    -    (4,756,606)   - 
Net assets at end of period  $49,950,153   $27,753,165   $49,950,153   $27,753,165 

 

See accompanying notes

 

3
 

 

RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

  

Nine months

ended

September 30,
2020

  

Nine months

ended

September 30,
2019

 
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations  $1,116,231   $(3,771,022)
Adjustments to reconcile net increase (decrease) in net assets to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:          
Investments in portfolio companies   (7,027,982)   (900,012)
Proceeds from sale of portfolio investments   4,557,542    39,893 
Proceeds from loan repayments   -    4,525,000 
Net realized (gain) loss on portfolio investments   (2,412,046)   392,239 
Change in unrealized depreciation on investments before income taxes   540,033    4,197,281 
Deferred tax benefit   1,432,893    (1,128,197)
Depreciation and amortization   28,256    27,809 
Original issue discount amortization   (38,552)   (30,573)
Non-cash conversion of debenture interest   (280,724)   (344,222)
Change in interest receivable allowance   (24,000)   5,413 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
(Increase) decrease in interest receivable   (291,236)   14,311 
Decrease (increase) in other assets   211,644    (306,174)
Decrease in prepaid income taxes   302,307    649,940 
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses   (125,088)   (143,025)
Decrease in bonus payable   (80,000)   (125,000)
Increase in due to investment advisor   101,883    - 
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue   42,085    (44,388)
Total adjustments   3,062,985    6,830,295 
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities   (1,946,754)   3,059,273 
           
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Payment of cash dividend   (4,756,606)   - 
Purchase of treasury shares   (37,988)     
Proceeds from SBA debentures   -    2,250,000 
Origination costs to SBA   -    (54,563)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities   (4,794,594)   2,195,437 
           
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents   (6,741,348)   5,254,710 
Cash and cash equivalents:          
Beginning of period   25,815,720    4,033,792 
End of period  $19,074,372   $9,288,502 

 

See accompanying notes

 

4
 

 

RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS

September 30, 2020

(Unaudited)

 

 

Company, Geographic Location, Business

Description, (Industry) and Website

 

(a)

Type of Investment

 

(b)

Date

Acquired

 

(c)

Equity

  

 

 

Cost

  

(d)(f)

Fair

Value

   Percent of Net Assets 
                       

Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Investments – 52.5% of

net assets: (j)

                          
                           

ACV Auctions, Inc. (e)(g)

Buffalo, NY. Live mobile wholesale auctions for new

and used car dealers. (Software)

www.acvauctions.com

  1,181,160 Series A Preferred.  8/12/16   <1  $163,000   $6,531,815    13.1%
                           

Advantage 24/7 LLC (g)

 

$140,000 Term Note at 7% due

  1/1/19   0%             0.1%
Williamsville, NY. Marketing program for wine and
spirits dealers. (Marketing Company)
www.advantage24-7.com
   January 1, 2022           65,000    65,000      
                           

AIKG LLC (Andretti) (e)(i)(l)

Marietta, GA. Entertainment company engaged in

indoor karting, games and food. (Entertainment)

www.andrettikarting.com

 

$4,250,000 Term Notes at 12% (+4% PIK) due December 28, 2023.

(i) Interest receivable $225,081.

  11/8/19   0%    
4,533,387
     
4,533,387
    9.0%
                           

Apollo Investment Corporation NASDAQ: AINV

(n) Public BDC

New York, NY.

  35,000 shares.  3/16/20   <1 %   364,084    292,717    0.5%
                           

Ares Capital Corporation NASDAQ: ARCC (n)

Public BDC

New York, NY.

  27,000 shares.  3/16/20   <1 %   343,460    378,000    0.7%
                           

Barings BDC, Inc. NYSE: BBDC (n) Public BDC

New York, NY.

  40,000 shares.  8/13/20   <1%   333,352    319,867    0.6%
                           
Centivo Corporation (e)(g)  190,967 Series A-1 Preferred.  3/19/18   <1%   200,000    200,000    0.6%
New York, NY.  Tech-enabled health solutions  337,808 Series A-2 Preferred.  3/19/18        101,342    101,342      
company that helps self-insured employers and their  Total Centivo           301,342    301,342      
employees save money and have a better experience.                          
(Health Care)                          
www.centivo.com                          
                           
Empire Genomics, LLC (g)  $1,209,014 Senior Secured due  6/13/14   0%             1.2%
Buffalo, NY.  Molecular diagnostics company that  Convertible Term Notes at 10%                       
offers a comprehensive menu of assay services for  December 31, 2020.           1,308,675    157,654      
diagnosing and guiding patient therapeutic treatments.  $444,915 Promissory Note at 9%  10/1/18                    
(Health Care)  due December 31, 2020.           444,915    444,915      
www.empiregenomics.com  Total Empire           1,753,590    602,569      
   (i) Interest receivable $50,692.                       
                           

First Wave Technologies, Inc. (e)(g)

Batavia, NY. Sells First Crush automated pill crusher

that crushes and grinds pills for nursing homes and

medical institutions. (Health Care)

www.firstwavetechnologies.com

 

670,443.2 Class A Common.

 

  4/19/12   4%   661,563    33,000    0.7%
                           

FS KKR Capital Corp. NYSE: FSK (n) Public BDC

Philadelphia, PA.

  25,000 shares  3/16/20   <1   338,980    398,167    0.8%
                           

GiveGab, Inc. (e)(g)

Ithaca, NY. Nonprofit giving platform that provides an

easy and effective way for fundraising professionals to

raise money online. (Software)

www.givegab.com

  5,084,329 Series Seed Preferred.  1/14/15   4%   616,221    616,221    1.2%
                           

Golub Capital BDC, Inc. NASDAQ: GBDC (n) Public BDC

New York, NY.

  31,250 shares  3/16/20   <1   403,910    410,833    0.8%

 

5
 

 

RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS

September 30, 2020 (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Company, Geographic Location, Business

Description, (Industry) and Website

 

(a)

 

Type of Investment

 

(b)

Date

Acquired

 

(c)

 

Equity

   Cost  

(d)(f)

Fair

Value

   Percent of Net Assets 
                       
GoNoodle, Inc. (g)(l)  $1,500,000 Secured Note at 12% (1%  11/1/19   <1             3.0%
Nashville, TN.  Student engagement education  PIK) due September 30, 2024.           1,513,754    1,513,754      
software providing core aligned physical activity  Warrant for 47,324 Series C Preferred.  3/1/15        25    25      
breaks. (Software)  Warrant for 21,948 Series D Preferred.  11/1/19        38    38      
www.gonoodle.com  Total GoNoodle           1,513,817    1,513,817      
                           
HDI Acquisition LLC (Hilton Displays) (l)  $1,245,119 Term Loan at 12% (+2%  11/8/19   0%             2.5%
Greenville, NC. HDI is engaged in manufacturing, installation and maintenance of signage and brands. (Manufacturing)
www.hiltondisplays.com
  PIK) due June 20, 2023.           1,268,656    1,268,656      
                           
Lumious (Tech 2000, Inc.) (g)  $850,000 Replacement Term Note at  11/16/18   0%             1.7%
Herndon, VA. Develops and delivers IT training.
(Software) www.t2000inc.com
  14% due November 15, 2021.           860,777    860,777      
                           
Mattison Avenue Holdings LLC (e)(l)  $1,031,406 Second Amended, Restated  11/8/19   0%             2.2%
Dallas, TX.  Provider of upscale salon spaces for  and Consolidated Promissory Note at                       
lease.  (Professional Services)  14% (2% PIK) due June 9, 2022.           1,116,498    1,116,498      
www.mattisonsalonsuites.com                          
                           
Mercantile Adjustment Bureau, LLC (g)  $1,199,039 Subordinated Secured Note  10/22/12   4%             1.0%
Williamsville, NY.  Full service accounts  at 13% (8% effective August 2020)                       
receivable management and collections company.  due January 31, 2022.           1,199,040    500,000      
(Contact Center) www.mercantilesolutions.com  (e) $150,000 Subordinated Debenture  6/30/14                    
   at 8% due January 31, 2022.                       
   Warrant for 3.29% Membership  10/22/12        150,000    -      
   Interests.  Option for 1.5%                       
   Membership Interests.           97,625    -      
   Total Mercantile           1,446,665    500,000      
                           
Open Exchange, Inc. (g)  397,899 Series C Preferred  11/13/13   4%   1,193,697    543,283    2.2%
(Formerly KnowledgeVision Systems, Inc.)  397,899 Common.  10/22/19        208,243    108,656      
Lincoln, MA.  Online presentation and training  $450,000 Replacement Term Note at  10/22/19                    
software.  (Software)  9% due September 30, 2022.           450,000    450,000      
www.openexc.com  Total Open Exchange           1,851,940    1,101,939      
                           

Owl Rock Capital Corporation NYSE: ORRC (n) Public BDC

New York, NY.

  30,000 shares.  3/16/20   <1   347,067    364,700    0.7%
                           

PennantPark Investment Corporation NASDAQ: PNNT (n) Public BDC

New York, NY.

  100,000 shares.  8/13/20   <1%   370,130    322,000    0.6%
                           

PostProcess Technologies, Inc. (e)(g)

Buffalo, NY. Provides innovative solutions for the post-processing of additive manufactured 3D parts. (Manufacturing) www.postprocess.com

  360,002 Series A1 Preferred.  11/1/19   <1   348,875    471,603    0.9%
                           
Rheonix, Inc. (e)  9,676 Common.  10/29/09   4%   -    -    1.4%
Ithaca, NY.  Developer of fully automated  (g) 1,839,422 Series A Preferred.  12/12/13        2,099,999    -      
microfluidic based molecular assay and diagnostic  (g) 50,593 Common.  10/24/09        -    -      
testing devices. (Health Care)  (g) 589,420 Series B Preferred.  9/29/15        702,732    702,732      
www.rheonix.com  Total Rheonix           2,802,731    702,732      
                           
Science and Medicine Group, Inc. (SMG) (g)  $1,900,000 Promissory Note at 12% due   7/31/20   %               3.8% 

Arlington, VA. Research and advisory firm serving the life science, analytical instrument, diagnostic, healthcare, radiology, and dental industries. (Health Care)
www.scienceandmedicinegroup.com

  March 5, 2023.        1,900,000    1,900,000    

 

6
 

 

RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS

September 30, 2020 (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Company, Geographic Location, Business

Description, (Industry) and Website

 

(a)

 

Type of Investment

 

(b)

Date

Acquired

 

(c)

 

Equity

  

 

 

Cost

  

(d)(f)

Fair

Value

   Percent of Net Assets 
                       
SocialFlow, Inc. (e)(g)  1,049,538 Series B Preferred.  4/5/13   4%   500,000    209,908    1.5%
New York, NY.  Provides instant analysis of  1,204,819 Series B-1 Preferred.  4/8/14        750,000    324,761      
social networks using a proprietary, predictive  717,772 Series C Preferred.  6/26/15        500,000    215,332      
analytic algorithm to optimize advertising and  Total Social Flow           1,750,000    750,000      
publishing.  (Software) www.socialflow.com                          
                           

Somerset Gas Transmission Company, LLC (e)(m)

  26.5337 Units.  4/1/05   3%   719,097    500,000    1.0%
Columbus, OH. Natural gas transportation.
(Oil and Gas) www.somersetgas.com
                          
                           

TCG BDC, Inc. NASDAQ: CGBD (n) Public BDC

  40,000 shares.  8/13/20   <1   376,996    367,466    0.7%
New York, NY.                          
                           
Other Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Investments:  Membership Interest.  10/1/98   5   310,357    -    0.0%

DataView, LLC (e)

                          
(Software)                          
                           

UStec/Wi3 (e)

  Common stock.  12/17/98   <1%   100,500    -    0.0%
(Manufacturing)                          

Subtotal Non-Control/Non-Affiliate

Investments

             $26,961,995   $26,223,106      
                           
Affiliate Investments – 30.9% of net assets (k)  1,119,024 Series A-2 Preferred  10/20/14   9%             0.0%
BeetNPath, LLC (Grainful) (e)(g)(m)  Membership Units.          $359,000   $-      
Ithaca, NY.  Frozen entrées made from 100%  1,032,918 Series B Preferred  10/16/15                    
whole grain steel cut oats under Grainful brand  Membership Units.           261,277    -      
name.  (Consumer Product)  $262,626.64 Convertible Secured Notes  6/17/16                    
www.grainful.com  at 8% due December 21, 2019.           262,627    -      
   Total BeetNPath           882,904    -      
                           
Carolina Skiff LLC (e)(g)(m)  6.0825% Class A Common Membership  1/30/04   7%             3.5%
Waycross, GA.  Manufacturer of ocean fishing  Interest.           15,000    1,750,000      
and pleasure boats.  (Manufacturing)                          
www.carolinaskiff.com                          
                           

ClearView Social, Inc. (e)(g)

  312,500 Series Seed Plus Preferred.  1/4/16   6%   200,000    200,000    0.4%
Buffalo, NY. Social media publishing tool for
law, CPA and professional firms. (Software)
www.clearviewsocial.com
                          
                           
Filterworks Acquisition USA, LLC (l)(m)  $2,283,702 Term Note at 12% (+2%  11/8/19   9%             5.8%
Deerfield Beach, FL.  Provides spray booth  PIK) due December 4, 2023.           2,337,882    2,337,882      
equipment, frame repair machines and paint booth  562.5 Class A Units           562,500    562,500      
filter services for collision shops. (Automotive)  Total Filterworks           2,900,382    2,900,382      
www.filterworksusa.com                          
                           
Genicon, Inc. (e)(g)(l)  1,586,902 Series B Preferred.  4/10/15   6%   1,000,000    -    0.5%
Winter Park, FL.  Designs, produces and  $3,250,000 Promissory Notes at 10%  11/2/18                    
distributes patented surgical instrumentation.  due June 12, 2022, (10% PIK).           3,743,377    -      
(Health Care)  $250,000 Promissory Note at 10% due  6/14/19                    
www.geniconendo.com  June 12, 2021 (10% PIK).           262,184    250,000      
   Warrants for Common.  11/2/18        120,000    -      
  Total Genicon          5,125,561    250,000      
                           
Knoa Software, Inc. (e)(g)  973,533 Series A-1 Convertible  11/20/12   7%             2.4%
New York, NY.  End user experience  Preferred.           750,000    750,000      
management and performance (EMP) solutions  1,876,922 Series B Preferred.  6/9/14        479,155    479,155      
utilizing enterprise applications.  (Software)  Total Knoa           1,229,155    1,229,155      
www.knoa.com                          

 

7
 

 

RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS

September 30, 2020 (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Company, Geographic Location, Business

Description, (Industry) and Website

 

(a)

 

Type of Investment

 

(b)

Date

Acquired

 

(c)

 

Equity

  

 

 

Cost

  

(d)(f)

Fair

Value

   Percent of Net Assets 
                       

Mezmeriz, Inc. (e)(g)

  1,554,565 Series Seed Preferred.  5/14/15   12%   742,850    -    0.0%
Ithaca, NY. Technology company developing
novel reality capture tools for 3D mapping, reality
modeling, object tracking and classification.
(Electronics Developer)
www.mezmeriz.com
                          
                           
Microcision LLC (g)  $1,500,000 Subordinated Promissory  1/10/20   5%             3.0%
Pennsauken Township, NJ.  Manufacturer of  Note at 11% due January 10, 2025.           1,406,498    1,406,498      
precision machined medical implants,  Membership Interest Purchase Warrant  1/10/20                    
components and assemblies. (Manufacturing)  for 5%.           110,000    110,000      
www.microcision.com  Total Microcision           1,516,498    1,516,498      
                           

New Monarch Machine Tool, Inc. (e)(g)

  22.84 Common.  1/17/08   15%   22,841    22,841    0.1%
Cortland, NY. Manufactures and services
vertical/horizontal machining centers.
(Manufacturing)
www.monarchmt.com
                          
                           

OnCore Golf Technology, Inc. (e)(g)

  300,483 Preferred AA.  11/30/18   8%   752,712    300,000    0.6%
Buffalo, NY. Patented and proprietary golf balls
utilizing technology and innovation.
(Consumer Product)
www.oncoregolf.com
                          
                           
SciAps, Inc. (e)(g)  187,500 Series A Preferred.  7/12/13   6%   1,500,000    -    5.2%
Woburn, MA.  Instrumentation company  274,299 Series A1 Convertible Preferred.  4/4/14        504,710    -      
producing portable analytical devices using XRF,  117,371 Series B Convertible Preferred.  8/31/15        250,000    250,000      
LIBS and RAMAN spectroscopy to identify  113,636 Series C Convertible Preferred.  4/7/16        175,000    175,000      
compounds, minerals, and elements.  369,698 Series C1 Convertible Preferred.  4/7/16        399,274    399,274      
(Manufacturing)  147,059 Series D Convertible Preferred.  5/9/17        250,000    250,000      
www.sciaps.com  Warrant to purchase Series D-1  5/9/17                    
   Preferred.           45,000    45,000      
   $1,500,000 Secured Subordinated  4/23/20                    
   Promissory Note at 12% due April 23,                       
   2023.           1,461,250    1,461,250      
   Total SciAps           4,585,234    2,580,524      
   (i) Interest receivable $78,500.                       
                           
Teleservices Solutions Holdings, LLC (e)(g)(l)  250,000 Class B Preferred Units.  5/30/14   6%   250,000    -    0.0%
Montvale, NJ.  Customer contact center  1,000,000 Class C Preferred Units.  5/30/14        1,190,680    -      
specializing in customer acquisition and retention  80,000 Class D Preferred Units.  12/19/14        91,200    -      
for selected industries.  (Contact Center)  104,198 Class E Preferred Units.  6/10/15        -    -      
www.ipacesetters.com  PIK dividend for Series C and D at 12%  3/27/16                    
   and 14%, respectively.           104,198    -      
   Total Teleservices           1,636,078    -      
                           
Tilson Technology Management, Inc. (g)  *120,000 Series B Preferred.  1/20/15   9%   600,000    1,950,000    9.4%
Portland, ME.  Provides network deployment  *21,391 Series C Preferred.  9/28/16        200,000    347,604      
construction and information system services  *70,176 Series D Preferred.  9/29/17        800,000    1,140,360      
management for cellular, fiber optic and wireless  *15,385 Series E Preferred.  3/15/19        500,012    500,012      
systems providers.  Its affiliated entity, SQF, LLC  211,567 SQF Hold Co. Common.  3/15/19        -    22,036      
is a CLEC supporting small cell 5G deployment.  23,077 Series F Preferred.  6/15/20        750,003    750,003      
(Professional Services)  Total Tilson           2,850,015    4,710,015      
www.tilsontech.com  *2.5% dividend payable quarterly.                       
                           
Other Affiliate Investments:                          
G-TEC Natural Gas Systems (e)(m) (Manufacturing)  Membership Interest  8/31/99   17%   400,000    -    0.0%
                           
Subtotal Affiliate Investments             $22,859,230   $15,459,415      
Total investments – 83.4%             $49,821,225   $41,682,521      
Other Assets in excess of liabilities – 16.6%                  $8,267,632      
Net Assets  – 100%                  $49,950,153      

 

8
 

 

RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS

September 30, 2020 (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Notes to the Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments

 

(a) At September 30, 2020, restricted securities represented 93% of the fair value of the investment portfolio. Restricted securities are subject to one or more restrictions on resale and are not freely marketable. Type of investment for equity position is in the form of shares unless otherwise noted as units or interests, i.e., preferred shares, common shares.

