# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001487428
**File Stem:** 0001437749-25-037841
**Filing Date:** 2025-12
**Character Count:** 93934
**Document Hash:** 88dc14d6c62a77dc6875f4807682dd3f
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001437749-25-037841.hdr.sgml**: 20251215

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001437749-25-037841

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 8-K

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 16

**CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT**: 20251215

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Financial Statements and Exhibits

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20251215

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20251215

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** Horizon Technology Finance Corp
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001487428

**ORGANIZATION NAME:**
- **EIN:** 272114934
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** DE
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 8-K
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 814-00802
- **FILM NUMBER:** 251571587

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 312 FARMINGTON AVENUE
- **CITY:** FARMINGTON
- **STATE:** CT
- **ZIP:** 06032
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 860-676-8654

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 312 FARMINGTON AVENUE
- **CITY:** FARMINGTON
- **STATE:** CT
- **ZIP:** 06032

?xml version='1.0' encoding='ASCII'? hrzn20251215_8k.htm

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**UNITED STATES**

**SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION**

**WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549**

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**FORM 8-K**

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**CURRENT REPORT**

**Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the**

**Securities Exchange Act of 1934**

**Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 15, 2025**

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**HORIZON TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORPORATION**

**(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)**

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Delaware** | **814-00802** | **27-2114934** |
| **(State or other jurisdiction**<br> **of incorporation)** | **(Commission**<br> **File Number)** | **(I.R.S. Employer**<br> **Identification No.)** |

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**312 Farmington Avenue** 

**Farmington, CT 06032** 

**(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)**

**Registrant**'**s telephone number, including area code: (860) 676-8654**

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Title of each class** | **Trading**<br> **Symbol(s)** | **Name of each exchange**<br> **on which registered** |
| Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share | HRZN | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
| 4.875% Notes due 2026 | HTFB | New York Stock Exchange |
| 6.25% Notes due 2027 | HTFC | New York Stock Exchange |

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

☐ 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. ☐

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**Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.**

On December 15, 2025, in connection with a previously announced public offering, Horizon Technology Finance Corporation (the "Company") and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the "Trustee"), entered into a Fifth Supplemental Indenture (the "Fifth Supplemental Indenture") to the Indenture, dated March 23, 2012, between the Company and the Trustee (together with the Fifth Supplemental Indenture, the "Indenture"). The Fifth Supplemental Indenture relates to the Company's issuance, offer and sale of $57.5 million in aggregate principal amount of its 7.00% Notes due 2028 (the "Notes").

The Notes will mature on December 15, 2028, unless previously redeemed or repurchased in accordance with their terms. The interest rate of the Notes is 7.00% per year and will be paid semiannually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing June 15, 2026. The Notes are the Company's direct unsecured obligations and rank pari passu with the Company's current and future unsecured, unsubordinated indebtedness, including the Company's 4.875% Notes due 2026, our 6.25% notes due 2027, our 5.50% convertible notes due 2030 and our 7.125% convertible notes due 2031; senior to any of the Company's future indebtedness that expressly provides it is subordinated to the Notes; effectively subordinated to all of the Company's existing and future secured indebtedness (including indebtedness that is initially unsecured to which the Company subsequently grants security), to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations of any of the Company's subsidiaries, financing vehicles or similar facilities, including debt outstanding under our credit facilities.

The Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at our option through June 15, 2028, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount and rounded to three decimal points) equal to the greater of: (1)(a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points less (b) interest accrued to the date of redemption, and (2) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date. On or after June 15, 2028, the Company may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of redemption.

The Indenture contains certain covenants, including covenants requiring the Company to comply with Section 18(a)(1)(A) as modified by Section 61(a)(2) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), or any successor provisions, to comply with Section 18(a)(1)(B) as modified by Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act, or any successor provisions, whether or not the Company continues to be subject to such provisions of the 1940 Act, but giving effect, in either case, to any exemptive relief granted to the Company by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and certain other exceptions, and to provide financial information to the holders of the Notes and the Trustee if the Company should no longer be subject to the reporting requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These covenants are subject to important limitations and exceptions that are set forth in the Indenture.

The Notes were offered and sold in an offering registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to the Company's registration statement on Form N-2 (Registration No. 333-278396) previously filed with the SEC, as supplemented by a prospectus supplement dated December 11, 2025. This Current Report on Form 8-K shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction. The transaction closed on December 15, 2025.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of this offering to redeem the outstanding 2026 Notes and for the general corporate purposes of us and our subsidiaries. Pending such use, we may use the net proceeds to invest the net proceeds of this offering to temporarily repay borrowings under our Credit Facilities or may invest the net proceeds primarily in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. Government securities and high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less from the date of investment.

The foregoing descriptions of the Fifth Supplemental Indenture and the Notes do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Fifth Supplemental Indenture and the form of global note representing the Notes, respectively, each filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits hereto and incorporated by reference herein.

**Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits** 

(d) Exhibits.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Number** | **Exhibit** |
| 4.1 | [<u>Indenture, dated as of March</u> <u>23, 2012, between the Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(7) of the Company</u><u>'</u><u>s Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File No. 333-178516, filed on March 23, 2012).</u>](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1280784/000119312512166122/d291438dex99d7.htm) |
| 4.2 | [<u>Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 15, 2025 between the Registrant and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association.</u>](ex_898851.htm) |
| 4.3 | [<u>Form of Global Note (included in Exhibit 4.2).</u>](ex_898851.htm) |
| 5.1 | [Opinion of Dechert LLP.](ex_898852.htm) |
| 23.1 | [Consent of Dechert LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1 hereto).](ex_898852.htm) |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |

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**SIGNATURE**

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

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Date: December 15, 2025 | HORIZON TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORPORATION  | HORIZON TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORPORATION  |
|  | By: | /s/ Michael P. Balkin |
|  |  | Michael P. Balkin |
|  |  | *Chief Executive Officer* |

---

## Exhibit 4.2

**Exhibit 4.2**

*Execution Version*

**FIFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE**

**Between**

**HORIZON TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORPORATION**

**and**

**U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee**

**Dated as of December 15, 2025**

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**FIFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE**

THIS FIFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of December 15, 2025 (the "<u>Fifth Supplemental Indenture</u>"), is between Horizon Technology Finance Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "<u>Company</u>"), and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as successor in interest to U.S. Bank National Associations, as trustee (the "<u>Trustee</u>"). All capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Base Indenture (as defined below).

