EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 81955
Filing Year: 2025
Filename: 81955_10-K_2025_0000950170-25-035949.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Item 1. Business
Rand Capital Corporation (“Rand”, the “Corporation”, “we”, “us” and “our”) was incorporated under the laws of New York in February 1969. We completed our initial public offering in 1971 and operated as an internally managed, closed-end, management investment company from that time until November 2019.
In November 2019, Rand completed a stock sale transaction (the “Closing”) with East Asset Management (“East”). The transaction consisted of a $25 million investment in Rand by East, in the form of cash and contributed portfolio assets, in exchange for approximately 8.3 million shares of Rand common stock. East owns approximately 64% of Rand Capital’s outstanding common stock at December 31, 2024. Concurrent with the Closing, Rand Capital Management, LLC (“RCM”), a registered investment adviser, was retained by Rand as its external investment adviser and administrator (the Closing and the retention of RCM as our investment adviser and administrator are collectively referred to herein as the “Transaction”). The term of the investment advisory and management agreement (the “Investment Management Agreement”) with RCM was extended after its renewal was approved by our Board of Directors (the “Board”) in October 2024 and is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2025. In addition, the term of the administration agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) with RCM was extended after its renewal was approved by the Board in October 2024 and is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2025. The Investment Management Agreement and Administration Agreement can continue for successive annual periods after December 31, 2025 provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i)(A) the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board or (B) the affirmative vote of a majority of our outstanding voting securities, and (ii) the affirmative vote of a majority of our directors who are not “interested persons,” as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), of us, RCM or our respective affiliates. Pursuant to the terms of the Investment Management Agreement, Rand pays RCM a base management fee and may pay an incentive fee, if specified benchmarks are met.
In connection with the Closing, we also entered into a shareholder agreement by and between Rand and East (the “Shareholder Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Shareholder Agreement, East has the right to designate two or three persons, depending upon the size of the Board, for nomination for election to the Board. East has the right to designate (i) up to two persons if the size of the Board is composed of fewer than seven directors or (ii) up to three persons if the size of the Board is composed of seven or more directors. East’s right to designate persons for nomination for election to the Board under the Shareholder Agreement is the exclusive means by which East may designate or nominate persons for election to the Board. The Board currently consists of five directors, and Adam S. Gusky and Benjamin E. Godley are East's designees on the Board.
We are an externally managed, closed-end, non-diversified management investment company. We have elected to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the 1940 Act. As a BDC, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements specified in the 1940 Act. For instance, we generally have to invest at least 70% of our total assets in “qualifying assets” and provide managerial assistance to the portfolio companies in which we invest. See “Item 1. Business - Regulations.”
In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, (“Annual Report”), unless the context otherwise requires, “Rand”, the “Corporation”, “we”, “us”, and “our” refer to Rand Capital Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries.
In connection with the completion of the Transaction, we have shifted to an investment strategy focused on higher yielding debt investments and elected U.S. Federal tax treatment as a regulated investment company (“RIC”).
Rand's Board of Directors (the "Board") declared the following dividends during the year ended December 31, 2024:
Quarter
Dividend/Share
Amount
Record Date
Payment Date
1st
$
0.25
March 13, 2024
March 29, 2024
2nd
$
0.29
May 31, 2024
June 14, 2024
3rd
$
0.29
August 30, 2024
September 13, 2024
4th
$
4.20
December 16, 2024
January 24, 2025
On December 5, 2024, the Board declared a dividend of $4.20 per share. The dividend was paid in the aggregate combination of 20% in cash and 80% in newly issued shares of our common stock on January 24, 2025 to shareholders of record as of December 16, 2024.
The Board declared the following cash dividends during the year ended December 31, 2023:
Quarter
Dividend/Share
Amount
Record Date
Payment Date
1st
$
0.20
March 13, 2023
March 27, 2023
2nd
$
0.25
May 31, 2023
June 14, 2023
3rd
$
0.25
August 31, 2023
September 14, 2023
4th
$
0.25
December 18, 2023
December 29, 2023
4th
$
0.38
December 18, 2023
December 29, 2023
In order to continue to qualify as a RIC, Rand holds several of its equity investments in wholly-owned subsidiaries that facilitate a tax structure that is advantageous to the RIC election. Rand has the following wholly-owned blocker subsidiaries in place at December 31, 2024: Rand BMP Swanson Holdings Corp., Rand Carolina Skiff Holdings Corp., Rand DSD Holdings Corp., Rand Filterworks Holdings Corp., Rand FSS Holdings Corp., Rand INEA Holdings Corp., and Rand ITA Holdings Corp. (collectively the “Blocker Corps”). These subsidiaries are consolidated using United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for financial reporting purposes.
On October 7, 2020, Rand, RCM and certain of their affiliates received an exemptive order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to permit Rand to co-invest in portfolio companies with certain affiliates, including other BDCs and registered investment companies managed by RCM and certain of its affiliates in a manner consistent with Rand’s investment objective, policies, strategies and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements, subject to compliance with certain conditions (the “Order”). On March 29, 2021, the SEC granted Rand, Callodine Group, LLC (“Callodine”), which holds a controlling interest in RCM, and certain of their affiliates a new exemptive order (the “New Order”) that superseded the Order and permits Rand to co-invest with affiliates managed by RCM and Callodine. Callodine is a yield focused asset management platform. Pursuant to the New Order, Rand is generally permitted to co-invest with affiliates covered by the New Order if a “required majority” (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of Rand’s independent directors make certain conclusions in connection with a co-investment transaction, including that (1) the terms of the transaction, including the consideration to be paid, are reasonable and fair to Rand and its shareholders and do not involve overreaching in respect of Rand or its shareholders on the part of any person concerned, (2) the transaction is consistent with the interests of Rand’s shareholders and is consistent with Rand’s investment objective and strategies and (3) the investment by Rand’s affiliates would not disadvantage Rand, and Rand’s participation would not be on a basis different from or less advantageous than that on which Rand’s affiliates are investing. In addition, on September 6, 2022, the SEC granted an amendment to the New Order to permit Rand to participate in follow-on investments in our existing portfolio companies with certain Affiliated Funds (as defined in the New Order) that do not hold any investments in such existing portfolio companies.
Our corporate office is located in Buffalo, NY and our website address is www.randcapital.com. We make available on our website our annual and quarterly reports, proxy statements and other information as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is filed with the SEC. Our shares are traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “RAND.”
Our Investment Objectives and Strategy
Our investment activities are managed by our external investment adviser, RCM. Our investment objective is to generate current income and, when possible, complement this current income with capital appreciation. As a result, the investments made by Rand during 2024 were, and the investments to be made by Rand in the future are expected to be, made primarily in higher yielding debt instruments.
We expect to invest in privately held, lower middle market companies with committed and experienced management in a broad variety of industries. We seek to invest in businesses that have sustainable, differentiated and market-proven products and have revenue of greater than $10 million and EBITDA in excess of $1.5 million. We primarily provide funding to companies that need growth or expansion capital or are looking to finance an ownership transition. We typically are a minority investor and work with other lenders, investment partners and sponsors to source and fund investment opportunities.
Going forward, our initial investment in any one portfolio company is expected to be in the range of $2 million to $4 million. The debt instruments we invest in are not expected to be rated by any rating agency and, if they were, would be expected to be below investment grade. Because of the higher risk nature of our investments, we seek board observation or information rights and may require a board seat.
The maximum size of our investment in any single portfolio company and the diversification of our overall portfolio is subject to compliance with SEC and IRS regulation requirements.
We may engage in various investment strategies to achieve our investment objectives based on the types of opportunities we discover and the competitive landscape. We expect to focus on current cash yields in order to achieve our income producing goals.
Our Investment Process
The investment process is comprised of the sourcing and qualifying of investment opportunities, evaluating and negotiating the investment instrument and documentation, due diligence of the business plan, operations and prospects of the prospective investee and follow through investment monitoring, follow on investments and portfolio management.
RCM’s investment team identifies investment opportunities through a network of investment referral relationships. Investment proposals may come to RCM or us from other sources, including unsolicited proposals from companies and referrals from accountants, bankers, lawyers and other members of the financial community. We believe that RCM’s and our reputation and experience in the investment community provide a competitive advantage in originating quality investments.
In a typical private financing, a member of RCM’s investment committee (the “Investment Committee”) will review and analyze through due diligence, the business plan and operations of the potential portfolio company. Additionally, the Investment Committee will familiarize themselves with the portfolio company’s industry and competitive landscape and may conduct reference checks with its customers and suppliers. RCM’s Investment Committee will then review the transaction and, if approved, the transaction will be funded by Rand.
Following our initial investment, we may make follow-on investments to take advantage of warrants or other preferential rights granted to us to increase or maintain our position in a promising portfolio company or provide additional funds to allow a portfolio company to fully implement its business plans, develop a new line of business or recover from unexpected business problems. Follow-on investments in a portfolio company are evaluated on an individual basis by RCM’s Investment Committee.
Disposition of Investments
We may exit investments upon the maturity of a debt security or when a liquidity event takes place, such as the sale, recapitalization, or initial public offering of a portfolio company. The method and timing of the disposition of our portfolio investments can be critical to the realization of maximum total return. We generally expect to dispose of our equity securities through private sales of securities to other investors or through the sale or merger of the portfolio company. We anticipate the principal amount of our debt investments will be repaid with interest and we may realize further appreciation from warrants or other equity type instruments received in connection with an investment.
Current Portfolio Companies
For a description of our current portfolio company investments, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Composition of the Investment Portfolio.”
Competition
We compete for quality investments with other venture capital firms, individual investors, business development companies, and investment funds (including private equity funds and mezzanine funds). We believe we are able to compete with these entities primarily on the basis of RCM’s and our referral network, RCM’s and our investing reputation and experience, RCM’s responsive, quick, and efficient investment analysis and decision-making process, the size of our initial investment, and the investment terms we offer. For information concerning the competitive risks we face, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”
Employees
We do not have any employees. Our operations are managed by RCM, our investment adviser and administrator.
Daniel Penberthy serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Rand and Margaret Brechtel serves as Executive Vice President, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of Rand. Daniel Penberthy and Margaret Brechtel also serve as officers of RCM, our investment adviser and administrator.
We reimburse our administrator, RCM, for the allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by it in performing its obligations, on behalf of Rand, under the Administration Agreement. For a more detailed discussion of the administration agreement with RCM, see “Administration Agreement” below.
Investment Advisory and Management Agreement
RCM serves as our investment adviser (the “Adviser”) under the terms of the Investment Management Agreement. The Adviser is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Adviser manages the investment and reinvestment of our assets and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing:
(i)determines the composition of Rand’s portfolio, the nature and timing of the changes therein and the manner of implementing such changes;
(ii)identifies, evaluates and negotiates the structure of the investments;
(iii)executes, closes, services and monitors the investments;
(iv)determines the securities and other assets that we will purchase, retain or sell;
(v)performs due diligence on prospective portfolio companies and investments;
(vi)provides us with other investment advisory, research and related services that may, from time to time, be required for the investment of our assets; and
(vii)assists us in the valuation process for our portfolio investments.
The Adviser’s services under the Investment Management Agreement are not exclusive, and it does furnish similar services to other entities and funds. In addition, subject to compliance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Adviser is authorized to enter into one or more sub-advisory agreements with other investment advisors (each a “Sub-Advisor”), including for purposes of recommending specific securities or other investments based upon our investment objectives and policies, and working, along with the Adviser, in structuring, negotiating, arranging or effecting the acquisition or disposition of our investments and monitoring our investments. Under the terms of the Investment Management Agreement, the Adviser, and not us, will be responsible for any compensation payable to any Sub-Advisor. For calendar year 2024, RCM did not use any Sub-Advisors with respect to the investment advice provided to Rand.
About the Investment Process of the Adviser
The Adviser’s principal investment portfolio managers are Daniel Penberthy and Scott Barfield, who collectively manage the Adviser on a day-to-day basis. All decisions to acquire or dispose of assets on our behalf are made by the Adviser’s Investment Committee. Each decision must be approved by a majority vote of the Investment Committee members.
We believe that the Investment Committee during 2024 had significant and substantial experience making and managing investments in debt and equity instruments that are consistent with our investment objectives and strategies across market cycles and industries. We believe that the experience and investing acumen of RCM’s Investment Committee provides us with a competitive advantage in identifying, originating, investing in and managing a portfolio of investments in lower middle-market companies.
All potential investment opportunities undergo an initial informal review by members of the Investment Committee and each potential investment opportunity that is determined to have merit is then presented and evaluated at Investment Committee meetings in which the members of the Investment Committee discuss the qualities and risks of that potential investment opportunity and the pricing and structure for the investment.
Fees Paid to Adviser
Under the Investment Management Agreement, we pay the Adviser, as compensation for the investment advisory and management services, fees consisting of two components: (i) the Base Management Fee; and (ii) the Incentive Fees.
Base Management Fee
The “Base Management Fee” is an annual rate of 1.50% of our total assets (other than cash but including assets purchased with borrowed funds), determined according to procedures duly adopted by the Board and is determined based on the average value of our total assets (other than cash but including assets purchased with borrowed funds) at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters.
Incentive Fees
The “Incentive Fees” are comprised of two parts: (1) the Income Based Fee and (2) the Capital Gains Fee.
Income Based Fee
The “Income Based Fee” is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears based on the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for the immediately preceding calendar quarter and is payable promptly following the filing of our financial statements for such quarter.
Under the Investment Management Agreement, “Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income” is defined as interest income, dividend income and any other income (including any other fees (other than fees for providing managerial assistance), such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees we receive from portfolio companies) we accrue during the relevant calendar quarter, minus the operating expenses for such calendar quarter (including the Base Management Fee, expenses payable under the Administration Agreement, and any interest expense and dividends paid on any issued and outstanding preferred stock, but excluding any portion of Incentive Fee).
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income includes any accretion of original issue discount, market discount, payment-in-kind interest, payment-in-kind dividends or other types of deferred or accrued income, including in connection with zero coupon securities, that we have recognized in accordance with GAAP, but have not yet received in cash (collectively, “Accrued Unpaid Income”). Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not include any realized capital gains, realized and unrealized capital losses, or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation.
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, expressed as a rate of return on the value of our net assets (defined as total assets less indebtedness) at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter, is compared to a “hurdle rate”, expressed as a rate of return on the value of our net assets at the end of the most recently completed calendar quarter, of 1.75% per quarter (7% annualized). We pay the Adviser an Incentive Fee with respect to our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income in each calendar quarter as follows:
(i)no Income Based Fee in any quarter in which the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for such quarter does not exceed the hurdle rate of 1.75% (7.00% annualized);
(ii)100% of the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for any calendar quarter with respect to that portion of the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for such calendar quarter, if any, that exceeds the hurdle rate of 1.75% (7.00% annualized) but is less than 2.1875% (8.75% annualized); and
(iii)20% of the amount of the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for any calendar quarter with respect to that portion of the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for such calendar quarter, if any, that exceeds 2.1875% (8.75% annualized).
However, the Income Based Fee paid to the Adviser shall not be in excess of the Incentive Fee Cap. The “Incentive Fee Cap” for any quarter is an amount equal to (1) 20.0% of the Cumulative Net Return (as defined below) during the relevant Income Based Fee Calculation Period (as defined below) minus (2) the aggregate Income Based Fee that was paid in respect of the calendar quarters included in the relevant Income Based Fee Calculation Period.
For purposes of the calculation of the Income Based Fee, “Income Based Fee Calculation Period” is defined as, with reference to a calendar quarter, the period of time consisting of such calendar quarter and the additional quarters that comprise the eleven calendar quarters immediately preceding such calendar quarter.
For purposes of the calculation of the Income Based Fee, “Cumulative Net Return” is defined as (1) the aggregate net investment income in respect of the relevant Income Based Fee Calculation Period minus (2) any Net Capital Loss, if any, in respect of the relevant Income Based Fee Calculation Period. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap is zero or a negative value, we pay no Income Based Fee to the Adviser for such quarter. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter is a positive value but is less than the Income Based Fee that is payable to the Adviser for such quarter (before giving effect to the Incentive Fee Cap) calculated as described above, we pay an Income Based Fee to the Adviser equal to the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter is equal to or greater than the Income Based Fee that is payable to the Adviser for such quarter (before giving effect to the Incentive Fee Cap) calculated as described above, we pay an Income Based Fee to the Adviser equal to the Income Based Fee calculated as described above for such quarter without regard to the Incentive Fee Cap.
For purposes of the calculation of the Income Based Fee, “Net Capital Loss,” in respect of a particular period, means the difference, if positive, between (1) aggregate capital losses, whether realized or unrealized, in such period minus (2) aggregate capital gains, whether realized or unrealized, in such period.	
Any Income Based Fee otherwise payable under the Investment Management Agreement with respect to Accrued Unpaid Income (as described below) (such fees being the “Accrued Unpaid Income Based Fees”) shall be deferred, on a security by security
basis, and shall become payable to RCM only if, as, when and to the extent cash is received in respect of any Accrued Unpaid Income. Any Accrued Unpaid Income that is subsequently reversed in connection with a write-down, write-off, impairment or similar treatment of the investment giving rise to such Accrued Unpaid Income will, in the applicable period of reversal, (1) reduce Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income and (2) reduce the amount of Accrued Unpaid Income Based Fees. For purposes of the Investment Management Agreement, Accrued Unpaid Income is defined as any net investment income that consists of any accretion of original issue discount, market discount, payment-in-kind interest, payment-in-kind dividends or other types of deferred or accrued income, including in connection with zero coupon securities, that the Corporation has recognized in accordance with GAAP, but has not yet received in cash. Subsequent payments of Accrued Unpaid Income Based Fees that are deferred as provided for in the Investment Management Agreement shall not reduce the amounts otherwise payable for any quarter as an Income Based Fee.
Capital Gains Fee
The “Capital Gains Fee” is determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year (or upon termination of the Investment Management Agreement). Under the terms of the Investment Management Agreement, the Capital Gains Fee is calculated at the end of each applicable year by subtracting (1) the sum of our cumulative aggregate realized capital losses and aggregate unrealized capital depreciation from (2) our cumulative aggregate realized capital gains, in each case calculated from the effective date of the Prior Investment Management Agreement. If this amount is positive at the end of any calendar year, then the Capital Gains Fee for such year is equal to 20% of such amount, less the cumulative aggregate amount of Capital Gains Fees paid in all prior years. If such amount is negative, then there is no Capital Gains Fee payable for that calendar year. If the Investment Management Agreement is terminated as of a date that is not a calendar year end, the termination date shall be treated as though it were a calendar year end for purposes of calculating and paying the Capital Gains Fee.
For purposes of the Capital Gains Fee:
•The cumulative aggregate realized capital gains are calculated as the sum of the differences, if positive, between (a) the net sales price of each investment in our portfolio when sold and (b) the accreted or amortized cost basis of such investment.
•The cumulative aggregate realized capital losses are calculated as the sum of the amounts by which (a) the net sales price of each investment in our portfolio when sold is less than (b) the accreted or amortized cost basis of such investment.
•The aggregate unrealized capital depreciation is calculated as the sum of the differences, if negative, between (a) the valuation of each investment in our portfolio as of the applicable Capital Gains Fee calculation date minus (b) the accreted or amortized cost basis of such investment.
The accreted or amortized cost basis of an investment shall mean, with respect to an investment owned by us as of the effective date of the Prior Investment Management Agreement, the fair value of that investment as set forth in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2019, as filed with the SEC on November 7, 2019, and, with respect to an investment acquired by us subsequent to the effective date of the Prior Investment Management Agreement or the Investment Management Agreement, the accreted or amortized cost basis of such investment as reflected in our financial statements.
Example 1: Income Based Fee Calculations: *
Alternative 1
Assumptions:
Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 1.25%
Hurdle rate(1) = 1.75%
Base Management Fee(2) = 0.375%
Other expenses (legal, accounting, transfer agent, etc.) = 0.20%
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income (investment income - (Base Management Fee + other expenses)) = 0.675%
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not exceed the hurdle rate, therefore there is no Income Based Fee payable for the calendar quarter.
Alternative 2
Assumptions:
Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 2.70%
Hurdle rate(1) = 1.75%
Base Management Fee(2) = 0.375%
Other expenses (legal, accounting, transfer agent, etc.) = 0.20%
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income (investment income - (Base Management Fee + other expenses)) = 2.125%
Income Based Fee (subject to “catch up”)(3) = 100.00% × (2.125% - 1.75%) = 0.375%
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income exceeds the hurdle rate, but does not fully satisfy the “catch-up” provision, therefore the Income Based Fee payable for the calendar quarter is 0.375%.
Alternative 3
Assumptions:
Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 3.50%
Hurdle rate(1) = 1.75%
Base Management Fee(2) = 0.375%
Other expenses (legal, accounting, transfer agent, etc.) = 0.20%
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income (investment income - (Base Management Fee + other expenses)) = 2.925%
Income Based Fee (subject to “catch up”)(3) = 100.00% × “catch-up” + (20.00% × (Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income above 2.1875%))
Catch-up = 2.1875% - 1.75% = 0.4375%
Income Based Fee = (100.00% × .4375%) + (20.00% × (2.925% - 2.1875%))
= 0.4375% + (20.00% × 0.7375%)
= 0.4375% + 0.1475%
= 0.585%
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income exceeds the hurdle rate, and fully satisfies the “catch-up” provision, therefore the Income Based Fee payable for the calendar quarter is 0.585%.
* For ease of review, (i) the hypothetical amounts of Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, investment income, Base Management Fee, other expenses, and Income Based Fee are each expressed as a percentage of total assets, though as described in greater detail above, each of these amounts are calculated as a numerical dollar amount as set forth in the Investment Management Agreement, (ii) the hypothetical amount of the Base Management Fee is assumed to be consistent from quarter to quarter, and (iii) these examples each assume that the Incentive Fee Cap is not yet in effect.
(1)Represents 7.00% annualized hurdle rate.
(2)Represents 1.50% annualized Base Management Fee.
(3)The “catch-up” provision is intended to provide the Adviser with an Income Based Fee of 20.00% on all Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income as if a hurdle rate did not apply when Rand’s Pre-Incentive Net Investment Income exceeds 1.75% in any calendar quarter.