 

(b) The Date Acquired column indicates the date on which the Corporation first acquired an investment.

 

(c) Each equity percentage estimates the Corporation’s ownership interest in the applicable portfolio investment. The estimated ownership is calculated based on the percent of outstanding voting securities held by the Corporation or the potential percentage of voting securities held by the Corporation upon exercise of warrants or conversion of debentures, or other available data. If applicable, the symbol “<1%” indicates that the Corporation holds an equity interest of less than one percent.

 

(d) The Corporation’s investments are carried at fair value in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” which defines fair value and establishes guidelines for measuring fair value. At September 30, 2020, ASC 820 designates 93% of the Corporation’s investments as “Level 3” assets. Under the valuation policy of the Corporation, unrestricted publicly traded securities are valued at the average closing price for these securities for the last three trading days of the reporting period. Restricted securities are subject to restrictions on resale, and are valued at fair value as determined by our external investment advisor Rand Capital Management, LLC (“RCM”) and submitted to the Board of Directors for approval. Fair value is considered to be the amount that the Corporation may reasonably expect to receive for portfolio securities when sold on the valuation date. Valuations as of any particular date, however, are not necessarily indicative of amounts which may ultimately be realized as a result of future sales or other dispositions of securities and these favorable or unfavorable differences could be material. Among the factors considered in determining the fair value of restricted securities are the financial condition and operating results, projected operations, and other analytical data relating to the investment. Also considered are the market prices for unrestricted securities of the same class (if applicable) and other matters which may have an impact on the value of the portfolio company (see Note 3. “Investments” to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

 

(e) These investments are non-income producing. All other investments are income producing. Non-income producing investments have not generated cash payments of interest or dividends including LLC tax-related distributions within the last twelve months, or are not expected to do so going forward. However, if a debt or a preferred equity investment fails to make its most recent payment, then the investment will also be classified as non-income producing.

 

(f) As of September 30, 2020, the total cost of investment securities was approximately $49.8 million. Net unrealized depreciation was approximately ($8.1) million, which was comprised of $10.1 million of unrealized appreciation of investment securities and ($18.2) million of unrealized depreciation of investment securities. At September 30, 2020, the aggregate gross unrealized gain for federal income tax purposes was $10.1 million and the aggregate gross unrealized loss for federal income tax purposes was ($16.9) million. The net unrealized loss for federal income tax purposes was ($6.8) million based on a tax cost of $48.6 million.

 

(g) Rand Capital SBIC, Inc. investment.

 

(h) Reduction in cost and value from previously reported balances reflects current principal repayment.

 

(i) Represents interest due (amounts over $50,000) from investments included as interest receivable on the Corporation’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

 

(j) Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Investments are investments that are neither Control Investments nor Affiliate Investments.

 

(k) Affiliate Investments are defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), as those Non-Control investments in companies in which between 5% and 25% of the voting securities are owned by the Corporation.

 

(l) Payment in kind (PIK) represents earned interest that is added to the cost basis of the investment and due at maturity. The amount of PIK earned is included in the interest rate detailed in the “Type of Investment” column, unless it has been noted with a (+), in which case the PIK is in addition to the face amount of interest due on the security.

 

(m) Equity holdings are held in a wholly owned (100%) “blocker corporation” of Rand Capital Corporation or Rand Capital SBIC, Inc. for federal income tax and Regulated Investment Company (RIC) compliance.

 

(n) Publicly traded company.

 

9
 

 

RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS

September 30, 2020 (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Investments in and Advances to Affiliates

 

Company  Type of Investment  December 31, 2019 Fair Value   Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)   Gross Additions (1)   Gross Reductions (2)   September 30, 2020 Fair Value   Net Realized Gains (Losses)   Amount of Interest/ Dividend/ Fee Income (3) 
Control Investments:                                      
  Total Control Investments  $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $- 
Affiliate Investments:                                      
BeetNPath, LLC  1,119,024 Series A-2 Preferred Membership Units.  $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $- 
   1,032,918 Series B Preferred Membership Units.   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
   $262,626.64 Convertible Secured Notes at 8%   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
   Total BeetNPath   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
                                       
Carolina Skiff LLC   6.0825% Class A Common Membership interest.   1,750,000    -    -    -    1,750,000    -    - 
                                       
ClearView Social, Inc.  312,500 Series Seed Plus Preferred.   200,000    -    -    -    200,000    -    - 
                                      
Filterworks  $2,283,702 Term Note at 12%.   2,302,653    -    35,229    -    2,337,882    -    247,607 
Acquisition USA,   562.5 Class A Units.   562,500    -    -    -    562,500    -    - 
LLC  Total Filterworks   2,865,153    -    35,229    -    2,900,382    -    247,607 
                                       
Genicon, Inc.  1,586,902 Series B Preferred.   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
   $3,250,000 Promissory Notes at 10%.   500,000    (500,000)   -    -    -    -    17,054 
   $250,000 Promissory Note at 10%   250,000    -    -    -    250,000    -    - 
   Warrant for Common.   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
   Total Genicon   750,000    (500,000)   -    -    250,000    -    17,054 
                                       
G-TEC Natural Gas Systems  16.639% Class A Membership Interest. 8% cumulative dividend.   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
                                       
Knoa Software, Inc.  973,533 Series A-1 Convertible Preferred.   750,000    -    -    -    750,000    -    - 
   1,876,922 Series B Preferred.   479,155    -    -    -    479,155    -    - 
   Total Knoa   1,229,155    -    -    -    1,229,155    -    - 
                                       
Mezmeriz, Inc.  1,554,565 Series Seed Preferred.   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
                                       
Microcision  $1,500,000 Subordinated Promissory Note at 10%   -    -    1,406,498    -    1,406,498    -    140,667 
   Membership Interest Purchase Warrant for 5%   -    -    110,000    -    110,000    56,916    - 
   Total Microcision   -    -    1,516,498    -    1,516,498    56,916    140,667 
                                       
New Monarch   22.84 Common.   22,841    -    -    -    22,841    -      
Machine Tool, Inc.                                      
                                       
OnCore Golf   300,483 Series AA Preferred.   300,000    -    -    -    300,000    -    - 
Technology, Inc.                                      
                                       
SciAps, Inc.  187,500 Series A Preferred.   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
   274,299 Series A-1 Convertible Preferred.   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
   117,371 Series B Convertible Preferred.   250,000    -    -    -    250,000    -    - 
   113,636 Series C Convertible Preferred.   175,000    -    -    -    175,000    -    - 
   369,698 Series C-1 Convertible Preferred.   399,274    -    -    -    399,274    -    - 
   147,059 Series D Convertible Preferred.   250,000    -    -    -    250,000    -    - 
   Warrant to Purchase Series D-1 Preferred.   -    -    45,000         45,000           
   $1,500,000 Subordinated Promissory Note at 12%.   -    -    1,500,000    (38,750)   1,461,250    -    93,911 
   Total SciAps   1,074,274    -    1,545,000    (38,750)   2,580,524    -    93,911 
                                       
Teleservices  250,000 Class B Preferred Units.   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Solutions Holdings, LLC  1,000,000 Class C Preferred Units.   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
   80,000 Class D Preferred Units.   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
   104,198 Class E Preferred Units.   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
   Total Teleservices   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 

 

10
 

  

RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS

September 30, 2020 (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Investments in and Advances to Affiliates

 

Company   Type of Investment  

December 31,

2019 Fair

Value

   

Net Change in

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

   

Gross

Additions

(1)

   

Gross

Additions

(2)

   

September 30,

2020 Fair

Value

   

Net

Realized

Gains

(Losses)

    Amount of Interest/ Dividend/ Fee Income (3)  
Tilson   120,000 Series B Preferred.     1,950,000       -       -       -       1,950,000       -       39,375  
Technology   21,391 Series C Preferred.     347,604       -       -       -       347,604       -       -  
Management, Inc.   70,176 Series D Preferred.     1,140,360       -       -       -       1,140,360       -       -  
    15,385 Series E Preferred.     500,012       -       -       -       500,012       -       -  
    23,077 Series F Preferred.     -       -       750,003       -       750,003       -       -  
    211,567 SQF Hold Co. Common.     22,036       -       -       -       22,036       -       -  
    Total Tilson     3,960,012       -       750,003       -       4,710,015       -       39,375  
                                                             
    Total Affiliate Investments   $ 12,151,435     $ (500,000 )   $ 3,846,730     $ (38,750 )   $ 15,459,415     $ 56,916     $ 537,614  
    Total Control and Affiliate Investments   $ 12,151,435     $ (500,000 )   $ 3,846,730     $ (38,750 )   $ 15,459,415     $ 56,916     $ 537,614  

 

This schedule should be read in conjunction with the Corporation’s Consolidated Financial Statements, including the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

 

(1) Gross additions include increases in the cost basis of investments resulting from new portfolio investments, follow on investments, capitalized interest and the accretion of discounts. Gross additions also include the movement of an existing portfolio company into this category and out of another category.

 

(2) Gross reductions include decreases in the cost basis of investments resulting from principal repayments, sales, note conversions, the exchange of existing securities for new securities and the movement of an existing portfolio company out of this category and into another category.

 

(3) Represents the total amount of interest, fees or dividends credited to income for the portion of the period an investment was included in “Control or Affiliate” categories, respectively.

 

11
 

 

RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS

September 30, 2020 (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Industry Classification

 

Percentage of
Total Investments
(at fair value) as of
September 30, 2020

 
Software   30.7%
Manufacturing   18.3 
Professional Services   14.0 
Entertainment   10.8 
Healthcare   9.1 
Automotive   7.0 
BDC Investment Fund   6.8 
Contact Center   1.2 
Oil and Gas   1.2 
Consumer Product   0.7 
Marketing   0.2 
Total Investments   100%

 

12
 

 

RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2019

 

Company, Geographic Location, Business
Description, (Industry) and Website
 

(a)

Type of Investment

 

(b)

Date

Acquired

 

(c)

Equity

    Cost    

(d)(f)

Fair

Value

    Percent of Net Assets  
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Investments – 46.3% of net assets: (j)                                        
                                         
ACV Auctions, Inc. (e)(g)   1,181,160 Series A Preferred.   8/12/16     <1 %   $ 163,000     $ 6,531,815       12.2 %
Buffalo, NY. Live mobile wholesale auctions for new and used car dealers. (Software)                                        
www.acvauctions.com                                        
                                         
Advantage 24/7 LLC (g)(h)   $140,000 Term Note at 7% due   12/30/10     0 %                     0.1 %
Williamsville, NY. Marketing program for wine and   January 1, 2022                 65,000       65,000          
spirits dealers. (Marketing Company)                                        
www.advantage24-7.com                                        
                                         
AIKG LLC (Andretti) (l)   $4,250,000 Term Notes at 12%   11/8/19     0 %                     8.2 %
Marietta, GA. Entertainment company engaged in   (+4% PIK) due December 28, 2023.                 4,398,125       4,398,125          
indoor karting, games and food. (Entertainment)                                        
www.andrettikarting.com                                        
                                         
Centivo Corporation (e)(g)   190,967 Series A-1 Preferred.   7/5/17     <1 %     200,000       200,000       0.6 %
New York, NY. Tech-enabled health solutions   337,808 Series A-2 Preferred.                 101,342       101,342          
company that helps self-insured employers and their   Total Centivo                 301,342       301,342          
employees save money and have a better experience.                                        
(Health Care)                                        
www.centivo.com                                        
                                         
Empire Genomics, LLC (g)   $1,209,014 Senior Secured   6/13/14     0 %                     1.1 %
Buffalo, NY. Molecular diagnostics company that   Convertible Term Notes at 10%                                    
offers a comprehensive menu of assay services for   due December 31, 2020.                 1,308,675        157,654           

diagnosing and guiding patient therapeutic

  $444,915 Promissory Note at 9% (5%                                    
treatments. (Health Care) www.empiregenomics.com   deferred) due December 31, 2020.                 444,915        444,915           
    Total Empire                 1,753,590       602,569          
                                         
First Wave Technologies, Inc. (e)(g)   670,443.2 Class A Common.   4/19/12     4 %     661,563       33,000       0.1 %
Batavia, NY. Sells First Crush automated pill crusher that crushes and grinds pills for nursing homes and medical institutions. (Health Care)
www.firstwavetechnologies.com
                                       
                                         
GiveGab, Inc. (e)(g)   5,084,329 Series Seed Preferred.   3/13/13     4 %     616,221       616,221       1.1 %
Ithaca, NY. Nonprofit giving platform that provides an easy and effective way for fundraising professionals to raise money online. (Software)
www.givegab.com
                                       
                                         
GoNoodle, Inc. (g)(l)   $1,500,000 Secured Note at 12%   2/6/15     <1 %                     2.8 %
Nashville, TN. Student engagement education   (1% PIK) due September 30, 2024.                 1,502,458       1,502,458          
software providing core aligned physical activity   Warrant for 47,324 Series C Preferred.                 25       25          
breaks. (Software) www.gonoodle.com   Warrant for 21,948 Series D Preferred.                 38       38          
    Total GoNoodle                 1,502,521       1,502,521          
                                         
HDI Acquisition LLC (Hilton Displays) (l)   $1,245,119 Term Loan at 12%   11/8/19     0 %                     2.3 %
Greenville, NC. HDI is engaged in manufacturing,   (+2% PIK) due June 20, 2023.                 1,249,539       1,249,539          
installation and maintenance of signage and brands.                                        
(Manufacturing)                                        
www.hiltondisplays.com                                        
                                         
Mattison Avenue Holdings LLC (l)   $1,031,406 Second Amended,   11/8/19     0 %                     1.9 %
Dallas, TX. Provider of upscale salon spaces for   Restated and Consolidated Promissory                                    
lease. (Professional Services)   Note at 14% (2% PIK)                                    
www.mattisonsalonsuites.com   due June 9, 2022.                  1,036,678        1,036,678          

  

13
 

 

RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2019 (Continued)

 

Company, Geographic Location, Business
Description, (Industry) and Website
 

(a)

Type of Investment

 

(b)

Date

Acquired

 

(c)

Equity

    Cost    

(d)(f)

Fair

Value

    Percent of Net Assets  
Mercantile Adjustment Bureau, LLC (g)   $1,199,039 Subordinated Secured Note   10/22/12     4 %                     0.9 %
Williamsville, NY. Full service accounts receivable management and collections company.   at 13% (3% for the calendar year 2019) due January 31, 2022.                 1,199,040       500,000          
(Contact Center) www.mercantilesolutions.com   (e) $150,000 Subordinated Debenture at 8% due January 31, 2022.                 150,000       -          
    Warrant for 3.29% Membership Interests. Option for 1.5% Membership Interests.                 97,625       -          
    Total Mercantile                 1,446,665       500,000          
                                         
Microcision LLC (g)(l)   $1,500,000 Subordinated Promissory   9/24/09     0 %                     2.8 %
Pennsauken Township, NJ. Manufacturer of   Note at 12% (1% PIK) due December                                    
precision machined medical implants, components   31, 2024.                 1,500,000       1,500,000          
and assemblies. (Manufacturing)                                        
www.microcision.com                                        
                                         
Open Exchange, Inc. (g)   397,899 Series C Preferred   11/13/13     4 %     1,193,697       543,283       2.1 %
(Formerly KnowledgeVision Systems, Inc.)   397,899 Common.                 208,243       108,656          
Lincoln, MA. Online presentation and training software. (Software)   $450,000 Replacement Term Note at 9% due September 30, 2022.                 450,000       450,000          
www.openexc.com   Total Open Exchange                 1,851,940       1,101,939          
                                         
Outmatch Holdings, LLC (e)(g)   3,081,522 Class P1 Units.   11/18/10     4 %     2,140,007       2,140,007       4.0 %
Dallas, TX. Web based predictive employee   109,788 Class C1 Units.                 5,489       5,489          
selection and reference checking. (Software)   Total Outmatch                 2,145,496       2,145,496          
www.outmatch.com                                        
                                         