**RECITALS OF THE COMPANY**

The Company and the Trustee executed and delivered an Indenture, dated as of March 23, 2012 (the "<u>Base Indenture</u>" and, as supplemented by this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, the "<u>Indenture</u>"), to provide for the issuance by the Company from time to time of the Company's unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (the "<u>Securities</u>"), to be issued in one or more series as provided in the Base Indenture.

The Company previously entered into the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 23, 2012 (the "<u>First Supplemental Indenture</u>"), the Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 29, 2017 (the "<u>Second Supplemental Indenture</u>"), the Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 30, 2021 (the "<u>Third Supplemental Indenture</u>"), and the Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 15, 2022 (the "<u>Fourth Supplemental Indenture</u>"), each of which amended and supplemented the Base Indenture. None of the First Supplemental Indenture, the Second Supplemental Indenture, the Third Supplemental Indenture or the Fourth Supplemental Indenture is applicable to the 2028 Notes (as defined below).

The Company desires to initially issue and sell $57,500,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company's 7.00% Notes due 2028 (the "<u>2028 Notes</u>").

Sections 9.01(iv) and 9.01(vi) of the Base Indenture provide that, without the consent of Holders of the Securities of any series issued under the Indenture, the Company, when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental to the Base Indenture to (i) change or eliminate any of the provisions of the Indenture when there is no Security Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of a supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of such provision and (ii) establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Section 2.01 and Section 3.01 of the Base Indenture.

The Company desires to establish the form and terms of the 2028 Notes and to modify, alter, supplement and change certain provisions of the Base Indenture for the benefit of the Holders of the 2028 Notes (except as may be provided in a future supplemental indenture to the Indenture (each, a "<u>Future Supplemental Indenture</u>").

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture to provide for the issuance of the 2028 Notes, and all acts and things necessary to make this Fifth Supplemental Indenture a valid, binding, and legal obligation of the Company and to constitute a valid agreement of the Company in accordance with its terms have been done and performed.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the 2028 Notes by the Holders thereof, it is mutually agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the 2028 Notes, as follows:

**ARTICLE I**<br> **TERMS OF THE 2028 NOTES**

Section 1.01. <u>Terms of the</u> 2028 <u>Notes.</u> The following terms relating to the 2028 Notes are hereby established:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) The 2028 Notes shall constitute a series of Securities having the title "7.00% Notes due 2028" and shall be designated as "Senior Securities" under the Indenture. The 2028 Notes shall bear a CUSIP number of 44045A AE2 and an ISIN number of US44045AAE29.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) The aggregate principal amount of the 2028 Notes that may be initially authenticated and delivered under the Indenture (except for 2028 Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration of, transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other 2028 Notes pursuant to Sections 3.04, 3.05, 3.06, 9.06 or 11.07 of the Base Indenture) shall be $57,500,000 aggregate principal amount. Under a Board Resolution, Officers' Certificate pursuant to Board Resolutions or a Future Supplemental Indenture, the Company may from time to time, without the consent of the Holders of 2028 Notes, issue additional 2028 Notes (in any such case, "<u>Additional Notes</u>") having the same ranking and the same interest rate, maturity and other terms as the 2028 Notes initially issued. Any Additional Notes and the existing 2028 Notes shall constitute a single series under the Indenture, and all references to the relevant 2028 Notes herein shall include the Additional Notes unless the context otherwise requires.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) The entire outstanding principal amount of the 2028 Notes shall be payable on December 15, 2028 unless earlier redeemed or repurchased in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) The rate at which the 2028 Notes shall bear interest shall be 7.00% per annum. The date from which interest shall accrue on the 2028 Notes shall be December 15, 2025, or the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or provided for; the Interest Payment Dates for the 2028 Notes shall be June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing June 15, 2026 (*provided that*, if an Interest Payment Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, then the applicable interest payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and no additional interest shall accrue as a result of such delayed payment); the initial interest period shall be the period from and including December 15, 2025 (or the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or provided for), to, but excluding, the initial Interest Payment Date, and the subsequent interest periods shall be the periods from and including an Interest Payment Date to, but excluding, the next Interest Payment Date or the Stated Maturity, as the case may be; the interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name the 2028 Note (or one or more predecessor 2028 Notes) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be June 1 and December 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Payment of principal of (and premium, if any), and any such interest on the 2028 Notes shall be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in the contiguous United States in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; *provided*, *however*, that, at the option of the Company, payment of interest on Notes that are not Global Notes may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register. Interest on the 2028 Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) The 2028 Notes shall be initially issuable in global form (each such 2028 Note, a "<u>Global Note</u>"). The Global Notes and the Trustee's certificate of authentication thereon shall be substantially in the form of <u>Exhibit A</u> to this Fifth Supplemental Indenture. Each Global Note shall represent the outstanding 2028 Notes as shall be specified therein, and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of outstanding 2028 Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of outstanding 2028 Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the amount of outstanding 2028 Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Security Registrar, in accordance with Sections 2.03 and 3.05 of the Base Indenture.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(f) The depositary for such Global Notes (the "<u>Depositary</u>") shall be The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York. The Security Registrar with respect to the Global Notes shall be the Trustee.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(g) The 2028 Notes shall be defeasible pursuant to Section 14.02 or Section 14.03 of the Base Indenture. Covenant defeasance contained in Section 14.03 of the Base Indenture shall apply to the covenants contained in Sections 10.06, 10.08, 10.09 and 10.10 of the Indenture.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(h) The 2028 Notes shall be redeemable pursuant to Section 11.01 of the Base Indenture and as follows:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) Prior to June 15, 2028 (six months prior to the maturity date of the 2028 Notes) (the " <u>Par Call Date</u> "), the Company may redeem the 2028 Notes at the Company's option, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, at a Redemption Price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal points) equal to the greater of: (A)(1) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the Redemption Date (assuming the 2028 Notes matured on the Par Call Date) on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points less (2) interest accrued to the date of Redemption Date, and (B) 100% of the principal amount of the 2028 Notes to be redeemed, plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding, the Redemption Date.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, on or after the Par Call Date, the Company may redeem the 2028 Notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2028 Notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the Redemption Date.<br>

<u>"Treasury Rate</u>" means, with respect to any Redemption Date of the 2028 Notes, the yield determined by the Company in accordance with the following two paragraphs.