Example 2: Capital Gains Fee Calculations:
Alternative 1
Assumptions:
Year 1:	$20.0 million investment made in Company A (“Investment A”), and $30.0 million investment made in Company B (“Investment B”)
Year 2:	Investment A sold for $50.0 million and fair market value (“FMV”) of Investment B determined to be $32.0 million
Year 3:	FMV of Investment B determined to be $25.0 million
Year 4:	Investment B sold for $31.0 million
The Capital Gains Fees, if any, would be calculated as follows:
Year 1:	None
Year 2:	Capital Gains Fee of $6.0 million - ($30.0 million realized capital gains on sale of Investment A multiplied by 20.0%)
Year 3:	None - $5.0 million (20.0% multiplied by ($30.0 million cumulative capital gains less $5.0 million cumulative capital depreciation)) less $6.0 million (previous Capital Gains Fee paid in Year 2)
Year 4:	Capital Gains Fee of $0.2 million - $6.2 million ($31.0 million cumulative realized capital gains multiplied by 20.0%) less $6.0 million (Capital Gains Fee taken in Year 2)
Alternative 2
Assumptions:
Year 1:	$20.0 million investment made in Company A (“Investment A”), $30.0 million investment made in Company B (“Investment B”) and $25.0 million investment made in Company C (“Investment C”)
Year 2: 	Investment A sold for $50.0 million, FMV of Investment B determined to be $25.0 million and FMV of Investment C determined to be $25.0 million
Year 3: 	FMV of Investment B determined to be $27.0 million and Investment C sold for $30.0 million
Year 4:	FMV of Investment B determined to be $35.0 million
Year 5: 	Investment B sold for $20.0 million
The Capital Gains Fees, if any, would be calculated as follows:
Year 1:	None
Year 2:	$5.0 million Capital Gains Fee - 20.0% multiplied by $25.0 million ($30.0 million realized capital gains on Investment A less $5.0 million unrealized capital depreciation on Investment B)
Year 3:	$1.4 million Capital Gains Fee - $6.4 million (20.0% multiplied by $32.0 million ($35.0 million cumulative realized capital gains less $3.0 million unrealized capital depreciation)) less $5.0 million Capital Gains Fee received in Year 2
Year 4:	$0.6 million Capital Gains Fee - $7.0 million (20.0% multiplied by $35.0 million cumulative realized capital gains) less cumulative $6.4 million Capital Gains Fee received in Year 2 and Year 3
Year 5:	None - $5.0 million (20.0% multiplied by $25.0 million (cumulative realized capital gains of $35.0 million less realized capital losses of $10.0 million)) less $7.0 million cumulative Capital Gains Fee paid in Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4
Payment of Expenses
Under the terms of Investment Management Agreement, all investment professionals of the Adviser and its staff, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory services to us, and the compensation of such personnel and the general office and facilities and overhead expenses incurred by the Adviser in maintaining its place of business allocable to these services, are provided, and paid for by the Adviser and not by us. We will bear all other costs and expenses of its operations and transactions, related to the Corporation, including those relating to:
(i)organization;
(ii)calculating our net asset value (including the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firm);
(iii)expenses incurred by the Adviser payable to third parties, including agents, consultants or other advisors, in monitoring financial and legal affairs and in monitoring our investments and performing due diligence on prospective portfolio companies;
(iv)interest payable on debt, if any, incurred to finance our investments;
(v)offerings of our common stock and other securities;
(vi)investment advisory and management fees payable under the Investment Management Agreement, but excluding any fees payable to any Sub-Adviser;
(vii)administration fees payable under the Administration Agreement;
(viii)transfer agent and custodial fees;
(ix)federal and state registration fees;
(x)all costs of registration and listing our shares on any securities exchange;
(xi)federal, state and local taxes;
(xii)directors’ fees and expenses;
(xiii)costs of preparing and filing reports or other documents required by governmental bodies (including the SEC);
(xiv)costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to shareholders, including printing costs;
(xv)our allocable portion of the fidelity bond, directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance, and any other insurance premiums;
(xvi)direct costs and expenses of administration, including independent auditors and outside legal costs; and
(xvii)all other expenses incurred by us or the Adviser in connection with administering our business (including payments under the Administration Agreement based upon our allocable portion of the Adviser’s overhead in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent and the allocable portion of the cost of our chief financial officer and chief compliance officer and their respective staffs (including travel expenses)).
Indemnification under the Investment Management Agreement
The Investment Management Agreement provides that, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of its duties and obligations, the Adviser, its members and their respective officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person affiliated with any of them (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”), are entitled to indemnification from us for any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) incurred by the Indemnified Parties in or by reason of any pending, threatened or completed action, suit, investigation or other proceeding (including an action or suit by or in the right of us or our security holders) arising out of or otherwise based upon the performance of any of the Adviser’s duties or obligations under the Investment Management Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser.
Duration and Termination
The Investment Management Agreement was executed on December 31, 2020 and had an initial term of two years after this date. Our Board approved the Investment Management Agreement on October 29, 2020 and it was approved by our shareholders at the Special Meeting held on December 16, 2020. Thereafter, the Investment Management Agreement will continue to renew for successive annual periods so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by:
(i)the vote of our Board, or by the vote of shareholders holding a majority of the outstanding voting securities of Rand; and
(ii)the vote of a majority of our independent directors, in either case, in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act.
On October 23, 2024, our Board, including all four independent directors, approved the renewal of the Investment Management Agreement for a period of twelve months commencing December 31, 2024 and ending on December 31, 2025.
The Investment Management Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, upon sixty days’ written notice, by: (a) vote of a majority of the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of Rand (as defined in the 1940 Act); or (b) the Adviser. Furthermore, the Investment Management Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment” (as such term is defined for purposes of Section 15(a)(4) of the 1940 Act). See Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors - Our investment adviser and administrator, RCM, has the right to resign on sixty days’ notice, and we may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, resulting in a disruption in our operations that could adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.”
Notwithstanding the termination or expiration of the Investment Management Agreement, the Adviser will be entitled to any amounts owed as payment of the Base Management Fees and the Incentive Fees through the date of termination or expiration.
Administration Agreement
In connection with the Closing, we entered into an administration agreement (the "Prior Administration Agreement) with the Adviser, and on December 31, 2020, concurrent with the execution of the Investment Management Agreement, we entered into the Administration Agreement with the Adviser. Under the terms of the Administration Agreement, the Adviser agreed to perform (or oversee, or arrange for, the performance of) the administrative services necessary for our operations, including, but not limited to, office facilities, equipment, clerical, bookkeeping, finance, accounting, compliance and record keeping services at such office facilities and such other services as the Adviser, subject to review by the Board, will from time to time determine to be necessary or useful to perform its obligations under the Administration Agreement. The Adviser also, on our behalf, arranges for the services of, and oversees, custodians, depositories, transfer agents, dividend disbursing agents, other shareholder servicing agents, accountants, attorneys, underwriters, brokers and dealers, corporate fiduciaries, insurers, banks, and such other persons in any such other capacity deemed to be necessary or desirable. The Adviser makes reports to our Board regarding the performance of its obligations under the Administration Agreement and furnishes advice and recommendations with respect to such other aspects of our business and affairs as it determines to be desirable.
The Adviser is responsible for our financial and other records that are required to be maintained and prepares all reports and other materials required to be filed with the SEC or any other regulatory authority, including reports to shareholders. In addition, the Adviser assists us in determining and publishing our Net Asset Value (“NAV”), overseeing the preparation and filing of our tax returns, and the preparation and dissemination of reports to shareholders, and generally overseeing the payment of our expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to us by others. The Adviser provides, on our behalf, significant managerial assistance to those portfolio companies to which we are required to provide such assistance.
In full consideration of the provision of the services of the Adviser, we reimburse the Adviser for the costs and expenses incurred by the Adviser in performing its obligations and providing personnel and facilities. Costs and expenses to be paid by us include those relating to: organization; calculating NAV (including the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firm); expenses incurred by the Adviser payable to third parties, including agents, consultants or other advisors, in monitoring our financial and legal affairs and in monitoring our investments and performing due diligence on its prospective portfolio companies; interest payable on debt, if any, incurred to finance our investments; offerings of our common stock and other securities; investment advisory and management fees (other than fees (if any) payable to a sub-advisor retained by the Adviser under the Investment Management Agreement); administration fees; transfer agent and custodial fees; federal and state registration fees; all costs of registration and listing of our common stock on any securities exchange; federal, state, local and other taxes; directors’ fees and expenses; costs of preparing and filing reports or other documents required by governmental bodies (including the SEC); costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to shareholders, including printing costs; our allocable portion of the fidelity bond, directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance, and any other insurance premiums; direct costs and expenses of administration, including independent auditors and outside legal costs; and all other expenses incurred by us or the Adviser in connection with administering our business, including payments under the Administration Agreement based upon our allocable portion of the Adviser’s overhead in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, and our allocable portion of the cost of the chief financial officer and chief compliance officer and their respective staffs (including travel expenses).
The Administration Agreement was executed on December 31, 2020, the same date as the Investment Management Agreement, and had an initial term of two years after that date, and thereafter will continue for successive annual periods so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board, including a majority of the independent directors. On October 23, 2024, our Board, including all four independent directors, approved the renewal of the Administration Agreement for a period of twelve months commencing December 31, 2024 and ending on December 31, 2025. The Administration Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of our directors, or by the Adviser, upon 60 days’ written notice to the other party. The Administration Agreement may not be assigned by a party without the consent of the other party.
Regulations
The following discussion is a general summary of the material laws and regulations governing BDCs. It does not purport to be a complete description of all of the laws and regulations affecting BDCs.
We have elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. Although the 1940 Act exempts a BDC from registration under the 1940 Act as a registered investment company, the 1940 Act contains significant limitations on the operations of BDCs. Among other things, the 1940 Act contains prohibitions and restrictions relating to transactions between a BDC and its affiliates, principal underwriters and affiliates of its affiliates or underwriters. The 1940 Act also prohibits a BDC from changing the nature of its business so as to cease to be, or to withdraw its election as, a BDC unless so authorized by a vote of the holders of a majority of its outstanding voting securities. BDCs are not required to maintain fundamental investment policies relating to diversification and concentration of investments within a single industry. More specifically, in order to qualify as a BDC, a company must:
(1)be a domestic company;
(2)have registered a class of its equity securities or have filed a registration statement with the SEC pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”); 	
(3)operate for the purpose of investing in the securities of certain types of companies, namely immature or emerging companies and businesses suffering or just recovering from financial distress. Generally, a BDC must be primarily engaged in the business of furnishing capital and providing managerial expertise to companies that do not have ready access to capital through conventional financial channels. Such companies are termed “eligible portfolio companies;”
(4)extend significant managerial assistance to such portfolio companies; and
(5)have a majority of “disinterested” directors (as defined in the 1940 Act).
As a BDC, we are required under the 1940 Act, with certain limited exceptions, to meet an asset coverage ratio computed as the value of the Corporation’s total assets (less total liabilities other than senior securities) to total senior securities, which includes all
of our borrowings and any preferred stock we may issue in the future, in order to incur borrowings and issue debt securities. In addition, while any senior securities remain outstanding, we must make provisions to prohibit any distribution to our shareholders or the repurchase of such securities or shares unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratios at the time of the distribution or repurchase.
On January 24, 2024, the Board, including a “required majority” (as such term is defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of the Board, approved the modified asset coverage requirements set forth in Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act. As a result, our asset coverage requirement under the 1940 Act for senior securities was changed from 200% to 150%, effective January 24, 2025. We monitor our compliance with this coverage ratio on a regular basis.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, our asset coverage ratio, as computed in accordance with the 1940 Act, was 10,988.8% and 474.2%, respectively.
Qualifying Assets
Under the 1940 Act, a BDC may not acquire any asset other than assets of the type listed in Section 55(a) of the 1940 Act, which are referred to as qualifying assets, unless, at the time the acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of their total assets. Generally, an eligible portfolio company includes (i) a private domestic operating company, (ii) a public domestic operating company whose securities are not listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market or another national securities exchange or (iii) a public domestic operating company whose securities are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market or another national securities exchange so long as the aggregate market value for the voting and non-voting outstanding common equity of such company is less than $250.0 million. In addition, any small business investment company that is licensed by the SBA and is a wholly owned subsidiary of a BDC is an eligible portfolio company.
Qualifying assets include:
(1)securities of companies that were eligible portfolio companies at the time the BDC acquired their securities;
(2)securities of bankrupt or insolvent companies that were eligible at the time of the BDC’s initial acquisition of their securities but are no longer eligible, provided that the BDC has maintained a substantial portion of its initial investment in those companies;
(3)securities received in exchange for or distributed on or with respect to any of the foregoing; and
(4)cash items, government securities and high-quality short-term debt.
The 1940 Act also places restrictions on the nature of the transactions in which, and the persons from whom, securities can be purchased in order for the securities to be considered qualifying assets.
A BDC is permitted to invest in the securities of public companies and other investments that are not qualifying assets, but those non-qualifying investments may not exceed 30% of the BDC’s total asset value at the time of the investment. At December 31, 2024, we believe we were in compliance with this rule.
Managerial Assistance to Portfolio Companies
In order to count portfolio securities as qualifying assets for purposes of the 70% test discussed above, a BDC must either control the issuer of the securities or must offer to make available significant managerial assistance; except that, where the BDC purchases the securities in conjunction with one or more other persons acting together, one of the other persons in the group may make available such managerial assistance. Making available significant managerial assistance means, among other things, any arrangement whereby the BDC, through its directors, officers or external adviser, offers to provide and, if accepted, does so provide, significant guidance and counsel concerning the management, operations or business objectives and policies of a portfolio company through monitoring of portfolio company operations, selective participation in board and management meetings, consulting with and advising a portfolio company’s officers or other organizational or financial guidance.
Taxation as a Regulated Investment Company
The Corporation elected U.S. federal tax treatment as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) as of January 1, 2020 under subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), on our U.S. Federal tax return for the 2020 tax year. In order to qualify to make the RIC election, we, among other things, distributed our previously undistributed “accumulated earnings and profits” to shareholders, through the special dividend paid to shareholders in May 2020. RIC qualifications also require meeting specified source-of-income and asset-diversification requirements. In addition, in order to maintain our RIC status, we must distribute
to our shareholders, with respect of each taxable year, dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount generally at least equal to 90% of our “investment company taxable income,” which is generally equal to the sum of our net ordinary income plus the excess of our realized net short-term capital gains over our realized net long-term capital losses, determined without regard to any deduction for distributions paid (the “Annual Distribution Requirement”). As a RIC, we generally will not have to pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that we distribute to our shareholders. Even if we qualify as a RIC, we generally will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax on our undistributed taxable income and could be subject to U.S. federal excise, state, local and foreign taxes. Additionally, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the regular corporate rates on any income earned on certain investments that need to remain in a taxable subsidiary in order to maintain RIC status.
We will be subject to a 4% nondeductible U.S. federal excise tax on certain undistributed income unless we distribute in a timely manner an amount at least equal to the sum of:
(1)98% of our ordinary income for each calendar year;
(2)98.2% of our capital gain net income for the one-year period ending October 31 in that calendar year; and
(3)any income recognized, but not distributed, in preceding years and on which we paid no U.S. federal income tax.
In order to maintain qualification as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes going forward, we must, among other things:
(1)meet the Annual Distribution Requirement;
(2)qualify to be regulated as a BDC or be registered as a management investment company under the 1940 Act;
(3)derive in each taxable year at least 90% of gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or other securities or currencies or other income derived with respect to the business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly-traded partnership” (as defined in the Code); and
(4)diversify our holdings so that at the end of each quarter of the taxable year:
(a)at least 50% of the value of our assets consists of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. Government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities if such other securities of any one issuer do not represent more than 5% of the value of our assets or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer (which for these purposes includes the equity securities of a “qualified publicly-traded partnership”); and
(b)no more than 25% of the value of our assets is invested in the securities, other than U.S. Government securities or securities of other RICs, (i) of one issuer, (ii) of two or more issuers that are controlled, as determined under applicable tax rules, by us and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or (iii) of one or more “qualified publicly-traded partnerships”.
We may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which we do not receive cash. For example, if we hold debt obligations that have original issue discount (OID) or debt instruments with payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest, we must include in income, each year, a portion of this non-cash income that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether cash is received by us in that taxable year. We may also have to include in income other amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as deferred loan origination fees that are paid after origination of the loan or are paid in non-cash compensation such as warrants or stock. Because any OID income or other amounts accrued will be included in our investment company taxable income for the year of accrual, we may be required to make a distribution to our shareholders in order to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, even though we will not have received any corresponding cash.
Under the 1940 Act, we are not permitted to make distributions to our shareholders while our debt obligations and other senior securities are outstanding unless certain “asset coverage” tests are met. If we are prohibited to make distributions, we may fail to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC and become subject to tax as an ordinary corporation.
As long as we qualify for taxation as a RIC, distributions out of our earnings and profits to shareholders generally will be taxable to shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, either as ordinary income or capital gains, depending upon the nature of the income giving rise to the distribution. The tax consequences to a shareholder attributable to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of our common stock, are complex and will depend on the facts of the shareholder’s unique circumstances.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. In addition to the other information contained in this Annual Report, including the financial statements and related notes contained in Part II, Item 8 - “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and the discussion in Part II, Item 7 - “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Annual Report, the following information should be carefully considered before making an investment in our common stock. The risk factors described below are the principal risk factors associated with an investment in our securities, as well as those factors generally associated with a business development company with investment objectives, investment policies, capital structure or trading markets similar to ours. The risks set out below are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not presently deemed material by us might also impair our operations and performance. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In such case, our NAV and the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment in our common stock.
We have listed below the risk factors applicable to us grouped into the following categories: Risks related to our Business and Structure, Risks related to our Investments, Risks related to our Indebtedness, Risks related to our Common Stock and Risks Relating to U.S. Federal Income Tax.
Risks related to our Business and Structure
We are dependent upon RCM for our future success.
Our day-to-day investment operations are managed by our investment adviser and administrator, RCM, subject to oversight by our Board. After the completion of the Transaction, we no longer have any employees, and, as a result, RCM’s investment team evaluates, negotiates, structures, closes and monitors our investments. We depend on the diligence, skill, investment expertise and network of business contacts of RCM’s investment professionals and the Investment Committee to source appropriate investments for us. We also depend on members of RCM’s investment team and the Investment Committee to analyze potential investments for us and monitor those investments, and on members of the Investment Committee to make investment decisions for us. Our future success depends on the continued availability of members of RCM’s investment team and the Investment Committee and the other investment professionals available to RCM. The Corporation does not have any employment agreements with key personnel of RCM, including members of the Investment Committee, and we cannot provide any assurance that unforeseen business, medical, personal or other circumstances would not lead any such individual to terminate his or her relationship with RCM. In addition, we do not expect that members of RCM's investment team and the Investment Committee will devote all of their business time to our operations, and, as a result, each such person will have other demands on their time as a result of their other business activities and obligations. Therefore, RCM may need to hire, train, supervise and manage new investment professionals to participate in our investment selection and monitoring process and may not be able to find investment professionals in a timely manner or at all. The loss of a material number of investment professionals that RCM currently has access to, or the loss of a material number of members of the Investment Committee, could have a material adverse effect on our ability to achieve our investment objectives as well as on our financial condition and results of operations.
Our financial results will depend on RCM’s skill to manage and deploy capital effectively.
Our ability to achieve long-term capital appreciation on our equity investments and to maintain a current cash flow from our debt investments while shifting our portfolio to contain a greater percentage of interest-yielding debt securities depends on RCM’s capability to effectively identify, invest, and manage our capital.
Accomplishing this investment objective effectively and on a cost-effective basis will be based on RCM’s handling of the investment process, including its ability to continue to find investments that offer favorable terms and meet our investment objective, and its ability to provide competent, attentive and efficient services to us. RCM will also need to continue to monitor our portfolio companies’ performance and has been in the past, and may continue to be, called upon to provide managerial assistance. These competing demands on their time may slow the rate of investment or impact the effective deployment of capital.
Even if RCM is able to grow and build on our investment portfolio, any failure by RCM to manage the growth of our portfolio effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and investment prospects. If RCM cannot successfully manage our investment portfolio or implement our investment objectives, this could negatively impact our results of operation and financial condition.
We are subject to risks created by our highly regulated environment.
We are regulated by the SEC as a BDC and subject to the requirements applicable to BDCs under the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act imposes numerous constraints on the operations of BDCs and their external advisers. Changes in the laws or regulations that govern BDCs could significantly affect our business. Regulations and laws may be changed periodically, and the interpretations of the relevant regulations and laws are also subject to change. Any change in the regulations and laws governing our business could have a material impact on our financial condition and our results of operations. Moreover, the laws and regulations that govern BDCs may place conflicting demands on the manner in which we operate, and the resolution of those conflicts may restrict or otherwise adversely affect our operations. Furthermore, any failure to comply with the requirements imposed on BDCs by the 1940 Act could cause the SEC to bring an enforcement action against us and/or expose us to claims of private litigants.
The 1940 Act permits us to issue senior securities, which include borrowing money from banks or other financial institutions, in amounts such that our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% after each issuance of senior securities, subject to certain disclosure requirements. On January 24, 2024, the Board, including a “required majority” (as such term is defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of the Board, approved the application of the modified asset coverage requirements set forth in Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act, as amended by the Small Business Credit Availability Act. As a result, the Company’s asset coverage requirements for senior securities were changed from 200% to 150%, effective January 24, 2025. If our asset coverage is not at least 150%, we are not permitted to pay distributions or issue additional senior securities. As a result, and if we are unable to comply with our asset coverage requirement under the 1940 Act, we could have difficulty meeting the distribution requirements necessary to maintain RIC tax treatment. Moreover, if the value of our assets declines, we may also be unable to satisfy this asset coverage test. If that happens, we may be required to liquidate a portion of our investments and repay a portion of our indebtedness at a time when we may be unable to do so or unable to do so on favorable terms.
Political and regulatory conditions that contribute to uncertainty and market volatility, including the impact of the 2024 U.S. presidential election and legislative, regulatory, trade and policy changes associated with the new administration, could materially impact our business operations and financial performance and business and financial performance of our portfolio companies.
The political and economic environment in the U.S. has resulted in, and will continue to result in, an uncertain business climate. Changing regulatory policies because of the recently changed political environment could impact our regulatory and compliance costs and future revenues, all of which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Failure to adapt to or comply with evolving regulatory requirements or investor or stakeholder expectations and standards could negatively impact our reputation and ability to do business with certain partners. Further, the recent change in the U.S. presidential administration and the U.S. Congress as a result of the 2024 election cycle may result in increased regulatory and economic uncertainty. Changes in federal policy by the executive branch and regulatory agencies may occur over time through the new presidential administration’s and/or Congress’s policy and personnel changes, which could lead to changes involving the level of oversight and focus on our industry; however, the nature, timing and economic and political effects of such potential changes remain highly uncertain. Any future changes in federal and state laws and regulations, as well as the interpretation and implementation of such laws and regulations, could affect us and our portfolio companies in substantial and unpredictable ways. At this time, it is unclear what laws, regulations and policies may change and whether future changes or uncertainty surrounding future changes will adversely affect our operating environment and therefore our business, the business of our portfolio companies, our financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to risks created by the valuation of our portfolio investments.
At December 31, 2024, all of our investments are in private securities that are not publicly traded. There is typically no public market for securities of the small privately held companies in which we typically invest. Investments are valued on a quarterly basis in accordance with our established valuation policy and are stated at fair value and approved by our Board. The inputs into the determination of fair value of these investments may require significant judgment or estimation. In the absence of a readily ascertainable market value, the estimated value of our investment portfolio may differ significantly, favorably or unfavorably, from the values that would be placed on the portfolio if a ready market for the securities existed and may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time. Any changes in estimated value of our investments are recorded in our consolidated statement of operations as “Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments.” In addition, the participation of RCM’s investment professionals in our valuation process may result in a conflict of interest, as RCM’s Base Management Fee under the Investment Management Agreement is based, in part, on the value of our gross assets, and the Incentive Fees payable under the Investment Management Agreement are based, in part, on realized gains and realized and unrealized losses.
RCM, acting as our investment adviser, operates in a competitive market for investment opportunities.
RCM faces significant competition in effecting investing activities on our behalf from many entities, including private venture capital funds, other providers of private credit, investment affiliates of large companies, wealthy individuals and other domestic or foreign investors. The competition is not limited to entities that operate in the same general geographical areas as we do. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. For example, some competitors have a lower cost of capital and access to funding sources that are not available to us, including from the Small Business Administration. In addition, increased competition for attractive investment opportunities allows debtors to demand more favorable terms and offer fewer contractual protections to creditors. Some of our competitors have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments than we do. These characteristics have allowed and could continue to allow our competitors to consider a wider variety of investments, establish more relationships and offer better pricing and more flexible structuring than we are able to offer. We may lose investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure. If we choose to match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure, we may not be able to achieve acceptable returns on our investments or may bear substantial risk of capital loss. As a regulated BDC, we are also required to disclose quarterly and annually the name and business description of our portfolio companies and the value of their portfolio securities. Most of our competitors are not subject to this public disclosure requirement or similar types of disclosure requirements. This obligation to disclose this information could hinder RCM’s ability to invest in potential portfolio companies on our behalf. Additionally, other regulations, current and future, may make us less attractive as a potential investor to a given portfolio company than a private fund that is not subject to these regulations.
There are potential conflicts of interest, including the management of other investment funds and accounts by the principals and certain members of the Investment Committee of RCM, which could impact our investment returns.