PostProcess Technologies, Inc. (e)(g)   360,002 Series A1 Preferred.   7/25/16     <1 %     348,875       471,603       0.9 %
Buffalo, NY. Provides innovative solutions for the post-processing of additive manufactured 3D parts.
(Manufacturing) www.postprocess.com
                                       
                                         
Rheonix, Inc. (e)   9,676 Common.   10/29/09     4 %     -       -       1.3 %
Ithaca, NY. Developer of fully automated   (g) 1,839,422 Series A Preferred.                 2,099,999       -          
microfluidic based molecular assay and diagnostic   (g) 50,593 Common.                 -       -          
testing devices. (Health Care)   (g) 589,420 Series B Preferred.                 702,732       702,732          
www.rheonix.com   Total Rheonix                 2,802,731       702,732          
                                         
SocialFlow, Inc. (e)(g)   1,049,538 Series B Preferred.   4/5/13     4 %     500,000       209,908       1.4 %
New York, NY. Provides instant analysis of social   1,204,819 Series B-1 Preferred.                 750,000       324,761          
networks using a proprietary, predictive analytic   717,772 Series C Preferred.                 500,000       215,332          
algorithm to optimize advertising and publishing.   Total Social Flow                 1,750,000       750,000          
(Software) www.socialflow.com                                        
                                         
Somerset Gas Transmission Company, LLC (e)(m)   26.5337 Units.   7/10/02     3 %     719,097       500,000       0.9 %
Columbus, OH. Natural gas transportation.
(Oil and Gas) www.somersetgas.com
                                       
                                         
Tech 2000, Inc. (Lumious) (g)   $850,000 Replacement Term Note at   11/16/18     0 %                     1.6 %
Herndon, VA. Develops and delivers IT training.   14% due November 15, 2021.                 860,777       860,777          
(Software) www.t2000inc.com                                        
                                         
Other Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Investments:                                        
                                         
DataView, LLC (e)   Membership Interest.   10/1/98     5 %     310,357       -       0.0 %
(Software)                                        
                                         
UStec/Wi3 (e)   Common stock.   12/17/98     <1 %     100,500       -       0.0 %
(Manufacturing)                                        
                                         
Subtotal Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Investments                   $ 25,584,017     $ 24,869,357          

 

14
 

 

RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2019 (Continued)

 

 

Company, Geographic Location, Business
Description, (Industry) and Website

 

(a)

Type of Investment

 

(b)

Date

Acquired

 

(c)

Equity

    Cost    

(d)(f)

Fair

Value

    Percent of Net Assets  
Affiliate Investments – 22.7% of net assets (k)                                        
                                         
BeetNPath, LLC (Grainful) (e)(g)(m)   1,119,024 Series A-2 Preferred   10/20/14     9 %                     0.0 %
Ithaca, NY. Frozen entrées made from 100%   Membership Units.               $ 359,000     $ -          
whole grain steel cut oats under Grainful brand   1,032,918 Series B Preferred Membership Units.                 261,277       -          

name. (Consumer Product)

www.grainful.com

  $262,626.64 Convertible Secured Notes at 8% due December 21, 2019.                 262,627       -          
    Total BeetNPath                 882,904       -          
                                         
Carolina Skiff LLC (g)(m)    6.0825% Class A Common Membership   1/30/04     7 %                     3.3 %
Waycross, GA. Manufacturer of ocean fishing   Interest.                 15,000       1,750,000          
and pleasure boats. (Manufacturing)
www.carolinaskiff.com
                                       
                                         
ClearView Social, Inc. (e)(g)    312,500 Series Seed Plus Preferred.   1/4/16     6 %     200,000       200,000       0.4 %
Buffalo, NY. Social media publishing tool for law, CPA and professional firms. (Software)
www.clearviewsocial.com
                                       
                                         
Filterworks Acquisition USA, LLC (l)(m)   $2,283,702 Term Note at 12% (+2%   11/8/19     9 %                     5.3 %
Deerfield Beach, FL. Provides spray booth   PIK) due December 4, 2023.                 2,302,653       2,302,653          
equipment, frame repair machines and paint booth   562.5 Class A Units                 562,500       562,500          
filter services for collision shops. (Automotive)   Total Filterworks                 2,865,153       2,865,153          
www.filterworksusa.com                                        
                                         
Genicon, Inc. (e)(g)(l)   1,586,902 Series B Preferred.   4/10/15     6 %     1,000,000       -       1.4 %
Winter Park, FL. Designs, produces and distributes patented surgical instrumentation.   $3,250,000 Promissory Notes at 10% due June 12, 2022, (10% PIK).                 3,727,573       500,000          
(Health Care)   $250,000 Promissory Note at 10% due                                    
www.geniconendo.com   June 12, 2021 (10% PIK).                 262,184       250,000          
    Warrants for Common.                 120,000       -          
    Total Genicon                 5,109,757       750,000          
                                         
Knoa Software, Inc. (e)(g)   973,533 Series A-1 Convertible   11/20/12     7 %                     2.3 %
New York, NY. End user experience   Preferred.                 750,000       750,000          
management and performance (EMP) solutions   1,876,922 Series B Preferred.                 479,155       479,155          
utilizing enterprise applications. (Software)   Total Knoa                 1,229,155       1,229,155          
www.knoa.com                                        
                                         
Mezmeriz, Inc. (e)(g)   1,554,565 Series Seed Preferred.   1/9/08     12 %     742,850       -       0.0 %
Ithaca, NY. Technology company developing novel reality capture tools for 3D mapping, reality modeling, object tracking and classification. (Electronics Developer)
www.mezmeriz.com
                                       
                                         
New Monarch Machine Tool, Inc. (g)   22.84 Common.   9/24/03     15 %     22,841       22,841       0.0 %
Cortland, NY. Manufactures and services vertical/horizontal machining centers. (Manufacturing)
www.monarchmt.com
                                       
                                         
OnCore Golf Technology, Inc. (e)(g)   300,483 Preferred AA.   12/31/14     8 %     752,712       300,000       0.6 %
Buffalo, NY. Patented and proprietary golf balls utilizing technology and innovation.
(Consumer Product)
www.oncoregolf.com
                                       

 

15
 

 

RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2019 (Continued)

 

 

Company, Geographic Location, Business
Description, (Industry) and Website

 

(a)

Type of Investment

 

(b)

Date

Acquired

 

(c)

Equity

    Cost    

(d)(f)

Fair

Value

    Percent of Net Assets  
                                 
SciAps, Inc. (e)(g)   187,500 Series A Preferred.   7/12/13     6 %     1,500,000       -       2.0 %
Woburn, MA. Instrumentation company   274,299 Series A-1 Convertible Preferred.                 504,710       -          
producing portable analytical devices using XRF,   117,371 Series B Convertible Preferred.                 250,000       250,000          
LIBS and RAMAN spectroscopy to identify   113,636 Series C Convertible Preferred.                 175,000       175,000          
compounds, minerals, and elements.   369,698 Series C-1 Convertible Preferred.                 399,274       399,274          
(Manufacturing)   147,059 Series D Convertible Preferred.                 250,000       250,000          
www.sciaps.com   Total SciAps                 3,078,984       1,074,274          
                                         
Teleservices Solutions Holdings, LLC (e) (g)(l)   250,000 Class B Preferred Units.   5/30/14     6 %     250,000       -       0.0 %
Montvale, NJ. Customer contact center   1,000,000 Class C Preferred Units.                 1,190,680       -          
specializing in customer acquisition and retention   80,000 Class D Preferred Units.                 91,200       -          
for selected industries. (Contact Center)   104,198 Class E Preferred Units.                                    
www.ipacesetters.com   PIK dividend for Series C and D at 12% and 14%, respectively.                 104,198       -          
    Total Teleservices                 1,636,078       -          
                                         
Tilson Technology Management, Inc. (g)(h)   120,000 Series B Preferred.   1/20/15     9 %     600,000       1,950,000       7.4 %
Portland, ME. Provides network deployment   21,391 Series C Preferred.                 200,000       347,604          
construction and information system services   70,176 Series D Preferred.                 800,000       1,140,360          
management for cellular, fiber optic and wireless   15,385 Series E Preferred.                 500,012       500,012          
systems providers. Its affiliated entity, SQF, LLC   211,567 SQF Hold Co. Common.                 -       22,036          
is a CLEC supporting small cell 5G deployment.   Total Tilson                 2,100,012       3,960,012          
(Professional Services)
www.tilsontech.com
                                       
                                         
Other Affiliate Investments:                                        
                                         
G-TEC Natural Gas Systems(e)(m) (Manufacturing)   Membership Interest   8/31/99     17 %     400,000       -       0.0 %
                                         
Subtotal Affiliate Investments                   $ 19,035,446     $ 12,151,435          
                                         
Total investments – 69%                   $ 44,619,463     $ 37,020,792          
Other Assets in excess of liabilities – 31%                             16,607,724          
Net Assets – 100%                           $ 53,628,516          

  

16
 

 

RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2019 (Continued)

 

Notes to the Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments

 

(a) At December 31, 2019, restricted securities represented 100% of the fair value of the investment portfolio. Restricted securities are subject to one or more restrictions on resale and are not freely marketable. Type of investment for equity position is in form of shares unless otherwise noted as units or interests, i.e., preferred shares, common shares.

 

(b) The Date Acquired column indicates the date on which the Corporation first acquired an investment.

 

(c) Each equity percentage estimates the Corporation’s ownership interest in the applicable portfolio investment. The estimated ownership is calculated based on the percent of outstanding voting securities held by the Corporation or the potential percentage of voting securities held by the Corporation upon exercise of warrants or conversion of debentures, or other available data. If applicable, the symbol “<1%” indicates that the Corporation holds an equity interest of less than one percent.

 

(d) The Corporation’s investments are carried at fair value in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” which defines fair value and establishes guidelines for measuring fair value. At December 31, 2019, ASC 820 designates 100% of the Corporation’s investments as “Level 3” assets. Under the valuation policy of the Corporation, unrestricted publicly traded securities are valued at the average closing price for these securities for the last three trading days of the reporting period. Restricted securities are subject to restrictions on resale, and are valued at fair value as determined by RCM and submitted to the Board of Directors for approval. Fair value is considered to be the amount that the Corporation may reasonably expect to receive for portfolio securities when sold on the valuation date. Valuations as of any particular date, however, are not necessarily indicative of amounts which may ultimately be realized as a result of future sales or other dispositions of securities and these favorable or unfavorable differences could be material. Among the factors considered in determining the fair value of restricted securities are the financial condition and operating results, projected operations, and other analytical data relating to the investment. Also considered are the market prices for unrestricted securities of the same class (if applicable) and other matters which may have an impact on the value of the portfolio company (see Note 3. “Investments” to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

 

(e) These investments are non-income producing. All other investments are income producing. Non-income producing investments have not generated cash payments of interest or dividends including LLC tax-related distributions within the last twelve months, or are not expected to do so going forward. However, if a debt or a preferred equity fails to make its most recent payment, then the investment will also be classified as non-income producing.

 

(f) As of December 31, 2019, the total cost of investment securities was approximately $44.6 million. Net unrealized depreciation was approximately ($7.6) million, which was comprised of $10.1 million of unrealized appreciation of investment securities and ($17.7) million of unrealized depreciation of investment securities. At December 31, 2019, the aggregate gross unrealized gain for federal income tax purposes was $10.2 million and the aggregate gross unrealized loss for federal income tax purposes was ($14.7) million. The net unrealized loss for federal income tax purposes was ($4.5) million based on a tax cost of $41.4 million.

 

(g) Rand Capital SBIC, Inc. investment.

 

(h) Reduction in cost and value from previously reported balances reflects current principal repayment.

 

(i) Represents interest due (amounts over $50,000) from investments included as interest receivable on the Corporation’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. (None at December 31, 2019)

 

(j) Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Investments are investments that are neither Control Investments nor Affiliate Investments.

 

(k) Affiliate Investments are defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), as those Non-Control investments in companies in which between 5% and 25% of the voting securities are owned by the Corporation.

 

(l) Payment in kind (PIK) represents earned interest that is added to the cost basis of the investment and due at maturity. The amount of PIK earned is included in the interest rate detailed in the “Type of Investment” column, unless it has been noted with a (+), in which case the PIK is in addition to the face amount of interest due on the security.

 

(m) Equity holdings are held in a wholly owned (100%) “blocker corporation” of Rand Capital Corporation or Rand Capital SBIC, Inc. for federal income tax and Regulated Investment Company (RIC) compliance.

 

17
 

 

RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2019 (Continued)

 

Investments in and Advances to Affiliates

 

Company  Type of Investment  December 31, 2018 Fair Value   Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)   Gross Additions (1)   Gross Reductions (2)   December 31, 2019 Fair Value   Net Realized Gains (Losses)   Amount of Interest/ Dividend/ Fee Income (3) 
Control Investments:                                      
Advantage 24/7 LLC  $140,000 Term Note at 7%.  $99,500   $-   $-   $(99,500)  $-   $40,500   $- 
Gemcor II, LLC      -    -    -    -    -    39,893    - 
   Total Control Investments  $99,500   $-   $-   $(99,500)  $-   $80,393   $- 
                                       
Affiliate Investments:                                      
BeetNPath, LLC  1,119,024 Series A-2 Preferred Membership Units.  $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $- 
   1,032,918 Series B Preferred Membership Units.   261,277    (261,277)   -    -    -    -    - 
   $262,626.64 Convertible Secured Notes at 8%.   262,627    (262,627)   -    -    -    -    - 
   Total BeetNPath   523,904    (523,904)   -    -    -    -    - 
                                       
Carolina Skiff LLC  6.0825% Class A Common Membership interest.   1,750,000    -    -    -    1,750,000    -    76,914 
                                       
ClearView Social, Inc.  312,500 Series Seed Plus Preferred.   200,000    -    -    -    200,000    -    - 
                                       
Filterworks Acquisition USA, LLC  $2,283,702 Term Note at 12%.   -    -    2,302,653    -    2,302,653    -    47,368 
   562.5 Class A Units.   -    -    562,500    -    562,500    -    - 
   Total Filterworks   -    -    2,865,153    -    2,865,153    -    47,368 
                                       
First Wave Technologies, Inc.  670,443.2 Class A Common.   33,000    -    -    (33,000)    -    -    - 
                                       
Genicon, Inc.  1,586,902 Series B Preferred.   1,000,000    (1,000,000)   -    -    -    -    - 
   $3,250,000 Promissory Notes at 10%.   3,385,586    (3,154,750)   269,164    -    500,000    -    379,469 
   $250,000 Promissory Note at 10%   -    (7,797)   257,797    -    250,000    -    12,184 
   Warrant for Common.   37,500    (37,500)   -    -    -    -    - 
   Total Genicon   4,423,086    (4,200,047)   526,961    -    750,000    -    391,653 
                                       
G-TEC Natural Gas Systems  16.639% Class A Membership Interest. 8% cumulative dividend.   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
                                       
Knoa Software, Inc.  973,533 Series A-1 Convertible Preferred.   750,000    -    -    -    750,000    -    193,934 
   1,876,922 Series B Preferred.   479,155    -    -    -    479,155    -    - 
   Total Knoa   1,229,155    -    -    -    1,229,155    -    193,934 
                                       
KnowledgeVision Systems, Inc.  200,000 Series A-1 Preferred.   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
   214,285 Series A-2 Preferred.   -    -         -    -    -    - 
   129,033 Series A-3 Preferred.   165,001    -    -    (165,001)   -    -    - 
   $75,000 Subordinated Promissory Notes at 8%.   75,000    -         (75,000)   -    -    22,000 
   $900,000 Term Note at 13%.   750,000    -    150,000    (900,000)   -    -    98,142 
   Warrant for 46,743 Series A-3.   35,000    -    -    (35,000)   -    -    - 
   Total KnowledgeVision   1,025,001    -    150,000    (1,175,001)   -    -    120,142 
                                       
Mezmeriz, Inc.  1,554,565 Series Seed Preferred.   351,477    (351,477)   -    -    -    -    - 
                                       
Microcision LLC  $1,500,000 Subordinated Promissory Note at 12% (1% PIK).   1,933,353    -    14,536    (1,947,889)   -    -    232,874 
   15% Class A Common Membership Interest.   610,000    -    -    (610,000)   -    1,510,000    - 
   Total Microcision   2,543,353    -    14,536    (2,557,889)   -    1,510,000    232,874 
                                       
New Monarch Machine Tool, Inc.  22.84 Common.   22,841    -    -    -    22,841    -      
                                       
OnCore Golf Technology, Inc.  300,483 Series AA Preferred.   300,000    -    -    -    300,000    -    - 

 

18
 

 

RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2019 (Continued)

 

Investments in and Advances to Affiliates

 

Company   Type of Investment   December 31, 2018 Fair Value     Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Gross Additions (1)     Gross Reductions (2)     December 31, 2019 Fair Value     Net Realized Gains (Losses)     Amount of Interest/ Dividend/ Fee Income (3)  
SciAps, Inc.   187,500 Series A Preferred.     700,000       (700,000 )     -       -       -       -       -  
    274,299 Series A-1 Convertible Preferred.     250,000       (250,000 )     -       -       -       -       -  
    117,371 Series B Convertible Preferred.     250,000       -       -       -       250,000       -       -  
    113,636 Series C Convertible Preferred.     175,000       -       -       -       175,000       -       -  
    369,698 Series C-1 Convertible Preferred.     399,274       -       -       -       399,274       -       -  
    147,059 Series D Convertible Preferred.     250,000       -       -       -       250,000       -       -  
    Total SciAps     2,024,274       (950,000 )     -       -       1,074,274       -       -  
                                                             
SOMS Technologies, LLC   5,959,490 Series B membership Interests.     -               -       -       -       (472,632 )     -  
                                                             
Teleservices Solutions Holdings, LLC   250,000 Class B Preferred Units.     -               -       -       -       -       -  
    1,000,000 Class C Preferred Units.     -               -       -       -       -       -  
    80,000 Class D Preferred Units.     -               -       -       -       -       -  
    104,198 Class E Preferred Units.     -               -       -       -       -       -  
    Total Teleservices     -               -       -       -       -       -  
                                                             
Tilson Technology Management, Inc.   120,000 Series B Preferred.     600,000       1,350,000       -       -       1,950,000       -       49,958  
    21,391 Series C Preferred.     200,000       147,604       -       -       347,604       -       -  
    70,176 Series D Preferred.     800,000       340,360       -       -       1,140,360       -       -  
    15,385 Series E Preferred.     -       -       500,012       -       500,012       -       -  
    211,567 SQF Hold Co. Common.     -       22,036       -       -       22,036       -          
    $200,000 Subordinated Promissory Note at 8%.     200,000       -       -       (200,000 )     -       -       47,332  
    $800,000 Subordinated Promissory Note at 8%.     800,000       -       -       (800,000 )     -       -       11,835  
    Total Tilson     2,600,000       1,860,000       500,012       (1,000,000 )     3,960,012       -       109,125  
                                                             
    Total Affiliate Investments   $ 17,026,091     $ (4,165,428 )   $ 4,056,662     $ (4,765,890 )   $ 12,151,435     $ 1,037,368     $ 1,172,010  
    Total Control and Affiliate Investments   $ 17,125,591     $ (4,165,428 )   $ 4,056,662     $ (4,865,390 )   $ 12,151,435     $ 1,117,761     $ 1,172,010  

 

This schedule should be read in conjunction with the Corporation’s Consolidated Financial Statements, including the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

 

(1) Gross additions include increases in the cost basis of investments resulting from new portfolio investments, follow on investments, capitalized interest and the accretion of discounts. Gross additions also include the movement of an existing portfolio company into this category and out of another category.