The Treasury Rate shall be determined by the Company after 4:15 p.m., New York City time (on or after such time as yields on U.S. government securities are posted daily by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), on the third Business Day preceding the Redemption Date based upon the yield or yields for the most recent day that appear after such time on such day in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as "Selected Interest Rates (Daily)—H.15" (or any successor designation or publication)("<u>H.15</u>") under the caption "U.S. government securities—Treasury constant maturities—Nominal" (or any successor caption or heading) ("H.15 TCM"). In determining the Treasury Rate, the Company shall select, as applicable: (1) the yield for the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to the Par Call Date (the "<u>Remaining Life</u>"); or (2) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the Remaining Life, the two yields – one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately shorter than and one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately longer than the Remaining Life – and shall interpolate to the Par Call Date on a straight-line basis (using the actual number of days) using such yields and rounding the result to three decimal places; or (3) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 shorter than or longer than the Remaining Life, the yield for the single Treasury constant maturity on H.15 closest to the Remaining Life. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicable Treasury constant maturity or maturities on H.15 shall be deemed to have a maturity date equal to the relevant number of months or years, as applicable, of such Treasury constant maturity from the Redemption Date.<br>

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If on the third Business Day preceding the Redemption Date H.15 TCM is no longer published, the Company shall calculate the Treasury Rate based on the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second Business Day preceding such Redemption Date of the United States Treasury security maturing on, or with a maturity that is closest to, the Par Call Date, as applicable. If there is no United States Treasury security maturing on the Par Call Date but there are two or more United States Treasury securities with a maturity date equally distant from the Par Call Date, one with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date and one with a maturity date following the Par Call Date, the Company shall select the United States Treasury security with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date. If there are two or more United States Treasury securities maturing on the Par Call Date or two or more United States Treasury securities meeting the criteria of the preceding sentence, the Company shall select from among these two or more United States Treasury securities the United States Treasury security that is trading closest to par based upon the average of the bid and asked prices for such United States Treasury securities at 11:00 a.m., New York City time. In determining the Treasury Rate in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, the semiannual yield to maturity of the applicable United States Treasury security shall be based upon the average of the bid and asked prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, of such United States Treasury security, and rounded to three decimal places.<br>

The Company's actions and determinations in determining the Redemption Price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. For the avoidance of doubt, the Trustee shall have no duty to calculate the Redemption Price, nor shall it have any duty to review or verify the Company's calculations of the Redemption Price.<br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) Notice of redemption shall be mailed (first-class postage prepaid or by overnight courier guaranteeing next-day delivery) or electronically delivered (or otherwise transmitted in accordance with the Depository's procedures), to each Holder of the 2028 Notes to be redeemed, not less than thirty (30) nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the Redemption Date. All notices of redemption shall contain the information set forth in Section 11.04 of the Base Indenture.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii) Any exercise of the Company's option to redeem the 2028 Notes shall be done in compliance with the Investment Company Act.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iv) If the Company elects to redeem only a portion of the 2028 Notes, the Trustee shall determine the method for selecting the particular 2028 Notes to be redeemed, in accordance with Section 11.03 of the Base Indenture and the Investment Company Act.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(v) Unless the Company defaults in payment of the Redemption Price, on and after the Redemption Date, interest shall cease to accrue on the 2028 Notes called for redemption hereunder.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) The 2028 Notes shall not be subject to any sinking fund pursuant to Section 12.01 of the Base Indenture.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(j) The 2028 Notes shall be issuable in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(k) Holders of the 2028 Notes shall not have the option to have the 2028 Notes repaid prior to the Stated Maturity other than in accordance with Article Thirteen of the Indenture.

**ARTICLE II**<br> **DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION**

**Section 2.01.** Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the 2028 Notes but no other series of Securities under the Base Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Article One of the Base Indenture shall be amended by adding or amending and restating, as applicable, the following defined terms to Section 1.01 thereof in appropriate alphabetical sequence, as follows:

"'<u>Affiliate</u>' of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, "control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing."

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"'<u>Business Day</u>', when used with respect to any Place of Payment or any other particular location referred to in this Indenture or in the Securities, means, prior to 5:00 p.m. (NYC time) on each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in New York City, Chicago or other place of payment are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close."

"<u>Change of Control</u>" means the occurrence of any of the following:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation) in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Controlled Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any "person" or "group" (as those terms are used in Section 13(d)(3)) of the Exchange Act), other than to any Permitted Holders; *provided* that, for the avoidance of doubt, a pledge of assets pursuant to any secured debt instrument of the Company or its Controlled Subsidiaries shall not be deemed to be any such sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or disposition;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any "person" or "Group" (as those terms are used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) (other than any Permitted Holders) becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 promulgated under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company, measured by voting power rather than number of shares; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) the approval by the Company's stockholders of any plan or proposal relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

"<u>Change of Control Repurchase Event</u>" means the occurrence of a Change of Control.

"<u>Code</u>' means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended."

"<u>Controlled Subsidiary</u>" means any Subsidiary of the Company, 50% or more of the outstanding equity interests of which are owned by the Company and its direct or indirect Subsidiaries and of which the Company possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies, whether through the ownership of voting equity interests, by agreement or otherwise.

"<u>Corporate Trust Office</u>" means the office of the Trustee at which, at any particular time, this Indenture shall be principally administered, which office at the date hereof is located at CityPlace I, 185 Asylum Street, 27<sup>th</sup> Floor Hartford, CT 06103; Attn: Horizon Technology Finance Corporation; *provided* that for purposes of presentment or surrender of securities for transfer or payment or exchange, such office is located at 111 Fillmore Ave E, St. Paul, MN 55107, Attn: Bondholder Services, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Issuer, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).

"'<u>Exchange Act</u>' means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any statute successor thereto."

"'<u>FATCA</u>' means sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (or any amended or successor version) and any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof."

"'<u>FATCA Withholding Tax</u><u>'</u> means any withholding or deduction pursuant to an agreement described in Section 1471(b) of the Code or otherwise imposed pursuant to FATCA."

"'<u>GAAP</u>' means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the opinions and pronouncements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, which are in effect from time to time."

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"'<u>Investment Company Act</u>' means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules, regulations and interpretations promulgated thereunder, to the extent applicable, and any statute successor thereto."