The principals and certain members of the Investment Committee of RCM manage other funds and accounts, including for entities affiliated with members of the Investment Committee. Accordingly, they have obligations to those investors, the fulfillment of which may not be in the best interests of, or may be adverse to the interests of, us or our shareholders. Although the principals, members of the Investment Committee and other professional staff of RCM are expected to devote as much time to our management as appropriate to enable RCM to perform its duties in accordance with the Investment Management Agreement, the members of the Investment Committee and investment professionals of RCM may have conflicts in allocating their time and services among RCM, on the one hand, and the other managed investment vehicles, on the other hand.
RCM, including members of its Investment Committee, may face conflicts in allocating investment opportunities between us and other investment vehicles affiliated with members of the Investment Committee that have overlapping investment objectives with ours. Although RCM, including members of the Investment Committee, and its affiliates that manage other investment portfolios will endeavor to allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner in accordance with its written allocation policies and procedures, it is possible that, in the future, we may not be given the opportunity to participate in investments made by investment funds managed by RCM or members of the Investment Committee given the requirements or application of such allocation policies and procedures or if such investment is prohibited by laws that are applicable to us.
RCM and its affiliates, including some of our officers and directors, face conflicts of interest caused by compensation arrangements with us, which could result in actions that are not in the best interests of our shareholders.
RCM and its affiliates receive fees from us in return for their services, including certain incentive fees based on the performance of our investments. These fees could influence the investment advice provided to us. Generally, the greater the risk assumed by us with respect to our investments, the greater the potential for growth in our assets and profits, and, correlatively, the fees payable by us to RCM under the terms of the Investment Management Agreement. These compensation arrangements could affect RCM or its affiliates’ judgment with respect to investments made on our behalf, which would allow RCM to earn increased asset management fees.
Our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates is restricted.
We are prohibited under the 1940 Act from participating in certain transactions with certain of our affiliates without the prior approval of the “required majority” of our directors as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act and, in some cases, the SEC. Any person that owns, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of our outstanding voting securities will be our affiliate for purposes of the 1940 Act, and we will generally be prohibited from buying from, or selling to, such affiliate any securities, absent the prior approval of the “required majority” of our directors as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act also prohibits certain “joint” transactions with certain of our affiliates, including other funds or clients advised by RCM or its affiliates, which in certain circumstances could include investments in the same portfolio company (whether at the same or different times to the extent the transaction involves a joint investment), without prior approval of our Board and, in some cases, the SEC. If a person acquires more than 25% of our voting securities, or is otherwise deemed to control, be controlled by, or be under common control with us, we will be
prohibited from buying from, or selling to, such person or certain of that person’s affiliates any securities, or entering into prohibited joint transactions with such persons, absent the prior approval of the SEC. For example, given East’s approximately 64% ownership position in our common stock, this prohibition impacts our ability to participate in certain transactions or investments where East is involved, including with respect to certain of the loans and other securities that were contributed to us by East as part of the consideration for East’s purchase of our common stock in the Transaction, to the extent such loans and other securities are also held by East or another one of our affiliates. Similar restrictions limit our ability to transact business with our officers or directors or their affiliates or anyone who is under common control with us. As a result of these restrictions, we may also be prohibited from buying securities from, or selling securities to, any portfolio company that is controlled by a fund managed by either RCM or its affiliates without the prior approval of the SEC, which may limit the scope of investment or disposition opportunities that would otherwise be available to us. The analysis of whether a particular transaction constitutes a joint transaction requires a review of the relevant facts and circumstances then existing.
On October 7, 2020, we, RCM and certain of our affiliates received the Order from the SEC to permit us to co-invest in portfolio companies with certain other affiliates, including other BDCs and registered investment companies managed by RCM and certain of its affiliates in a manner consistent with our investment objective, policies, strategies, and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements, subject to compliance with certain conditions. On March 29, 2021, the SEC granted us, RCM, Callodine, and certain of their affiliates the New Order that superseded the Order and permits us to co-invest with affiliates managed by RCM and Callodine. Pursuant to the New Order, we generally are permitted to co-invest with affiliates covered by the New Order if a “required majority” (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of our independent directors make certain conclusions in connection with a co-investment transaction, including that (1) the terms of the transaction, including the consideration to be paid, are reasonable and fair to us and our shareholders and do not involve overreaching of us or our shareholders on the part of any person concerned, (2) the transaction is consistent with the interests of our shareholders and is consistent with our investment objective and strategies, and (3) the investment by our affiliates would not disadvantage us, and our participation would not be on a basis different from or less advantageous than that on which our affiliates are investing. In addition, on September 6, 2022, the SEC granted an amendment to the New Order to permit us to participate in follow-on investments in our existing portfolio companies with certain Affiliated Funds (as defined in the New Order) that do not hold any investments in such existing portfolio companies.
In situations when co-investment with funds managed by RCM or its affiliates is not permitted under the 1940 Act and related rules, existing or future staff guidance, or the terms and conditions of the exemptive relief granted to us by the SEC, RCM and its affiliates will need to decide which client or clients (including us) will proceed with the investment. Generally, we will not be entitled to make a co-investment in these circumstances and, to the extent that a client (other than us) is granted the opportunity to proceed with the investment, we will not be permitted to participate in the investment we otherwise may have made.
RCM may be paid incentive compensation even if we incur a net loss, and we cannot recover any portion of the incentive fee previously paid.
RCM is entitled to incentive compensation under our Investment Management Agreement for each fiscal quarter under the Income Based Fee in an amount equal to a percentage of our pre-incentive fee net investment income, subject to a hurdle rate, a catch-up provision, a cap and a deferral mechanism. For purposes of calculating the Income Based Fee, our pre-incentive fee net investment income excludes realized and unrealized capital losses that we may incur in the fiscal quarter, even if such capital losses result in a net loss for that quarter. Thus, we may be required to pay RCM incentive compensation under the Income Based Fee for a fiscal quarter even if we incur a net loss for that quarter. In addition, if we pay the Capital Gains Fee and thereafter experience additional realized capital losses or unrealized capital losses, we will not be able to recover any portion of the incentive fee previously paid.
RCM’s liability is limited under the Investment Management Agreement and the Administration Agreement, and we are required to indemnify RCM against certain liabilities, which may lead RCM to act in a riskier manner on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.
Under the Investment Management Agreement and the Administration Agreement, RCM does not assume any responsibility to us other than to render the services described in the Investment Management Agreement and Administration Agreement, as applicable, and it is not responsible for any action of our Board in declining to follow RCM’s advice or recommendations. Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement and the Administration Agreement, RCM, its members and their respective officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person affiliated with any of them are not liable to us for their acts under the Investment Management Agreement and Administration Agreement, as applicable, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard in the performance of their duties. We have agreed to indemnify, defend and protect RCM, its members and their respective officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons and any other person affiliated with any of them with respect to all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses arising out of or otherwise based upon the performance of any of RCM’s duties or obligations under the Investment Management Agreement or Administration Agreement, as applicable, or otherwise as investment adviser or administrator, as applicable, for us, and not arising out of willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard in the performance of their duties under the Investment Management Agreement or the Administration Agreement. These protections may lead RCM to act in a riskier manner when acting on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.
RCM has the right to resign on 60 days’ written notice, and we may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, resulting in a disruption in our operations that could adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.
RCM has the right, under both the Investment Management Agreement and the Administration Agreement, to resign at any time upon not less than 60 days’ written notice, whether we have found a replacement or not. If RCM resigns, we may not be able to find a new investment adviser or administrator or hire internal management with similar expertise and ability to provide the same or equivalent services on acceptable terms within 60 days, or at all. If we are unable to do so quickly, our operations are likely to experience a disruption, our financial condition, business and results of operations are likely to be adversely affected and the market price of our common stock may decline. Even if we are able to retain comparable management, whether internal or external, the integration of such management and their lack of familiarity with our investment objectives may result in additional costs and time delays that may adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.
If we do not invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets, we could fail to maintain our qualification as a BDC or be precluded from investing according to our current business strategy.
As a BDC, we may not acquire any assets other than “qualifying assets” unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such acquisition, at least 70% of our total assets are qualifying assets.
We believe that most of the investments that we may acquire in the future will constitute qualifying assets. However, we may be precluded from investing in what we believe to be attractive investments if such investments are not qualifying assets for purposes of the 1940 Act. If we do not invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets, we could violate the 1940 Act provisions applicable to BDCs. As a result of such violation, specific rules under the 1940 Act could prevent us, for example, from making follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies (which could result in the dilution of our position) or could require us to dispose of investments at inappropriate times to comply with the 1940 Act. If we need to dispose of such investments quickly, it could be difficult to dispose of such investments on favorable terms. We may not be able to find a buyer for such investments and, even if we do find a buyer, we may have to sell the investments at a substantial loss. Any such outcomes could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
If we do not maintain our status as a BDC, we would be subject to regulation as a registered closed-end investment company under the 1940 Act. As a registered closed-end investment company, we would be subject to substantially more regulatory restrictions under the 1940 Act, which would significantly decrease our operating flexibility.
The fee structure under the Investment Management Agreement may induce RCM to pursue investments and incur leverage, which may not be in the best interests of the shareholders.
Under the terms of the Investment Management Agreement, the Base Management Fee is payable even if the value of our investment portfolio declines. The Base Management Fee is calculated based on the total assets (other than cash or cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed funds), as determined according to procedures duly adopted by the Board. Accordingly, the Base Management Fee is payable regardless of whether the value of Rand’s total assets or investment portfolio has decreased during the then-current quarter and creates an incentive for RCM to incur leverage, such as borrowings under our Credit Facility, which may not be consistent with our shareholders’ interests.
The Incentive Fee payable to RCM is calculated based on a percentage of our return on invested capital. The terms of the Incentive Fee calculation may create an incentive for RCM to make investments on our behalf that are risky or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of such compensation arrangement. Unlike the Base Management Fee, the Income Based Fee is payable only if the hurdle rate is achieved. Because the portfolio earns investment income on gross assets while the hurdle rate is based on net assets, and because the use of leverage, such as borrowings under our Credit Facility, increases gross assets without any corresponding increase in net assets, RCM may be incentivized to incur leverage to grow the portfolio, which will tend to enhance returns where our portfolio has positive returns and increase the chances that the hurdle rate is achieved. Conversely, the use of leverage may increase losses where our portfolio has negative returns, which would impair the value of our common stock.
In addition, RCM receives the Incentive Fees based, in part, upon net capital gains realized on our investments under the Capital Gains Fee. Unlike the Income Based Fee, there is no hurdle rate applicable to the Capital Gains Fee. As a result, RCM may have an incentive to invest more capital in investments that are likely to result in capital gains as compared to income producing
securities. Such a practice could result in our investing in more speculative equity securities than would otherwise be the case, which could result in higher investment losses, particularly during economic downturns.
We may need to raise additional capital to grow.
We may need additional capital to fund new investments and grow. We may access the capital markets periodically to issue equity or debt securities as a means to raise additional capital. Pursuant to the restrictions of the 1940 Act, we are not generally able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share. We may, however, sell our common stock at a price below the then-current net asset value of our common stock if our Board determines that such sale is in the best interests of the Corporation, and our shareholders also approve the sale, giving us the authority to do so. Although we currently do not have such authorization, we may seek such authorization in the future.
In addition to amounts available to be borrowed under our Credit Facility, we may also issue debt securities or borrow additional amounts from financial institutions in order to obtain such additional capital, up to the maximum amount permitted by the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act permits us to issue debt securities or incur indebtedness only in amounts such that our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 150% immediately after such issuance or incurrence. Unfavorable economic conditions could increase our funding costs and limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. Furthermore, the debt capital that may be available to us in the future, if any is available at all, may be at a higher cost and on less favorable terms and conditions. A reduction in the availability of new capital could limit our ability to grow. In addition, we are required to distribute at least 90% of our net ordinary income and net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses, if any, to our shareholders to maintain our RIC election. As a result, our earnings may not be able to be retained by the Corporation to fund new investments and, instead, may need to be distributed to shareholders.
If we are unable to access the capital markets or if we are unable to borrow from financial institutions, we may be unable to grow our business and execute our business strategy fully, and our earnings, if any, could decrease, which could have an adverse effect on the value of our common stock.
We are subject to cybersecurity risks and incidents that may adversely affect our operations, the operations of RCM or the companies in which we invest. A failure in our, or RCM’s, cybersecurity systems could impair our ability to conduct business and damage our business relationships, compromise or corrupt our confidential information and ultimately negatively impact business, financial condition and operating results.
Our and RCM’s operations are dependent on secure information technology systems for data processing, storage and reporting. Increased cybersecurity vulnerabilities, threats and more sophisticated and targeted cyber-attacks pose a risk to the security of our and RCM’s information and the information of our portfolio companies. Like other companies, we or RCM may experience threats to our data and systems, including malware and computer virus attacks, unauthorized access, system failures and disruptions. If one or more of these events occurs, it could potentially jeopardize the confidential, proprietary and other information stored in, or transmitted through, our or RCM’s computer systems and networks, or otherwise cause interruptions or malfunctions in our or RCM’s operations, which could result in damage to our or RCM’s reputation, financial losses, litigation, increased costs or regulatory penalties. Furthermore, if one of these events were to occur at one of our portfolio companies, it could impact their business, financial condition and results of operations, which could negatively impact our investment. In addition, these cyber-attacks could affect our and RCM’s computer network, our website or our other service providers (such as, but not limited to, accountants, lawyers, transfer agents and our third-party IT service provider) and could result in operating disruptions or information misappropriation, which could have a material adverse effect on our business operations and the integrity and availability of our financial information. We and RCM have attempted to mitigate these cybersecurity risks by employing a number of processes, procedures and internal controls within our organization and RCM, but we remain potentially vulnerable to additional known and unknown threats. For more information regarding how we oversee, assess and manage cybersecurity risks, see Item 1C - “Cybersecurity.”
We may experience fluctuations in our annual and quarterly results.
We could experience fluctuations in our annual and quarterly operating results due to a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control, including RCM’s ability or inability to make investments in companies that meet our investment criteria, RCM’s transition of our portfolio to include more interest-yielding securities, the interest rate payable on the debt securities acquired and the default rate on such securities, the level of our expenses, variations in and the timing of the recognition of realized and unrealized gains or losses and the timing of RCM’s decision to exit from certain of our investments, the degree to which we encounter competition in the markets in which we operate and general economic conditions. As a result of these factors, results for any period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in future quarters or any future fiscal years.
We are subject to risks related to corporate social responsibility.
Our business and the businesses of our portfolio companies are facing increasing public scrutiny related to environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) activities. We risk damage to our reputation if we fail to act responsibly in several areas, such as diversity, equity and inclusion, environmental stewardship, support for local communities, corporate governance and transparency, and having RCM consider ESG factors in their investment processes on our behalf. Failure to act responsibly with respect to ESG activities could negatively impact our reputation, our relationship with existing and future portfolio companies, and our relationships with our investors, all of which could adversely affect our business and results of operations. Additionally, new regulatory initiatives related to ESG could adversely affect our business and the businesses of our portfolio companies. New laws and regulations increase our regulatory burden and could make compliance more difficult and expensive, affect the manner in which we or our portfolio companies conduct our businesses and adversely affect our results of operation.
Risks related to our Investments
We have a limited number of companies in our portfolio of investments and may be subjected to greater risk if any of these companies default.
Our portfolio investment values are concentrated in a small number of companies and as such, we may experience a significant loss in our net asset value if one or more of these companies performs poorly or goes out of business. The unrealized or realized depreciation in the value of the securities of any one of these companies would negatively impact our net asset value.
The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business.
RCM, on our behalf, invests, and we expect that RCM will continue, on our behalf, to invest, primarily in portfolio companies whose securities are not publicly traded and may be subject to restrictions on resale, and as a result will be less liquid than publicly traded securities. Most of our investments are or will be either equity securities or debt securities acquired directly from small, private companies. The illiquidity of most of our portfolio may adversely affect our ability to dispose of the securities at times when it may be advantageous for us to liquidate investments. In addition, we may not realize the full value of these private investments if we have to liquidate all or a part of our portfolio investment quickly, given the lack of available markets for their sale.
Economic downturns or recessions may adversely affect our portfolio companies’ financial performance and therefore harm our operating results.
The United States economy has periodically experienced periods of instability and recessions and the financial results of the small companies in which we invest could be more acutely affected negatively by this instability and suffer deterioration in operational or financial results. This deterioration may have a negative effect on our financial performance.
Investing in private companies involves a high degree of risk.
We typically invest a substantial portion of our assets in small private companies. These private businesses may be thinly capitalized, unproven companies with risky technologies, products or services, may lack management depth, and may not have attained profitability. Because of the speculative nature and the lack of a public market for these investments, there is significantly greater risk of loss than is the case with securities traded publicly. We expect that some of our investments will become worthless and that some will appear likely to become successful but will never realize their potential. We have historically been risk seeking rather than risk averse in our approach to our investments. Given the incentive compensation components of our arrangement with RCM under the Investment Management Agreement, RCM may have similar incentives to be risk seeking rather than risk averse in making its investment decisions on our behalf.
Even if our portfolio companies can develop commercially viable technologies, products or services, the market for those new technologies, products and services is likely to be highly competitive and rapidly changing. Commercial success is difficult to predict, and the marketing and other efforts of our portfolio companies may not be successful, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Any unrealized losses we experience in our portfolio may be an indication of future realized losses, which could reduce our income available for distribution.
As a BDC, we are required to carry our investments at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board. Decreases in the fair values of our investments are recorded as unrealized depreciation. Any unrealized losses in our portfolio of debt investments could be an indication of a portfolio company’s inability to meet its debt repayment obligations to us with respect to the affected
investments. Any unrealized losses in our portfolio of equity investments could be an indication of operating or other problems at a portfolio company and the possibility that this investment may become worthless in the future. In either such case, this could result in realized losses in the future and ultimately in reductions of our income available for distribution in future periods.
We may be subject to risks associated with our origination of, or investment in, covenant-lite loans to our portfolio companies.
We have originated or invested in, and may in the future originate or invest in, covenant-lite loans to our portfolio companies, which means the loan agreement or other debt instrument governing these debt obligations contains fewer maintenance covenants than other loan agreements or debt obligations, or no maintenance covenants, and may not include covenants that we could use to monitor the financial performance of the portfolio company borrower, including covenants based upon compliance with financial ratios, and declare a default under the loan agreement or other debt instrument if the specified covenants are breached. While these loans or other debt obligations to portfolio company borrowers may still contain other collateral protections, a covenant-lite loan may carry more risk than a covenant-heavy loan made to the same portfolio company borrower as it does not require this borrower to provide affirmation that certain specific financial tests have been satisfied on a routine basis, as is generally required under a covenant-heavy loan agreement or other debt instrument. Generally, covenant-lite loans or other debt instruments provide borrowers more freedom, which may negatively impact lenders because these covenants, if any, tend to be occurrence-based, meaning they are only tested and can only be breached following an affirmative action of the borrower, rather than by deterioration in the borrower’s financial condition. Should the financial condition of a portfolio company borrower begin to deteriorate, our investment in or origination of covenant-lite loans or other debt instruments to such portfolio company borrower may potentially reduce our ability to restructure such problematic loan and mitigate potential loss. As a result of our investment in or origination of covenant-lite loans, our exposure to losses may be increased, which could result in an adverse impact on the Corporation’s revenues, net income and NAV per share.
We provide debt and equity capital primarily to small companies that are not publicly traded, which may present a greater risk of loss than providing debt and equity capital to larger companies.
Our portfolio consists primarily of debt and equity investments in small companies that are not publicly traded. Compared to larger companies, small companies generally have more limited access to capital and higher funding costs, may be in a weaker financial position and may need more capital to expand, compete and operate their business. They also typically have fewer administrative resources, which can lead to greater uncertainty in their ability to generate accurate and reliable financial data, including their ability to deliver audited financial statements. In addition, many small companies may be unable to obtain financing from the public capital markets or other traditional sources, such as commercial banks, in part because loans made to these types of companies entail higher risks than loans made to companies that have larger businesses, greater financial resources or are otherwise able to access traditional credit sources on more attractive terms.
A variety of factors may affect the ability of borrowers to make scheduled payments on debt securities or loans, including failure to satisfy financial targets and covenants, a downturn in a borrower’s industry or changes in the economy in general. In addition, investing in small companies in general involves a number of significant risks, including that small companies:
•may have limited financial resources and may be unable to meet their obligations under their debt securities that we hold, which may be accompanied by a deterioration in the value of any collateral and a reduction in the likelihood of us realizing any guarantees we may have obtained in connection with our investment;
•typically have shorter operating histories, narrower product lines and smaller market shares than larger businesses, which tend to render small companies more vulnerable to competitors’ actions and market conditions, as well as general economic downturns;
•are more likely to depend on the management talents and efforts of a small group of persons; therefore, the death, disability, resignation or termination of one or more of these persons could have a material adverse impact on our portfolio company and, in turn, on us;
•generally have less predictable operating results, may be engaged in rapidly changing businesses with products subject to a substantial risk of obsolescence, and may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, finance expansion or maintain their competitive position;
•may from time to time be parties to litigation and may have fewer resources than larger companies to handle such litigation;
•may have difficulty accessing the capital markets to meet future capital needs, which may limit their ability to grow or to repay their outstanding indebtedness upon maturity; and
•may be particularly vulnerable to changes in customer preferences and market conditions, depend on a limited number of customers, and face intense competition, including from companies with greater financial, technical, managerial and marketing resources.
Any of these factors or changes thereto could impair a small company’s financial condition, results of operation, cash flow or result in other adverse events, such as bankruptcy, any of which could limit a borrower’s ability to make scheduled payments on our debt securities. This, in turn, could result in losses in our investments and a decrease in our net interest income and NAV per share.
We may have limited access to information about privately held companies in which we invest.
We invest primarily in privately held companies. Generally, little public information exists about these companies, and we are required to rely on the ability of RCM’s investment professionals to obtain adequate information to evaluate the potential returns from investing in these companies. These companies and their financial information are not subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, and other rules that govern public companies. If we are unable to uncover all material information about these companies, RCM may not make a fully informed investment decision, and we may lose money on our investment.
Prepayments of our debt investments by our portfolio companies could adversely impact our results of operations and reduce our returns on equity.
We are subject to the risk that investments intended to be held over long periods are, instead, repaid prior to maturity. When this occurs, we will generally reinvest these proceeds in temporary investments that will typically have substantially lower yields than the debt being prepaid or repay outstanding borrowings under our Credit Facility that has a lower interest rate than the yield of the debt being prepaid, and we could experience significant delays or an inability to reinvest these amounts in comparable debt securities. Any future investment may also be at lower yields or on less favorable terms than the debt that was repaid. As a result, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected if one or more of our portfolio companies elects to prepay amounts owed by them. Additionally, prepayments could negatively impact our return on equity, which could result in a decline in the market price of our common stock.
Our portfolio companies may incur debt that ranks equal with, or senior to, our investments in such companies.
We invest primarily in debt securities issued by our portfolio companies. In many cases, portfolio companies are permitted to have other debt that ranks equal with, or senior to, the debt securities in which we invest. By their terms, such debt instruments often provide that the holders thereof are entitled to receive payment of interest or principal on or before the dates on which we are entitled to receive payments in respect of the debt securities in which we invest. Also, in the event of insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of a portfolio company, holders of debt instruments ranking senior to our investment in that portfolio company would typically be entitled to receive payment in full before we receive any distribution in respect of our investment. After repaying such senior creditors, such portfolio company may not have sufficient remaining assets to use for repaying its obligation to us. In the case of debt ranking equal with debt securities in which we invest, we would have to share on an equal basis any distributions with other creditors holding such debt in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of a portfolio company.
There may be circumstances where our debt investments could be subordinated to claims of other creditors or we could be subject to lender liability claims.