 

(2) Gross reductions include decreases in the cost basis of investments resulting from principal repayments, sales, note conversions, the exchange of existing securities for new securities and the movement of an existing portfolio company out of this category and into another category.

 

(3) Represents the total amount of interest, fees or dividends credited to income for the portion of the period an investment was included in “Control or Affiliate” categories, respectively.

 

19
 

 

RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2019 (Continued)

 

Industry Classification

 

Percentage of Total Investments (at fair value) as of December 31, 2019

 
Software   40.4%
Manufacturing   16.4 
Professional Services   13.6 
Entertainment   11.9 
Automotive   7.7 
Healthcare   6.4 
Contact Center   1.3 
Oil and Gas   1.3 
Consumer Product   0.8 
Marketing   0.2 
Total Investments   100%

 

20
 

 

Rand Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Note 1. ORGANIZATION

 

Rand Capital Corporation (“Rand”, “we”, “us” and “our”) was incorporated under the laws of New York in February 1969. We completed our initial public offering in 1971 as an internally managed, closed-end, diversified, investment management company. We have elected to be treated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As a BDC, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. For instance, we generally have to invest at least 70% of our total assets in “qualifying assets” and provide managerial assistance to the portfolio companies in which we invest. See Item 1. Business – Regulations - Business Development Company Regulations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

In 2002, Rand formed a wholly-owned subsidiary for the purpose of operating it as a small business investment company (“SBIC”) licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”). The subsidiary received an SBA license to operate as an SBIC in 2002. The subsidiary, which had been organized as a Delaware limited partnership, was converted into a New York corporation on December 31, 2008, at which time its operations as a licensed SBIC were continued by the newly formed corporation under the name of Rand Capital SBIC, Inc. (“Rand SBIC”). In 2012, the SEC (as defined herein) granted an Order of Exemption for Rand with respect to the operations of Rand SBIC. At that time, although Rand SBIC was operated as if it were a BDC, it was registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act. Upon Rand’s receipt of the order granting the exemptions, Rand SBIC filed an election to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act.

 

In November 2019, Rand completed (the “Closing”) a stock sale transaction with East Asset Management (“East”). The transaction consisted of a $25 million investment in Rand by East, in exchange for approximately 8.3 million shares of Rand common stock. The consideration paid by East for the shares of Rand common stock was comprised of approximately $15.5 million of cash and a contribution of $9.5 million of portfolio assets (the “Contributed Assets”). Concurrent with the Closing, Rand’s management and staff became employees of Rand Capital Management, LLC (“RCM”), a registered investment adviser that has been retained by Rand as its external investment adviser. In connection with retaining RCM as our investment adviser, Rand entered into an investment advisory and management agreement (the “Investment Management Agreement”) and an administration agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) with RCM pursuant to which RCM serves as Rand’s investment adviser and administrator (the Closing and the retention of RCM as our investment adviser and administrator are collectively referred to herein as the “Transaction”). Pursuant to the terms of the Investment Management Agreement, Rand pays RCM a base management fee and may pay an incentive fee, if specified benchmarks are met.

 

In connection with the completion of the Transaction, Rand is shifting to an investment strategy focused on higher yielding debt investments and intends to elect U.S. federal tax treatment as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) as of January 1, 2020 on its timely filed Federal tax return for the 2020 tax year. As required for the RIC election, Rand paid a special dividend to shareholders to distribute all of its accumulated earnings and profits. Rand’s Board of Directors declared a special dividend of $23.7 million, or approximately $1.62 per share, on March 3, 2020. The cash and shares of Rand’s common stock comprising the special dividend were distributed on May 11, 2020 to shareholders. Rand intends to adopt a new dividend policy going forward that may include regular cash dividends to shareholders. In order to qualify to make the RIC election, Rand placed several of its investments in newly formed holding companies that facilitate a tax structure that is advantageous to the RIC election. In December 2019, Rand formed Rand Somerset Holdings Corp., Rand BeetNPath Holdings Corp., Rand Carolina Skiff Holdings Corp., Rand Filterworks Holdings Corp. and Rand GTEC Holdings Corp., (“Blocker Corps”) as wholly owned subsidiaries of Rand to hold certain equity investments. These subsidiaries are consolidated using United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for financial reporting purposes.

 

21
 

 

In addition, Rand effected a 1-for-9 reverse stock split of its common stock effective May 21, 2020. The reverse stock split affected all issued and outstanding shares of Rand’s common stock, including shares held in treasury. The reverse stock split reduced the number of issued and outstanding shares of Rand’s common stock from 23,845,470 shares and 23,304,424 shares, respectively, to 2,648,916 shares and 2,588,800 shares, respectively. The reverse stock split affected all shareholders uniformly and did not alter any shareholder’s percentage interest in Rand’s outstanding common stock, except for adjustments for fractional shares.

 

On October 7, 2020, the Corporation, RCM and certain of their affiliates received exemptive relief from the SEC to permit the Corporation to co-invest in portfolio companies with certain other funds, including other BDCs and registered investment companies, managed by RCM and certain of its affiliates in a manner consistent with the Corporation’s investment objective, positions, policies, strategies and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements, subject to compliance with certain conditions (the “Order”). Pursuant to the Order, the Corporation is generally permitted to co-invest with affiliated funds if a “required majority” (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of the Corporation’s independent directors makes certain conclusions in connection with a co-investment transaction, including that (1) the terms of the transaction, including the consideration to be paid, are reasonable and fair to the Corporation and its shareholders and do not involve overreaching in respect of the Corporation or its shareholders on the part of any person concerned and (2) the transaction is consistent with the interests of the Corporation’s shareholders and is consistent with the Corporation’s investment objective and strategies.

 

The following discussion describes the operations of Rand and its wholly-owned subsidiaries Rand SBIC, Rand Somerset Holdings Corp., Rand BeetNPath Holdings Corp., Rand Carolina Skiff Holdings Corp., Rand Filterworks Holdings Corp. and Rand GTEC Holdings Corp., (collectively, the “Corporation”).

 

Our corporate office is located in Buffalo, NY and our website address is www.randcapital.com. We make available free of charge on our website our annual and periodic reports, proxy statements and other information as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Our shares are traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “RAND”.

 

Note 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation – It is our opinion that the accompanying consolidated financial statements include all adjustments of a normal recurring nature necessary for a fair presentation in accordance with GAAP of the consolidated financial position, results of operations, cash flows and statement of changes in net assets for the interim periods presented. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in audited annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted; however, we believe that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented herein not misleading. The interim results for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

 

These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. Information contained in this filing should also be reviewed in conjunction with our related filings with the SEC prior to the date of this report.

 

Reclassification – Certain prior year amounts in the stockholders’ equity section of the “Statement of Financial Position” have been reclassified. In addition, certain other balance sheet and income statement amounts have been reclassified to comply with regulatory rules.

 

22
 

 

Principles of Consolidation - The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Rand and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments – The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated statement of financial position of cash, interest receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value because of the immediate or short-term nature of these financial instruments.

 

Fair Value of SBA Debentures - In September 2020, the SBIC Funding Corporation completed a pooling of SBA debentures that have a coupon rate of 1.034%, excluding a mandatory SBA annual charge estimated to be 0.275%, resulting in a total estimated ten year fixed rate of 1.309%. The carrying value of Rand’s SBA debentures is a reasonable estimate of fair value because their stated interest rates approximate current interest rates that are available for debt with similar terms.

 

Investment Classification – In accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act, the Corporation classifies its investments by level of control. Under the 1940 Act, “Control Investments” are investments in companies that the Corporation is deemed to “Control” because it owns more than 25% of the voting securities of the company or has greater than 50% representation on the company’s board. “Affiliate Investments” are companies in which the Corporation owns between 5% and 25% of the voting securities. “Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Investments” are those companies that are neither Control Investments nor Affiliate Investments.

 

Investments - Investments are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by RCM and approved by our Board of Directors. The Corporation invests in loan instruments, debt instruments, and equity instruments. There is no single standard for determining fair value in good faith. As a result, determining fair value requires that judgment be applied to the specific facts and circumstances of each portfolio investment while employing a consistent valuation process. The Corporation analyzes and values each investment quarterly, and records unrealized depreciation for an investment that it believes has become impaired, including where collection of a loan or debt security or realization of the recorded value of an equity security is doubtful. Conversely, the Corporation will record unrealized appreciation if it believes that an underlying portfolio company has appreciated in value and, therefore, its equity securities have also appreciated in value. These estimated fair values may differ from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the investments existed and these differences could be material if RCM’s assumptions and judgments differ from results of actual liquidation events. Under the valuation policy of the Corporation, unrestricted publicly traded securities are valued at the average closing price for these securities for the last three trading days of the reporting period.

 

Qualifying Assets - More than 70% of the Corporation’s investments are in privately held small business enterprises, that were not investment companies, are principally based in the United States, and represent qualifying assets as defined by Section 55(a) of the 1940 Act.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents - Temporary cash investments having a maturity of less than a year when purchased are considered to be cash equivalents.

 

Revenue Recognition - Interest Income - Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where the investment is in default or otherwise presumed to be in doubt. In such cases, interest is recognized at the time of receipt. A reserve for possible losses on interest receivable is maintained when appropriate.

 

Rand SBIC’s interest accrual is also regulated by the SBA’s “Accounting Standards and Financial Reporting Requirements for Small Business Investment Companies.” Under these rules, interest income cannot be recognized if collection is doubtful, and a 100% reserve must be established. The collection of interest is presumed to be in doubt when there is substantial doubt about a portfolio company’s ability to continue as a going concern or a loan is in default for more than 120 days. Management also uses other qualitative and quantitative measures to determine the value of a portfolio investment and the collectability of any accrued interest.

 

23
 

 

The following investments are on non-accrual status: BeetNPath, LLC (Beetnpath), G-TEC Natural Gas Systems (G-Tec) and a portion of the Mercantile Adjustment Bureau, LLC (Mercantile) outstanding loan balance.

 

The Corporation holds debt securities in its investment portfolio that contain payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest provisions. PIK interest, computed at the contractual rate specified in each debt agreement, is added to the principal balance of the debt and is recorded as interest income. Thus, the actual collection of this interest may be deferred until the time of debt principal repayment.

 

Revenue Recognition - Dividend Income – The Corporation may receive cash distributions from portfolio companies that are limited liability companies or corporations and these distributions are classified as dividend income on the consolidated statement of operations. Dividend income is recognized on an accrual basis when it can be reasonably estimated.

 

The Corporation may hold preferred equity securities that contain cumulative dividend provisions. Cumulative dividends are recorded as dividend income, if declared and deemed collectible, and any dividends in arrears are recognized into income and added to the balance of the preferred equity investment. The actual collection of these dividends in arrears may be deferred until such time as the preferred equity is redeemed.

 

Revenue Recognition - Fee Income - Consists of the revenue associated with the amortization of financing fees charged to the portfolio companies upon successful closing of SBIC financings and income associated with portfolio company board attendance fees. The income associated with the amortization of financing fees was $17,917 and $48,887 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Corporation recognized a one-time fee of $225,000 in conjunction with the repayment of the eHealth loan instrument. The board fees were $0 and $500 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

Realized Gain or Loss and Unrealized Appreciation or Depreciation of Investments - Amounts reported as realized gains and losses are measured by the difference between the proceeds from the sale or exchange and the cost basis of the investment without regard to unrealized gains or losses recorded in prior periods. The cost of securities that have, in management’s judgment, become worthless are written off and reported as realized losses when appropriate. Unrealized appreciation or depreciation reflects the difference between the fair value of the investments and the cost basis of the investments.

 

Original Issue Discount – Investments may include “original issue discount” or OID income. This occurs when the Corporation purchases a warrant and a note from a portfolio company simultaneously, which requires an allocation of a portion of the purchase price to the warrant and reduces the note or debt instrument by an equal amount in the form of a note discount or OID. The note is reported net of the OID and the OID is accreted into interest income over the life of the loan. The Corporation recognized $38,552 and $30,573 in OID income for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. OID income is estimated to be approximately $9,300 for the remainder of 2020.

 

Deferred Debenture Costs - SBA debenture origination and commitment costs, which are netted against the debenture obligation (See Note 6 “SBA Debentures”), will be amortized ratably over the terms of the SBA debentures. Amortization expense was $28,256 and $27,614 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Amortization expense on currently outstanding debentures for the next five years is estimated to average approximately $24,000 per year.

 

SBA Debentures - The Corporation had $11,000,000 in outstanding SBA debentures at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, with a weighted average interest rate, including the SBA annual fee, of 3.45% at September 30, 2020. The debentures are presented net of deferred debenture costs (See Note 6 “SBA Debentures”). The $11,000,000 in outstanding SBA leverage matures from 2022 through 2029.

 

24
 

 

In the event of a future default of such SBA obligations, the Corporation has consented to the exercise, by the SBA, of all rights of the SBA under 13 C.F.R. 107.1810(i) “SBA remedies for automatic events of default” and has agreed to take all actions that the SBA may so require. These actions may include the Corporation’s automatic consent to the appointment of the SBA, or its designee, as receiver under Section 311(c) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958.

 

Net Assets per Share - Net assets per share are based on the number of shares of common stock outstanding, adjusted retroactively for the reverse stock split that occurred in May 2020. The Corporation does not have any common stock equivalents outstanding.

 

Supplemental Cash Flow Information - Income taxes refunded during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were $380,890 and $644,821, respectively. Interest paid during each of the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was $380,124 and $339,605, respectively. The Corporation converted $280,724 and $344,222 of interest receivable into investments during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

Accounting Estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Stockholders’ Equity (Net Assets) - At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there were 500,000 shares of $10.00 par value preferred stock authorized and unissued.

 

On April 22, 2020, the Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase plan, which authorizes the Corporation to repurchase shares of the Corporation’s outstanding common stock with an aggregate cost of up to $1,500,000 at prices per share of common stock no greater than the then current net asset value. This new share repurchase authorization lasts for a period of 12 months from the authorization date, until April 22, 2021. This new share repurchase plan supplants and replaces the share repurchase authorization that was previously approved by the Board of Directors in October 2019. Prior to the April 22, 2020 new share repurchase plan, in October 2019 the Board of Directors extended the repurchase authorization of up to 1,541,046 shares of the Common Stock on the open market at prices no greater than the then current net asset value. The Corporation purchased 3,397 shares of common stock for the treasury at a total cost of $37,988 during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. No shares of common stock were repurchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

 

The Corporation paid a special dividend to shareholders, as a means to distribute all of the Corporation’s accumulated earnings and profits, in May 2020, in preparation for the Corporation’s intended regulated investment company (“RIC”) election. The Corporation’s Board of Directors declared a special dividend of $23.7 million, or approximately $1.62 per share, on March 3, 2020. The cash and shares of Rand’s common stock representing the special dividend were distributed on May 11, 2020 to shareholders.

 

On May 21, 2020, the Corporation effected a 1-for-9 reverse stock split of its common stock (the “Reverse Stock Split”). The Reverse Stock Split affected all issued and outstanding shares of its common stock, including shares held in treasury. The Reverse Stock Split reduced the number of issued and outstanding shares of the Corporation’s common stock from 23,845,470 shares and 23,304,424 shares, respectively, to 2,648,916 shares and 2,588,800 shares, respectively. The Reverse Stock Split did not change the authorized number of shares or the par value of the common stock. Share and per share data included herein has been retroactively restated to reflect the effect of the Reverse Stock Split, as applicable. The Reverse Stock Split affected all shareholders uniformly and did not alter any shareholder’s percentage interest in the Corporation’s outstanding common stock, except for minor adjustments resulting from the cash payment received for any fractional shares that would have been received as a result of the Reverse Stock Split.