"'<u>Noteholder FATCA Information</u>' means, with respect to any Holder of a 2028 Note or Holder of an interest in a 2028 Note, information sufficient to eliminate the imposition of, or determine the amount of, U.S. withholding tax under FATCA."

"'<u>Noteholder Tax Identification Information</u>' means properly completed and signed tax certifications (generally, in the case of U.S. federal income tax, IRS Form W-9 (or applicable successor form) in the case of a person that is a "United States Person" within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code or the appropriate IRS Form W-8 (or applicable successor form) in the case of a person that is not a "United States Person" within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code)."

"<u>Permitted Holders</u>" means (i) the Company, (ii) one or more of the Company's Controlled Subsidiaries and (iii) Horizon Technology Finance Management LLC, any control affiliate of Horizon Technology Finance Management LLC or any entity that is advised by Horizon Technology Finance Management LLC that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction located in the United States of America and in the business of managing or advising clients.

"'<u>Significant Subsidiary</u>' means any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company that would be a "significant subsidiary" as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act, as such regulation is in effect on the date of this Indenture (but excluding any Subsidiary which is (a) a non-recourse or limited recourse Subsidiary, (b) a bankruptcy remote special purpose vehicle or (c) is not consolidated with the Company for purposes of GAAP).

"<u>Voting Stock</u>" as applied to stock of any person, means shares, interests, participations or other equivalents in the equity interest (however designated) in such person having ordinary voting power for the election of a majority of the directors (or the equivalent) of such person, other than shares, interests, participations or other equivalents having such power only by reason of the occurrence of a contingency.

**ARTICLE III**<br> **THE SECURITIES**

**Section 3.01.** Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the 2028 Notes but no other series of Securities under the Base Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, the first paragraph of Section 3.03 of the Base Indenture shall be amended and restated in with respect to the 2028 Notes as follows:

"The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or its President, and attested by its Secretary. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile, .pdf attachment or other electronically transmitted signature of the present or any future such authorized officer and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities."

**Section 3.02.** Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the 2028 Notes but no other series of Securities under the Base Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, the first sentence of the second paragraph of Section 3.03 of the Base Indenture shall be amended with respect to the 2028 Notes by adding, after the word "facsimile" and before the word "signatures", the following:

",.pdf attachment or other electronically transmitted"

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**Section 3.03.** Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the 2028 Notes but no other series of Securities under the Base Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Article Three of the Base Indenture shall be amended with respect to the 2028 Notes by adding the following Section 3.15:

"Section 3.15. <u>FATCA Withholding</u>. Each Holder of a 2028 Note or Holder of an interest in a 2028 Note shall provide to the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Company, upon its request, the Noteholder Tax Identification Information and, to the extent FATCA Withholding Tax is applicable, the Noteholder FATCA Information. The Trustee has the right to withhold any amounts of interest (properly withholdable under law and without any corresponding gross-up) payable to a Holder of a 2028 Note or a Holder of an interest in a 2028 Note that fails to comply with the requirements of the preceding sentence."

**ARTICLE IV**<br> **SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE**

**Section 4.01**. Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the 2028 Notes but no other series of Securities under the Base Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Section 4.01 of the Base Indenture shall be amended by replacing clause (b) thereof with the following:

"(b) the Company has irrevocably paid or caused to be irrevocably paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company, including sums payable to the Trustee; and."

**ARTICLE V**<br> **REMEDIES**

**Section 5.01.** Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the 2028 Notes but no other series of Securities under the Base Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Section 5.01 of the Base Indenture shall be amended by replacing clause (ii) thereof with the following:

"(ii) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) any Note when it becomes due and payable at its Maturity; or"

**Section 5.02**. Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the 2028 Notes but no other series of Securities under the Base Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Section 5.01 of the Base Indenture shall be amended by replacing clauses (v) and (vi) thereof with the following:

"(v) the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any group of Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, pursuant to or within the meaning of the Bankruptcy Law:

(1) commences a voluntary case or proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law,

(2) consents to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or files a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief against it,

(3) consents to the entry of a decree or order for relief against it in an involuntary case or proceeding,

(4) consents to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property, or

(5) makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or admits in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due or takes any corporate action in furtherance of any such action; or

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(vi) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(1) is for relief against the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any group of Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case,

(2) adjudges the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any group of Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary bankrupt or insolvent, or approves as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company, any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any group of Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary,<br>

(3) appoints a Custodian of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any group of Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any group of Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, or<br>

(4) orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any group of Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order remains unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 calendar days; or"<br>

**Section 5.03**. Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the 2028 Notes but no other series of Securities under the Base Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Section 5.01 of the Base Indenture shall be amended by adding the following clauses (ix) and (x):

"(ix) acceleration of the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries' indebtedness for money borrowed in aggregate principal amount of $10 million or more so that it becomes due and payable, if such acceleration is not rescinded within 30 days after notice to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company by holders of at least 25% of the principal amount of the 2028 Notes then outstanding; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(x) failure by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, within 30 days, to pay, bond or otherwise discharge any final, non-appealable judgments or orders for the payment of money the total uninsured amount of which for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries exceeds $10 million, which are not stayed on appeal."

**Section 5.04.** Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the 2028 Notes but no other series of Securities under the Base Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Section 5.02 of the Base Indenture shall be amended by replacing the first paragraph thereof with the following:

"If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default under Section 5.01(v) or Section 5.01(vi), unless such default under Section 5.01(v) or Section 5.01(vi) relates solely to a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) with respect to the 2028 Notes at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding 2028 Notes may declare the principal of all the 2028 Notes to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal or specified portion thereof shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default under Section 5.01(v) or Section 5.01(vi) occurs with respect to the Company and not solely with respect to a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, the entire principal amount of all the 2028 Notes shall automatically become due and immediately payable."

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**ARTICLE VI**<br> **COVENANTS**

**Section 6.01**. Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the 2028 Notes but no other series of Securities under the Base Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Article Ten of the Base Indenture shall be amended by adding the following new Sections 10.08, 10.09 and 10.10 thereto, each as set forth below:

"Section 10.08 <u>Section 18(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act</u>. The Company hereby agrees that for the period of time during which 2028 Notes are Outstanding, the Company will not violate, whether or not it is subject to, Section 18(a)(1)(A) as modified by Section 61(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act or any successor provisions thereto of the Investment Company Act."