Even though we may have structured certain of our investments as senior loans, if one of our portfolio companies were to go bankrupt, depending on the facts and circumstances, including the size of our investment and the extent to which we actually provided managerial assistance to that portfolio company, a bankruptcy court might recharacterize our debt investment and subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors. In addition, lenders can be subject to lender liability claims for actions taken by them where they become too involved in the borrower’s business or exercise control over the borrower. It is possible that we could become subject to a lender’s liability claim, including as a result of actions taken in rendering significant managerial assistance as required by the 1940 Act.
We generally do not control our portfolio companies.
We do not have an expectation to control the decision making in our portfolio companies, even though we may have a board seat or board observation rights. Because of this, we are subject to the risk that our portfolio companies will make business decisions with which we disagree or will incur risks or otherwise act in ways that do not maximize their value and serve our interests as minority debt and equity holders. Due to the lack of liquidity in our investments in these private companies, we may not be able to dispose of our investment in these portfolio companies as freely as we would like or at a valuation that we believe is appropriate. As a result, a portfolio company may make decisions that could decrease the value of our portfolio holdings.
We typically are a minority shareholder in our portfolio companies in which we have made equity investments.
In connection with equity investments, we typically invest as a minority shareholder in our portfolio companies. As a minority shareholder, we are unable to require the company to seek or entertain liquidity events as a way to exit our investments. This may cause us to hold equity investments longer than planned or to seek a sale that may not reflect the full value of our equity investment.
We may not have the funds or ability to make follow-on investments in our portfolio companies.
We may not have the funds or ability to make additional investments in our portfolio companies. After our initial investment in a company, we may be asked to participate in another round of financing by the company. There is no assurance that we will make, have sufficient funds to make or be permitted to make under the 1940 Act, these follow-on investments. Any decision to not make an additional investment in a portfolio company may have a negative impact on the portfolio company in need of the capital and have a negative impact on our investment in the company.
Risks related to our Indebtedness
We borrow money, which magnifies the potential for loss on amounts invested and increases the risk of investing with us.
Leverage is generally considered a speculative investment technique, and we intend to continue to borrow money as part of our business plan. The use of leverage magnifies the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and, therefore, increases the risks associated with investing in us. Lenders of senior debt securities, such as under our Credit Facility, have fixed dollar claims on our assets that are superior to the claims of our shareholders.
We have outstanding existing indebtedness and, subject to the limitations imposed under our Credit Agreement, may in the future borrow additional money under our Credit Facility with M&T Bank, as lender (the "Lender"), which magnifies the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and may increase the risk of investing with us. Our ability to service our existing and potential future debt depends largely on our financial performance, which is impacted by the financial performance of our portfolio companies and is subject to prevailing economic conditions and competitive pressures.
If the fair value of our consolidated assets decreases while we have debt outstanding, leveraging would cause our NAV to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had we not leveraged. In addition, if the fair value of our consolidated assets declines substantially, we may fail to maintain the asset coverage ratios imposed upon us by the 1940 Act or our Lender. Similarly, any decrease in our consolidated income while we have debt outstanding would cause net income to decline more sharply than it would have had we not borrowed. Such a decline could negatively affect our ability to pay distributions to shareholders and the price of our common stock.
On January 24, 2024, the Board, including a “required majority” (as such term is defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of the Board, approved the application of the modified asset coverage requirements set forth in Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act, as amended by the Small Business Credit Availability Act (“SBCAA”). As a result, the Company’s asset coverage requirements for senior securities were changed from 200% to 150%, effective January 24, 2025. As a result, if we comply with certain disclosure requirements, we will be able to incur additional indebtedness, which may increase the risk of investing in us.
As of December 31, 2024, we had $600,000 in principal amount of outstanding indebtedness under our Credit Facility, which had an annualized interest cost of 8.91%. For us to cover these annualized interest payments on indebtedness, we must achieve annual returns on our investments of at least 8.91%. Since we pay interest at a floating rate on our Credit Facility, an increase in interest rates will generally increase our borrowing costs. We expect that our annualized interest cost and returns required to cover interest will increase if we issue additional debt securities.
In order to assist investors in understanding the effects of leverage, the following table illustrates the effect of leverage on returns from an investment in our common stock assuming our asset coverage equals (i) our actual asset coverage as of December 31, 2024, (ii) 200% asset coverage as of December 31, 2024, and (iii) 150% asset coverage as of December 31, 2024, at various annual returns, net of expenses. Leverage generally magnifies the return of shareholders when the portfolio return is positive and magnifies their losses when the portfolio return is negative. Actual returns may be greater or less than those appearing in the table. The calculations in the table below are hypothetical and actual returns may be higher or lower than those appearing below.
Effects of Leverage Based on Actual Amount of Borrowings Incurred by us as of December 31, 2024
Assumed Return on Our Portfolio (net of expenses) (1)
-10%
-5%
0%
5%
10%
15%
Corresponding return to a shareholder assuming actual asset coverage as of December 31, 2024 (2)
-11.2
%
-5.6
%
-0.1
%
5.5
%
11.0
%
16.6
%
Corresponding return to a shareholder assuming 200% asset coverage as of December 31, 2024 (3)
-28.9
%
-18.9
%
-8.9
%
1.1
%
11.1
%
21.1
%
Corresponding return to a shareholder assuming 150% asset coverage as of December 31, 2024 (4)
-47.8
%
-32.8
%
-17.8
%
-2.8
%
12.2
%
27.2
%
(1) 	The assumed portfolio return is required by SEC regulations and is not a prediction of, and does not represent, our projected or actual performance. Actual returns may be greater or less than those appearing in the table. Pursuant to SEC regulations, this table is calculated as of December 31, 2024. As a result, it has not been updated to take into account any changes in assets or leverage since December 31, 2024.
(2) 	In order to compute the “Corresponding return to a shareholder assuming actual asset coverage as of December 31, 2024,” the “Assumed Return on Our Portfolio” is multiplied by the total value of our assets at December 31, 2024, to obtain an assumed return to us. From this amount, the interest expense (calculated by multiplying the weighted average stated interest rate of 8.91% by the $600,000 in principal amount of debt outstanding as of December 31, 2024) is subtracted to determine the return available to shareholders. The return available to shareholders is then divided by the total value of our net assets as of December 31, 2024, to determine the “Corresponding return to a shareholder assuming actual asset coverage as of December 31, 2024.”
(3)	In order to compute the “Corresponding return to a shareholder assuming 200% asset coverage as of December 31, 2024,” the “Assumed Return on Our Portfolio” is multiplied by the total value of our assets at December 31, 2024, to obtain an assumed return to us. From this amount, the interest expense (calculated by multiplying the weighted average stated interest rate of 8.91% by the approximately $36 million of principal debt outstanding, assuming 200% asset coverage) is subtracted to determine the return available to shareholders. The return available to shareholders is then divided by the total value of our net assets as of December 31, 2024, assuming 200% asset coverage to determine the “Corresponding return to a shareholder assuming 200% asset coverage as of December 31, 2024.”
(4)	In order to compute the “Corresponding return to a shareholder assuming 150% asset coverage as of December 31, 2024,” the “Assumed Return on Our Portfolio” is multiplied by the total value of our assets at December 31, 2024, to obtain an assumed return to us. From this amount, the interest expense (calculated by multiplying the weighted average stated interest rate of 8.91% by the approximately $48 million of principal debt outstanding, assuming 150% asset coverage) is subtracted to determine the return available to shareholders. The return available to shareholders is then divided by the total value of our net assets as of December 31, 2024, assuming 150% asset coverage to determine the “Corresponding return to a shareholder assuming 150% asset coverage as of December 31, 2024.”
Because we often borrow money to make our investments, if there is an increase in market interest rates, our cost of capital under our Credit Facility is likely to also increase, which could reduce our net investment income.
Because we often borrow money to make investments, our net investment income will depend, in part, upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds under our Credit Facility (which is variable rate indebtedness) to make an investment and the rate at which we invest those funds (which, with respect to our debt investments, is fixed rate indebtedness). When interest rates increase, our debt service obligations under our Credit Facility increase even though the amount borrowed remains the same. As a result, an increase in market interest rates may have an adverse effect on our net investment income in the event we use debt to finance our investments and those debt investments carry a fixed interest rate. In periods of rising interest rates, our cost of funds would increase with respect to amounts borrowed under our Credit Facility, but the interest income received from our portfolio companies under our fixed interest rate debt investments will remain constant, which has reduced, and could in the future continue to reduce, our net investment income.
Legislation allows us to incur additional leverage.
Under the 1940 Act, a BDC generally is not permitted to incur borrowings, issue debt securities or issue preferred stock unless immediately after the borrowing or issuance the ratio of total assets (less total liabilities other than indebtedness) to total
indebtedness plus preferred stock is at least 200%. However, under the SBCAA, which became law in March 2018, BDCs have the ability to elect to become subject to a lower asset coverage requirement of 150%, subject to the receipt of the requisite board or shareholder approvals under the SBCAA and satisfaction of certain other conditions.
On January 24, 2024, the Board, including a “required majority” (as such term is defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of the Board, approved the application of the modified asset coverage requirements set forth in Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act, as amended by the SBCAA. As a result, the Company’s asset coverage requirements for senior securities were changed from 200% to 150%, effective January 24, 2025. Pursuant to Section 61(a) of the 1940 Act, as amended by the SBCAA, we will be permitted to potentially increase our maximum debt-to-equity ratio from an effective level of one-to-one to two-to-one.
As a result, you may face increased investment risk. We may not be able to implement our strategy to utilize additional leverage successfully.
Provisions in our Credit Facility or any other future borrowing facility limit our discretion in operating our business.
The Credit Facility is, and any future borrowing facility may be, backed by all of our portfolio company investments on which the lenders will or, in the case of a future facility, may have a security interest. We expect that any security interests we grant will be set forth in a pledge and security agreement and evidenced by the filing of financing statements by the agent for the lenders. If we were to default under the terms of any debt instrument, including under the Credit Facility, the agent for the lenders would be able to assume control of the timing of disposition of any or all of our assets securing such debt, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
In addition, any security interests as well as negative covenants under the Credit Facility or any other borrowing facility may limit our ability to create liens on assets to secure additional debt and may make it difficult for us to restructure or refinance indebtedness at or prior to maturity or obtain additional debt or equity financing. In addition, if our borrowing base under the Credit Facility or any other borrowing facility were to decrease, we would be required to secure additional assets in an amount equal to any borrowing base deficiency. In the event that all of our assets are secured at the time of such a borrowing base deficiency, we could be required to repay advances under the Credit Facility or any other borrowing facility, which could have a material adverse impact on our ability to fund future investments and to make distributions to shareholders.
An event of default under the Credit Facility or any other borrowing facility could result in an accelerated maturity date for all amounts outstanding thereunder, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. This could reduce our liquidity and cash flows and impair our ability to grow our business and maintain our qualification as a RIC.
Risks related to our Common Stock
East exercises significant influence over us in connection with its ownership of our common stock.
East beneficially owns approximately 64% of Rand’s outstanding common stock. As a result, East is able to direct the outcome of any matters submitted for shareholder action, including approval of significant corporate transactions, such as amendments to our governing documents, business combinations, consolidations, and mergers. East has substantial influence on us and could exercise its influence in a manner that conflicts with the interests of other shareholders. The presence of a significant shareholder may also have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire us or for the Board to discourage a third party from seeking to acquire us.
In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Shareholder Agreement, East has the right to designate two or three persons, depending upon the size of the Board, for nomination for election to the Board. East has the right to designate (i) up to two persons if the size of the Board is composed of fewer than seven directors; or (ii) up to three persons if the size of the Board is composed of seven or more directors. Under the terms of the Shareholder Agreement, East has designated Adam S. Gusky and Benjamin E. Godley for nomination for election to the Board. The designation right provided to East under the terms of the Shareholder Agreement provides East with a significant presence on the Board and direct influence on matters presented to the Board, although all directors, whether or not nominated by East, owe fiduciary duties to all shareholders.
Our shares often trade at a discount to our net asset value.
Shares of business development companies may trade at a market price that is less than the net asset value that is attributable to those shares and our shares have often traded at such a discount. Our common stock has continued to trade below our net asset value per share during historical periods and may continue this trend of trading below our net asset value per share during future
periods. This characteristic of closed-end investment companies is separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value per share may decline. It is not possible to predict if, or when, our shares will trade at, above, or below net asset value.
Investing in our shares may be inappropriate for an investor's risk tolerance.
Our investments, in accordance with our investment objective and principal strategies, result in a greater than average amount of risk and volatility and may result in loss of principal. Our investments in portfolio companies are often highly speculative and aggressive and, therefore, an investment in our shares may not be suitable for investors for whom such risk is inappropriate. Neither our investments nor an investment in our shares constitutes a balanced investment program.
Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock may have an adverse effect on the market price of our securities.
Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock, or the availability of such securities for sale, could adversely affect the prevailing market prices for our common stock.
Risks related to U.S. Federal Income Tax
In connection with our RIC election, we may not be able to pay distributions to our shareholders, our distributions may not grow over time and a portion of our distributions may be a return of capital.
In connection with our RIC election, we intend to continue to pay distributions in the form of cash dividends to our shareholders out of assets legally available for distribution. However, we cannot assure shareholders that we will achieve investment results that will allow us to make a specified level of cash distributions or results in year over year increases in cash distribution amounts. Our ability to pay distributions might be adversely affected by, among other things, the impact of one or more of the risk factors described herein. In addition, the inability to satisfy the asset coverage test applicable to us as a BDC can limit our ability to pay distributions. All distributions will be paid at the discretion of our Board and will depend on our earnings, our financial condition, maintenance of our RIC status, compliance with applicable BDC regulations, state corporate law requirements and such other factors as our Board may deem relevant from time to time. We cannot assure shareholders that we will pay distributions on our common stock in the future.
When we make distributions, we are required to determine the extent to which such distributions are paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits. Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of an investor’s basis in our stock and, assuming that an investor holds our stock as a capital asset, thereafter as a capital gain. Generally, a non-taxable return of capital will reduce an investor’s basis in our stock for federal tax purposes, which will result in higher tax liability when the stock is sold. Shareholders should read any written disclosure accompanying a distribution carefully and should not assume that the source of any distribution is our ordinary income or gains.
In connection with our RIC Election, we will be subject to corporate-level income tax if we are unable to satisfy certain RIC qualification requirements under Subchapter M of the Code or do not satisfy the annual distribution requirement.
No assurance can be given that we will be able to maintain RIC status, and we will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax if we are unable to maintain qualification as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. In order to satisfy the requirements for RIC tax treatment, we must meet the following annual distribution, income source and asset diversification requirements to be relieved of federal taxes on income and gains distributed to our shareholders.
•The annual distribution requirement for a RIC will be satisfied if we distribute to our shareholders on an annual basis at least 90% of our net ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any. If we are unable to obtain cash from sources in order to make these distributions, we could fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax.
•The income source requirement will only be satisfied if we obtain at least 90% of our income for each year from dividends, interest, gains from the sale of stock or securities or similar sources.
•The asset diversification requirement will only be satisfied if we meet certain asset diversification requirements at the end of each quarter of our taxable year. To satisfy this requirement, at least 50% of the value of our assets must consist of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. Government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and investments in other securities that, with respect to one issuer, do not represent more than 5% of our total assets or 10% of the voting securities of the issuer; and no more than 25% of the value of our assets can be invested in the securities, other than U.S. Government securities or securities of other regulated investment companies, of one issuer, of two or more issuers that are controlled, as determined under applicable Code rules, by us and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or of
certain “qualified publicly traded partnerships.” Failure to meet these requirements may result in our having to dispose of certain investments quickly in order to prevent the loss of regulated investment company status. Because most of our investments will be in private companies, and therefore will be relatively illiquid, any such dispositions could be made at disadvantageous prices and could result in substantial losses.
If we fail to satisfy certain RIC qualification requirements under Subchapter M of the Code or to meet the annual distribution requirement for any reason and are subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax, the resulting corporate taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distribution and the amount of our distributions, if any. Such a failure would have a material adverse effect on us and our shareholders.
In connection with our RIC Election, we may have difficulty paying required distributions to shareholders if we recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income.
In connection with our RIC Election, we are required to distribute annually at least 90% of our ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses to maintain our eligibility for RIC tax treatment. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we include in taxable income certain amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as contracted payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest, which represents contractual interest added to the loan balance and due at the end of the loan term. The increases in loan balances as a result of contracted PIK arrangements are included in income in advance of receiving cash payment and are separately identified on our consolidated statements of cash flows. We also may be required to include in income certain other amounts that we will not receive in cash.
Any warrants that we receive in connection with our debt investments will generally be valued as part of the negotiation process with the particular portfolio company. As a result, a portion of the aggregate purchase price for the debt investments and warrants will be allocated to the warrants that we receive. This will generally result in our debt instruments having original issue discount (“OID”) for tax purposes, which we must recognize as ordinary income as such original issue discount accrues regardless of whether we have received any corresponding payment of such discount. Other features of debt instruments that we hold may also cause such instruments to generate original issue discount.
Since in certain cases we may recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income, we could have difficulty meeting the requirement to distribute at least 90% of our ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses to maintain our eligibility for RIC tax treatment. Accordingly, we may have to use cash on hand or sell some of our assets, raise additional equity capital or reduce new investment originations to meet these distribution requirements. If we do not have sufficient cash on hand or are unable to obtain cash from other sources to satisfy such distribution requirements, we may fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus may become subject to corporate-level income tax.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Not applicable.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Item 2. Properties
We do not own any real estate or other physical properties. Our corporate headquarters is located at 14 Lafayette Square, Suite 1405, Buffalo NY.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
None.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Part II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Shareholders of Record
On March 4, 2025, we had a total of approximately 2,137 shareholders, which included 46 record holders of our common stock, and an estimated 2,091 holders with shares beneficially owned in nominee name or under clearinghouse positions of brokerage firms or banks.
Share Price Data
Our common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “RAND.” It is not possible to predict whether our common stock will trade at, above or below net asset value. See “Risk Factors-Risks Relating to Our Common Stock - Our shares often trade at a discount to our net asset value.”
The following table sets forth, for each fiscal quarter for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the net asset value per share of our common stock, the range of high and low closing sales prices of our common stock, the closing sales price as a premium (discount) to net asset value and the dividends or distributions declared by us.
Net Asset
Price Range
High Sales Price Discount to Net Asset
Low Sales Price Discount to Net Asset
Dividend
Value (1)
High
Low
Value (2)
Value (2)
Per Share
Year ended December 31, 2023
First Quarter
$
23.00
$
14.22
$
13.42
(38.17
)%
(41.65
)%
$
0.20
Second Quarter
$
23.79
$
13.55
$
12.66
(43.04
)%
(46.78
)%
$
0.25
Third Quarter
$
23.77
$
13.97
$
13.00
(41.23
)%
(45.31
)%
$
0.25
Fourth Quarter
$
23.56
$
14.54
$
12.70
(38.29
)%
(46.10
)%
$
0.63
Year ended December 31, 2024
First Quarter
$
23.85
$
14.10
$
12.81
(40.88
)%
(46.29
)%
$
0.25
Second Quarter
$
26.56
$
19.60
$
13.69
(26.20
)%
(48.46
)%
$
0.29
Third Quarter
$
27.29
$
19.49
$
14.01
(28.58
)%
(48.66
)%
$
0.29
Fourth Quarter
$
25.31
$
24.10
$
16.00
(4.78
)%
(36.78
)%
$
4.20
(1)Net asset value per share is determined as of the last day in the relevant quarter and therefore may not reflect the net asset value per share on the date of the high and low closing sales prices. The net asset values shown are based on outstanding shares at the end of the relevant quarter.
(2)Calculated as the respective high or low closing sales price less net asset value, divided by net asset value (in each case, as of the applicable quarter).
Dividends
We have elected U.S. federal tax treatment as a RIC as of January 1, 2020 on our U.S. Federal tax return for the 2020 tax year. In order to qualify as a RIC, among other things, we are required to meet certain source of income and asset diversification requirements and timely distribute to our shareholders at least 90% of our investment company taxable income, as defined in Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, for each tax year. If we make the requisite distributions to our shareholders, this will generally relieve us from any requirement to pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes with respect to all income distributed to our shareholders.
The Board declared the following dividends during the year ended December 31, 2024:
Quarter
Dividend/Share
Amount
Record Date
Payment Date
1st
$
0.25
March 13, 2024
March 29, 2024
2nd
$
0.29
May 31, 2024
June 14, 2024
3rd
$
0.29
August 30, 2024
September 13, 2024
4th
$
4.20
December 16, 2024
January 24, 2025
On December 5, 2024, the Board declared a dividend of $4.20 per share. The dividend was paid in the aggregate combination of 20% in cash and 80% in newly issued shares of common stock on or about January 24, 2025 to shareholders of record as of December 16, 2024.
Share Repurchase Program
Period
Total number of shares purchased (1)
Average price paid per share (2)
Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly
announced plan (3)
Maximum dollar amount of shares that may yet be purchased under the share repurchase program (3)
10/1/2024 - 10/31/2024
-
$
-
-
$
1,500,000
11/1/2024 - 11/30/2024
-
$
-
-
$
1,500,000
12/1/2024 - 12/31/2024
-
$
-
-
$
1,500,000
Total
-
$
-
-
(1)There were no shares repurchased, in open market transactions, during the fourth quarter of 2024.
(2)The average price paid per share is calculated on a settlement basis and includes commission.
(3)On May 7, 2024, the Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase plan, which authorizes the Corporation to repurchase shares of the Corporation’s outstanding common stock with an aggregate cost of up to $1,500,000 at prices per share of common stock of no greater than the then current net asset value. This share repurchase authorization lasts for a period of 12 months from the authorization date, until May 7, 2025. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we did not repurchase any shares of our common stock.
Stock Performance Graph
The following graph shows a five-year comparison of cumulative total shareholder returns for our common stock, the Nasdaq Market Index, and the S&P BDC Index, assuming a base index of $100 at the end of 2019. The cumulative total return for each annual period within the five years presented is measured by dividing (1) the sum of (A) the cumulative amount of dividends for the measurement period, assuming dividend reinvestment, and (B) the difference between share prices at the end and at the beginning of the measurement period by (2) the share price at the beginning of the measurement period.
Comparison of cumulative total return of one or more companies, industry indexes and/or broad markets
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
Company/Index/Market
Rand Capital Corporation
$
100.00
$
142.86
$
141.49
$
117.36
$
126.12
$
239.28
NASDAQ Market Index
$
100.00
$
144.92
$
177.06
$
119.45
$
172.77
$
223.87
S&P BDC Index
$
100.00
$
91.15
$
125.26
$
113.50
$
144.80
$
168.84
The performance graph information provided above will not be deemed to be "soliciting material" or "filed" with the SEC or subject to Regulations 14A or 14C, or to the liabilities of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act, unless in the future we specifically request that the information be treated as soliciting material or specifically incorporate it by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or the Exchange Act.
Fees and Expenses
The following table is intended to assist you in understanding the fees and expenses that an investor in our common stock will bear, directly or indirectly. We caution you that some of the percentages indicated in the table below are estimates and may vary. The following table should not be considered a representation of our future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or less than shown. Except where the context suggests otherwise, whenever this Form 10-K contains a reference to fees or expenses, paid by “us” or that “we” will pay fees or expenses, our shareholders will indirectly bear such fees or expenses as investors in us.
Shareholder transaction expenses (as a percentage of offering price):
Sales load
-
(1)
Offering expenses
-
(2)
Total shareholder transaction expenses
-
Annual expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable to common stock):
Base Management Fees
1.73
%
(3)
Incentive Fees
2.58
%
(4)
Interest payments on borrowed funds
1.24
%
(5)
Other expenses
2.52
%
(6)
Total annual expenses
8.07
%
(1)In the event that the securities are sold to or through underwriters or agents, the applicable prospectus or prospectus supplement will disclose the applicable sales load (underwriting discount or commission) to be borne by us and our shareholders.
(2)The applicable prospectus or prospectus supplement will disclose the estimated amount of offering expenses, the offering price and the offering expenses borne by us as a percentage of the offering price.