 

25
 

 

Income Taxes – The Corporation intends to elect U.S. federal tax treatment as a RIC as of January 1, 2020 on its timely filed Federal tax return for the 2020 tax year. In order to qualify as a RIC, among other things, the Corporation will be required to meet certain source of income and asset diversification requirements and timely distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of investment company taxable income, as defined by the Code, for each tax year. The Corporation intends to make the requisite distributions to its shareholders, which will generally relieve the Corporation from U.S. federal income taxes with respect to all income distributed to its shareholders.

 

In anticipation of the RIC election and in accordance with GAAP, a net deferred tax asset of $1,451,658 was eliminated. This asset related to book/tax differences that are no longer applicable now that the Corporation intends to elect RIC status for income tax purposes.

 

Certain investments that generate non-qualifying income for a RIC, and the deferred tax liability related to these investments of $247,460, were placed in blocker corporations in December 2019. These blocker corporations will be subject to federal and state income taxes.

 

The Corporation reviews the tax positions it has taken to determine if they meet a “more likely than not threshold” for the benefit of the tax position to be recognized in the consolidated financial statements. A tax position that fails to meet the more likely than not recognition threshold will result in either a reduction of a current or deferred tax asset or receivable, or the recording of a current or deferred tax liability. There were no uncertain tax positions recorded at September 30, 2020 or December 31, 2019.

 

Under the provisions of Section 382 the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the “Code”), net operating loss and credit carryforwards and other tax attributes may be subject to limitations if there has been a significant change in ownership in the Corporation, as defined by the Code. Prior to the completion of the Transactions, the Corporation was able to utilize its remaining federal net operating losses (“NOL”). The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), signed into law by President Trump on March 27, 2020, made changes to the NOL carryback rules for businesses. The Corporation was able to carryback a portion of its NOL, under the CARES Act and received a tax benefit of $90,141.

 

The Corporation is currently open to audit under the statute of limitations by the Internal Revenue Service for the years ended December 31, 2016 through 2019. In general, the Corporation’s state income tax returns are open to audit under the statute of limitations for the years ended December 31, 2016 through 2019.

 

It is the Corporation’s policy to include interest and penalties related to income tax liabilities in income tax expense. There were no amounts recognized for interest or penalties for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 or 2019.

 

Concentration of Credit and Market Risk – The Corporation’s financial instruments potentially subject it to concentrations of credit risk. Cash is invested with banks in amounts which, at times, exceed insurable limits. The Corporation does not anticipate non-performance by such banks.

 

The following are the concentrations of the top five portfolio company values compared to the fair value of the Corporation’s total investment portfolio:

 

   September 30, 2020 
ACV Auctions, Inc. (ACV)   16%
Tilson Technology Management, Inc. (Tilson)   11%
AIKG, LLC (Andretti)   11%
Filterworks Acquisition USA, LLC (Filterworks)   7%
SciAps, Inc. (Sciaps)   6%

 

   December 31, 2019 
ACV Auctions, Inc. (ACV)   18%
AIKG, LLC (Andretti)   12%
Tilson Technology Management, Inc. (Tilson)   11%
Filterworks Acquisition USA, LLC (Filterworks)   8%
Outmatch (Outmatch)   6%

 

26
 

 

Note 3. INVESTMENTS

 

The Corporation’s investments are carried at fair value in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.

 

Loan investments are defined as traditional loan financings with no equity features. Debt investments are defined as debt financings that include one or more equity features such as conversion rights, stock purchase warrants, and/or stock purchase options. A financing may also be categorized as a debt financing if it is accompanied by the direct purchase of an equity interest in the company.

 

The Corporation uses several approaches to determine the fair value of an investment. The main approaches are:

 

  Loan and debt securities are valued at cost when it is representative of the fair value of the investment or sufficient assets or liquidation proceeds are expected to exist from a sale of a portfolio company at its estimated fair value. However, they may be valued at an amount other than cost given the carrying interest rate versus the related inherent portfolio risk of the investment. A loan or debt instrument may be reduced in value if it is judged to be of poor quality, collection is in doubt or insufficient liquidation proceeds exist.
     
  Equity securities may be valued using the “asset approach”, “market approach” or “income approach.” The asset approach involves estimating the liquidation value of the portfolio company’s assets. To the extent the value exceeds the remaining principal amount of the debt or loan securities of the portfolio company, the fair value of such securities is generally estimated to be their cost. However, where value is less than the remaining principal amount of the loan and debt securities, the Corporation may discount the value of an equity security. The market approach uses observable prices and other relevant information generated by similar market transactions. It may include the use of market multiples derived from a set of comparables to assist in pricing the investment. Additionally, the Corporation adjusts valuations if a subsequent significant equity financing has occurred that includes a meaningful portion of the financing by a sophisticated, unrelated new investor. The income approach employs a cash flow and discounting methodology to value an investment.

 

ASC 820 classifies the inputs used to measure fair value into the following hierarchy:

 

Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, used in the Corporation’s valuation at the measurement date. Under the valuation policy, the Corporation values unrestricted publicly traded companies, categorized as Level 1 investments, at the average closing price for the last three trading days of the reporting period.

 

Level 2: Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, or quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other observable inputs other than quoted prices.

 

Level 3: Unobservable and significant inputs to determining the fair value.

 

27
 

 

Financial assets are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. Any changes in estimated fair value are recorded in the statement of operations.

 

93% of the Corporation’s investments were Level 3 at September 30, 2020 and 100% of the Corporation’s investments were Level 3 at December 31, 2019.

 

Under the valuation policy of the Corporation, unrestricted publicly traded securities are valued at the average closing price for these securities for the last three trading days of the reporting period.

 

In the valuation process, the Corporation values restricted securities, categorized as Level 3 investments, using information from these portfolio companies, which may include:

 

  Audited and unaudited statements of operations, balance sheets and operating budgets;
  Current and projected financial, operational and technological developments of the portfolio company;
  Current and projected ability of the portfolio company to service its debt obligations;
  The current capital structure of the business and the seniority of the various classes of equity if a deemed liquidation event were to occur;
  Pending debt or capital restructuring of the portfolio company;
  Current information regarding any offers to purchase the investment, or recent fundraising transactions;
  Current ability of the portfolio company to raise additional financing if needed;
  Changes in the economic environment which may have a material impact on the operating results of the portfolio company;
  Internal circumstances and events that may have an impact (both positive and negative) on the operating performance of the portfolio company;
  Qualitative assessment of key management;
  Contractual rights, obligations or restrictions associated with the investment; and
  Other factors deemed relevant to assess valuation.

 

The valuation may be reduced if a portfolio company’s performance and potential have deteriorated significantly. If the factors that led to a reduction in valuation are overcome, the valuation may be readjusted.

 

Equity Securities

 

Equity securities may include preferred stock, common stock, warrants and limited liability company membership interests.

 

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Corporation’s equity investments are earnings before interest, tax and depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and revenue multiples, where applicable, the financial and operational performance of the business, and the debt and senior equity preferences that may exist in a deemed liquidation event. Standard industry multiples may be used when available; however, the Corporation’s portfolio companies are typically small and in early stages of development and these industry standards may be adjusted to more closely match the specific financial and operational performance of the portfolio company. Due to the nature of certain investments, fair value measurements may be based on other criteria, which may include third party appraisals. Significant changes in any of these unobservable inputs may result in a significantly higher or lower fair value estimate.

 

28
 

 

Another key factor used in valuing equity investments is a significant recent arms-length equity transaction entered into by the portfolio company with a sophisticated, non-strategic, unrelated, new investor. The terms of these equity transactions may not be identical to the equity transactions between the portfolio company and the Corporation, and the impact of the difference in transaction terms on the market value of the portfolio company may be difficult or impossible to quantify.

 

When appropriate the Black-Scholes pricing model is used to estimate the fair value of warrants for accounting purposes. This model requires the use of highly subjective inputs including expected volatility and expected life, in addition to variables for the valuation of minority equity positions in small private and early stage companies. Significant changes in any of these unobservable inputs may result in a significantly higher or lower fair value estimate.

 

For recent investments of less than one year old, the Corporation generally relies on the cost basis, which is deemed to represent the fair value, unless other fair value inputs are identified causing the Corporation to depart from this basis.

 

Loan and Debt Securities

 

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Corporation’s loan and debt securities are the financial and operational performance of the portfolio company, similar debt with similar terms with other portfolio companies, as well as the market acceptance for the portfolio company’s products or services. These inputs will likely provide an indicator as to the probability of principal recovery of the investment. The Corporation’s loan and debt investments are often junior secured or unsecured securities. Fair value may also be determined based on other criteria where appropriate. Significant changes to the unobservable inputs may result in a change in fair value. For recent investments, the Corporation generally relies on the cost basis, which is deemed to represent the fair value, unless other fair value inputs are identified causing the Corporation to depart from this basis.

 

The following table provides a summary of the significant unobservable inputs used to determine the fair value of the Corporation’s Level 3 portfolio investments as of September 30, 2020:

 

Investment Type

 

Market Approach

EBITDA Multiple

  

Market Approach

Liquidation Seniority

  

Market Approach

Revenue Multiple

  

Market Approach Transaction Pricing

  

Totals

 
                     
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Equity  $-   $1,452,732   $500,000   $8,605,983   $10,558,715 
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Loan and Debt   500,000    2,374,531    602,569    9,333,541    12,810,641 
Total Non-Control/Non-Affiliate  $500,000   $3,827,263   $1,102,569   $17,939,524   $23,369,356 
                          
Affiliate Equity  $1,750,000   $22,841   $2,548,429   $7,143,765   $11,465,035 
Affiliate Loan and Debt   -    250,000    -    3,744,380    3,994,380 
Total Affiliate  $1,750,000   $272,841   $2,548,429   $10,888,145   $15,459,415 
                          
Total Level 3 Investments  $2,250,000   $4,100,104   $3,650,998   $28,827,669   $38,828,771 
                          
Range   4.5-5X    1X   1X-3X    Not Applicable      
                          
Unobservable Input   EBITDA Multiple    Asset Value    Revenue Multiple    Transaction Price      
                          
Weighted Average   4.6X   1X   2.5X   Not Applicable      

 

29
 

 

The following table provides a summary of the components of Level 1, 2 and 3 Assets Measured at Fair Value at September 30, 2020:

 

         Fair Value Measurements at Reported Date Using 

 

 

 

Description

 

 

September 30, 2020

  

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets

(Level 1)

  

Significant

Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

  

Other Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)

 
Loan investments  $3,720,692   $-   $     -   $3,720,692 
Debt investments   14,545,579    -    -    14,545,579 
Equity investments   23,416,250    2,853,750    -    20,562,500 
Total  $41,682,521   $2,853,750   $-   $38,828,771 

 

The following table provides a summary of the components of Level 1, 2 and 3 Assets Measured at Fair Value at December 31, 2019:

 

         Fair Value Measurements at Reported Date Using 

 

 

 

Description

 

 

December 31, 2019

  

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets

(Level 1)

  

 

Significant

Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

  

Other Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)

 
Loan investments  $1,570,692   $       -   $        -   $1,570,692 
Debt investments   13,647,107    -    -    13,647,107 
Equity investments   21,802,993    -    -    21,802,993 
Total  $37,020,792   $-   $-   $37,020,792 

 

The following table provides a summary of changes in Assets Measured at Fair Value Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) for the nine months ended September 30, 2020:

 

  

Fair Value Measurements Using Significant

Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Venture Capital Investments

 

Description

  Loan Investments  

Debt

Investments

  

Equity

Investments

   Total 
Ending Balance, December 31, 2019, of Level 3 Assets  $1,570,692   $13,647,107   $21,802,993   $37,020,792 
                     
Realized gain included in net change in net assets from operations:                    
Advantage 24/7 LLC (Advantage 24/7)   36,877    -    -    36,877 
Microcision LLC (Microcision)   -    56,916    -    56,916 
Outmatch Holdings, LLC (Outmatch)   -    -    2,318,253    2,318,253 
Total Realized Gains    36,877    56,916    2,318,253    2,412,046 
                     
Unrealized Losses included in net change in net assets from operations:                    
                     
Genicon, Inc. (Genicon)   -    (515,804)   -    (515,804)
Total Unrealized Losses   -    (515,804)   -    (515,804)
                     
Purchases of Securities/Changes to Securities/Non-cash conversions:                    
AIKG LLC (Andretti)   -    135,262    -    135,262 
Filterworks Acquisition USA, LLC   -    35,229    -    35,229 
Genicon   -    15,804    -    15,804 
GoNoodle, Inc. (GoNoodle)   -    11,297    -    11,297 
HDI Acquisition LLC (Hilton Displays)   -    19,117    -    19,117 
Mattison Avenue Holdings LLC (Mattison)   -    79,819    -    79,819 
Microcision   -    (93,502)   110,000    16,498 
SciAps, Inc. (Sciaps)   -    1,461,250    45,000    1,506,250 
Science and Medicine Group, Inc. (SMG)   1,900,000    -    -    1,900,000 
Tilson Technology Management, Inc. (Tilson)   -    -    750,003    750,003 
Total Purchases of Securities/Changes to Securities/Non-cash conversions   1,900,000    1,664,276    905,003    4,469,279 
                     
Repayments and Sale of Securities:                    
Advantage 24/7   (36,877)   -    -    (36,877)
Microcision LLC (Microcision)   -    (56,916)   -    (56,916)
Outmatch Holdings, LLC (Outmatch)   -    -    (4,463,749)   (4,463,749)
Total Repayments and Sale of Securities   (36,877)   (56,916)   (4,463,749)   (4,557,542)
Transfers within Level 3   250,000    (250,000)   -    - 
                     

Ending Balance September 30, 2020, of Level 3 Assets

  $3,720,692   $14,545,579   $20,562,500   $38,828,771 
      
Change in unrealized depreciation on investments for the period included in changes in net assets  $(540,033)
Net realized gain on investments for the period included in changes in net assets  $2,412,046 

 

30
 

 

The following table provides a summary of changes in Assets Measured at Fair Value Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) for the nine months ended September 30, 2019:

 

  

Fair Value Measurements Using Significant

Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Venture Capital Investments

 

Description

 

Loan Investments

  

Debt

Investments

  

Equity

Investments

   Total 
Ending Balance, December 31, 2018, of Level 3 Assets  $4,935,777   $9,397,979   $20,333,048   $34,666,804 
                     
Realized gain included in net change in net assets from operations:                    
Advantage 24/7 LLC (Advantage 24/7)   -    -    (40,500)   (40,500)
Gemcor II LLC (Gemcor)   -    -    39,893    39,893 
SOMS Technologies, LLC (SOMS)   -    -    (472,632)   (472,632)
Total Realized Gains and Losses   -    -    (392,239)   (392,239)
                     
Unrealized Gains and Losses included in net change in net assets from operations:                    
BeetNPath, LLC (Beetnpath)   -    (262,627)   (261,277)   (523,904)
Empire Genomics, LLC (Empire Genomics)   -    (249,661)   -    (249,661)
Genicon, Inc. (Genicon)   -    (1,162,547)   (1,037,500)   (2,200,047)
KnowledgeVision Systems, Inc. (Knowledge Vision)   -    -    (200,001)   (200,001)
Mercantile Adjustment Bureau, LLC (Mercantile)   -    (200,000)   -    (200,000)
Rheonix, Inc. (Rheonix)   -    -    (1,500,000)   (1,500,000)
SciAps, Inc. (Sciaps)   -    -    (585,000)   (585,000)
SocialFlow, Inc. (Socialflow)   -    -    (1,071,300)   (1,071,300)
SOMS   -    -    472,632    472,632 
Tilson Technology Management, Inc. (Tilson)   -    -    1,860,000    1,860,000 
Total Unrealized Gains and Losses   -    (1,874,835)   (2,322,446)   (4,197,281)
                     
Purchases of Securities/Changes to Securities/Non-cash conversions:                    
Advantage 24/7   140,000    -    -    140,000 
Empire Genomics   -    75,481    -    75,481 
Genicon   -    526,961    -    526,961 
GoNoodle, Inc. (GoNoodle)   -    7,817    -    7,817 
Knowledge Vision   150,000    -    -    150,000 
Microcision LLC (Microcision)   -    14,536    -    14,536 
Tilson   -    -    500,012    500,012 
Total Purchases of Securities/Changes to Securities/Non-cash conversions   290,000    624,795    500,012    1,414,807 
                     
Repayments and Sale of Securities:                    
Advantage 24/7   (25,000)   -    (140,000)   (165,000)
eHealth Global Technologies, Inc. (eHealth)   (3,500,000)   -    -    (3,500,000)
Gemcor   -    -    (39,893)   (39,893)
Tilson   -    (1,000,000)   -    (1,000,000)
Total Repayments and Sale of Securities   (3,525,000)   (1,000,000)   (179,893)   (4,704,893)
Transfers within Level 3   444,915    (444,915)   -    - 
                     

Ending Balance, September 30, 2019, of Level 3 Assets

  $2,145,692   $6,703,024   $17,938,482   $26,787,198 
                     
Change in unrealized depreciation on investments for the period included in changes in net assets $(4,197,281)
Net realized loss on investments for the period included in changes in net assets $(392,239 )

 

Note 4. OTHER ASSETS

 

At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, other assets was comprised of the following:

 

  

September 30, 2020

   December 31, 2019 
Prepaid expenses  $27,232   $8,290 
Dividend receivable   26,500    256,542 
Operating receivables   -    546 
Total other assets  $53,732   $265,378 

 

Note 5. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

The Corporation had no commitments at September 30, 2020.

 

Note 6. SBA DEBENTURES

 

Pursuant to FASB Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2015-03, the debt origination costs associated with the SBA debt obligations are presented as a direct deduction of the related debt obligation.