"Section 10.09 <u>Section 18(a)(1)(B) of the Investment Company Act</u>. The Company hereby agrees that for the period of time during which 2028 Notes are Outstanding, the Company will not violate Section 18(a)(1)(B) as modified by Section 61(a)(2) and the definitional provisions of the Investment Company Act or any successor provisions thereto of the Investment Company Act, whether or not the Company is subject to such provisions of the Investment Company Act, and after giving effect to any exemptive relief granted to the Company by the Commission; *provided* that the Company may declare a cash dividend or distribution, notwithstanding the prohibition contained in Section 18(a)(1)(B) as modified by Section 61(a)(2) and the definitional provisions of the Investment Company Act, but only up to such amount as is necessary in order for the Company to maintain its status as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; *provided, however*, that the prohibition in this Section 10.09 shall not apply until such time as the Company's asset coverage has been below the minimum asset coverage required pursuant to Section 18(a)(1)(B) as modified by Section 61(a)(2) and the definitional provisions of the Investment Company Act or any successor provisions thereto of the Investment Company Act (after giving effect to any exemptive relief granted to the Company by the Commission) for more than six (6) consecutive months."

"Section 10.10 <u>Commission Reports and Reports to Holders</u>.

If, at any time, the Company is not subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act to file any periodic reports with the Commission, the Company agrees to furnish to the Holders of 2028 Notes and the Trustee for the period of time during which the 2028 Notes are Outstanding: (i) within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, audited annual consolidated financial statements of the Company and (ii) within 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter of the Company (other than the Company's fourth fiscal quarter), unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of the Company. All such financial statements shall be prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with GAAP."

**Article VII**

**OFFER TO REPURCHASE UPON A CHANGE OF CONTROL REPURCHASE EVENT**

Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the 2028 Notes but no other series of Securities under the Base Indenture (as supplemented or amended from time to time by one or more indentures supplemental thereto), whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Article Thirteen of the Base Indenture shall be amended by replacing Sections 13.01 to 13.05 with the following:

"Section 13.01. Change of Control.

If a Change of Control Repurchase Event occurs, unless the Company shall have exercised its right to redeem the 2028 Notes in full, the Company shall make an offer to each Holder of the 2028 Notes to repurchase all or any part (in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 principal amount in excess thereof) of that Holder's 2028 Notes at a repurchase price in cash equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of 2028 Notes repurchased plus any accrued and unpaid interest on the 2028 Notes repurchased to, but not including, the date of purchase. Within 30 days following any Change of Control Repurchase Event or, at the Company's option, prior to any Change of Control, but after the public announcement of the Change of Control, the Company shall mail a notice to each Holder (with a copy to the Trustee) describing the transaction or transactions that constitute or may constitute the Change of Control Repurchase Event and offering to repurchase 2028 Notes on the payment date specified in the notice, which date shall be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed. The notice shall, if mailed prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, state that the offer to purchase is conditioned on the Change of Control Repurchase Event occurring on or prior to the payment date specified in the notice. The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 promulgated under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the 2028 Notes as a result of a Change of Control Repurchase Event.

To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with this Section 13.01, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulation and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Sections 13.01 by virtue of such conflict.

On the Change of Control Repurchase Event payment date, subject to extension if necessary to comply with the provisions of the Investment Company Act, the Company shall, to the extent lawful:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) accept for payment all 2028 Notes or portions of 2028 Notes properly tendered pursuant to its offer;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the aggregate purchase price in respect of all 2028 Notes or portions of 2028 Notes properly tendered.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the 2028 Notes properly accepted, together with an Officers' Certificate, stating the aggregate principal amount of 2028 Notes being purchased by the Company.

Upon receipt from the Company, the Paying Agent will promptly remit to each Holder of Notes properly tendered the purchase price for the 2028 Notes, and upon receipt of written direction from the Company, the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) to each Holder a new 2028 Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of any Notes surrendered; provided that each new 2028 Note shall be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.<br>

If any Repayment Date upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event falls on a day that is not a Business Day, then the required payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and no additional interest shall accrue as a result of such delayed repayment.

The Company shall not be required to make an offer to repurchase the 2028 Notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event if a third party makes an offer in respect of the 2028 Notes in a manner, at the time and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by the Company, and such third party purchases all 2028 Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer."<br>

**ARTICLE VIII**<br> **DEFEASANCE**

**Section 7.01**. Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the 2028 Notes but no other series of Securities under the Base Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Section 14.04 of the Base Indenture shall be amended by adding the following clause (ix):

"(ix) In the case of an election under Section 14.02, in addition to the amounts deposited for the benefit of the Holders pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 14.04, the Company shall have irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee all amounts then due to the Trustee under the Indenture."

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**ARTICLE IX**<br> **MISCELLANEOUS**

**Section 9.01.** This Fifth Supplemental Indenture and the 2028 Notes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. This Fifth Supplemental Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of the Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

**Section 9.02**. Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, Article Six of the Base Indenture shall be amended by adding the following Section 6.13:

"Section 6.13 <u>Trustee</u><u>'</u><u>s Cooperation</u>.

So long as the outstanding 2028 Notes are registered in the name of Cede & Co. or its registered assigns, the Trustee shall cooperate with Cede & Co., as sole registered Owner, and its registered assigns in effecting payment of the principal of, Redemption Price and interest on the 2028 Notes by arranging for payment in such manner that funds for such payments are properly identified and are made immediately available on the date they are due. The Company acknowledges that in order for the Trustee to make funds for such payments immediately available to the Depository on the date they are due, the Company shall ensure the funds for such payments are remitted and made immediately available to the Trustee, no later than 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the date they are due to Cede & Co. in order for the Trustee to conform to the payment guidelines of the Depository. Funds for such payments received by the Trustee after 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the date they are due to Cede & Co. may not be assured of timely payment and detail payment notification to the Depository for subsequent allocation to the noteholders*.*"

**Section 9.03**. In case any provision in this Fifth Supplemental Indenture or in the 2028 Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

**Section 9.04**. This Fifth Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same Fifth Supplemental Indenture. The exchange of copies of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile, .pdf transmission, email or other electronic means shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile, .pdf transmission, email or other electronic means shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes. All notices, approvals, consents, requests and any communications hereunder must be in writing (*provided* that any communication sent to the Trustee hereunder must be in the form of a document that is signed manually or by way of a digital signature provided by DocuSign (or such other digital signature provider as specified in writing to the Trustee by the authorized representative), in English. The Company agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of using digital signatures and electronic methods to submit communications to the Trustee, including, without limitation, the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties. The Trustee shall have no liability for relying on such digital signatures or electronic methods.