(3)We are externally managed by RCM, and the Base Management Fee is calculated at an annual rate of 1.50% of our total assets (other than cash or cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed funds). Consequently, if we have borrowings outstanding, the Base Management Fee as a percentage of net assets attributable to common shares would be higher than if we did not utilize leverage.
(4)The portion of Incentive Fees paid with respect to net investment income and capital gains, if any, is based on actual amounts incurred during the year ended December 31, 2024 and paid during the first quarter of 2025. Such Incentive Fees are based on performance, vary from period to period and are not paid unless our performance exceeds specified thresholds. Incentive Fees in respect of net investment income do not include incentive fees in respect of net capital gains. See “Item 1. Business - Incentive Fees.” As we cannot predict our future net investment income or capital gains, the Incentive Fee paid in future periods, if any, may be substantially different than the fee reported during the year ended December 31, 2024.
(5)Assumes borrowings representing approximately 16% of our average net assets at an average annual interest rate of 7.6%. The amount of leverage that we may employ at any particular time will depend on, among other things, our Board’s and RCM’s assessment of market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing.
(6)Other expenses in this table represents our estimated operating expenses and income tax expenses for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025.
Example
The following example demonstrates the projected dollar amount of total cumulative expenses that would be incurred over various periods with respect to a hypothetical investment in our common stock. In calculating the following expense amounts, we have assumed that our interest payments on borrowed funds, capital gains incentive fees paid, and other annual operating expenses would remain at the levels set forth in the table above. The example assumes that all dividends and other distributions are reinvested at NAV.
1 year
3 years
5 years
10 years
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 common stock investment, assuming a 5% annual return
$
$
$
$
While the example assumes, as required by the SEC, a 5% annual return, our performance will vary and may result in a return greater or less than 5%. Assuming a 5% annual return, the Income Based Fee under the Investment Management Agreement may not be earned or payable and is not included in the example. If we achieve sufficient returns on our investments to trigger the Income Based Fee of a material amount, our expenses, and returns to our investors, would be higher.
This example and the expenses in the table above should not be considered a representation of our future expenses, and actual expenses (including the cost of debt, if any, and other expenses) may be greater or less than those shown.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 6. (Reserved.)

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included within Item 8 of this Annual Report.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements included in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and elsewhere in this report that do not relate to present or historical conditions are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of that term in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Additional oral or written forward-looking statements may be made by us from time to time, and forward-looking statements may be included in documents that are filed with the SEC. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements relating to our plans, strategies, objectives, expectations and intentions, including statements related to our investment strategies and our intention to co-invest with certain of our affiliates; the impact of our election as a RIC for U.S. federal tax purposes on the payment of corporate level U.S. federal income taxes by Rand; statements regarding our liquidity and financial resources; statements regarding any capital gains fee that may be due to RCM upon a hypothetical liquidation of our portfolio and the amount of the capital gains fee that may be payable to RCM for 2025; and statements regarding our compliance with the RIC requirements as of December 31, 2024; and statements regarding future dividend payments, and are intended to be made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “believes,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “possible,” “expects,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” or “plans” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Among the important factors on which such statements are based are assumptions concerning the state of the United States economy and the local markets in which our portfolio companies operate, the state of the securities markets in which the securities of our portfolio companies could be traded, liquidity within the United States financial markets, and inflation. Forward-looking statements are also subject to the risks and uncertainties described under the caption “Risk Factors” contained in Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report.
There may be other factors not identified that affect the accuracy of our forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date when it is made and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances. New factors emerge from time to time that may cause our business not to develop as we expect, and we cannot predict all of them.
Overview
We are an externally managed non-diversified investment company that lends to and invests in lower middle market companies. Our investment objective is to generate current income and when possible, complement this current income with capital appreciation. As a result, our investments are primarily in higher yielding debt instruments. Our investment activities are managed by our investment adviser, Rand Capital Management, LLC (“RCM”).
We have elected to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As a BDC, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements specified in the 1940 Act.
In November 2019, Rand completed a stock sale transaction (the “Closing”) with East Asset Management (“East”). The transaction consisted of a $25 million investment in Rand by East, in the form of cash and contributed portfolio assets, in exchange for approximately 8.3 million shares of Rand common stock. Concurrent with the Closing, RCM, a registered investment advisor, was retained by Rand as its external investment adviser and administrator (the Closing and the retention of RCM as our investment adviser and administrator are collectively referred to herein as the “Transaction”). The term of the new investment advisory and management agreement (the “Investment Management Agreement”) with RCM was extended after its renewal was approved by our Board of Directors (the “Board”) in October 2024 and will expire on December 31, 2025. In addition, the term of the administration agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) with RCM was extended after its renewal was approved by the Board in October 2024 and will expire on December 31, 2025. The Investment Management Agreement and Administration Agreement can continue for successive annual periods after December 31, 2025 provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i)(A) the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board or (B) the affirmative vote of a majority of our outstanding voting securities, and (ii) the affirmative vote of a majority of our directors who are not “interested persons,” as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), of us, RCM or our respective affiliates.
On January 24, 2024, the Board, including a “required majority” (as such term is defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of the Board, approved the modified asset coverage requirements set forth in Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act. As a result, our asset coverage requirement under the 1940 Act for senior securities was changed from 200% to 150%, effective January 24, 2025. We monitor our compliance with this coverage ratio on a regular basis.
Pursuant to the terms of the Investment Management Agreement, Rand pays RCM a base management fee and may pay an incentive fee, comprised of two parts: (1) the "Income Based Fee" and (2) the "Capital Gains Fee", if specified benchmarks are met.
We elected U.S federal tax treatment as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). To maintain our qualification as a RIC, we must, among other things, meet certain source of income and asset diversification requirements. As of December 31, 2024, we believe we were in compliance with the RIC requirements. As a RIC, we generally will not be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any net ordinary income or capital gains that we timely distribute to our shareholders as dividends. In addition, as a RIC, we must distribute annually to our shareholders at least 90% of our ordinary net income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any. Accordingly, our Board has regularly declared a quarterly cash dividend since our RIC election.
Our Board declared the following dividends during the year ended December 31, 2024:
Quarter
Dividend/Share
Amount
Record Date
Payment Date
1st
$
0.25
March 13, 2024
March 29, 2024
2nd
$
0.29
May 31, 2024
June 14, 2024
3rd
$
0.29
August 30, 2024
September 13, 2024
4th
$
4.20
December 16, 2024
January 24, 2025
On December 5, 2024, our Board declared a dividend of $4.20 per share. The dividend was paid in the aggregate combination of 20% in cash and 80% in newly issued shares of our common stock on or about January 24, 2025 to shareholders of record as of December 16, 2024. The stock dividend increased the number of issued and outstanding shares of our common stock from 2,648,916 shares and 2,581,021 shares, respectively, to 3,037,709 shares and 2,969,814 shares, respectively, as of January 24, 2025.
We may co-invest, subject to the conditions included in the exemptive relief order we received from the SEC, with certain of our affiliates. See “SEC Exemptive Order” below. We believe these types of co-investments are likely to afford us additional investment opportunities and provide an ability to achieve greater diversification in our investment portfolio.
SEC Exemptive Order
On October 7, 2020, Rand, RCM and certain of their affiliates received an exemptive order from the SEC to permit the Corporation to co-invest in portfolio companies with certain affiliates, including other BDCs and registered investment companies, managed by RCM and certain of its affiliates, in a manner consistent with our investment objective, positions, policies, strategies and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements, subject to compliance with certain conditions (the “Order”). On March 29, 2021, the SEC granted Rand, RCM, Callodine, which holds a controlling interest in RCM, and certain of their affiliates a new exemptive order (the “New Order”) that superseded the Order and permits Rand to co-invest with affiliates managed by RCM and Callodine. Pursuant to the New Order, we are generally permitted to co-invest with affiliates covered by the New Order if a “required majority” (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of Rand’s independent directors makes certain conclusions in connection with a co-investment transaction, including that (1) the terms of the transaction, including the consideration to be paid, are reasonable and fair to Rand and its shareholders and do not involve overreaching in respect of Rand or its shareholders on the part of any person concerned, (2) the transaction is consistent with the interests of Rand’s shareholders and is consistent with Rand’s investment objective and strategies and (3) the investment by Rand’s affiliates would not disadvantage Rand, and Rand’s participation would not be on a basis different from or less advantageous than that on which Rand’s affiliates are investing. In addition, on September 6, 2022, the SEC granted an amendment to the New Order to permit us to participate in follow-on investments in our existing portfolio companies with certain Affiliated Funds (as defined in the New Order) that do not hold any investments in such existing portfolio companies.
Outlook
Rand remains committed to expanding and scaling its business by focusing on debt and related equity investments in privately held, lower middle-market companies. This strategy is designed to drive investment income growth and enhance shareholder value through increased dividend distributions. In 2024, we paid total dividends of $5.03 per share, which included a $4.20 per share cash and stock dividend in the fourth quarter of 2024. The amount of our fourth quarter 2024 cash and stock dividend was inclusive of both our regular quarterly dividend and an additional component reflecting our strong performance in 2024, driven by
the realized gain that we recognized from the sale of our investment in SciAps. . Our aggregate 2024 dividend represented a 278% increase over 2023. Reflecting our strong financial performance, we raised our regular quarterly cash dividend by 16%, or $0.04 per share, from $0.25 per share to $0.29 per share in the second quarter of 2024.
During 2024, we monetized select equity investments, exited our remaining publicly traded securities, and received loan repayments that generated approximately $27 million in aggregate cash proceeds. We strategically allocated these funds, using approximately $15.7 million to reduce outstanding borrowings under our senior secured revolving credit facility (the "Credit Facility"). Additionally, we invested approximately $13.9 million into income-producing investments as a means to further increase investment income. At December 31, 2024, after capital deployment and distributing an aggregate of $4.3 million in cash dividends to shareholders, we had approximately $835,000 in cash on hand and $24.4 million in available capacity under our Credit Facility to support future investments. Entering 2025, we have a strong and flexible balance sheet supported by multiple sources of capital.
Our portfolio composition continued shifting toward debt investments in 2024, a trend we anticipate continuing in 2025. As of December 31, 2024, 75% of our portfolio consisted of interest-yielding debt instruments, up from 64% at the end of 2023. This shift has contributed to an improved portfolio yield and increased net interest income, with our annualized weighted average portfolio yield increasing to 13.8% from 13.6% in the prior year.
Supported by our strong liquidity position, we believe we are well-positioned to continue executing our strategy of portfolio expansion, investment income growth, and sustainable dividend increases.
As a lender, we remain exposed to market risks, particularly in periods of rising interest rates. As of December 31, 2024, all of our debt investments carried fixed interest rates, whereas borrowings under our Credit Facility bear interest at a variable rate equal to 3.50 percentage points above the greater of (i) the applicable daily simple secured overnight financing rate (SOFR) and (ii) 0.25%. In rising interest rate environments, our fixed-rate debt investments generate stable returns, but our cost of capital under the Credit Facility increases. This could impact net investment income and overall returns. See “Risk Factors-Risks Related to Our Indebtedness” for further discussion of interest rate risk.
Trends and Opportunities
We believe our combination of cash on hand, Credit Facility availability, proceeds from portfolio exits, and anticipated investment income provides the liquidity necessary to capitalize on new investment opportunities and reinvest in high-performing portfolio companies. RCM continues to build a strong pipeline of potential investments on our behalf, which should allow us to remain well-positioned to deploy capital effectively. Key trends and strategic advantages that support our growth outlook include:
•Resilient Capital Demand: Well-managed lower middle-market businesses require capital for expansion and remain competitive regardless of broader macroeconomic conditions, particularly with increasing adoption of innovative technologies and service models.
•Risk Mitigation through Syndication: When possible, we co-invest alongside other investors to diversify exposure and optimize returns.
•Active Portfolio Oversight: Through RCM, we maintain active governance and strategic involvement in the majority of our portfolio companies. This hands-on approach enhances operational performance and facilitates growth.
•Leveraging External Investment Management Expertise: Our relationship with RCM and its affiliation with the Callodine Group allows us to benefit from deep investment and regulatory expertise, while maintaining a cost structure that efficiently scales with our portfolio.
•Expanded Investment Pipeline: The Callodine partnership through our investment adviser, RCM, alongside our established relationship with East, broadens our access to investment opportunities, allows for enhanced portfolio diversification, and supports our ongoing efforts to manage operating expenses as a percentage of portfolio assets.
•Increasing Exposure to Income-Generating Investments: We remain focused on scaling our income-producing investment base, reinforcing our ability to sustain and grow regular cash dividends. Concurrently, we continue to selectively deploy capital into equity investments to drive long-term capital appreciation.
•Market Opportunity in the Lower Middle Market: Industry consolidation among commercial banks has led to reduced lending activity in the lower middle market. Heightened regulatory requirements have further constrained banks' willingness to serve this segment, creating opportunities for alternative and private credit lenders like Rand.
•Flexible Lending Solutions for Middle-Market Borrowers: Lower middle-market companies increasingly seek capital providers with the ability to offer tailored and timely financing solutions. Rand is well-positioned to address this demand by structuring investments that align with borrowers' specific growth objectives and capital needs.
Given these factors, we are confident in our ability to prudently allocate capital, expand our portfolio, and generate sustained long-term value for our shareholders.
Critical Accounting Policies
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, which require the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities. For a summary of all significant accounting policies, including critical accounting policies, see Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report.
The increasing complexity of the business environment and applicable authoritative accounting guidance requires us to monitor our accounting policies and procedures. We have two critical accounting policies that require the use of significant judgment. The following summary of critical accounting policies is intended to enhance a reader’s ability to assess our financial condition and results of operations and the potential volatility due to changes in estimates.
Valuation of Investments
Our investments are carried at fair value in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.
Investments are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by RCM and approved by our Board. We generally invest in loan, debt, and equity instruments and there is no single standard for determining fair value of these investments. As a result, determining fair value requires that judgment be applied to the specific facts and circumstances of each portfolio company while employing a consistent valuation process. Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of portfolio investments, there may be material risks associated with this determination including that estimated fair values may differ from the values that would have been used had a readily available market value for the investments existed and these differences could be material if our assumptions and judgments differ from results of actual liquidation events. We analyze and value each investment quarterly and record unrealized depreciation for an investment that we believe has become impaired, including where collection of a loan or debt security or realization of the recorded value of an equity security is doubtful. Conversely, we will record unrealized appreciation if we believe that an underlying portfolio company has appreciated in value and, therefore, our equity securities in the underlying portfolio company have also appreciated in value. Additionally, we continue to assess any material risks associated with this fair value determination, including risks associated with material conflicts of interest.
Loan investments are defined as traditional loan financings typically with no equity features or required equity co-investment. Debt investments are defined as debt financings that include one or more equity features such as conversion rights, stock purchase warrants, and/or stock purchase options. Equity investments will be direct investments into a portfolio company and may include preferred stock, common stock, warrants and limited liability company membership interests.
We utilize several approaches to determine the fair value of an investment. The main approaches are:
•Loan and debt securities are generally valued using a cost approach and will be valued at cost when representative of the fair value of the investment or sufficient assets or liquidation proceeds are expected to exist from a sale of a portfolio company at its estimated fair value. The valuation may also consider the carrying interest rate versus the related inherent portfolio risk of the investment. A loan or debt instrument may be reduced in value if it is judged to be of poor quality, collection is in doubt or insufficient liquidation proceeds exist.
•Equity securities may be valued using the:
▪Cost approach - The cost approach uses estimates of the liquidation value of the portfolio companies’ assets in relation to the cost of the respective security. This approach values the equity at the value remaining after the portfolio company pays off its debt and loan balances and its outstanding liabilities.
▪Market approach - The market approach uses observable prices and other relevant information generated by similar market transactions. It may include both private and public M&A transactions where the traded price is a multiple of EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) or another relevant operating metric. It
may also include the market value of comparable public companies that are trading in an active market, or the use of market multiples derived from a set of comparables to assist in pricing the investment. Additionally, we adjust valuations if a subsequent significant equity financing has occurred that includes a meaningful portion of the financing by a sophisticated, unrelated new investor.
▪Income approach - The income approach employs valuation techniques to convert future benefits or costs, usually in the form of cash flows, into a present value amount. The measurement is based on value indicated by current market expectations about those future amounts.
ASC 820 classifies the inputs used to measure fair value into the following hierarchy:
Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, used in our valuation at the measurement date. Under the valuation policy, we value unrestricted publicly traded companies, categorized as Level 1 investments, at the closing price on the last trading day of the reporting period.
Level 2: Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, or quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other observable inputs other than quoted prices.
Level 3: Unobservable and significant inputs to determining the fair value.
Financial assets are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. Any changes in estimated fair value are recorded in the statement of operations.
At December 31, 2024, all of our investments were Level 3 investments. At December 31, 2023, 9% of our investments were Level 1 investments and 91% were Level 3 investments. There were no Level 2 investments at December 31, 2024 or 2023.
In the valuation process, we value restricted securities, categorized as Level 3 investments, using information from these portfolio companies, which may include:
•Audited and unaudited statements of operations, balance sheets and operating budgets;
•Current and projected financial, operational and technological developments of the portfolio company;
•Current and projected ability of the portfolio company to service its debt obligations;
•The current capital structure of the business and the seniority of the various classes of equity if a deemed liquidation event were to occur;
•Pending debt or capital restructuring of the portfolio company;
•Current information regarding any offers to purchase the investment, or recent fundraising transactions;
•Current ability of the portfolio company to raise additional financing if needed;
•Changes in the economic environment which may have a material impact on the operating results of the portfolio company;
•Internal circumstances and events that may have an impact (both positive and negative) on the operating performance of the portfolio company;
•Qualitative assessment of key management;
•Contractual rights, obligations or restrictions associated with the investment; and
•Other factors deemed relevant to assess valuation.
The valuation may be reduced if a portfolio company’s performance and potential have deteriorated significantly. If the factors that led to a reduction in valuation are overcome, the valuation may be readjusted.
Equity Securities
Equity securities may include preferred stock, common stock, warrants and limited liability company membership interests.
The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of our equity investments are earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and revenue multiples, where applicable, the financial and operational performance of the business, and the debt and senior equity preferences that may exist in a deemed liquidation event. Standard industry multiples may be used when available; however, our portfolio companies are typically privately-held, lower middle market
companies and these industry standards may be adjusted to more closely match the specific financial and operational performance of the portfolio company. Due to the nature of certain investments, fair value measurements may be based on other criteria, which may include third party appraisals. Significant changes in any of these unobservable inputs may result in a significantly higher or lower fair value estimate.
Another key factor used in valuing equity investments is a significant recent arms-length equity transaction with a sophisticated non-strategic unrelated new investor entered into by the portfolio company. The terms of these equity transactions may not be identical to the equity transactions between the portfolio company and us, and the impact of the difference in transaction terms on the market value of the portfolio company may be difficult or impossible to quantify.
When appropriate the Black-Scholes pricing model is used to estimate the fair value of warrants for accounting purposes. This model requires the use of highly subjective inputs including expected volatility and expected life, in addition to variables for the valuation of minority equity positions in small private and early stage companies. Significant changes in any of these unobservable inputs may result in a significantly higher or lower fair value estimate.
For investments made within the last year, we generally rely on the cost basis, which is deemed to represent fair value, unless other fair market value inputs are identified causing us to depart from this basis.
Loan and Debt Securities
The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of our loan and debt securities are the financial and operational performance of the portfolio company, similar debt with similar terms with other portfolio companies, as well as the market acceptance for the portfolio company’s products or services. These inputs will likely provide an indicator as to the probability of principal recovery of the investment. Our loan and debt investments are often junior secured or unsecured securities. Fair value may also be determined based on other criteria where appropriate. Significant changes to the unobservable inputs may result in a change in fair value. For recent investments, we generally rely on the cost basis, which is deemed to represent the fair value, unless other fair value inputs are identified causing us to depart from this basis.
Revenue Recognition
Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where the investment is in default or otherwise presumed to be in doubt. In such cases, interest is recognized at the time of receipt. A reserve for possible losses on interest receivable is maintained when appropriate.
We hold debt securities in our investment portfolio that contain payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest provisions. PIK interest, computed at the contractual rate specified in each debt agreement, is added to the principal balance of the debt and is recorded as interest income. Thus, the actual collection of this interest may be deferred until the time of debt principal repayment. We stop accruing PIK interest and write off any accrued and uncollected interest when we determine that such PIK interest is no longer collectible.
We may receive distributions from portfolio companies that are limited liability companies or corporations, and these distributions are classified as dividend income on the consolidated statement of operations. Dividend income is recognized on an accrual basis when it can be reasonably estimated for private portfolio companies or on the ex-dividend date for publicly traded portfolio companies.
We hold preferred equity securities that may contain cumulative dividend provisions. Cumulative dividends are recorded as dividend income when they are declared and deemed a contractual obligation. Any dividends in arrears are added to the balance of the preferred equity investment. The actual collection of these dividends in arrears may be deferred until such time as the preferred security is redeemed.
Financial Condition
Overview:
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
(Decrease) Increase
(Decrease) Increase
Total assets
$
72,457,433
$
81,021,982
$
(8,564,549
)
(10.6
)%
Total liabilities
7,124,913
20,206,769
(13,081,856
)
(64.7
)%
Net assets
$
65,332,520
$
60,815,213
$
4,517,307
7.4
%
Net asset value (NAV) was $25.31 per share at December 31, 2024 versus $23.56 per share at December 31, 2023.
Cash approximated 1.3% of net assets at December 31, 2024, as compared to 5.4% at December 31, 2023.
During 2022, we entered into a $25 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the "Credit Facility") with M&T Bank, as lender (the “Lender”), with the amount that we can borrow thereunder, at any given time, determined based upon a borrowing base formula. The Credit Facility has a 5-year term with a maturity date of June 27, 2027. Our borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at a variable rate per annum equal to 3.50 percentage points above the greater of (i) the applicable daily simple secured overnight financing rate (SOFR) or (ii) 0.25%. At December 31, 2024, there was $600,000 drawn on the Credit Facility, and the applicable interest rate was 7.99%. See “Note 5. Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the terms of our Credit Facility.
Composition of Our Investment Portfolio
Our financial condition is dependent on the success of our portfolio holdings. The following summarizes our investment portfolio at the year ends indicated.
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Change
% Change
Investments, at cost
$
68,120,235
$
68,365,606
$
(245,371
)
(0.4
)%
Unrealized appreciation/depreciation, net
2,697,806
8,760,106
(6,062,300
)
(69.2
)%
Investments, at fair value
$
70,818,041
$
77,125,712
$
(6,307,671
)
(8.2
)%
Number of Active Portfolio Companies
Our total investments at fair value, as determined by RCM and approved by our Board, approximated 108% of net assets at December 31, 2024 as compared to approximately 127% of net assets at December 31, 2023.
Our investment objective is to generate current income and when possible, complement this current income with capital appreciation. As a result, we are focused on investing in higher yielding debt instruments and related equity investments in privately held, lower middle market companies with a committed and experienced management team in a broad variety of industries. In the past, we have also invested in publicly traded shares of other business development companies that provided income through dividends and had more liquidity than our private company equity investments.