 

  

September 30,

2020

   December 31, 2019 
Debentures guaranteed by the SBA  $11,000,000   $11,000,000 
Less unamortized issue costs   (184,831)   (213,087)
Debentures guaranteed by the SBA, net  $10,815,169   $10,786,913 

 

The weighted average interest rate, including the SBA annual fee, at September 30, 2020 was 3.45%.

 

The debenture terms require semiannual payments of interest at annual interest rates ranging from 2.245% to 3.644%, plus an annual charge ranging from 0.804% to 0.94%. The debentures have fixed interest rates and a 10 year maturity date. As of September 30, 2020, the Corporation had $3,000,000 in additional leverage available from the SBA.

 

31
 

 

The debentures outstanding at September 30, 2020 will mature as follows:

 

Maturity Date  Leverage 
2022  $3,000,000 
2023   2,500,000 
2024   1,500,000 
2025   1,000,000 
2029   3,000,000 
Total Outstanding  $11,000,000 

 

Note 7. CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (NET ASSETS)

 

The following schedule analyzes the changes in stockholders’ equity (net assets) section of the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively:

 

   Common Stock  

Capital in excess of par value

  

 

Treasury Stock, at cost

   Total distributable (losses) earnings  

Total Stockholders’

Equity (Net Assets)

 
July 1, 2020  $2,384,547   $34,142,455   $(1,483,409)  $14,667,721   $49,711,314 
Purchase of treasury shares   -    -    (23,684)   -    (23,684)
Net increase in net assets from operations   -    -    -    262,523    262,523 
September 30, 2020  $2,384,547   $34,142,455   $(1,507,093)  $14,930,244   $49,950,153 

 

   Common Stock  

Capital in excess of par value

  

Treasury Stock, at cost

   Total distributable earnings  

Total Stockholders’

Equity (Net Assets)

 
July 1, 2019  $686,304   $10,581,789   $(1,469,105)  $20,833,065   $30,632,053 
Net decrease in net assets from operations   -    -    -    (2,878,888)   (2,878,888)
September 30, 2019  $686,304   $10,581,789   $(1,469,105)  $17,954,177   $27,753,165 

 

   Common Stock  

Capital in excess of par value

  

Treasury Stock, at cost

   Total distributable (losses) earnings  

Total Stockholders’

Equity (Net Assets)

 
January 1, 2020  $1,519,637   $34,142,455   $(1,469,105)  $19,435,529   $53,628,516 
Payment of Dividend   864,910    -    -    (5,621,516)   (4,756,606)
Purchase of treasury shares   -    -    (37,988)        (37,988)
Net increase in net assets from operations   -    -    -    1,116,231    1,116,231 
September 30, 2020  $2,384,547   $34,142,455   $(1,507,093)  $14,930,244   $49,950,153 

 

   Common Stock  

Capital in excess of par value

  

 

 

Treasury Stock, at cost

   Total distributable (losses) earnings  

Total Stockholders’

Equity (Net Assets)

 
January 1, 2019  $686,304   $10,581,789   $(1,469,105)   21,725,199   $31,524,187 
Net decrease in net assets from operations   -    -    -    (3,771,022)   (3,771,022)
September 30, 2019  $686,304   $10,581,789   $(1,469,105)  $17,954,177   $27,753,165 

 

32
 

 

Note 8. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Investment Management Agreement

 

Effective with the Closing, RCM, a registered investment adviser, has been retained by the Corporation as its external investment adviser and administrator. Under the Investment Management Agreement, the Corporation will pay RCM, as compensation for the investment advisory and management services, fees consisting of two components: (i) the Base Management Fee and (ii) the Incentive Fee.

 

The “Base Management Fee” is calculated at an annual rate of 1.50% of the Corporation’s total assets (other than cash or cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed funds). For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Base Management Fee was $152,438 and $434,201, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2019, $85,483 in Base Management Fees was earned by RCM. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Corporation had $152,447 and $49,359 payable, respectively, for the Base Management Fees on its Consolidated Statement of Financial Position. In addition, the Corporation had $1,205 payable at December 31, 2019 to RCM for the expenses associated with the Administration Agreement. There were no amounts payable to RCM for expenses associated with the Administration Agreement at September 30, 2020.

 

The “Incentive Fee” is comprised of two parts: (1) the “Income Based Fee” and (2) the “Capital Gains Fee”. The Income Based Fee is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears based on the “Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income” (as defined in the agreement) for the immediately preceding calendar quarter, subject to a hurdle rate of 1.75% per quarter (7% annualized) and is payable promptly following the filing of the Corporation’s financial statements for such quarter.

 

The Corporation pays RCM an Income Based Fee with respect to its Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income in each calendar quarter as follows:

 

  (i) no Income Based Fee in any quarter in which the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for such quarter does not exceed the hurdle rate of 1.75% (7.00% annualized);
  (ii) 100% of the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for any calendar quarter with respect to that portion of the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for such calendar quarter, if any, that exceeds the hurdle rate of 1.75% (7.00% annualized) but is less than 2.1875% (8.75% annualized); and
  (iii) 20% of the amount of the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for any calendar quarter with respect to that portion of the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for such calendar quarter, if any, that exceeds 2.1875% (8.75% annualized).

 

The Income Based Fee paid to RCM for any calendar quarter that begins more than two years and three months after the effective date of the Investment Management Agreement shall not be in excess of the Incentive Fee Cap. The “Incentive Fee Cap” for any quarter is an amount equal to (1) 20.0% of the Cumulative Net Return (as defined below) during the relevant Income Based Fee Calculation Period (as defined below) minus (2) the aggregate Income Based Fee that was paid in respect of the calendar quarters included in the relevant Income Based Fee Calculation Period.

 

For purposes of the calculation of the Income Based Fee, “Income Based Fee Calculation Period” is defined as, with reference to a calendar quarter, the period of time consisting of such calendar quarter and the additional quarters that comprise the lesser of (1) the number of quarters immediately preceding such calendar quarter that began more than two years after the effective date of the Investment Management Agreement or (2) the eleven calendar quarters immediately preceding such calendar quarter.

 

For purposes of the calculation of the Income Based Fee, “Cumulative Net Return” is defined as (1) the aggregate net investment income in respect of the relevant Income Based Fee Calculation Period minus (2) any Net Capital Loss, if any, in respect of the relevant Income Based Fee Calculation Period. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap is zero or a negative value, we will pay no Income Based Fee to RCM for such quarter. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter is a positive value but is less than the Income Based Fee that is payable to RCM for such quarter (before giving effect to the Incentive Fee Cap) calculated as described above, we will pay an Income Based Fee to RCM equal to the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter is equal to or greater than the Income Based Fee that is payable to RCM for such quarter (before giving effect to the Incentive Fee Cap) calculated as described above, we will pay an Income Based Fee to the Adviser equal to the Income Based Fee calculated as described above for such quarter without regard to the Incentive Fee Cap.

 

33
 

 

For purposes of the calculation of the Income Based Fee, “Net Capital Loss,” in respect of a particular period, means the difference, if positive, between (1) aggregate capital losses, whether realized or unrealized, in such period minus (2) aggregate capital gains, whether realized or unrealized, in such period.

 

Any Income Based Fee otherwise payable under the Investment Management Agreement with respect to Accrued Unpaid Income (such fees being the “Accrued Unpaid Income Based Fees”) shall be deferred, on a security by security basis, and shall become payable to RCM only if, as, when and to the extent cash is received by us in respect of any Accrued Unpaid Income. Any Accrued Unpaid Income that is subsequently reversed by us in connection with a write-down, write-off, impairment or similar treatment of the investment giving rise to such Accrued Unpaid Income will, in the applicable period of reversal, (1) reduce Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income and (2) reduce the amount of Accrued Unpaid Income Based Fees. Subsequent payments of Accrued Unpaid Income Based Fees deferred pursuant to this paragraph shall not reduce the amounts otherwise payable for any quarter as an Income Based Fee.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, there were no Income Based Fees earned under the Investment Management Agreement.

 

The second part of the Incentive Fee is the “Capital Gains Fee”. This fee will be determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year. Under the terms of the Investment Management Agreement, the Capital Gains Fee is calculated at the end of each applicable year by subtracting (1) the sum of the cumulative aggregate realized capital losses and aggregate unrealized capital depreciation from (2) the cumulative aggregate realized capital gains, in each case calculated from the effective date of the Investment Management Agreement. If this amount is positive at the end of any calendar year, then the Capital Gains Fee for such year is equal to 20.0% of such amount, less the cumulative aggregate amount of Capital Gains Fees paid in all prior years. If such amount is negative, then there is no Capital Gains Fee payable for that calendar year. If the Investment Management Agreement is terminated as of a date that is not a calendar year end, the termination date shall be treated as though it were a calendar year end for purposes of calculating and paying the Capital Gains Fee.

 

For purposes of the Capital Gains Fee:

 

  The cumulative aggregate realized capital gains are calculated as the sum of the differences, if positive, between (a) the net sales price of each investment in the Corporations portfolio when sold minus (b) the accreted or amortized cost basis of such investment.
     
  The cumulative aggregate realized capital losses are calculated as the sum of the amounts by which (a) the net sales price of each investment in the portfolio when sold is less than (b) the accreted or amortized cost basis of such investment.
     
  The aggregate unrealized capital depreciation is calculated as the sum of the amount, if negative, between (a) the valuation of each investment in the portfolio as of the applicable Capital Gains Fee calculation date minus (b) the accreted or amortized cost basis of such investment.

 

34
 

 

As of September 30, 2020, there were no Capital Gains Fees earned or payable to RCM under the Investment Management Agreement because unrealized losses on the portfolio exceed realized gains. If the entire portfolio were to be liquidated as of September 30, 2020, there would be a capital gains incentive fee liability of approximately $750,000 based on those values. However, given the unlikely and remote nature of such a transaction, the amount has not been recorded.

 

Investment Adviser Change in Control

 

RCM has advised the Corporation’s Board of Directors that Callodine Group, LLC (“Callodine”), an entity controlled by James Morrow, intends to acquire the controlling interest in RCM currently held by East (the “Adviser Change in Control”). As a result of the proposed Adviser Change in Control, Callodine will become the majority owner of RCM. Consummation of the Adviser Change in Control will result in an assignment and subsequent termination of the current Investment Management Agreement in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act. As a result, the Corporation’s Board of Directors has approved the Corporation’s entry into a new investment advisory and management agreement with RCM (the “New Advisory Agreement”) on October 29, 2020, and has called a special meeting of shareholders for December 16, 2020 to seek shareholder approval of the New Advisory Agreement. Although the ownership of the Adviser will change in connection with the completion of the Adviser Change in Control, it is important to note that (i) RCM will continue to act as the investment adviser for the Corporation under the New Advisory Agreement following consummation of the Adviser Change in Control, (ii) there will be no change in terms under the New Advisory Agreement as compared to the terms of the current Investment Management Agreement, and (iii) the existing management team of RCM will not change as a result of the Adviser Change in Control.

 

Administration Agreement

 

In connection with the Closing, the Corporation entered into an Administration Agreement with RCM. Under the terms of the Administration Agreement, RCM agreed to perform (or oversee, or arrange for, the performance of) the administrative services necessary for the Corporation’s operations, including, but not limited to, office facilities, equipment, clerical, bookkeeping, finance, accounting, compliance and record keeping services at such office facilities and such other services as RCM, subject to review by the Corporation’s Board of Directors, will from time to time determine to be necessary or useful to perform its obligations under the Administration Agreement. RCM shall also arrange for the services of, and oversee, custodians, depositories, transfer agents, dividend disbursing agents, other shareholder servicing agents, accountants, attorneys, underwriters, brokers and dealers, corporate fiduciaries, insurers, banks and such other persons in any such other capacity deemed to be necessary or desirable.

 

RCM is responsible for our financial and other records that are required to be maintained and prepares all reports and other materials required to be filed with the SEC or any other regulatory authority, including reports to shareholders. In addition, RCM assists us in determining and publishing the Corporation’s net asset value (NAV), overseeing the preparation and filing of our tax returns, and the printing and dissemination of reports to shareholders, and generally overseeing the payment of our expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered by others. RCM provides, on the Corporation’s behalf, managerial assistance to those portfolio companies that have accepted its offer to provide such assistance.

 

35
 

 

Note 9. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

The following schedule provides the financial highlights, calculated based on shares outstanding, for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. Share and per share data included in this schedule has been retroactively restated to reflect the effect of the Reverse Stock Split that occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

 

  

Nine months ended

September 30, 2020 (Unaudited) (2)

  

Nine months ended

September 30, 2019 (Unaudited) (2)

 
Income (loss) from investment operations (1):          
Investment income  $0.79   $2.48 
Expenses   0.56    2.91 
Investment income (loss) before income taxes   0.23    (0.43)
Income tax benefit   (0.16)   (0.17)
Net investment income (loss)   0.39    (0.26)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments   0.04    (5.11)
Increase (decrease) in net assets from operations   0.43    (5.37)
Purchase of treasury shares   (0.01)   - 
Payment of cash dividend   (1.84)   - 
Effect of the Reverse Stock Split   (12.19)   - 
Decrease in net assets   (13.61)   (5.37)
Net asset value, beginning of period   32.93    44.88 
Net asset value, end of period  $19.32   $39.51 
Per share market price, end of period  $11.10   $22.50 
Total return based on market value   (54.0)%   0.0%
Total return based on net asset value   (6.9)%   (12.0)%
Supplemental data:          
Ratio of operating expenses before income taxes to average net assets   2.80%   6.90%
Ratio of operating expenses including income taxes to average net assets   5.41%   3.1%
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets   1.96%   (0.6)%
Portfolio turnover   17.9%   3.4%
Net assets, end of period  $49,950,153   $27,753,165 
Weighted shares outstanding, end of period   2,162,308    702,443 

 

  (1) Per share data is based on shares outstanding and the results are rounded to the nearest cent.
  (2) Share and per share data included herein has been retroactively restated to reflect the effect of the Reverse Stock Split.

 

The Corporation’s interim period results could fluctuate as a result of a number of factors; therefore results for any interim period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance for the full year or in future periods.

 

36
 

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report. Historical results and percentage relationships among any amounts in the consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of trends in operating results for any future periods.

 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Statements included in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and elsewhere in this report that do not relate to present or historical conditions are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of that term in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Additional oral or written forward-looking statements may be made by us from time to time, and forward-looking statements may be included in documents that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements relating to our plans, strategies, objectives, expectations and intentions, including statements related to our investment strategies, the impact of COVID-19 on our portfolio companies, our intention to elect U.S. federal tax treatment as a RIC for the 2020 tax year and the associated impact of such election on payment of corporate level taxes by Rand and our liquidity and financial resources, and are intended to be made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “believes,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “possible,” “expects,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” or “plans” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Among the important factors on which such statements are based are assumptions concerning the scope of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its specific impact on our portfolio companies, the state of the United States economy and the local markets in which our portfolio companies operate, the state of the securities markets in which the securities of our portfolio companies could be traded, liquidity within the United States financial markets, and inflation. Forward-looking statements are also subject to the risks and uncertainties described under the caption “Risk Factors” contained in Part II, Item 1A of this report and in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

There may be other factors not identified that affect the accuracy of our forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date when it is made and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances. New factors emerge from time to time that may cause our business not to develop as we expect, and we cannot predict all of them.

 

Overview

 

We are an externally managed investment company that lends to and invests in lower middle market companies. Our investment objective is to generate current income and when also possible, capital appreciation, by targeting investment opportunities with favorable risk-adjusted returns.

 

We have elected to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As a BDC, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. Historically, we made the majority of our investments through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Rand Capital SBIC, Inc. (“Rand SBIC”), which operates as a small business investment company (“SBIC”) and has been licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) since 2002. With the capital raised in 2019, we now also have liquidity at Rand Capital Corporation, the parent company, with which to make investments.

 

37
 

 

In November 2019, Rand completed a stock sale transaction (the “Transaction”) with East Asset Management (“East”). The Transaction consisted of a $25 million investment in Rand by East, in exchange for approximately 8.3 million shares of Rand common stock. The consideration paid by East for the shares of Rand common stock was comprised of $15.5 million of cash and $9.5 million of portfolio assets. Concurrent with the closing of the transaction with East, Rand’s management and staff became employees of Rand Capital Management, LLC (“RCM”), a registered investment adviser that has been retained by Rand as its external investment adviser. In connection with retaining RCM as our investment adviser and administrator, Rand entered into an investment advisory and management agreement (the “Investment Management Agreement”) and an administration agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) with RCM. Pursuant to the terms of the Investment Management Agreement, Rand will pay RCM a base management fee and may pay an incentive fee if specified benchmarks are met.

 

We intend to elect U.S federal tax treatment as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. With the election, we generally will not be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any net ordinary income or capital gains that we timely distribute to our shareholders as dividends.

 

In connection with our RIC election, we paid a special dividend of $23.7 million, or approximately $1.62 per share on the Corporation’s common stock, par value $0.10 per shares (the “Common Stock”), to shareholders on May 11, 2020, which distributed all of our accumulated earnings and profits since our inception through 2019. The total amount of cash distributed to all shareholders, as part of the special dividend, was limited to $4.8 million, or 20% of the total special dividend that was paid. The remaining 80% of the special dividend was paid using approximately 8.6 million shares of Common Stock.

 

To maintain our RIC status, we need to meet specified source-of-income and asset diversification requirements and distribute annually to our shareholders at least 90% of our ordinary net income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any. Accordingly, our Board of Directors has expressed its intention to adopt a new dividend policy that may include regular cash dividends to shareholders going forward.

 

As a result of the Transaction and our intention to elect RIC status, we have changed our investment objectives and strategy. Our investment objective is to generate current income and, when possible, complement this current income with capital appreciation. As a result, our future investments will be made primarily in debt and loan instruments, as well as high yielding publicly traded equity instruments that provide income through dividends and relatively more liquidity than our private company investments.