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**Section 9.06.** The provisions of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture shall become effective as of the date hereof.

**Section 9.07.** Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary herein, the terms and provisions of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture shall apply only to the 2028 Notes and shall not apply to any other series of Securities under the Base Indenture, and this Fifth Supplemental Indenture shall not and does not otherwise affect, modify, alter, supplement or change the terms and provisions of any other series of Securities under the Base Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding.

**Section 9.08.** The recitals contained herein and in the 2028 Notes, except the Trustee's certificate of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, the 2028 Notes or any Additional Notes, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, authenticate the 2028 Notes and any Additional Notes and perform its obligations hereunder. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of the 2028 Notes or any Additional Notes or the proceeds thereof.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Fifth Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| HORIZON TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORPORATION | HORIZON TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORPORATION |
| By: | /s/ Daniel R. Trolio |
| Name: | Daniel R. Trolio |
| Title: | Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
| U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee | U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee |
| By: | /s/ Laurel M. Casasanta |
| Name: | Laurel M. Casasanta |
| Title: | Vice President |

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**<u>Exhibit A - Form of Global Note</u>**

**This Security is a Global Note within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company or a nominee thereof. This Security may not be exchanged in whole or in part for a Security registered, and no transfer of this Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any Person other than The Depository Trust Company or a nominee thereof, except in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture.**

**Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company to the issuer or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment and such certificate issued in exchange for this certificate is registered in the name of Cede & Co., or such other name as requested by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company, any transfer, pledge or other use hereof for value or otherwise by or to any person is wrongful, as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.**

**Horizon Technology Finance Corporation**

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| No. | $|
|  | CUSIP No. 44045A AE2 |
|  | ISIN No. US44045AAE29 |

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7.00% Notes due 2028

Horizon Technology Finance Corporation, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of Delaware (herein called the "Company", which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum of ____________________(U.S. $_______________) on December 15**,** 2028, and to pay interest thereon from December 15, 2025 or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually on June 15 and December 15 in each year, commencing June 15, 2026 (*provided*, that if an Interest Payment Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, then the applicable interest payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and no additional interest shall accrue as a result of such delayed payment), at the rate of 7.00% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be June 1 or December 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Company, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series (with a copy to the Trustee) not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture. This Security may be issued as part of a series.

Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and any such interest on this Security shall be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in the contiguous United States in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; *provided*, *however*, that at the option of the Company payment of interest on Notes that are not Global Notes may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register.

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

A - 1

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In witness whereof, the company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

Dated:

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| HORIZON TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORPORATION | HORIZON TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORPORATION | HORIZON TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORPORATION |
| By: |  |  |
|  | Name: | Daniel R. Trolio |
|  | Title: | Senior Vice President,<br> Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| Attest | Attest |
| By: |  |
| Name:  | John Bombara |
| Title: | Secretary,<br> Horizon Technology Finance Corporation. |

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A - 2

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This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

Dated:

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,<br> as Trustee <br> By:   <br> Authorized Signatory

A - 3

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**Horizon Technology Finance Corporation**

7.00% Notes due 2028

This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of Senior Securities of the Company (herein called the "Securities"), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of March 23, 2012 (herein called the "Base Indenture"), between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as successor in interest to U.S. Bank. National Association, as Trustee (herein called the "Trustee", which term includes any successor trustee under the Base Indenture), and reference is hereby made to the Base Indenture for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee, and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered, as supplemented by the Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 15, 2025, by and between the Company and the Trustee (herein called the "Fifth Supplemental Indenture", the Fifth Supplemental Indenture and the Base Indenture collectively are herein called the "Indenture"). In the event of any conflict between the Base Indenture and the Fifth Supplemental Indenture, the Fifth Supplemental Indenture shall govern and control.

This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof, initially limited in aggregate principal amount to $57,500,000. Under a Board Resolution, Officers' Certificate pursuant to Board Resolutions or an indenture supplement, the Company may from time to time, without the consent of the Holders of Securities, issue additional Securities of this series (in any such case "Additional Securities") having the same ranking and the same interest rate, maturity and other terms as the Securities. Any Additional Securities and the existing Securities will constitute a single series under the Indenture and all references to the relevant Securities herein shall include the Additional Securities unless the context otherwise requires. The aggregate amount of outstanding Securities represented hereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions.

Prior to the Par Call Date, the Company may redeem the Securities at the Company's option, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, at a Redemption Price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal points) equal to the greater of: (A)(1) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the Redemption Date (assuming the Securities matured on the Par Call Date) on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points less (2) interest accrued to the date of Redemption Date, and (B) 100% of the principal amount of the Securities to be redeemed, plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding, the Redemption Date.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, on or after the Par Call Date, the Company may redeem the Securities, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Securities to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the Redemption Date.

"Par Call Date" means June 15, 2028.

"Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any Redemption Date of the 2028 Notes, the yield determined by the Company in accordance with the following two paragraphs.

The Treasury Rate shall be determined by the Company after 4:15 p.m., New York City time (on or after such time as yields on U.S. government securities are posted daily by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), on the third Business Day preceding the Redemption Date based upon the yield or yields for the most recent day that appear after such time on such day in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as "Selected Interest Rates (Daily)—H.15" (or any successor designation or publication)("H.15") under the caption "U.S. government securities—Treasury constant maturities —Nominal" (or any successor caption or heading) ("H.15 TCM"). In determining the Treasury Rate, the Company shall select, as applicable: (1) the yield for the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to the Par Call Date (the "<u>Remaining Life</u>"); or (2) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the Remaining Life, the two yields – one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately shorter than and one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately longer than the Remaining Life – and shall interpolate to the Par Call Date on a straight-line basis (using the actual number of days) using such yields and rounding the result to three decimal places; or (3) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 shorter than or longer than the Remaining Life, the yield for the single Treasury constant maturity on H.15 closest to the Remaining Life. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicable Treasury constant maturity or maturities on H.15 shall be deemed to have a maturity date equal to the relevant number of months or years, as applicable, of such Treasury constant maturity from the Redemption Date.