The change in investments, at cost, during the year ended December 31, 2024, was comprised of the following:
Cost
Increase (Decrease)
New investments:
Mattison Avenue Holdings, LLC (Mattison)
$
5,500,000
Mountain Regional Equipment Solutions (MRES)
3,204,545
Mobile RN Holdings LLC (Mobile IV Nurses)
2,875,000
Seybert’s Billiards Corporation (Seybert's)
1,800,000
ITA Acquisition, LLC (ITA)
458,333
BMP Food Service Supply Holdco, LLC (FSS)
107,619
Total of new investments
13,945,497
Other changes to investments:
Caitec, Inc. (Caitec) interest conversion
590,424
ITA interest conversion
457,837
Filterworks Acquisition USA, LLC (Filterworks) interest conversion
253,952
FSS interest conversion
177,911
Seybert’s OID amortization and interest conversion
128,257
Highland All About People Holdings, Inc. (All About People) interest conversion
125,904
Mattison interest conversion
72,902
Pressure Pro, Inc. (Pressure Pro) OID amortization and interest conversion
66,721
FCM Industries Holdco LLC (First Coast Mulch) interest conversion
46,681
Inter-National Electronic Alloys LLC (INEA) interest conversion
33,995
HDI Acquisition LLC (Hilton Displays) interest conversion
21,519
GoNoodle, Inc. (GoNoodle) interest conversion
14,314
MRES OID amortization
12,000
Mobile IV Nurses interest conversion
6,319
Total of other changes to investments
2,008,736
Investments repaid, sold, liquidated or converted:
FSS debt repayment
(34,838
)
ACV Auctions, Inc. (ACV) sale
(53,094
)
Filterworks debt repayment
(206,250
)
Ares Capital Corporation (Ares) sale
(267,140
)
Barings BDC, Inc. (Barings) sale
(333,352
)
Mezmeriz, Inc. (Mezmeriz) liquidation
(742,850
)
FS KKR Capital Corp (FS KKR) sale
(755,058
)
PennantPark Investment Corporation (Pennantpark) sale
(892,212
)
Carlyle Secured Lending Inc. (Carlyle) sale
(899,749
)
Knoa Software, Inc. (Knoa) liquidation
(1,229,155
)
Pressure Pro debt repayment
(1,427,452
)
Mattison loan repayment
(1,894,470
)
Nailbiter, Inc. (Nailbiter) debt repayment
(2,250,000
)
SciAps, Inc. (SciAps) debt repayment and equity sale
(5,213,984
)
Total of investments repaid, sold, liquidated or converted
(16,199,604
)
Net change in investments, at cost
$
(245,371
)
Our top five portfolio companies represented 50% of total assets at December 31, 2024:
Company
Industry
Fair Value at December 31, 2024
% of Total Assets at December 31, 2024
Tilson Technology Management, Inc. (Tilson)
Professional Services
$
11,500,000
%
Seybert’s
Consumer Products
$
7,922,787
%
FSS
Professional Services
$
7,035,645
%
Mattison
Professional Services
$
5,572,902
%
Caitec
Consumer Products
$
4,474,912
%
Our top five portfolio companies represented 41% of total assets at December 31, 2023:
Company
Industry
Fair Value at December 31, 2023
% of Total Assets at December 31, 2023
Tilson
Professional Services
$
10,550,000
%
FSS
Professional Services
$
7,394,953
%
Seybert’s
Consumer Products
$
5,994,530
%
SciAps
Manufacturing
$
5,213,984
%
INEA
Distribution
$
4,349,839
%
Below is the geographic breakdown of our investments using fair value as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
Geographic Region
% of Net Asset Value at December 31, 2024
% of Net Asset Value at December 31, 2023
USA - East
%
%
USA - South
%
%
USA - West
%
%
Total investments as a % of net asset value
%
%
As of December 31, 2024, and 2023, our investment portfolio consisted of the following types of investments:
Cost
Percentage of
Total Portfolio
Fair Value
Percentage of
Total Portfolio
December 31, 2024:
Subordinated Debt and Promissory Notes
$
56,098,724
%
$
53,081,594
%
Convertible Notes
484,837
%
-
-
Equity and Membership Interests
11,396,611
%
16,936,384
%
Equity Warrants
140,063
-
800,063
%
Total
$
68,120,235
%
$
70,818,041
%
December 31, 2023:
Subordinated Debt and Promissory Notes
$
48,841,346
%
$
48,841,346
%
Convertible Notes
438,156
%
438,156
%
Equity and Membership Interests
15,760,436
%
20,411,497
%
Equity Warrants
125,063
-
125,063
-
Publicly traded stock
3,200,605
%
7,309,650
%
Total
$
68,365,606
%
$
77,125,712
%
Results of Operations
Comparison of the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
Investment Income
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Increase (Decrease)
% Increase (Decrease)
Interest from portfolio companies
$
7,727,949
$
5,979,355
$
1,748,594
29.2
%
Interest from other investments
2,356
1,423
152.5
%
Dividend and other investment income
295,260
1,037,131
(741,871
)
(71.5
)%
Fee income
533,720
320,744
212,976
66.4
%
Total investment income
$
8,559,285
$
7,338,163
$
1,221,122
16.6
%
Investment income was received, on a current basis, from 25 portfolio companies during the year ended December 31, 2024 and from 26 portfolio companies during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Interest from portfolio companies - Interest from portfolio companies was approximately 29% higher for the year ended December 31, 2024 versus 2023 due to the fact we originated more interest yielding investments during the last year. At December 31, 2024, 75% of our portfolio was comprised of interest yielding debt instruments compared with 64% at the end of 2023. New debt instruments were originated from ITA, Mattison, Mobile IV Nurses, MRES, and Seybert's during 2024.
Interest from other investments - The increase in interest from other investments is primarily due to higher average idle cash balances during the year ended December 31, 2024 versus the same period in 2023.
Dividend and other investment income - Dividend income is comprised of cash distributions from limited liability companies (LLCs) and corporations in which we have invested. Our investment agreements with certain LLCs require those LLCs to distribute funds to us for payment of income taxes on our allocable share of the LLC’s profits. These portfolio companies may also elect to make additional discretionary distributions or dividends. Dividend income will fluctuate based upon the profitability of these LLCs and corporations and the timing of the distributions. The dividend distributions for the respective years ended were:
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
FS KKR
$
105,600
$
141,600
Pennantpark
54,600
156,975
Tilson
52,500
52,501
Carlyle
41,280
151,360
Barings
31,200
40,800
Ares
10,080
40,320
Carolina Skiff LLC (Carolina Skiff)
-
372,173
DSD Operating, LLC (DSD)
-
46,552
Knoa
-
34,850
Total dividend and other investment income
$
295,260
$
1,037,131
Fee income - Fee income generally consists of the revenue associated with the amortization of financing fees charged to the portfolio companies upon successful closing of financings, income from portfolio company board attendance fees, income associated with portfolio company monitoring fees, and other miscellaneous fees. The financing fees are amortized ratably over the life of the instrument associated with the fees. The unamortized fees are carried on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position under the line item “Deferred revenue.”
The income associated with the amortization of financing fees was $209,316 and $205,480 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we recognized loan monitoring fees of $92,393, consisting of $28,814 from our investment in Mattison, $20,000 from our investment in FSS, $20,000 from our investment in Pressure Pro, $11,990 from our investment in Filterworks, and $11,589 from our investment in First Coast Mulch. Additionally, we recognized $232,011 in non-recurring fees, consisting of a prepayment fee and loan modification fee totaling $151,229 from our debt investment in SciAps, a dividend consent fee and prepayment fees totaling $75,782 from our investment in Pressure Pro, and a loan modification fee of $5,000 from our investment in Lumious.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recognized a one-time early prepayment fee of $61,264 from our investment in DSD, a loan monitoring fee of $20,000 from our investment in FSS, a loan monitoring fee of $20,000 from our investment in Pressure Pro, a loan monitoring fee of $12,000 from our investment in First Coast Mulch, and a loan modification fee of $2,000 from our investment in Lumious.
Expenses
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Increase
% Increase
Total expenses
$
4,837,282
$
4,178,319
$
658,963
15.8
%
Total expenses increased by approximately $660,000 for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in expenses was primarily due to an approximately $208,000 increase in the capital gains incentive fee expense, an approximately $178,000 increase in income based incentive fee expense, an approximately $155,000 increase in base management fees payable to RCM, an approximately $53,000 increase in professional fees, and an approximately $45,000 increase in interest expense.
The capital gains incentive fee accrual expense during the year ended December 31, 2024 is due to the calculation of the capital gains fee as required by GAAP. We are required under GAAP to accrue capital gains incentive fees on the basis of net realized capital gains and losses and net unrealized gains and losses. Our capital gains incentive fee accrual reflects the capital gains incentive fees that would be payable to RCM if our entire investment portfolio was liquidated at its fair value as of the balance sheet date, even though RCM is not entitled to this capital gains incentive fee under the Investment Management Agreement with respect to unrealized gains unless and until such gains are realized. The increase in expense during the year ended December 31, 2024 can be attributed to realized capital gains and increases in unrealized appreciation in excess of realized capital losses and increases in unrealized depreciation during the year.
The income based incentive fee is calculated quarterly in accordance with the Investment Management Agreement. The income based incentive fee accrued during the year ended December 31, 2024 was $178,218, and results from an increase in Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income above the applicable hurdle rate during the third quarter of 2024, as set forth and described in the Investment Management Agreement. “Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income" means interest income, dividend income and any other income (including any other fees (other than fees for providing managerial assistance), such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees or other fees that we receive from portfolio companies) accrued during such calendar quarter, minus our operating expenses for such calendar quarter (including the Base Management Fee, expenses payable under the Administration Agreement, and any interest expense and dividends paid on any issued and outstanding preferred stock, but excluding any portion of the Incentive Fee). Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income includes any accretion of original issue discount, market discount, payment-in-kind interest, payment-in-kind dividends or other types of deferred or accrued income, including in connection with zero coupon securities, that we have recognized in accordance with GAAP, but have not yet received in cash (collectively, “Accrued Unpaid Income”). Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not include any realized capital gains, realized and unrealized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation. The income based incentive fee with respect to Accrued Unpaid Income shall be deferred, on a security by security basis, and shall become payable only if, as, when and to the extent cash is received. At December 31, 2024, the accrued income based incentive fee is not currently payable to RCM as the cash that forms the basis of the fee has not yet been received by the Corporation.
The base management fee payable to RCM under the Investment Management Agreement is calculated based upon total assets less cash, and, as we deploy more capital into investments, the base management fee payable to RCM will increase accordingly. The base management fee for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $1,212,160 and $1,057,166, respectively.
Professional fees expense increased by approximately $53,000 during the year ended December 31, 2024, versus the same period in 2023, as we incurred increased fees associated with the complex regulatory environment in which we operate.
The increase in interest expense resulted from higher average outstanding debt balances during the year ended December 31, 2024 versus the same period in 2023 under the Credit Facility. Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $1,089,678 and $1,044,831, respectively.
Net Investment Income
The excess of investment income over total expenses, including income taxes, represents net investment income. The net investment income for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $3,425,077 and $2,967,733, respectively.
Net Realized Gains and Losses on Investments
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Net realized gain on sales and dispositions, before income taxes
$
11,124,864
$
1,051,079
During the year ended December 31, 2024, we sold our investment in SciAps and recognized a realized gain of $7,716,461. In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2024, we recognized a net realized gain of $3,450,092 on the sale of ACV, a net realized gain of $598,371 on the sale of Carlyle, a net realized gain of $484,834 on the sale of Pennantpark, a net realized gain of $190,072 on the sale of FS KKR, a net realized gain of $176,794 on the sale of Ares, and a net realized gain of $59,282 on the sale of Barings. We also recognized a realized gain of $397,264 from proceeds received from Tilson, following a partial sale of certain SQF assets, and a realized gain of $23,699 from additional proceeds received from DSD, an investment we exited during 2023.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, we liquidated our investment in Knoa, which was previously valued at $0, and recognized a realized loss of ($1,229,155) and liquidated our investment in Mezmeriz, which was previously valued at $0, and recognized a realized loss of ($742,850).
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we sold our investment in DSD and recognized a realized gain of $2,459,819. In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2023, we sold our investment in Somerset Gas Transmission Company, LLC (Somerset) and recognized a realized loss of ($448,717). We also liquidated our investment in Rheonix, Inc. (Rheonix), which was previously valued at $0, and recognized a realized loss of ($2,802,731).
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recognized a gain of $115,010 from additional proceeds received from Microcision LLC (Microcision), an investment we exited in 2022. We also recognized a realized gain of $10,432 from additional proceeds received from ClearView Social, Inc. (Clearview Social), an investment we exited during 2021. In addition, we recognized a realized loss of ($4,941) on our escrow receivable from SocialFlow, Inc. (Social Flow), an investment we exited in 2022, and an $3,440 realized gain from additional proceeds received from Mercantile Adjustment Bureau, LLC (Mercantile), an investment we exited during 2021.
In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2023, we recognized a realized gain of $1,718,767 on the sale of 125,000 shares of ACV.
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Investments
The change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation), before income taxes, for the year ended December 31, 2024 was comprised of the following:
Year ended December 31, 2024
Knoa
$
1,129,155
Tilson
950,000
Mezmeriz
742,850
Pressure Pro
720,000
BMP Swanson Holdco, LLC (Swanson)
250,000
Barings
(9,848
)
Caitec
(72,522
)
Ares
(153,490
)
FS KKR
(203,502
)
MRES
(716,545
)
Carlyle
(386,811
)
Filterworks
(396,226
)
All About People
(400,000
)
Pennantpark
(455,238
)
First Coast Mulch
(484,837
)
Carolina Skiff
(500,000
)
FSS
(610,000
)
ITA
(2,565,130
)
ACV
(2,900,156
)
Total change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments before income taxes
$
(6,062,300
)
We sold our investments in ACV, Ares, Barings, Carlyle, FS KKR, Knoa, Mezmeriz, and Pennantpark during the year ended December 31, 2024.
In accordance with the Corporation's valuation policy, we increased the value of our investments in Tilson, Pressure Pro, and Swanson after a financial analysis of each of the portfolio companies indicating continued improved performance.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the valuation of our investments in Caitec, MRES, Filterworks, All About People, First Coast Mulch, Carolina Skiff, FSS, and ITA were each decreased after a review of their operations and financial condition.
The change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation, before income taxes, for the year ended December 31, 2023 was comprised of the following:
Year ended December 31, 2023
Rheonix
$
2,802,731
FSS
610,000
Somerset
594,097
ACV
469,494
Swanson
266,667
Pennantpark
237,900
FS KKR
123,200
Carlyle
57,333
Ares
31,500
Barings
16,800
PostProcess Technologies, Inc. (Post Process)
(100,000
)
Carolina Skiff
(249,000
)
Caitec
(300,000
)
Open Exchange
(701,940
)
DSD Operating, LLC (DSD)
(886,698
)
Total change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments before income taxes
$
2,972,084
ACV, Ares, Barings, Carlyle, FS KKR, and Pennant Park are all publicly traded stocks, and as such, were marked to market at the end of each quarter using the closing price on the last trading day of the quarter.
We sold our investments in Rheonix, Somerset, and DSD during the year ended December 31, 2023.
In accordance with the Corporation’s valuation policy, we increased the value of our investments in FSS and Swanson after a financial analysis of each of the portfolio companies indicating continued improved performance.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we decreased the valuation of our investments in Post Process, Carolina Skiff, Caitec, and Open Exchange after a review of recent financial performance, cash flows, recent financings, and interim financial conditions of each of the portfolio companies.
All of the valuation adjustments resulted from a determination in good faith by RCM, which was subsequently approved by our Board, using the guidance set forth by ASC 820 and our established valuation policy.
Net Increase in Net Assets from Operations
We account for our operations under GAAP for investment companies. The principal measure of our financial performance is “Net increase in net assets from operations” on our consolidated statements of operations. The net increase in net assets from operations for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $8,827,612 and $6,526,650, respectively.
Comparison of the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
The comparison of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 can be found in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 located within Part II, Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 5, 2024.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity is a measure of our ability to meet anticipated cash requirements, fund new and follow-on portfolio investments, pay distributions to our shareholders and respond to other general business demands. As of December 31, 2024, our total liquidity consisted of approximately $835,000 in cash and $24,400,000 in remaining availability on our Credit Facility.
During 2022, we entered into a $25 million Credit Facility. The amount we can borrow, at any given time, under the Credit Facility is tied to a borrowing base, which is measured as (i) 75% of the aggregate sum of the fair market values of the publicly traded equity securities we hold (other than shares of ACV Auctions, if any) plus (ii) the least of (a) 75% of the fair market value of the shares of ACV Auctions we hold, if any, (b) $6.25 million and (c) 25% of the aggregate borrowing base availability for the Credit Facility at any date of determination plus (iii) 50% of the aggregate sum of the fair market values of eligible private loans we hold that meet specified criteria plus (iv) the lesser of (a) 50% of the aggregate sum of the fair market values of unsecured private loans we hold that meet specified criteria and (b) $1.25 million minus (v) such reserves as the Lender may establish from time to time in its sole discretion. The Credit Facility has a maturity date of June 27, 2027. The outstanding balance drawn on the Credit Facility at December 31, 2024 was $600,000. Under the borrowing base formula described above, the unused line of credit balance for the Credit Facility was $24,400,000 at December 31, 2024.
Our borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at a variable rate determined as a rate per annum equal to 3.50 percentage points above the greater of (i) the applicable daily simple secured overnight financing rate (SOFR) or (ii) 0.25%. At December 31, 2024, our applicable interest rate under the Credit Facility was 7.99%.
The Credit Agreement contains representations and warranties and affirmative, negative and financial covenants usual and customary for agreements of this type, including among others covenants that prohibit, subject to certain specified exceptions, our ability to merge or consolidate with other companies, sell any material part of our assets, incur other indebtedness, incur liens on our assets, make investments or loans to third parties other than permitted investments and permitted loans, and declare any distribution or dividend other than certain permitted distributions. The Credit Agreement includes the following financial covenants: (i) a tangible net worth covenant that requires us to maintain a Tangible Net Worth (defined in the Credit Agreement as our aggregate assets, excluding intangible assets, less all of our liabilities) of not less than $50.0 million, which is measured quarterly at the end of each fiscal quarter, (ii) an asset coverage ratio covenant that requires us to maintain an Asset Coverage Ratio (defined in the Credit Agreement as the ratio of the fair market value of all of our assets to the sum of all of our obligations for borrowed money plus all capital lease obligations) of not less than 3:1, which is measured quarterly at the end of each fiscal quarter and (iii) an interest coverage ratio covenant that requires us to maintain an Interest Coverage Ratio (defined in the Credit Agreement as the ratio of Cash Flow (as defined in the Credit Agreement) to Interest Expense (as defined in the Credit Agreement)) of not less than 2.5:1, which is measured quarterly on a trailing twelve-months basis. We were in compliance with these covenants as of December 31, 2024.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, we experienced a net decrease in cash in the amount of approximately $2,461,000, which is a net effect of approximately $15,332,000 of cash provided by our operating activities and approximately $17,792,000 used in our financing activities.
The $15,332,000 of cash provided by our operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2024, resulted primarily from approximately $27,324,000 from the sales of equity investments and repayments of debt investments, net investment income of approximately $3,425,000, and an approximately $400,000 net increase in operating liabilities. This was mostly offset by approximately $13,945,000 used to fund new or follow-on portfolio company investments and approximately $1,981,000 in non-cash interest income.
Net cash flow used in our financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2024 was approximately $17,792,000, which is comprised of the $15,650,000 repaid on the Credit Facility and approximately $2,142,000 in cash dividends paid to shareholders.
We anticipate that we will continue to fund our investment activities through cash generated through our ongoing operating activities and through borrowings under the $25 million Credit Facility. We anticipate that we will continue to exit investments. However, the timing of liquidation events with respect to our privately held investments is difficult to project.
The following table summarizes the cash estimated to be received over the next five years from existing portfolio companies based on contractual obligations as of December 31, 2024. These payments represent scheduled principal and interest payments that are due under the terms of the investment securities we own in each portfolio company and are subject to change based on factors such as conversions, restructurings and other events that may be beyond our control. It does not include the effect of equity investments, which may provide additional proceeds upon exit of the investment.
Cash Receipts due by year
2029 and beyond
Scheduled cash receipts from portfolio companies
$
10,230,000
$
26,360,000
$
16,340,000
$
16,130,000
$
6,590,000
Number of companies contributing to the scheduled cash receipts
Regulated Investment Company (RIC) Status and Distributions
We have elected U.S federal tax treatment as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As long as we qualify as a RIC, we will not be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax on our investment company taxable income or realized net capital gains, to the extent that such taxable income or gains are distributed, or deemed to be distributed, to stockholders on a timely basis.
Taxable income commonly differs from net income for financial reporting purposes due to temporary and permanent differences in the recognition of income and expenses, and generally excludes net unrealized appreciation or depreciation until realized. Dividends declared and paid by us in a year may differ from taxable income for that year as such dividends may include the distribution of current year taxable income or the distribution of prior year taxable income carried forward into and distributed in the current year. Distributions also may include returns of capital.
We intend to continue to declare and pay quarterly dividends to our shareholders. To avoid certain excise taxes imposed on RICs, we generally strive to distribute, during each calendar year, an amount at least equal to the sum of:
•98% of our ordinary net taxable income for the calendar year;
•98.2% of our capital gains, if any, in excess of capital losses for the one-year period ending on October 31 of the calendar year; and
•any net ordinary income and net capital gains for the preceding year that were not distributed during such year and on which we do not pay corporate tax.
The amount of our declared dividends, as recommended by RCM and approved by our Board, is based primarily on an evaluation of our net taxable income and our capital gains, in excess of capital losses.
Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes our contractual cash obligations and other commercial commitments as of December 31, 2024:
Payments Due by Period
Contractual Obligations
Total
Less than one year
2 - 3 years
4 - 5 years
More than 5 years
Credit Facility
$
600,000
$
-
$
600,000
$
-
$
-

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We are subject to financial market risks primarily consisting of risks resulting from changes in interest rates and the valuation of our investment portfolio.
Interest Rate Risk
Changes in interest rates may affect our interest expense on the debt outstanding under our Credit Facility. Our debt borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at a variable rate determined as a rate per annum equal to 3.50 percentage points above the greater of (i) the applicable daily simple secured overnight financing rate (SOFR) or (ii) 0.25%. Changes in interest rates can also affect, among other things, our ability to acquire and originate loans and securities and the value of our investment portfolio. As of December 31, 2024, all of our debt investments had fixed interest rates and were not directly impacted by changes in market interest rates.
Based on our Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of December 31, 2024, the following table shows the approximate annualized increase (decrease) in net investment income due to hypothetical base rate changes in interest rates under our Credit Facility, assuming no changes in our borrowings as of December 31, 2024. Because we often borrow money to make investments, our net investment income is dependent upon the difference between our borrowing rate and the rate we earn on the invested proceeds borrowed. In periods of rising interest rates, the rate we earn on our debt investments with fixed interest rates will remain the same, while the interest incurred on our borrowings under the Credit Facility will increase. See “Risk Factors-Risks Related to Our Indebtedness - Because we often borrow money to make our investments, if market interest rates continue to increase, our cost of capital under our Credit Facility is likely to also increase, which could reduce our net investment income.”
Impact on net investment income from a change in interest rates on our Credit Facility at:
1%
2%
3%
Increase in interest rate
$
(6,000
)
$
(12,000
)
$
(18,000
)
Decrease in interest rate
6,000
12,000
18,000
Although we believe that this analysis is indicative of our existing interest rate sensitivity under our Credit Facility at December 31, 2024, it does not adjust for changes in the credit quality, size and composition of our investment portfolio, and other business developments, including increased borrowings under our Credit Facility, that could affect our net investment income. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that actual results would not differ materially from the results under this hypothetical analysis.
We do not currently engage in any hedging activities. However, we may, in the future, hedge against interest rate fluctuations by using standard hedging instruments such as futures, options and forward contracts. While hedging activities may insulate us against adverse changes in interest rates, they may also limit our ability to participate in the benefits of lower interest rates with respect to our borrowed funds.
Valuation Risk
We carry our investments at fair value, as determined in good faith by RCM and approved by our Board. Determining fair value requires that judgment be applied to the specific facts and circumstances of each portfolio company investment while employing a consistent valuation process. Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of portfolio investments, there are material risks associated with this determination including that estimated fair values may differ from the values that would have been used had a readily available market value for the investments existed and these differences could be material if our assumptions and judgments differ from results of actual liquidation events. In addition, changes in the market environment and other events that may occur over the life of the investments may cause the value realized on these investments to be different than the valuations that are approved. The types of factors that we may take into account in valuation of our investments include, as relevant, third party valuations, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments and its earnings, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, comparison to publicly-traded securities, recent sales of or offers to buy comparable companies, and other relevant factors.