 

SEC Order

 

On October 7, 2020, the Company, RCM and certain of their affiliates received exemptive relief from the SEC to permit the Company to co-invest in portfolio companies with certain other funds, including other BDCs and registered investment companies, managed by RCM and certain of its affiliates in a manner consistent with the Company’s investment objective, positions, policies, strategies and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements, subject to compliance with certain conditions (the “Order”). Pursuant to the Order, the Company is generally permitted to co-invest with affiliated funds if a “required majority” (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of the Company’s independent directors makes certain conclusions in connection with a co-investment transaction, including that (1) the terms of the transaction, including the consideration to be paid, are reasonable and fair to the Company and its shareholders and do not involve overreaching in respect of the Company or its shareholders on the part of any person concerned and (2) the transaction is consistent with the interests of the Company’s shareholders and is consistent with the Company’s investment objective and strategies.

 

38
 

 

Outlook

 

At the end of the third quarter of 2020, we had $19.1 million in cash and cash equivalents available for future investments and expenses, a decrease of $6.7 million from the end of 2019. The decrease was primarily due to approximately $7.0 million in additional portfolio investments and approximately $4.8 million in cash distributed to our shareholders as part of the special dividend. This was partially offset by approximately $4.6 million of cash received during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 from a portfolio exit.

 

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, our investment adviser, Rand Capital Management (“RCM”), continues to engage in active discussions with the management teams of the companies within our portfolio regarding actions taken by them for the safety and welfare of their employees and their processes for phasing back to pre-COVID work environments. We also have been informed by RCM on the impact of the COVID-19 induced recession on the businesses of the portfolio companies and the actions the portfolio companies have taken and are taking to adapt to changes in demand, both increased and decreased, depending upon the portfolio company. Most of our portfolio companies that qualified, have applied for, and received federal loans under the Paycheck Protection Program and, where applicable, are also applying for other federal support programs. While we do not know what the ultimate impact of the pandemic and the economic downturn will be on our portfolio companies, RCM is actively monitoring our portfolio companies, their liquidity and operational status.

 

Trends and Opportunities

 

We believe the combination of cash on hand, proceeds from portfolio exits, SBA leverage, and prospective investment income provide us the liquidity that enables us to add new investments to our portfolio and reinvest in existing portfolio companies that demonstrate continued growth potential. We are actively building a pipeline of investment opportunities in order to put our capital to work.

 

The following short and long-term trends provide us confidence in our ability to grow the Corporation:

 

  We expect that well run businesses will require capital to grow and should be able to compete effectively given eager reception of new technologies and service concepts, regardless of the macroeconomic environment.
  We continue to manage risk by investing with other investors, when possible.
  We are involved with the governance and management of a majority of our portfolio companies, which enables us to support their operating and marketing efforts and facilitate their growth.
  As our portfolio expands, we are able to better leverage our externalized management structure.
  We believe receipt of cash and portfolio assets as consideration in the Transaction with East, as well as the establishment of RCM as our external investment adviser, broadens our potential pipeline of investment opportunities in order to build our portfolio, facilitate growth and reduce operating expenses as a percentage of portfolio assets. Strategically, we expect to advance our efforts to increase our income-producing investments to support a regular cash dividend for shareholders and complement our equity investments that drive capital appreciation.
  We have sufficient cash to both invest in new opportunities and to repurchase shares. On April 22, 2020, our Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase plan, which authorizes the purchase of up to $1.5 million of our Common Stock through April 22, 2021 at prices per share of common stock no greater than the then current net asset value. During the nine months ending September 30, 2020, we purchased 3,397 shares at an average price of $11.18 per share.
  RCM has advised the Corporation’s Board of Directors that Callodine Group, LLC (“Callodine”), an entity controlled by James Morrow, intends to acquire the controlling interest in RCM currently held by East (the “Adviser Change in Control”). As a result of the proposed Adviser Change in Control, Callodine will become the majority owner of RCM. Consummation of the Adviser Change in Control will result in an assignment and subsequent termination of the current Investment Management Agreement in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act. As a result, the Corporation’s Board of Directors has approved the Corporation’s entry into a new investment advisory and management agreement with RCM (the “New Advisory Agreement”) on October __, 2020, and has called a special meeting of shareholders for December 16, 2020 to seek shareholder approval of the New Advisory Agreement. Although the ownership of the Adviser will change in connection with the completion of the Adviser Change in Control, it is important to note that (i) RCM will continue to act as the investment adviser for the Corporation under the New Advisory Agreement following consummation of the Adviser Change in Control, (ii) there will be no change in terms under the New Advisory Agreement as compared to the terms of the current Investment Management Agreement, and (iii) the existing management team of RCM will not change as a result of the Adviser Change in Control.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), which require the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities. A summary of our critical accounting policies can be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 under Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

39
 

 

Financial Condition

 

Overview:

 

  

 

September 30, 2020

  

 

December 31, 2019

   (Decrease) Increase   % (Decrease) Increase 
Total assets  $61,308,915   $64,791,449   $(3,482,534)   (5.4)%
Total liabilities   11,358,762    11,162,933    195,829    1.8%
Net assets  $49,950,153   $53,628,516   $(3,678,363)   (6.9)%

 

Net asset value per share (NAV) was $19.32 at September 30, 2020 and $32.93 at December 31, 2019. The NAV as of December 31, 2019 was retroactively adjusted for the 1-for-9 reverse stock split effected in May 2020 by the Corporation.

 

Our gross outstanding SBA debentures at September 30, 2020 were $11,000,000 and they mature from 2022 through 2029. Cash and cash equivalents approximated 38% of net assets at September 30, 2020, as compared to 48% at December 31, 2019.

 

Composition of Our Investment Portfolio

 

Our financial condition is dependent on the success of our portfolio holdings. The following summarizes our investment portfolio at the dates indicated.

 

  

September 30, 2020

  

December 31, 2019

   Increase (Decrease)   % Increase (Decrease) 
Investments, at cost  $49,821,225   $44,619,463   $5,201,762    11.7%
Unrealized depreciation, net   (8,138,704)   (7,598,671)   (540,033)   7.1%
Investments at fair value  $41,682,521   $37,020,792   $4,661,729    12.6%

 

 

Our total investments at fair value, as determined by RCM and approved by our Board of Directors, approximated 83% of net assets at September 30, 2020 versus 69% of net assets at December 31, 2019.

 

With the completion of the Transaction, we changed our investment objectives and strategy. Our new investment objective is to generate current income and, when possible, complement this current income with capital appreciation. As a result, our future investments will be made primarily in higher yielding debt investments and may include public equity in other business development companies that provide income through dividends and relatively more liquidity than our private company investments.

 

40
 

 

The change in investments during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, at cost, is comprised of the following:

 

  

Cost

Increase (Decrease)

 
New investments:    
Science and Medicine Group, Inc. (SMG)  $1,900,000 
SciAps Inc. (Sciaps)   1,500,000 
Tilson Technology Management, Inc. (Tilson)   750,003 
Golub Capital BDC, Inc. (Golub)   403,910 
TCG BDC, Inc. (TCG)   376,996 
PennantPark Investment Corporation (Pennantpark)   370,130 
Apollo Investment Corporation (Apollo)   364,084 
Owl Rock Capital Corporation (Owl Rock)   347,067 
Ares Capital Corporation (Ares)   343,460 
Barings BDC, Inc. (Barings)   333,352 
FS KKR Capital Corp. (FS KKR)   338,980 
Total of new investments   7,027,982 
      
Other changes to investments:     
AIKG LLC (Andretti) interest conversion   135,262 
Mattison Avenue Holdings LLC (Mattison) interest conversion   79,819 
Filterworks Acquisition USA, LLC (Filterworks) interest conversion   35,229 
HDI Acquisition LLC (Hilton Displays) interest conversion   19,117 
Microcision LLC (Microcision) OID amortization   16,498 
Genicon Inc. (Genicon) OID amortization   15,804 
GoNoodle, Inc. (GoNoodle) interest conversion   11,297 
Sciaps OID amortization   6,250 
Total of other changes to investments   319,276 
      
Investments repaid, sold, liquidated or converted:     
Outmatch Holdings, LLC (Outmatch) stock sale   (2,145,496)
Total of investments repaid, sold, liquidated or converted   (2,145,496)
      
Net change in investments, at cost  $5,201,762 

 

Results of Operations

 

Comparison of the three months ended September 30, 2020 to the three months ended September 30, 2019

 

Investment Income

 

  

Three months ended

September 30, 2020

  

Three months ended

September 30, 2019

   Increase (Decrease)   % Increase (Decrease) 
Interest from portfolio companies  $634,874   $328,103   $306,771    93.5%
Interest from other investments   1,157    36,797    (35,640)   (96.9)%
Dividend and other investment income   93,337    65,996    27,341    41.4%
Fee income   7,500    6,459    1,041    16.1%
Total investment income  $736,868   $437,355   $299,513    68.5%

 

The total investment income that was received on a current basis during the three months ended September 30, 2020 was received from thirteen portfolio companies. This contrasts with the ten portfolio companies generating current income during the three months ended September 30, 2019.

 

Interest from portfolio companies – Interest from portfolio companies was approximately 94% higher during the three months ended September 30, 2020 versus the same period in 2019 due to the fact that we have more income-producing debt investments in the current year. As part of the contributed assets received from East at the completion of the Transaction in November 2019, we received debt instruments from Andretti, Filterworks, Hilton Displays and Mattison.

 

The following investments are on non-accrual status: BeetNPath, LLC (Beetnpath), G-TEC Natural Gas Systems (G-Tec) and a portion of the Mercantile Adjustment Bureau, LLC (Mercantile) outstanding loan balances.

 

Interest from other investments - The decrease in interest from other investments is due to lower interest rates received on our cash and cash equivalents during the three months ended September 30, 2020 versus the same period in 2019.

 

41
 

 

Dividend and other investment income - Dividend income is comprised of cash distributions from limited liability companies (LLCs) and corporations in which we have invested. Our investment agreements with certain LLCs require those LLCs to distribute funds to us for payment of income taxes on our allocable share of the LLC’s profits. These portfolio companies may also elect to make additional discretionary distributions. Dividend income will fluctuate based upon the profitability of these LLCs and corporations and the timing of the distributions. The dividend distributions for the respective periods were:

 

  

Three months ended

September 30, 2020

  

Three months ended

September 30, 2019

 
Owl Rock Corporation (Owl Rock)  $23,400   $- 
Apollo Investment Corporation (Apollo)   15,750    - 
TCG BDC, Inc. (TCG)   14,800    - 
Tilson Technology Management Inc. (Tilson)   13,125    13,125 
Ares Capital Corporation (Ares)   10,800    - 
Golub Capital BDC, Inc. (Golub)   9,062    - 
Barings BDC, Inc. (Barings)   6,400    - 
Carolina Skiff LLC (Carolina Skiff)   -    52,871 
Total dividend and other investment income  $93,337   $65,996 

 

Fee income - Fee income generally consists of the revenue associated with the amortization of financing fees charged to the portfolio companies upon successful closing of SBIC financings, income from portfolio company board attendance fees and other miscellaneous fees. The financing fees are amortized ratably over the life of the instrument associated with the fees. The unamortized fees are carried on the balance sheet under the line item “Deferred revenue.”

 

The income associated with the amortization of financing fees was $7,500 and $6,459 for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. There were no board fees for the three months ended September 30, 2020 or 2019.

 

Expenses

 

  

Three months ended

September 30, 2020

  

Three months ended

September 30, 2019

   Decrease   % Decrease 
Total expenses  $456,398   $530,539   $(74,141)   (14.0)%

 

In November 2019, we completed a stock sale transaction with East and concurrently externalized the management of our portfolio to Rand Capital Management, LLC (RCM) as our external investment adviser and administrator. Our primary operating expenses now include the payment of fees to RCM under the Investment Management Agreement, and our allocable portion of overhead expenses and other administrative expenses under the Administration Agreement with RCM. Under the terms of the Investment Management Agreement, the compensation of the investment professionals of RCM and its staff, and the general office and overhead expenses incurred by RCM in maintaining its place of business, will be provided and paid for by RCM and not by us. We will be responsible for all other operating expenses, including those relating to:

 

  (i) organization;
  (ii) costs of calculating our net asset value (including the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firm);
  (iii) expenses incurred by RCM payable to third parties, including agents, consultants or other advisors, in monitoring financial and legal affairs and in monitoring the our investments and performing due diligence on its prospective portfolio companies;
  (iv) interest payable on debt, if any, incurred to finance our investments;
  (v) offerings of our Common Stock and other securities;
  (vi) investment advisory and management fees payable under the Investment Management Agreement, but excluding any fees payable to any Sub-Adviser;
  (vii) administration fees payable under the Administration Agreement;
  (viii) transfer agent and custodial fees;

 

42
 

 

  (ix) federal and state registration fees;
  (x) all costs of registration and listing our shares on any securities exchange;
  (xi) federal, state and local taxes;
  (xii) independent directors’ fees and expenses;
  (xiii) costs of preparing and filing reports or other documents required by governmental bodies (including the SEC);
  (xiv) costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to shareholders, including printing costs;
  (xv) our allocable portion of the fidelity bond, directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance, and any other insurance premiums;
  (xvi) direct costs and expenses of administration, including independent auditors and outside legal costs; and
  (xvii) all other expenses incurred by us or RCM in connection with administering our business (including payments under the Administration Agreement based upon our allocable portion of the RCM’s overhead in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent and the allocable portion of the cost of our chief financial officer and chief compliance officer and their respective staffs (including travel expenses))

 

Expenses decreased approximately $74,000 or 14% during the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease in operating expenses was primarily due to an approximately $36,000 or 42% decrease in stockholders and office operating expenses and a bad debt recovery of $24,000. Stockholders and office operating expenses were higher during the three months ended September 30, 2019 due to the fact that we held a special meeting of shareholders to approve all proposals related to the Transaction. The decrease can also be attributable to the absence of the salary and benefits expense in the three months ended September 30, 2020. The salary and benefit expense for the three months ended September 30, 2019 was approximately $222,000. These decreases were offset by the new base management fee payable to RCM that amounted to $152,438 during the three months ended September 30, 2020 and the increase of professional fees of approximately $58,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2020. There were no incentive fees earned by RCM for the three months ended September 30, 2020.

 

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments

 

There were no realized gains or losses during the three months ended September 30, 2020 or September 30, 2019.

 

Change in Unrealized Depreciation of Investments

 

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is causing significant consequences around the globe, and we believe, based upon discussions with our portfolio companies’ management, that many of our portfolio companies are experiencing uncertainty and concern for their operations during this unprecedented time. We believe that it is too soon to know if there will be any temporary or permanent impairment to their values, or other significant impact on their businesses. RCM and our Board of Directors will continue to assess the consequences of COVID-19 on our portfolio companies and examine any changes in their valuations during the remainder of 2020.

 

   Three months ended September 30, 2020   Three months ended September 30, 2019   Change 
Change in unrealized depreciation of investments before income taxes  $(17,947)  $(3,597,129)  $3,579,182 

 

43
 

 

The change in unrealized depreciation, before income taxes, for the three months ended September 30, 2020 was comprised of the following:

 

   Three months ended September 30, 2020 
PennantPark Investment Corporation (Pennantpark)  $(48,130)
Apollo Investment Corporation (Apollo)   (37,450)
Barings BDC, Inc. (Barings)   (13,485)
TCG BDC, Inc. (TCG)   (9,530)
Owl Rock Capital Corporation (Owl Rock)   (7,000)
Ares Capital Corporation (Ares)   (5,310)
FS KKR Capital Corp. (FS KKR)   50,250 
Golub Capital BDC, Inc. (Golub)   52,708 
Total change in net unrealized depreciation of investments before income taxes  $(17,947)

 

Apollo, Ares, Barings, FS KKR, Golub, Owl Rock, Pennantpark and TCG are all publicly traded stocks, and as such, are marked to market at the end of each quarter.

 

The change in unrealized depreciation, before income taxes, for the three months ended September 30, 2019 was comprised of the following:

 

   Three months ended September 30, 2019 
Rheonix, Inc. (Rheonix)  $(1,500,000)
Genicon, Inc. (Genicon)   (1,447,467)
Empire Genomics, LLC (Empire Genomics)   (249,661)
KnowledgeVision Systems, Inc. (KnowledgeVision)   (200,001)
SciAps, Inc. (Sciaps)   (200,000)
Total change in net unrealized depreciation of investments, before income taxes  $(3,597,129)

 

The valuations of our investments in Empire Genomics, Genicon, KnowledgeVision, Rheonix and Sciaps were decreased after we reviewed each of the portfolio company’s operations, commercial progress against their business plan, and past and projected financial condition and determined that a valuation adjustment was necessary. Some of these decreases in value may be recoverable following the completion of their respective future financings.

 

All of these value adjustments resulted from a review by the Corporation’s management prior to the completion of the Transaction and RCM management after the completion of the Transaction, using the guidance set forth by ASC 820 and our established valuation policy.

 

Net Increase in Net Assets from Operations

 

We account for our operations under GAAP for investment companies. The principal measure of our financial performance is “net increase in net assets from operations” on our consolidated statements of operations. For the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations was $262,523 and ($2,878,888), respectively.