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If on the third Business Day preceding the Redemption Date H.15 TCM is no longer published, the Company shall calculate the Treasury Rate based on the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second Business Day preceding such Redemption Date of the United States Treasury security maturing on, or with a maturity that is closest to, the Par Call Date, as applicable. If there is no United States Treasury security maturing on the Par Call Date but there are two or more United States Treasury securities with a maturity date equally distant from the Par Call Date, one with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date and one with a maturity date following the Par Call Date, the Company shall select the United States Treasury security with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date. If there are two or more United States Treasury securities maturing on the Par Call Date or two or more United States Treasury securities meeting the criteria of the preceding sentence, the Company shall select from among these two or more United States Treasury securities the United States Treasury security that is trading closest to par based upon the average of the bid and asked prices for such United States Treasury securities at 11:00 a.m., New York City time. In determining the Treasury Rate in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, the semiannual yield to maturity of the applicable United States Treasury security shall be based upon the average of the bid and asked prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, of such United States Treasury security, and rounded to three decimal places.

The Company's actions and determinations in determining the redemption price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. For the avoidance of doubt, the Trustee shall have no duty to calculate the redemption price, nor shall it have any duty to review or verify the Company's calculations of the redemption price.

Notice of redemption shall be mailed (first-class postage prepaid or by overnight courier guaranteeing next-day delivery) or electronically delivered (or otherwise transmitted in accordance with the Depository's procedures), to each Holder of the Securities to be redeemed, not less than thirty (30) nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of the Securities to be redeemed. All notices of redemption shall contain the information set forth in Section 11.04 of the Base Indenture.

Any exercise of the Company's option to redeem the Securities shall be done in compliance with the Investment Company Act, and the rules, regulations and interpretations promulgated thereunder, to the extent applicable.

If the Company elects to redeem only a portion of the Securities, the Trustee shall determine the method for selecting the particular Securities to be redeemed, in accordance with Section 11.03 of the Base Indenture and the Investment Company Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, to the extent applicable. In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof shall be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.

Unless the Company defaults in payment of the Redemption Price, on and after the Redemption Date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Securities called for redemption.

Holders will have the right to require the Company to repurchase their Securities upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Repurchase Event as set forth in the Indenture.

The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of the entire indebtedness of this Security or certain restrictive covenants and Events of Default with respect to this Security, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.

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If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing (other than Events of Default related to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization as set forth in the Indenture), the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture. In the case of certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization described in the Indenture, 100% of the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities will automatically become due and payable.

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request, and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of Securities of this series at the time Outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request, and shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for sixty (60) days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity. The foregoing shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon on or after the respective due dates expressed herein.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company or Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

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All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

The Indenture and this Security shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws.

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## Exhibit 5.1

**Exhibit 5.1**

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| ![decelogosq.jpg](decelogosq.jpg) | **Dechert LLP** |
| ![decelogosq.jpg](decelogosq.jpg) | One International Place |
| ![decelogosq.jpg](decelogosq.jpg) | 40th Floor |
| ![decelogosq.jpg](decelogosq.jpg) | 100 Oliver Street |
| ![decelogosq.jpg](decelogosq.jpg) | Boston, MA 02110-2605 |
| ![decelogosq.jpg](decelogosq.jpg) | +1 617 728 7100 Main |
| ![decelogosq.jpg](decelogosq.jpg) | +1 617 426 6567 Fax |
| ![decelogosq.jpg](decelogosq.jpg) |  |

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December 15, 2025

Horizon Technology Finance Corporation<br> 312 Farmington Avenue<br> Farmington, Connecticut 06032

Re: <u>Registration Statement on Form N-2</u>

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Horizon Technology Finance Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "<u>Company</u>"), in connection with the preparation and filing of a registration statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-278396) as originally filed on March 29, 2024 and declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "<u>Commission</u>") on June 20, 2024 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "<u>Securities Act</u>") (such registration statement, as amended, including the exhibits and schedules thereto, at its most recent effective date, and including any information contained in the Prospectus (as defined below) subsequently filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 or deemed to be part of such registration statement pursuant to Rule 430B of the Commission under the Securities Act and any information incorporated by reference into any of the foregoing, being referred to collectively as the "<u>Registration Statement</u>"), relating to the public offering of securities of the Company that may be offered by the Company from time to time as set forth in the prospectus, dated June 20, 2024 (the "<u>Base Prospectus</u>"), which formed a part of the Registration Statement at the time it became effective, and as may be set forth from time to time in amounts, at prices, and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to the Prospectus. This opinion letter is rendered in connection with the issuance and sale by the Company of $57,500,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Company's 7.00% Notes due 2028 (the "<u>Notes</u>"), as described in the prospectus supplement dated December 11, 2025 (the "<u>Prospectus Supplement</u>", together with the Base Prospectus, the "<u>Prospectus</u>"), filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act. All of the Notes are to be sold by the Company as described in the Registration Statement and related Prospectus. This opinion letter is being furnished to the Company in accordance with the requirements of Item 25 of Form N-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "<u>1940 Act</u>"), and we express no opinion herein as to any matter other than as to the legality of the Indenture (as defined below) and the Notes.

The Notes are to be issued pursuant to the indenture, dated as of March 23, 2012 (the "<u>Base Indenture</u>"), between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association (together with its successor, U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, the "<u>Trustee</u>"), as supplemented by the fifth supplemental indenture, dated as of December 15, 2025 (the "<u>Fifth Supplemental Indenture</u>", together with the Base Indenture, the "<u>Indenture</u>"), between the Company and the Trustee.

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| ![decelogosq.jpg](decelogosq.jpg) | <br> December 15, 2025<br> Page 2 |
| ![decelogosq.jpg](decelogosq.jpg) | <br> December 15, 2025<br> Page 2 |

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In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have examined and relied on originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records and other instruments and such agreements, certificates and receipts of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Company and others, and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for rendering the opinions set forth below, including the following documents:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) the Registration Statement;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) the Underwriting Agreement;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii) the Indenture;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iv) a specimen copy of the form of the Notes to be issued pursuant to the Indenture;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(v) the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(vi) the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(vii) a certificate of good standing with respect to the Company issued by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as of a recent date; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(viii) resolutions of the board of directors of the Company relating to, among other things, the authorization and issuance of the Notes.