---

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The following consolidated financial statements and consolidated supplemental schedule of the Corporation and report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm thereon are set forth below:
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of December 31, 2024 and 2023
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the three years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022
Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments as of December 31, 2024
Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments as of December 31, 2023
Financial Highlights Schedule for the five years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Supplemental Schedule of Consolidated Changes in Investments at Cost and Realized Gain for the year ended December 31, 2024
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
December 31,
ASSETS
Investments at fair value:
Control investments (cost of $6,188,940 and $5,272,770, respectively)
$
2,500,000
$
4,148,960
Affiliate investments (cost of $42,488,804 and $45,720,974, respectively)
51,668,144
53,499,372
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments (cost of $19,442,491 and $17,371,862, respectively)
16,649,897
19,477,380
Total investments, at fair value (cost of $68,120,235 and $68,365,606, respectively)
70,818,041
77,125,712
Cash
834,805
3,295,321
Interest receivable
357,530
244,600
Prepaid income taxes
329,365
127,869
Deferred tax asset, net
2,161
39,179
Other assets
115,531
189,301
Total assets
$
72,457,433
$
81,021,982
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (NET ASSETS)
Liabilities:
Due to investment adviser
$
2,182,846
$
979,297
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
92,568
145,516
Line of credit (See Note 5)
600,000
16,250,000
Capital gains incentive fees
1,565,000
2,279,700
Deferred revenue
516,441
552,256
Dividend payable
2,168,058
-
Total liabilities
7,124,913
20,206,769
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 7)
Stockholders’ equity (net assets):
Common stock, $0.10 par; shares authorized 100,000,000; shares issued: 2,648,916; shares outstanding: 2,581,021 at 12/31/24 and 12/31/23
264,892
264,892
Capital in excess of par value
55,419,620
55,801,170
Stock dividends distributable: 388,793 shares at 12/31/24
8,672,231
-
Treasury stock, at cost: 67,895 shares at 12/31/24 and 12/31/23
(1,566,605
)
(1,566,605
)
Total distributable earnings
2,542,382
6,315,756
Total stockholders’ equity (net assets) (per share - 2024: $25.31, 2023: $23.56)
65,332,520
60,815,213
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (net assets)
$
72,457,433
$
81,021,982
See accompanying notes
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For The Years Ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022
Investment income:
Interest from portfolio companies:
Control investments
$
733,774
$
698,872
$
279,055
Affiliate investments
4,739,802
3,858,696
2,366,955
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments
2,254,373
1,421,787
1,506,792
Total interest from portfolio companies
7,727,949
5,979,355
4,152,802
Interest from other investments:
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments
2,356
Total interest from other investments
2,356
Dividend and other investment income:
Affiliate investments
52,500
506,076
974,669
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments
242,760
531,055
481,665
Total dividend and other investment income
295,260
1,037,131
1,456,334
Fee income:
Control investments
18,063
17,242
7,800
Affiliate investments
450,255
278,061
92,531
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments
65,402
25,441
55,583
Total fee income
533,720
320,744
155,914
Total investment income
8,559,285
7,338,163
5,765,181
Expenses:
Base management fee (see Note 9)
1,212,160
1,057,166
927,226
Income based incentive fees (see Note 9)
178,218
-
-
Capital gains incentive fees (see Note 9)
1,012,300
804,700
(1,048,760
)
Interest expense
1,089,678
1,044,831
69,960
Professional fees
600,298
547,456
729,967
Stockholders and office operating
265,617
261,639
205,083
Directors' fees
263,500
263,500
187,833
Administrative fees
158,167
149,000
-
Insurance
44,358
44,100
43,026
Corporate development
12,986
5,927
3,753
Other operating
-
-
1,141
Total expenses
4,837,282
4,178,319
1,119,229
Net investment income before income taxes
3,722,003
3,159,844
4,645,952
Income taxes, including excise tax expense
296,926
192,111
215,542
Net investment income
3,425,077
2,967,733
4,430,410
Net realized gain on sales and dispositions of investments:
Affiliate investments
6,165,419
2,574,829
167,159
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments
4,959,445
(1,523,750
)
538,334
Net realized gain on sales and dispositions of investments, before income taxes
11,124,864
1,051,079
705,493
Income tax expense
-
359,682
-
Net realized gain on sales and dispositions of investments
11,124,864
691,397
705,493
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments:
Control investments
(2,565,130
)
-
(748,810
)
Affiliate investments
1,400,942
(259,031
)
4,740,353
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments
(4,898,112
)
3,231,115
(9,901,315
)
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation before income taxes
(6,062,300
)
2,972,084
(5,909,772
)
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense
(339,971
)
104,564
107,980
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments
(5,722,329
)
2,867,520
(6,017,752
)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
5,402,535
3,558,917
(5,312,259
)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations
$
8,827,612
$
6,526,650
$
(881,849
)
Weighted average shares outstanding
2,581,021
2,581,021
2,581,021
Basic and diluted net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations per share
$
3.42
$
2.53
$
(0.34
)
See accompanying notes
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
For The Years Ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022
Net assets at beginning of year
$
60,815,213
$
57,721,320
$
60,745,416
Net investment income
3,425,077
2,967,733
4,430,410
Net realized gain on sales and dispositions of investments
11,124,864
691,397
705,493
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments
(5,722,329
)
2,867,520
(6,017,752
)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations
8,827,612
6,526,650
(881,849
)
Declaration of dividends
(12,982,536
)
(3,432,757
)
(2,142,247
)
Stock dividends distributable
8,672,231
-
-
Net assets at end of year
$
65,332,520
$
60,815,213
$
57,721,320
See accompanying notes
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For The Years Ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations
$
8,827,612
$
6,526,650
$
(881,849
)
Adjustments to reconcile net increase (decrease) in net assets to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Investments in portfolio companies
(13,945,497
)
(20,347,522
)
(7,026,086
)
Proceeds from sale of portfolio investments
19,421,458
5,889,473
3,544,451
Proceeds from loan repayments
7,903,010
4,111,481
1,605,923
Net realized gain on portfolio investments
(11,124,864
)
(1,051,079
)
(705,493
)
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments
6,062,300
(2,972,084
)
5,909,772
Deferred tax expense (benefit)
37,018
(11,019
)
152,843
Amortization
25,000
25,000
12,500
Original issue discount accretion
(28,008
)
(21,008
)
(25,008
)
Non-cash conversion of debenture interest
(1,980,728
)
(1,225,773
)
(739,355
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase in interest receivable
(112,930
)
(36,262
)
(80,291
)
Decrease (increase) in other assets
48,770
75,801
(1,087
)
(Increase) decrease in prepaid income taxes
(201,496
)
(51,473
)
175,614
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(52,948
)
78,836
14,991
Increase (decrease) in due to investment adviser
1,203,549
417,076
(328,881
)
(Decrease) increase in capital gains incentive fees payable
(714,700
)
112,700
(1,380,760
)
(Decrease) increase in deferred revenue
(35,815
)
138,285
5,084
Total adjustments
6,504,119
(14,867,568
)
1,134,217
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
15,331,731
(8,340,918
)
252,368
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net (repayment of) proceeds from line of credit
(15,650,000
)
13,700,000
2,550,000
Payment of cash dividend
(2,142,247
)
(3,432,757
)
(2,142,247
)
Payment of closing fee
-
-
(125,000
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(17,792,247
)
10,267,243
282,753
Net (decrease) increase in cash
(2,460,516
)
1,926,325
535,121
Cash:
Beginning of year
3,295,321
1,368,996
833,875
End of year
$
834,805
$
3,295,321
$
1,368,996
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities
Fair value of common stock dividend declared
$
8,672,231
$
-
$
-
Cash dividend declared but not paid
2,168,058
-
-
See accompanying notes
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2024
Company, Geographic Location, Business Description, (Industry) and Website
(a)
Type of Investment
(b)
Date Acquired
(c)
Equity
Cost
(d)(f)
Fair Value
Percent of Net Assets
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Investments - 25.5% of net assets: (g) (j)
Caitec, Inc. (e)(l)(p)
Halethorpe, MD. Pet product manufacturer and distributor. (Consumer Goods)
www.caitec.com
$1,750,000 Subordinated Secured Promissory Note modified to 14% PIK through December 31, 2024, thereafter 12% (+2% PIK), due June 1, 2026.
11/6/20
4%
2,237,456
2,237,456
6.8%
36,261 Series A Preferred.
12/28/23
36,261
-
150 Class A Units.
11/6/20
150,000
-
$1,750,000 Subordinated Secured Promissory Note modified to 14% PIK through December 31, 2024, thereafter 12% (+2% PIK), due June 1, 2026.
11/6/20
2,237,456
2,237,456
150 Class A Units.
11/6/20
150,000
-
36,261 Series A Preferred.
12/28/23
36,261
-
Total Caitec
4,847,434
4,474,912
GoNoodle, Inc. (l)(p)
Nashville, TN. Student engagement education
$1,500,000 Secured Note at 12% (1% PIK) due September 30, 2025.
11/1/19
<1%
1,440,252
1,440,252
2.2%
software providing core aligned physical
Warrant for 47,324 Series C Preferred.
3/1/15
activity breaks. (Software)
Warrant for 21,948 Series D Preferred.
11/1/19
www.gonoodle.com
Total GoNoodle
1,440,315
1,440,315
HDI Acquisition LLC d/b/a Hilton Displays (l)(p)
Greenville, SC. Manufacturing, installation
$1,245,119 Term Loan at 12% (+2% PIK) due June 30, 2025.
11/8/19
0%
1,071,824
1,071,824
1.6%
and maintenance of signage and brands. (Manufacturing)
www.hiltondisplays.com
Lumious (Tech 2000, Inc.) (p)
Herndon, VA. Develops and delivers IT
$850,000 Replacement Term Note at 14% due December 1, 2025.
11/16/18
0%
789,944
789,944
1.2%
training. (Software)
www.t2000inc.com
Mattison Avenue Holdings LLC (p)
Dallas, TX. Provider of upscale salon spaces for lease. (Professional and Business Services)
www.mattisonsalonsuites.com
$5,500,000 Term Note at 14% due June 25, 2027.
3/28/24
0%
5,572,902
5,572,902
8.5%
Mountain Regional Equipment Solutions (m)(p)
$3,000,000 Term Note at 14% due January 16, 2029.
1/16/24
4%
2,952,000
2,500,000
3.8%
Salt Lake City, UT. Provider of maintenance,
37,991 Common Units.
1/16/24
204,545
-
safety, fluid transfer, and custom fabrication
Warrant for 1% Membership Interest.
1/16/24
60,000
-
products. (Distribution)
www.mountainregionaleq.com
Total Mountain Regional Equipment Solutions
3,216,545
2,500,000
OnCore Golf Technology, Inc. (e)(p)
Buffalo, NY. Patented and proprietary golf balls utilizing technology and innovation. (Consumer Product)
www.oncoregolf.com
300,483 Preferred AA.
11/30/18
3%
752,712
100,000
0.2%
Open Exchange, Inc. (e)(p)
397,899 Series C Preferred.
11/13/13
3%
1,193,697
700,000
1.1%
Lincoln, MA. Online presentation and
397,899 Common.
10/22/19
208,243
-
training software. (Software)
Total Open Exchange
1,401,940
700,000
www.openexc.com
See accompanying notes
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2024 (Continued)
Company, Geographic Location, Business Description, (Industry) and Website
(a)
Type of Investment
(b)
Date Acquired
(c)
Equity
Cost
(d)(f)
Fair Value
Percent of Net Assets
PostProcess Technologies, Inc. (e)(p)
Buffalo, NY. Provides innovative solutions for the post-processing of additive manufactured 3D parts. (Manufacturing)
www.postprocess.com
360,002 Series A1 Preferred.
11/1/19
<1%
348,875
-
0.0%
Subtotal Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Investments
$
19,442,491
$
16,649,897
Affiliate Investments - 79.1% of net assets (g) (k)
Applied Image, Inc. (l)(p)
Rochester, NY. Global supplier of precision
imaged optical components and calibration
$1,750,000 Term Note at 10% (+2% PIK) through February 1, 2025, thereafter 10%, due February 1, 2029.
12/31/21
12%
1,750,000
1,750,000
2.7%
standards for a wide range of industries and
Warrant for 1,167 shares.
12/31/21
-
-
applications. (Manufacturing)
Total Applied Image
1,750,000
1,750,000
www.appliedimage.com
BMP Food Service Supply Holdco, LLC (h)(l)(m)(p)
Salt Lake City, UT. Provides design, distribution, and installation services for
$7,035,000 Second Amended and Restated Term Note; $4,820,000 at 12% and $2,215,000 at 13% (+3% PIK), due November 22, 2027.
11/22/22
15%
6,538,026
6,538,026
10.8%
commercial kitchen renovations and new
15.4% Preferred Interest.
11/22/22
497,619
497,619
builds. (Professional and Business Services)
Total BMP Food Service Supply
7,035,645
7,035,645
www.foodservicesupply.com
BMP Swanson Holdco, LLC (m)(p)
Plano, TX. Designs, installs, and maintains
$1,600,000 Term Note at 12% due May 31, 2028.
3/4/21
9%
1,700,115
1,700,115
3.8%
a variety of fire protection systems.
(Professional and Business Services)
Preferred Membership Interest for 9.24%.
3/4/21
233,333
750,000
www.swansonfire.com
Total BMP Swanson
1,933,448
2,450,115
Carolina Skiff LLC (e)(m)(p)
Waycross, GA. Manufacturer of ocean
6.0825% Class A Common Membership Interest.
1/30/04
7%
15,000
1,208,000
1.8%
fishing and pleasure boats. (Manufacturing)
www.carolinaskiff.com
FCM Industries Holdco LLC (l)(p)
Jacksonville, FL. Commercial mulch
$3,380,000 Term Note at 13% due July 31, 2028.
7/31/23
12%
3,380,000
3,380,000
5.2%
installation company that serves a range
of end markets.
$420,000 Convertible Note at 10% PIK, due July 31, 2033.
7/31/23
484,837
-
(Professional and Business Services)
Total FCM Industries
3,864,837
3,380,000
www.firstcoastmulch.com
Filterworks Acquisition USA, LLC d/b/a Autotality (h)(l)(m)(p)
Deerfield Beach, FL. Provides spray booth
equipment, frame repair machines and paint
$2,283,702 Amended Term Note at 6% (+8% PIK) through March 31, 2025, thereafter 12% (+2% PIK), due March 31, 2026.
11/18/19
8%
2,928,648
2,928,648
4.5%
booth filter services for collision shops.
626.2 shares Class A-1 Units.
6/3/22
626,243
-
(Automotive)
417.7 shares Class A-0 Units.
9/30/22
139,232
-
www.autotality.com
Total Filterworks
3,694,123
2,928,648
Highland All About People Holdings, Inc. (l)(p)
$3,000,000 Term Note at 12% (+4% PIK) due August 7, 2028.
8/7/23
12%
3,175,091
3,175,091
5.8%
Phoenix, AZ. Full-service staffing and
1,000,000 Class A Units.
8/7/23
1,000,000
600,000
executive search firm with a focus on the
Total Highland All About People
4,175,091
3,775,091
healthcare industry.
(Professional and Business Services)
www.allaboutpeople.net
Inter-National Electronic Alloys LLC
d/b/a EFINEA (l)(m)(p)
$3,288,235 Term Note at 12% (+2% PIK) due April 4, 2028.
4/4/23
6%
3,372,069
3,372,069
6.7%
Oakland, NJ. Stocking distributor of
75.3 Class B Preferred Units.
4/4/23
1,011,765
1,011,765
controlled expansion alloys, electronic grade
Total EFINEA
4,383,834
4,383,834
nickels, refractory grade metals and alloys,
and soft magnetic alloys. (Distribution)
www.nealloys.com
See accompanying notes
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2024 (Continued)
Company, Geographic Location, Business Description, (Industry) and Website
(a)
Type of Investment
(b)
Date Acquired
(c)
Equity
Cost
(d)(f)
Fair Value
Percent of Net Assets
Mobile RN Holdings LLC d/b/a Mobile IV Nurses (l)(m)(p)
$2,500,000 Term Note at 14% (+1% PIK) due October 2, 2029.
10/2/24
6%
2,506,319
2,506,319
4.4%
Phoenix, AZ. IV hydration therapy service
6,375 Class A Common Units.
10/2/24
375,000
375,000
provider. (Health and Wellness)
Total Mobile IV Nurses
2,881,319
2,881,319
www.mobileivnurses.com
Pressure Pro, Inc. (h)(l)(p)
Harrisonville, MO. A provider of branded
$3,000,000 Term Note at 12% (+3% PIK) due January 19, 2028.
1/19/23
10%
1,702,705
1,702,705
3.8%
tire pressure monitoring systems consisting
Warrant for 10% Membership Interest.
1/19/23
30,000
750,000
of a suite of proprietary hardware
Total Pressure Pro
1,732,705
2,452,705
and software. (Manufacturing)
www.pressurepro.us
Seybert’s Billiards Corporation
d/b/a The Rack Group (l)(p)
Coldwater, MI. Billiard supplies.
$6,099,131 Third Amended and Restated Term Note at 12% (+2% PIK) due January 19, 2026.
11/22/21
8%
6,167,723
6,167,723
12.1%
(Consumer Product)
Warrant for 4% Membership Interest.
1/19/21
25,000
25,000
www.seyberts.com
$1,435,435 Term Note at 12% (+2% PIK) due January 19, 2026.
1/19/21
1,511,064
1,511,064
Warrant for 4% Membership Interest.
1/19/21
25,000
25,000
5.82 Common shares.
10/24/22
194,000
194,000
Total Seybert’s
7,922,787
7,922,787
Tilson Technology Management, Inc. (p)
*120,000 Series B Preferred.
1/20/15
8%
600,000
4,560,000
17.6%
Portland, ME. Provides network deployment
*21,391 Series C Preferred.
9/28/16
200,000
813,000
construction and information system services
*70,176 Series D Preferred.
9/29/17
800,000
2,666,000
management for cellular, fiber optic and
*15,385 Series E Preferred.
3/15/19
500,012
584,000
wireless systems providers. Its affiliated
23,077 Series F Preferred.
6/15/20
750,003
877,000
entity, SQF, LLC is a CLEC supporting
211,567 A-1 Units of SQF Holdco LLC.
3/15/19
-
1,000,000
small cell 5G deployment.
(Professional and Business Services)
250 Class D-1 Units of SQF Holdco LLC.
2/16/23
250,000
1,000,000
www.tilsontech.com
Total Tilson
3,100,015
11,500,000
*2.5% dividend payable quarterly.
Subtotal Affiliate Investments
$
42,488,804
$
51,668,144
Control Investments - 3.8% of net assets (g) (o)
ITA Acquisition, LLC (l)(m)(p)
Ormond Beach, FL. Blind and shade manufacturing. (Manufacturing)
www.itawindowfashions.com
$2,297,808 Fourth Amended and Restated Term Note at 3% (+11% PIK) through December 31, 2024, thereafter 12% (+2% PIK), due June 21, 2026.
6/22/21
37%
3,244,220
1,642,968
3.8%
$1,500,000 Term Note at 3% (+11% PIK) through December 31, 2024, thereafter 12% (+2% PIK), due June 21, 2026.
6/22/21
1,820,910
857,032
1,124 Class A Preferred Units and 1,924 Class B Common Units.
6/22/21
1,123,810
-
Total ITA
6,188,940
2,500,000
Subtotal Control Investments
$
6,188,940
$
2,500,000
TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 108.4%
$
68,120,235
$
70,818,041
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS - (8.4%)
(5,485,521
)
NET ASSETS - 100%
$
65,332,520
See accompanying notes
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2024 (Continued)
Notes to the Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments
(a)At December 31, 2024, restricted securities represented 100% of the fair value of the investment portfolio. Restricted securities are subject to one or more restrictions on resale and are not freely marketable. Type of investment for equity position is in the form of shares unless otherwise noted as units or interests, i.e., preferred shares, common shares.
(b)The Date Acquired column indicates the date on which the Corporation first acquired an investment.
(c)Each equity percentage estimates the Corporation’s ownership interest in the applicable portfolio investment. The estimated ownership is calculated based on the percent of outstanding voting securities held by the Corporation or the potential percentage of voting securities held by the Corporation upon exercise of warrants or conversion of debentures, or other available data. If applicable, the symbol “<1%” indicates that the Corporation holds an equity interest of less than one percent.
(d)The Corporation’s investments are carried at fair value in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” which defines fair value and establishes guidelines for measuring fair value. At December 31, 2024, ASC 820 designates 100% of the Corporation’s investments as “Level 3” assets. Under the valuation policy of the Corporation, unrestricted publicly traded securities are valued at the closing price for these securities on the last trading day of the reporting period. Restricted securities are subject to restrictions on resale and are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by our external investment advisor Rand Capital Management, LLC (“RCM”) and approved by the Board of Directors. Fair value is considered to be the amount that the Corporation may reasonably expect to receive for portfolio securities when sold on the valuation date. Valuations as of any particular date, however, are not necessarily indicative of amounts which may ultimately be realized as a result of future sales or other dispositions of securities and these favorable or unfavorable differences could be material. Among the factors considered in determining the fair value of restricted securities are the financial condition and operating results, projected operations, and other analytical data relating to the investment. Also considered are the market prices for unrestricted securities of the same class (if applicable) and other matters which may have an impact on the value of the portfolio company (see Note 3. “Investments” to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
(e)These investments are non-income producing. All other investments are income producing. Non-income producing investments have not generated cash payments of interest or dividends including LLC tax-related distributions within the last twelve months or are not expected to do so going forward. If a debt or a preferred equity investment fails to make its most recent payment, then the investment will also be classified as non-income producing.
(f)As of December 31, 2024, the total cost of investment securities was approximately $68.1 million. Net unrealized appreciation was approximately $2.7 million, which was comprised of $10.8 million of unrealized appreciation of investment securities and ($8.1) million of unrealized depreciation of investment securities. At December 31, 2024, the aggregate gross unrealized gain for federal income tax purposes was approximately $10.8 million and the aggregate gross unrealized loss for federal income tax purposes was ($7.0) million. The net unrealized gain for federal income tax purposes was $3.8 million based on a tax cost of $65.9 million.
(g)All of the Corporation’s portfolio assets are pledged as collateral for purposes of securing the Corporation’s senior secured revolving credit facility pursuant to a general security agreement, dated June 27, 2022, between the Corporation, the subsidiaries listed therein, and the Lender (as defined herein).
(h)Reduction in cost and fair value from previously reported balances reflects current principal repayment.
(i)Represents interest due (amounts over $100,000) from investments included as interest receivable on the Corporation’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. None at December 31, 2024.
(j)Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Investments are investments that are neither Control Investments nor Affiliate Investments.
(k)Affiliate Investments are defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), as those Non-Control investments in companies in which between 5% and 25% of the voting securities are owned by the Corporation.
(l)Payment in kind (PIK) represents earned interest that is added to the cost basis of the investment and due at maturity. The amount of PIK earned is included in the interest rate detailed in the “Type of Investment” column, unless it has been noted with a (+), in which case the PIK is in addition to the face amount of interest due on the security.
(m)Equity holdings are held in a wholly owned (100%) “blocker corporation” subsidiary of Rand Capital Corporation for federal income tax and Regulated Investment Company (RIC) compliance purposes.
(n)Indicates assets that the Corporation believes do not represent “qualifying assets” under Section 55(a) of the 1940 Act. Qualifying assets must represent at least 70% of the Corporation’s total assets at the time of acquisition of any additional non-qualifying assets. The Corporation had no investments in non-qualifying assets as of December 31, 2024.
(o)Control Investments are defined by the 1940 Act as investments in companies in which more than 25% of the voting securities are owned by the Corporation or where greater than 50% of the board representation is maintained.