 

Comparison of the nine months ended September 30, 2020 to the nine months ended September 30, 2019

 

Investment Income

 

  

Nine months ended

September 30, 2020

  

Nine months ended

September 30, 2019

   Increase (Decrease)   %
Increase (Decrease)
 
Interest from portfolio companies  $1,741,261   $1,049,557   $691,704    65.9%
Interest from other investments   87,161    108,146    (20,985)   (19.4)%
Dividend and other investment income   200,900    307,681    (106,781)   (34.7)%
Fee income   17,917    274,387    (256,470)   (93.5)%
Total investment income  $2,047,239   $1,739,771   $307,468    17.7%

 

44
 

 

Interest from portfolio companies – Interest from portfolio companies was approximately 66% higher during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 versus the same period in 2019 due to the fact that we have more income-producing debt investments in the current year. As part of the contributed assets received from East at the completion of the Transaction in November 2019, we received debt instruments from Andretti, Filterworks, Hilton Displays and Mattison. In addition, we originated two loan instruments, during the current year, totaling $3.4 million from SciAps, Inc. and Science and Medicine Group, Inc.

 

The following investments are on non-accrual status: BeetNPath, LLC (Beetnpath), G-TEC Natural Gas Systems (G-Tec) and a portion of the Mercantile Adjustment Bureau, LLC (Mercantile) outstanding loan balances.

 

Interest from other investments - The decrease in interest from other investments is due to lower interest rates during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 versus the same period in 2019. This was partially offset by higher average cash balances during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 versus the same period in 2019.

 

Dividend and other investment income - Dividend income is comprised of cash distributions from corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs) in which we have invested. Our investment agreements with certain LLCs require those LLCs to distribute funds to us for payment of income taxes on our allocable share of the LLC’s profits. These portfolio companies may also elect to make additional discretionary distributions. Dividend income will fluctuate based upon the profitability of these corporations and LLCs and the timing of the distributions. The dividend distributions for the respective periods were:

 

  

Nine months ended

September 30, 2020

  

Nine months ended

September 30, 2019

 
Tilson  $39,375   $36,833 
Owl Rock   35,100    - 
FS KKR   34,000    - 
Apollo   31,500    - 
Ares   21,600    - 
Golub   18,125    - 
TCG   14,800    - 
Barings   6,400    - 
Knoa Software, Inc. (Knoa)   -    193,934 
Carolina Skiff LLC (Carolina Skiff)   -    76,914 
Total dividend and other investment income  $200,900   $307,681 

 

Fee income - Fee income generally consists of the revenue associated with the amortization of financing fees charged to the portfolio companies upon successful closing of SBIC financings, income from portfolio company board attendance fees and other miscellaneous fees. The financing fees are amortized ratably over the life of the instrument associated with the fees. The unamortized fees are carried on the balance sheet under the line item “Deferred revenue.”

 

The income associated with the amortization of financing fees was $17,917 and $48,887 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, we recognized a one-time fee of $225,000 in conjunction with the repayment of the eHealth loan instrument. The board fees were $500 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. There were no board fees for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

 

45
 

 

Expenses

 

  

Nine months ended

September 30, 2020

  

Nine months ended

September 30, 2019

   Decrease   % Decrease 
Total expenses  $1,448,710   $2,044,351   $(595,641)   (29.1)%

 

Expenses decreased approximately $596,000 or 29% during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease in operating expenses was primarily due to an approximately $249,000 or 53% decrease in stockholders and office operating expenses. Stockholders and office operating expenses were higher during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 due to the fact that we held a special meeting of shareholders to approve all proposals related to the Transaction during this period. The decrease in expense can also be attributed to the absence of salary and benefits expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The salary and benefit expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was approximately $688,000. These decreases were offset by the new base management fee payable to RCM during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 of $434,201. There were no incentive fees earned by RCM during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

 

Because of our intention to elect RIC status as of January 1, 2020, a net deferred tax asset of $1,451,658 was eliminated in accordance with GAAP, resulting in deferred tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. In addition, certain portfolio investments, that generate non-qualifying income for a RIC, and their related deferred tax liabilities of $247,460, were contributed to blocker corporations in December 2019. These blocker corporations will be subject to federal and state income taxes.

 

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments

 

  

Nine months ended

September 30, 2020

  

Nine months ended

September 30, 2019

   Change 
Realized gain (loss) on investments before income taxes  $2,412,046   $(392,239)  $2,804,285 

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we realized a $2.3 million gain when we exited our investment in Outmatch as part of a strategic majority investment from Rubicon Technology Partners. We also received additional proceeds of approximately $57,000 from Microcision LLC (Microcision) related to the 2019 sale of our equity interest in Microcision and approximately $37,000 in additional gain from Advantage 24/7.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, we recognized a realized loss on our investment in SOMS Technologies, LLC after the company ceased doing business and a $40,500 gain on our investment in Advantage 24/7 LLC after the company converted their equity into a debt instrument. In addition, we received a final proceeds distribution of $39,893 from Gemcor II, LLC, a portfolio company we exited in 2016.

 

Change in Unrealized Depreciation of Investments

 

  

Nine months ended

September 30, 2020

  

Nine months ended

September 30, 2019

   Change 
Change in unrealized depreciation of investments before income taxes  $(540,033)  $(4,197,281)  $3,657,248 

 

46
 

 

The change in unrealized depreciation, before income taxes, for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was comprised of the following:

 

  

Nine months ended

September 30, 2020

 
Genicon, Inc. (Genicon)  $(515,804)
Apollo   (71,367)
Pennantpark   (48,130)
Barings   (13,485)
TCG   (9,530)
Golub   6,923 
Owl Rock   17,633 
Ares   34,540 
FS KKR   59,187 
Total change in net unrealized depreciation of investments before income taxes  $(540,033)

 

The valuation of our investment in Genicon was decreased after a review of their operations and financial condition.

 

Apollo, Ares, Barings, FS KKR, Golub, Owl Rock, Pennantpark and TCG are all publicly traded stocks, and as such, are marked to market at the end of each quarter.

 

The change in unrealized depreciation, before income taxes, for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was comprised of the following:

  

Nine months ended

September 30, 2019

 
Genicon  $(2,200,047)
Rheonix   (1,500,000)
SocialFlow, Inc. (Socialflow)   (1,071,300)
Sciaps   (585,000)
BeetNPath, LLC (Beetnpath)   (523,904)
Empire Genomics   (249,661)
KnowledgeVision   (200,001)
Mercantile Adjustment Bureau, LLC (Mercantile)   (200,000)
SOMS Technologies, LLC realized loss   472,632 
Tilson Technology Management, Inc. (Tilson)   1,860,000 
Total change in net unrealized depreciation of investments before income taxes  $(4,197,281)

 

The valuations of our investments in Beetnpath, Empire Genomics, KnowledgeVision, Mercantile, Rheonix, Sciaps, and Socialflow were decreased after we reviewed each of the portfolio company’s operations, commercial progress against their business plan, and past and projected financial condition and determined that a valuation adjustment was necessary.

 

Our valuation of Genicon was decreased due to a then recent round of financing and after a review of their financial condition.

 

In accordance with our valuation policy, we increased the value of our holdings in Tilson based on a significant equity financing during the first quarter of 2019 with a sophisticated new non-strategic outside investor at a higher valuation than their prior financing round valuation.

 

We recognized a realized loss on our investment in SOMS during the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

 

47
 

 

All of these value adjustments resulted from a review by our investment advisor, RCM, during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and our management during the nine months ended September 30, 2019, using the guidance set forth by ASC 820 and our established valuation policy.

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations

 

We account for our operations under GAAP for investment companies. The principal measure of our financial performance is “net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations” on our consolidated statements of operations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations was $1,116,231 and ($3,771,022), respectively.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

With the completion of the Transaction with East, we changed our investment objectives and strategy. Previously, our principal investment objective was to achieve long-term capital appreciation on our equity investments while maintaining a current cash flow from debenture and pass-through equity instruments to fund expenses. With the intention to elect U.S. federal tax treatment as a RIC, we will be required to distribute at least 90% of our qualified net investment income in the form of a dividend, and our new investment objective is to maximize total return to our shareholders with current income combined with capital appreciation. As a result, our recent and future investments will be made primarily in yield generating investments and may include related equity options, such as warrants or preferred equity.

 

As of September 30, 2020, our total liquidity consisted of approximately $19,100,000 in cash and cash equivalents. In addition, we had an outstanding SBA leverage commitment of $3,000,000.

 

Net cash used in operating activities has averaged approximately $72,000 over the last three years. The cash used for investments in portfolio companies has averaged approximately $3,200,000 over the last three years. We will generally use cash to fund our operating expenses, invest in portfolio companies, pay dividends and repurchase shares. We anticipate that we will continue to exit investments and shift our portfolio to income producing investments. However, the timing of liquidation events within the portfolio is difficult to project. Starting in 2022 (See Note 6 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements), our outstanding SBA debt begins to mature and this will require us to identify sources of future funding if liquidation of investments is not sufficient to fund operations and repay the SBA debt obligation.

 

We believe that the cash on hand at September 30, 2020, the undrawn SBA leverage commitment and the scheduled interest payments on our portfolio investments will be sufficient to meet our cash needs throughout 2020. We continue to pursue current income and distributions from portfolio companies to increase the liquidity available for new investments, operating expenses, dividends and future SBA debenture obligations.

 

Our ongoing liquidity is tied to the performance of our portfolio companies and, as such, it may be affected going forward based on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its lasting impact on the capital markets, our portfolio companies, and the U.S. economy in general.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Our investment activities contain elements of risk. Our investment portfolio consists of equity and debt securities in private companies and is subject to valuation risk. Because there is typically no public market for the equity and debt securities in which we invest, the valuation of the equity interests in the portfolio is stated at “fair value” as determined in good faith by RCM and approved by our Board of Directors. This is in accordance with our investment valuation policy (see the discussion of valuation policy contained in “Note 3. Investments” in the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1 of this report, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.) In the absence of readily ascertainable market values, the estimated value of investments in our portfolio may differ significantly from the values that would be placed on such investments in our portfolio if a ready market for the investments existed. Any changes in valuation are recorded on the consolidated statement of operations as “Net change in unrealized depreciation on investments.”

 

48
 

 

At times, a portion of our portfolio may include, and does currently include, marketable securities traded in the over-the-counter market or on other stock markets. In addition, there may be a portion of the portfolio for which no regular trading market exists. In order to realize the full value of a security, the market must trade in an orderly fashion or a willing purchaser must be available when a sale is to be made. Should an economic or other event occur that would not allow markets to trade in an orderly fashion, we may not be able to realize the fair value of our marketable investments or other investments in a timely manner.

 

As of September 30, 2020, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements or hedging or similar derivative financial instrument investments.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Corporation maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that this information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2020. Based on the evaluation of these disclosure controls and procedures, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Corporation’s controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2020.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the Corporation’s most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

49
 

 

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

None.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

In addition to the information provided under the heading “Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, the Corporation identified the following risk and uncertainty that could materially affect our overall business, financial condition and operating results.

 

The recent COVID-19 outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020 and has rapidly spread to the United States, and may negatively affect the operating results, financial conditions or liquidity of our portfolio companies, which may subsequently have a negative impact on our operating results and financial condition. In addition, the pandemic may also negatively impact RCM’s ability, on our behalf, to invest a significant portion of the net proceeds from the Transaction on acceptable terms or within a reasonable timeframe.

 

The global outbreak of COVID-19 (“coronavirus”) has led to severe disruptions in general economic activities as businesses and federal, state, and local governments take and have taken broad actions to mitigate this public health crisis, including restrictions on travel and the temporary closure of many corporate offices, retail stores, and manufacturing facilities and factories across the United States and the wider global community.

 

As a result, the business, operating results, financial condition and liquidity of our portfolio companies have been, and may continue to be, materially and adversely affected. The cumulative impact to our portfolio companies’ results from coronavirus will depend to a large extent on the duration and severity of coronavirus and the actions taken by authorities and other entities to contain coronavirus or treat its impact, all of which are beyond our control. Certain of our portfolio companies have had, and may continue to have, their operations temporarily shut down or significantly curtailed, which we believe will further exacerbate the impact of these events on those portfolio companies. In addition, even if our portfolio companies have availed themselves of loans from the Small Business Administration under the Paycheck Protection Program or the other assistance provided by U.S. federal and state governmental entities to mitigate the impacts of coronavirus, certain of our portfolio companies have experienced, and may continue to experience, significant liquidity issues, which, in turn, may increasingly have negative effects the ability of those portfolio companies to repay principal and interests on outstanding loans and other debt instruments owed to the Corporation, including resulting in the Corporation having outstanding interest receivable balances owed to it and permitting certain portfolio companies to capitalize interest amounts owed to the Corporation. In addition, certain portfolio companies may not be able to continue as going concerns. In connection with the coronavirus pandemic we may be required to restructure certain of our investments on terms that are less favorable to us to avoid potential bankruptcies and other insolvency issues for our portfolio companies. A substantial negative impact to one or more of our portfolio companies as a result of coronavirus could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Furthermore, severe disruptions in general economic activities due to coronavirus may negatively affect RCM’s ability to invest a significant portion of the net proceeds from the Transaction on acceptable terms or within a reasonable timeframe. Delays by RCM in investing the net proceeds raised in the Transaction due to coronavirus may cause our performance to be worse than that of other fully invested BDCs or other lenders or investors pursuing comparable investment strategies. RCM may be unable to invest the net proceeds from the Transaction on acceptable terms during and after this pandemic, which could harm our financial condition and operating results. We anticipate that, depending on market conditions, it may take RCM a substantial period of time to invest substantially all of the net proceeds from the Transaction in securities meeting our investment objectives. This period may be further lengthened due to the impact of the coronavirus.

 

50
 

 

We may be subject to risks associated with our origination of, or investment in, covenant-lite loans to our portfolio companies.

 

We have originated or invested in, and may in the future originate or invest in, covenant-lite loans to our portfolio companies, which means the loan agreement or other debt instrument governing these debt obligations contains fewer maintenance covenants than other loan agreements or debt obligations, or no maintenance covenants, and may not include covenants that the Corporation could use to monitor the financial performance of the portfolio company borrower, including covenants based upon compliance with financial ratios, and declare a default under the loan agreement or other debt instrument if the specified covenants are breached. While these loans or other debt obligations to portfolio company borrowers may still contain other collateral protections, a covenant-lite loan may carry more risk than a covenant-heavy loan made by the same portfolio company borrower as it does not require this borrower to provide affirmation that certain specific financial tests have been satisfied on a routine basis, as is generally required under a covenant-heavy loan agreement or other debt instrument. Generally, covenant-lite loans or other debt instruments provide borrowers more freedom, which may negatively impact lenders because these covenants, if any, tend to be incurrence-based, meaning they are only tested and can only be breached following an affirmative action of the borrower, rather than by deterioration in the borrower’s financial condition. Should the financial condition of a portfolio company borrower begin to deteriorate, our investment in or origination of covenant-lite loans or other debt instruments to such portfolio company borrower may potentially reduce our ability to restructure such problematic loan and mitigate potential loss. As a result of our investment in or origination of covenant-lite loans, our exposure to losses may be increased, which could result in an adverse impact on the Corporation’s revenues, net income and NAV per share.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Period  Total number of shares purchased (1)   Average price paid per share (2)   Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly
announced plan (3)
   Maximum dollar amount of shares that may yet be purchased under the share repurchase program (3) 
7/1/2020 – 7/31/2020   -    -    -   $1,485,696 
8/1/2020 – 8/31/2020   -    -    -   $1,485,696 
9/1/2020 – 9/30/2020   2,097   $11.29   $2,097   $1,462,012 
Total   2,097   $11.29   $2,097      

 

(1)There were 2,097 shares repurchased, in open market transactions, during the third quarter of 2020.
(2)The average price paid per share is calculated on a settlement basis and includes commission.
(3)On April 22, 2020, the Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase plan, which authorizes the Corporation to repurchase shares of the Corporation’s outstanding common stock with an aggregate cost of up to $1,500,000 at prices per share of common stock of no greater than the then current net asset value. This new share repurchase authorization lasts for a period of 12 months from the authorization date, until April 22, 2021. This new share repurchase plan supplants and replaces the share repurchase authorization that was previously approved by the Board of Directors in October 2019.

 

Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not Applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

None.

 

51
 

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

  (a) Exhibits
     
    The following exhibits are filed with this report or are incorporated herein by reference to a prior filing, in accordance with Rule 12b-32 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
     
  (3.1)(i) Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(1) of Form N-2 filed with the SEC on April 22, 1997. (File No. 333-25617).
     
  (3.1)(ii) Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 12, 2019.
     
  (3.1)(iii) Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 21, 2020.
     
  (3.1)(iv) By-laws of the Corporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(ii) to the Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2016 filed with the SEC on November 2, 2016. (File No. 814-00235).
     
  (3.2)(i) Certificate of Incorporation of Rand Merger Corporation as filed with the New York Department of State on December 18, 2008, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(a) to Registration Statement No. 811-22276 on Form N-5 of Rand Capital SBIC, Inc. filed with the SEC on February 6, 2009. (File No. 811-22276).
     
  (3.2)(ii) By-laws of Rand Capital SBIC, Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to Registration Statement No. 811-22276 on Form N-5 of Rand Capital SBIC, Inc. filed with the SEC on February 6, 2009. (File No. 811-22276).
     
  (4) Specimen certificate of common stock certificate, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (b) of Form N-2 filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on April 22, 1997. (File No. 333-25617).
     
  (31.1) Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended – filed herewith.
     
  (31.2) Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended – filed herewith.
     
  (32.1) Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 – Rand Capital Corporation – filed herewith.

 

52
 

 

Signatures

 

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

 

Dated: November 6, 2020

 

  RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION
   
  /s/ ALLEN F. GRUM
  Allen F. Grum, President
  (Chief Executive Officer)
   
  /s/ DANIEL P. PENBERTHY
  Daniel P. Penberthy, Treasurer
  (Chief Financial Officer)

 

53