As to the facts upon which this opinion is based, we have relied, to the extent we deem proper, upon certificates of public officials (which we have assumed remain accurate as of the date of this opinion letter) and certificates and written statements of agents, officers, directors and representatives of the Company without having independently verified such factual matters.

In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as original documents, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies, the legal capacity of natural persons who are signatories to the documents examined by us, and the legal power and authority of all persons signing on behalf of the parties to such documents (other than the Company). We have further assumed that there has been no oral modification of, or amendment or supplement (including any express or implied waiver, however arising) to, any of the agreements, documents or instruments used by us to form the basis of the opinion expressed below.

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| ![decelogosq.jpg](decelogosq.jpg) | <br> December 15, 2025<br> Page 3 |
| ![decelogosq.jpg](decelogosq.jpg) | <br> December 15, 2025<br> Page 3 |

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On the basis of the foregoing and subject to the assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth in this letter, we are of the opinion that:

1. The Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.

2. Assuming the Notes have been duly authenticated by the Trustee in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Notes constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

The opinions set forth herein are subject to the following assumptions, qualifications, limitations and exceptions being true and correct at or before the issuance of the Notes:

(i) the Indenture and the Notes have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each party thereto (other than the Company); and

(ii) the terms of the Notes as established comply with the applicable requirements of the 1940 Act.

The foregoing opinions are subject to the following qualifications:

(a) The opinions expressed herein are limited by principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) that may limit the availability of certain rights and remedies and do not reflect the effect of bankruptcy (including preferences), insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, receivership, reorganization, moratorium and other laws or decisions relating to or affecting debtors' obligations or creditors' rights generally and, as to rights of indemnification and contribution, by principles of public policy. The opinions expressed above also do not reflect the effect of laws and equitable doctrines (including requirements that the parties to agreements act reasonably and in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner, and give reasonable notice prior to exercising rights and remedies) or the effect of the exercise of discretion of the court before which any proceeding may be brought, which may limit the availability of any particular remedy but which will not, in our judgment, make the remedies available to the Underwriter under the Underwriting Agreement, taken as a whole, inadequate for the practical realization of the benefits provided for in the Underwriting Agreement, except for the economic consequence of any delay that may be imposed thereby or result therefrom, and except that we express no opinion as to the rights of the Underwriter to accelerate the due dates of any payment due under the Underwriting Agreement or the Notes or to exercise other remedies available to them on the happening of a non-material breach of any such document or agreement.

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| ![decelogosq.jpg](decelogosq.jpg) | <br> December 15, 2025<br> Page 4 |
| ![decelogosq.jpg](decelogosq.jpg) | <br> December 15, 2025<br> Page 4 |

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(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, we express no opinion with respect to: (1) the availability of specific performance or other equitable remedies for noncompliance with any of the provisions contained in the Underwriting Agreement; (2) the enforceability of provisions contained in the Underwriting Agreement relating to the effect of laws which may be enacted in the future; (3) the enforceability of provisions in the Underwriting Agreement purporting to waive the effect of applicable laws to the extent such waivers are prohibited by such applicable laws; (4) the effectiveness of any power-of-attorney given under the Underwriting Agreement that is intended to bind successors and assigns that have not granted such powers by a power-of-attorney specifically executed by them; (5) provisions in the Underwriting Agreement related to waivers of remedies (or the delay or omission of enforcement thereof), disclaimers, liability limitations or limitations on the obligations of the Underwriter in circumstances in which a failure of condition or default by any party is not material; (6) the indemnification and contribution provisions of the Underwriting Agreement if and to the extent that such provisions contravene public policy or might require indemnification or payments with respect to any litigation against a party to the Underwriting Agreement determined adversely to the other party(ies) to such litigation, or any loss, cost or expense arising out of an indemnified party's bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct or any violation by an indemnified party of statutory duties, general principles of equity or public policy; (7) any self-help provisions in the Underwriting Agreement; (8) provisions in the Underwriting Agreement that purport to establish evidentiary standards; (9) provisions in the Underwriting Agreement that provide that certain rights or obligations are absolute or unconditional (other than guarantees or letter of credit reimbursement obligations); (10) provisions in the Underwriting Agreement that provide for the enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions of the Underwriting Agreement in circumstances in which certain other terms and provisions of the Underwriting Agreement are illegal or unenforceable; (11) provisions in the Underwriting Agreement that restrict access to or waive legal or equitable remedies or access to courts; (12) provisions in the Underwriting Agreement that affect or confer jurisdiction (other than on the courts of New York); (13) provisions in the Underwriting Agreement that permit the Underwriter to act in its sole discretion or to be exculpated from liability for its actions to the extent not permitted by law; (14) any provision of the Underwriting Agreement that may be construed as a forfeiture or penalty; (15) any provision of the Underwriting Agreement that purports to provide that the terms thereof may not be varied or waived except in writing or that the express terms thereof supersede any inconsistent course of performance and/or usage of the trade; or (16) the effect of the laws of any jurisdiction in which a holder of the Notes is located that limits the interest, fees or other charges it may impose for the Notes or use of money or other credit.

We are members of the bar of the State of New York, and the foregoing opinions are limited to the federal laws of the United States of America, the laws of the State of New York and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. We express no opinion concerning the laws of any other jurisdiction, and we express no opinion concerning any state securities or "blue sky" laws, rules or regulations, or any federal, state, local or foreign laws, rules or regulations.

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| ![decelogosq.jpg](decelogosq.jpg) | <br> December 15, 2025<br> Page 5 |
| ![decelogosq.jpg](decelogosq.jpg) | <br> December 15, 2025<br> Page 5 |

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This opinion letter has been prepared for the Company's use solely in connection with the Registration Statement. The opinions expressed in this opinion letter (i) are strictly limited to the matters stated in this opinion letter, and without limiting the foregoing, no other opinions are to be implied and (ii) are only as of the date of this opinion letter, and we are under no obligation, and do not undertake, to advise the addressee of this opinion letter or any other person or entity either of any change of law or fact that occurs, or of any fact that comes to our attention, after the date of this opinion letter, even though such change or such fact may affect the legal analysis or a legal conclusion in this opinion letter.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 15, 2025 and to the reference to this firm under the caption "Legal Matters" in the prospectus that forms a part of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus Supplement. In giving such consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Dechert LLP

Dechert LLP