(p)Investments classified as Level 3 for purposes of the fair value determination by RCM and approved by the Board of Directors.
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2024 (Continued)
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates
Company
Type of Investment
January 1, 2024, Fair Value
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)
Gross Additions
(1)
Gross Reductions
(2)
December 31, 2024, Fair Value
Net Realized Gains (Losses)
Interest/
Dividend/
Fee Income (3)
Control Investments:
ITA Acquisition, LLC
$2,297,808 Fourth Amended and Restated Term Note at 3% (+11% PIK) through December 31, 2024, thereafter 12% (+2% PIK), due June 21, 2026.
$
2,496,708
$
(1,601,252
)
$
747,512
$
-
$
1,642,968
$
-
$
472,494
$1,500,000 Term Note at 3% (+11% PIK) through December 31, 2024, thereafter 12% (+2% PIK), due June 21, 2026.
1,652,252
(963,878
)
168,658
-
857,032
-
279,343
1,124 Class A Preferred Units and 1,924 Class B Common Units.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Total ITA
4,148,960
(2,565,130
)
916,170
-
2,500,000
-
751,837
Total Control Investments
$
4,148,960
$
(2,565,130
)
$
916,170
$
-
$
2,500,000
$
-
$
751,837
Affiliate Investments:
Applied Image, Inc.
$1,750,000 Term Note at 10% (+2% PIK) through February 1, 2025, thereafter 10%, due February 1, 2029.
$
1,750,000
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
1,750,000
$
-
$
219,605
Warrant for 1,167 shares.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Total Applied Image
1,750,000
-
-
-
1,750,000
-
219,605
BMP Food Service Supply Holdco, LLC
$7,035,000 Second Amended and Restated Term Note; $4,820,000 at 12% and $2,215,000 at 13% (+3% PIK), due November 22, 2027.
6,394,953
-
177,911
(34,838
)
6,538,026
-
892,470
15.4% Preferred Interest.
1,000,000
(610,000
)
107,619
-
497,619
-
-
Total FSS
7,394,953
(610,000
)
285,530
(34,838
)
7,035,645
-
892,470
BMP Swanson Holdco, LLC
$1,600,000 Term Note at 12% due May 31, 2028.
1,700,115
-
-
-
1,700,115
-
214,611
Preferred Membership Interest for 9.24%.
500,000
250,000
-
-
750,000
-
-
Total BMP Swanson
2,200,115
250,000
-
-
2,450,115
-
214,611
Carolina Skiff LLC
6.0825% Class A Common Membership Interest.
1,708,000
(500,000
)
-
-
1,208,000
-
-
DSD Operating, LLC
$3,063,276 Term Note at 12% (+2% PIK) due September 30, 2026.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,067 Class A Preferred shares.
-
-
-
-
-
23,699
-
1,067 Class B Common shares.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Total DSD
-
-
-
-
-
23,699
-
FCM Industries Holdco LLC
$3,380,000 Term Note at 13% due July 31, 2028.
3,380,000
-
-
-
3,380,000
-
473,513
$420,000 Convertible Note at 10% PIK, due July 31, 2033.
438,156
(484,837
)
46,681
-
-
-
46,681
Total FCM
3,818,156
(484,837
)
46,681
-
3,380,000
-
520,194
Filterworks Acquisition USA, LLC
$2,283,702 Amended Term Note at 6% (+8% PIK) through March 31, 2025, thereafter 12% (+2% PIK), due March 31, 2026.
2,880,946
-
253,952
(206,250
)
2,928,648
-
428,268
626.2 shares Class A-1 Units.
256,994
(256,994
)
-
-
-
-
-
417.7 shares Class A-0 Units.
139,232
(139,232
)
-
-
-
-
-
Total Filterworks
3,277,172
(396,226
)
253,952
(206,250
)
2,928,648
-
428,268
Highland All About People Holdings, Inc.
$3,000,000 Term Note at 12% (+4% PIK) due August 7, 2028.
3,049,187
-
125,904
-
3,175,091
-
515,616
1,000,000 Class A Units.
1,000,000
(400,000
)
-
-
600,000
-
-
Total All About People
4,049,187
(400,000
)
125,904
-
3,775,091
-
515,616
Inter-National Electronic Alloys
$3,288,235 Term Note at 12% (+2% PIK) due April 4, 2028.
3,338,074
-
33,995
-
3,372,069
-
457,071
LLC
75.3 Class B Preferred Units.
1,011,765
-
-
-
1,011,765
-
-
Total INEA
4,349,839
-
33,995
-
4,383,834
-
457,071
See accompanying notes
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2024 (Continued)
Company
Type of Investment
January 1, 2024, Fair Value
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)
Gross Additions
(1)
Gross Reductions
(2)
December 31, 2024, Fair Value
Net Realized Gains (Losses)
Interest/
Dividend/
Fee Income (3)
Knoa Software, Inc.
973,533 Series A-1 Convertible Preferred.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,876,922 Series B Preferred.
100,000
1,129,155
-
(1,229,155
)
-
(1,229,155
)
-
Total Knoa
100,000
1,129,155
-
(1,229,155
)
-
(1,229,155
)
-
Mezmeriz, Inc.
1,554,565 Series Seed Preferred.
-
742,850
-
(742,850
)
-
(742,850
)
-
Mobile RN Holdings LLC
$2,500,000 Term Note at 14% (+1% PIK) due October 2, 2029.
-
-
2,506,319
-
2,506,319
-
97,667
6,375 Class A Common Units.
-
-
375,000
-
375,000
-
-
Total Mobile IV Nurses
-
-
2,881,319
-
2,881,319
-
97,667
Pressure Pro, Inc.
$3,000,000 Term Note at 12% (+3% PIK) due January 19, 2028.
3,063,436
-
66,721
(1,427,452
)
1,702,705
-
367,382
Warrant for 10% Membership Interest.
30,000
720,000
-
-
750,000
-
50,000
Total Pressure Pro
3,093,436
720,000
66,721
(1,427,452
)
2,452,705
-
417,382
SciAps, Inc.
187,500 Series A Preferred.
1,500,000
-
-
(1,500,000
)
-
3,705,106
-
274,299 Series A1 Convertible Preferred.
504,710
-
-
(504,710
)
-
1,246,669
-
117,371 Series B Convertible Preferred.
250,000
-
-
(250,000
)
-
617,518
-
113,636 Series C Convertible Preferred.
175,000
-
-
(175,000
)
-
432,262
-
369,698 Series C1 Convertible Preferred.
399,274
-
-
(399,274
)
-
986,235
-
147,059 Series D Convertible Preferred.
250,000
-
-
(250,000
)
-
617,518
-
Warrant to purchase Series D-1 Preferred.
45,000
-
-
(45,000
)
-
111,153
-
$2,090,000 Second Amended and Restated Secured Subordinated Promissory Note at 12% due August 20, 2024.
2,090,000
-
-
(2,090,000
)
-
-
311,462
Total SciAps
5,213,984
-
-
(5,213,984
)
-
7,716,461
311,462
Seybert’s Billiards Corporation
$6,099,131 Third Amended and Restated Term Note at 12% (+2% PIK) due January 19, 2026.
4,274,917
-
1,892,806
-
6,167,723
-
889,979
Warrant for 4% Membership Interest.
25,000
-
-
-
25,000
-
-
$1,435,435 Term Note at 12% (+2% PIK) due January 19, 2026.
1,475,613
-
35,451
-
1,511,064
-
225,732
Warrant for 4% Membership Interest.
25,000
-
-
-
25,000
-
-
5.82 Common shares.
194,000
-
-
-
194,000
-
-
Total Seybert’s
5,994,530
-
1,928,257
-
7,922,787
-
1,115,711
Tilson Technology
120,000 Series B Preferred.
4,559,500
-
-
4,560,000
-
52,500
Management, Inc.
21,391 Series C Preferred.
812,800
-
-
813,000
-
-
70,176 Series D Preferred.
2,666,400
(400
)
-
-
2,666,000
-
-
15,385 Series E Preferred.
584,500
(500
)
-
-
584,000
-
-
23,077 Series F Preferred.
876,800
-
-
877,000
-
-
211,567 A-1 Units of SQF Holdco LLC.
800,000
200,000
-
-
1,000,000
302,677
-
250 Class D-1 Units of SQF Holdco LLC.
250,000
750,000
-
-
1,000,000
94,587
-
Total Tilson
10,550,000
950,000
-
-
11,500,000
397,264
52,500
Total Affiliate Investments
$
53,499,372
$
1,400,942
$
5,622,359
$
(8,854,529
)
$
51,668,144
$
6,165,419
$
5,242,557
Total Control and Affiliate Investments
$
57,648,332
$
(1,164,188
)
$
6,538,529
$
(8,854,529
)
$
54,168,144
$
6,165,419
$
5,994,394
See accompanying notes
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2024 (Continued)
This schedule should be read in conjunction with the Corporation’s Consolidated Financial Statements, including the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments.
(1)Gross additions include increases in the cost basis of investments resulting from new portfolio investments, follow on investments, capitalized interest and the accretion of discounts. Gross additions also include the movement of an existing portfolio company into this category and out of another category.
(2)Gross reductions include decreases in the cost basis of investments resulting from principal repayments, sales, note conversions, the exchange of existing securities for new securities and the movement of an existing portfolio company out of this category and into another category.
(3)Represents the total amount of interest, fees or dividends credited to income for the portion of the period an investment was included in “Control or Affiliate” categories, respectively.
See accompanying notes
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2024 (Continued)
Industry Classification
Percentage of Total Investments (at fair value) as of December 31, 2024
Professional and Business Services
47.6
%
Consumer Product
17.7
Manufacturing
12.7
Distribution
9.7
Software
4.1
Automotive
4.1
Health and Wellness
4.1
Total Investments
%
See accompanying notes
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2023
Company, Geographic Location, Business Description, (Industry) and Website
(a)
Type of Investment
(b)
Date Acquired
(c)
Equity
Cost
(d)(f)
Fair Value
Percent of Net Assets
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Investments - 32.0% of net assets: (g) (j)
ACV Auctions, Inc. (e)
NASDAQ: ACVA
194,934 shares of Class A Common Stock valued at $15.15 per share.
8/12/16
<1%
$
53,094
$
2,953,250
4.9%
Buffalo, NY. Live mobile wholesale auctions for new and used car dealers. (Software)
www.acvauctions.com
Ares Capital Corporation (n)
NASDAQ: ARCC
New York, NY.
(BDC Investment Fund)
21,000 shares valued at $20.03 per share.
3/16/20
<1%
267,140
420,630
0.7%
Barings BDC, Inc. (n)
NYSE: BBDC
New York, NY.
(BDC Investment Fund)
40,000 shares valued at $8.58 per share.
8/13/20
<1%
333,352
343,200
0.6%
Caitec, Inc. (e)(l)(p)
Halethorpe, MD. Pet product manufacturer and distributor. (Consumer Goods)
www.caitec.com
$1,750,000 Subordinated Secured Promissory Note modified to 14% PIK through December 31, 2024, thereafter 12% (+2% PIK), due June 1, 2026.
11/6/20
4%
1,942,244
1,942,244
6.5%
36,261 Series A Preferred.
12/28/23
36,261
36,261
150 Class A Units.
11/6/20
150,000
-
$1,750,000 Subordinated Secured Promissory Note modified to 14% PIK through December 31, 2024, thereafter 12% (+2% PIK), due June 1, 2026.
11/6/20
1,942,244
1,942,244
150 Class A Units.
11/6/20
150,000
-
36,261 Series A Preferred.
12/28/23
36,261
36,261
Total Caitec
4,257,010
3,957,010
Carlyle Secured Lending Inc. (n)
NASDAQ: CGBD
New York, NY.
(BDC Investment Fund)
86,000 shares valued at $14.96 per share.
8/13/20
<1%
899,749
1,286,560
2.1%
FS KKR Capital Corp. (n)
NYSE: FSK
Philadelphia, PA.
(BDC Investment Fund)
48,000 shares valued at $19.97 per share.
3/16/20
<1%
755,058
958,560
1.6%
GoNoodle, Inc. (l)(p)
Nashville, TN. Student engagement education
$1,500,000 Secured Note at 12% (1% PIK) due September 30, 2025.
11/1/19
<1%
1,425,938
1,425,938
2.3%
software providing core aligned physical
Warrant for 47,324 Series C Preferred.
3/1/15
activity breaks. (Software)
Warrant for 21,948 Series D Preferred.
11/1/19
www.gonoodle.com
Total GoNoodle
1,426,001
1,426,001
HDI Acquisition LLC (Hilton Displays) (h)(l)(p)
Greenville, NC. Manufacturing, installation
$1,245,119 Term Loan at 12% (+2% PIK) due June 30, 2025.
11/8/19
0%
1,050,305
1,050,305
1.7%
and maintenance of signage and brands. (Manufacturing)
www.hiltondisplays.com
Lumious (Tech 2000, Inc.) (p)
Herndon, VA. Develops and delivers IT
$850,000 Replacement Term Note at 14% due December 1, 2024.
11/16/18
0%
789,944
789,944
1.3%
training. (Software)
www.t2000inc.com
Mattison Avenue Holdings LLC (l)(p)
Dallas, TX. Provider of upscale salon spaces for lease. (Professional and Business Services)
$1,794,944 Third Amended, Restated and Consolidated Promissory Note at 12% (+2% PIK) due January 31, 2024.
6/23/21
0%
1,894,470
1,894,470
3.1%
www.mattisonsalonsuites.com
See accompanying notes
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2023 (Continued)
Company, Geographic Location, Business Description, (Industry) and Website
(a)
Type of Investment
(b)
Date Acquired
(c)
Equity
Cost
(d)(f)
Fair Value
Percent of Net Assets
Nailbiter, Inc. (p)
Reston, VA. Video-metrics data analytics supporting name brand Consumer Products Groups (CPG) shopping behavioral insight. (Professional and Business Services)
$2,250,000 Membership Interest of USB Focus Fund Nailbiter I, LLC with economic interest of $2,250,000 Subordinated Secured Promissory Note at net 9% due November 23, 2024.
11/22/21
<1%
2,250,000
2,250,000
3.7%
www.nailbiter.com
Warrants for Preferred Stock.
11/22/21
-
-
Total Nailbiter
2,250,000
2,250,000
(i) Interest Receivable $50,092
OnCore Golf Technology, Inc. (e)(p)
Buffalo, NY. Patented and proprietary golf balls utilizing technology and innovation. (Consumer Product)
www.oncoregolf.com
300,483 Preferred AA.
11/30/18
3%
752,712
100,000
0.2%
Open Exchange, Inc. (e)(p)
397,899 Series C Preferred.
11/13/13
3%
1,193,697
700,000
1.1%
Lincoln, MA. Online presentation and
397,899 Common.
10/22/19
208,243
-
training software. (Software)
Total Open Exchange
1,401,940
700,000
www.openexc.com
PennantPark Investment Corporation (n)
NASDAQ: PNNT
New York, NY.
(BDC Investment Fund)
195,000 shares valued at $6.91 per share.
8/13/20
<1%
892,212
1,347,450
2.2%
PostProcess Technologies, Inc. (e)(p)
Buffalo, NY. Provides innovative solutions for the post-processing of additive manufactured 3D parts. (Manufacturing)
www.postprocess.com
360,002 Series A1 Preferred.
11/1/19
<1%
348,875
-
0.0%
Subtotal Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Investments
$
17,371,862
$
19,477,380
Affiliate Investments - 88.0% of net assets (g) (k)
Applied Image, Inc. (p)
Rochester, NY. Global supplier of precision
$1,750,000 Term Note at 10% due February 1, 2029.
12/31/21
12%
1,750,000
1,750,000
2.9%
imaged optical components and calibration
Warrant for 1,167 shares.
12/31/21
-
-
standards for a wide range of industries and
Total Applied Image
1,750,000
1,750,000
applications. (Manufacturing)
www.appliedimage.com
BMP Food Service Supply Holdco, LLC (l)(m)(p)
Salt Lake City, UT. Provides design, distribution, and installation services for
$7,035,000 Second Amended and Restated Term Note, $4,820,000 at 12%, $2,215,000 at 13% (+3% PIK), due November 22, 2027.
11/22/22
15%
6,394,953
6,394,953
12.2%
commercial kitchen renovations and new
15.4% Preferred Interest.
11/22/22
390,000
1,000,000
builds. (Professional and Business Services)
Total BMP Food Service Supply
6,784,953
7,394,953
www.foodservicesupply.com
BMP Swanson Holdco, LLC (l)(m)(p)
Plano, TX. Designs, installs, and maintains a
$1,600,000 Term Note at 12% due September 4, 2026.
3/4/21
9%
1,700,115
1,700,115
3.6%
a variety of fire protection systems.
(Professional and Business Services)
Preferred Membership Interest for 9.29%.
3/4/21
233,333
500,000
www.swansonfire.com
Total BMP Swanson
1,933,448
2,200,115
See accompanying notes
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2023 (Continued)
Company, Geographic Location, Business Description, (Industry) and Website
(a)
Type of Investment
(b)
Date Acquired
(c)
Equity
Cost
(d)(f)
Fair Value
Percent of Net Assets
Carolina Skiff LLC (e)(m)(p)
Waycross, GA. Manufacturer of ocean fishing
6.0825% Class A Common Membership Interest.
1/30/04
7%
15,000
1,708,000
2.8%
and pleasure boats. (Manufacturing)
www.carolinaskiff.com
FCM Industries Holdco LLC (l)(p)
Jacksonville, FL. Commercial mulch
$3,380,000 Term Note at 13% due July 31, 2028.
7/31/23
12%
3,380,000
3,380,000
6.3%
installation company that serves a range
of end markets.
$420,000 Convertible Note at 10% PIK, due July 31, 2033.
7/31/23
438,156
438,156
(Professional and Business Services)
Total FCM Industries
3,818,156
3,818,156
www.firstcoastmulch.com
Filterworks Acquisition USA, LLC d/b/a Autotality (l)(m)(p)
$2,283,702 Term Note at 12% (+2% PIK) due August 30, 2024.
11/18/19
8%
2,880,946
2,880,946
5.4%
Deerfield Beach, FL. Provides spray booth
626.2 shares Class A-1 Units.
6/3/22
626,243
256,994
equipment, frame repair machines and paint
417.7 shares Class A-0 Units.
9/30/22
139,232
139,232
booth filter services for collision shops.
Total Filterworks
3,646,421
3,277,172
(Automotive)
www.autotality.com
Highland All About People Holdings, Inc. (l)(p)
$3,000,000 Term Note at 12% (+4% PIK) due August 7, 2028.
8/7/23
12%
3,049,187
3,049,187
6.7%
Phoenix, AZ. Full-service staffing and
1,000,000 Class A Units.
8/7/23
1,000,000
1,000,000
executive search firm with a focus on the
Total Highland All About People
4,049,187
4,049,187
healthcare industry.
(Professional and Business Services)
www.allaboutpeople.net
Inter-National Electronic Alloys LLC
d/b/a EFINEA (l)(m)(p)
$3,288,235 Term Note at 12% (+2% PIK) due April 4, 2028.
4/4/23
6%
3,338,074
3,338,074
7.1%
Oakland, NJ. Stocking distributor of
75.3 Class B Preferred Units.
4/4/23
1,011,765
1,011,765
controlled expansion alloys, electronic grade
Total EFINEA
4,349,839
4,349,839
nickels, refractory grade metals and alloys,
and soft magnetic alloys. (Distribution)
www.nealloys.com
Knoa Software, Inc. (e)(p)
New York, NY. End user experience
973,533 Series A-1 Convertible Preferred.
11/20/12
7%
750,000
-
0.2%
management and performance (EMP)
1,876,922 Series B Preferred.
6/9/14
479,155
100,000
solutions utilizing enterprise applications.
Total Knoa
1,229,155
100,000
(Software)
www.knoa.com
Mezmeriz, Inc. (e)(p)
1,554,565 Series Seed Preferred.
5/14/15
12%
742,850
-
0.0%
Ithaca, NY. Technology company developing novel reality capture tools for 3D mapping, reality modeling, object tracking and classification. (Electronics Developer)
www.mezmeriz.com
Pressure Pro, Inc. (l)(p)
Harrisonville, MO. A provider of branded tire
$3,000,000 Term Note at 12% (+3% PIK) due January 19, 2028.
1/19/23
10%
3,063,436
3,063,436
5.1%
pressure monitoring systems consisting
Warrant for 10% Membership Interest.
1/19/23
30,000
30,000
of a suite of proprietary hardware
Total Pressure Pro
3,093,436
3,093,436
and software. (Manufacturing)
www.pressurepro.us
SciAps, Inc. (p)
187,500 Series A Preferred.
7/12/13
6%
1,500,000
1,500,000
8.6%
Woburn, MA. Instrumentation company
274,299 Series A1 Convertible Preferred.
4/4/14
504,710
504,710
producing portable analytical devices using
117,371 Series B Convertible Preferred.
8/31/15
250,000
250,000
XRF, LIBS and RAMAN spectroscopy to
113,636 Series C Convertible Preferred.
4/7/16
175,000
175,000
identify compounds, minerals, and elements.
369,698 Series C1 Convertible Preferred.
4/7/16
399,274
399,274
(Manufacturing)
147,059 Series D Convertible Preferred.
5/9/17
250,000
250,000
www.sciaps.com
Warrant to purchase Series D-1 Preferred.
5/9/17
45,000
45,000
$2,090,000 Second Amended and Restated Secured Subordinated Promissory Note at 12% due August 20, 2024.
8/20/21
2,090,000
2,090,000
Total SciAps
5,213,984
5,213,984
See accompanying notes
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2023 (Continued)
Company, Geographic Location, Business Description, (Industry) and Website
(a)
Type of Investment
(b)
Date
Acquired
(c)
Equity
Cost
(d)(f)
Fair
Value
Percent of Net Assets
Seybert’s Billiards Corporation
d/b/a The Rack Group (l)(p)
$4,139,444 Term Note at 12% (+2% PIK) due January 19, 2026.
11/22/21
8%
4,274,917
4,274,917
9.8%
Coldwater, MI. Billiard supplies.
Warrant for 4% Membership Interest.
1/19/21
25,000
25,000
(Consumer Product)
www.seyberts.com
$1,435,435 Term Note at 12% (+2% PIK) due January 19, 2026.
1/19/21
1,475,613
1,475,613
Warrant for 4% Membership Interest.
1/19/21
25,000
25,000
5.82 Common shares.
10/24/22
194,000
194,000
Total Seybert’s
5,994,530
5,994,530
Tilson Technology Management, Inc. (p)
*120,000 Series B Preferred.
1/20/15
9%
600,000
4,559,500
17.3%
Portland, ME. Provides network deployment
*21,391 Series C Preferred.
9/28/16
200,000
812,800
construction and information system services
*70,176 Series D Preferred.
9/29/17
800,000
2,666,400
management for cellular, fiber optic and
*15,385 Series E Preferred.
3/15/19
500,012
584,500
wireless systems providers. Its affiliated
23,077 Series F Preferred.
6/15/20
750,003
876,800
entity, SQF, LLC is a CLEC supporting
211,567 A-1 Units of SQF Holdco LLC.
3/15/19
-
800,000
small cell 5G deployment.
(Professional and Business Services)
250 Class D-1 Units of SQF Holdco LLC.
2/16/23
250,000
250,000
www.tilsontech.com
Total Tilson
3,100,015
10,550,000
*2.5% dividend payable quarterly.
Subtotal Affiliate Investments
$
45,720,974
$
53,499,372
Control Investments - 6.8% of net assets (g) (o)
ITA Acquisition, LLC (l)(m)(p)
Ormond Beach, FL. Blind and shade manufacturing. (Manufacturing)
www.itawindowfashions.com
$2,297,808 Amended and Restated Term Note at 12% (+5% PIK) through September 30, 2024, thereafter 12% (+2% PIK), due June 21, 2026.
6/22/21
37%
2,496,708
2,496,708
6.8%
$1,500,000 Term Note at 12% (+5% PIK) through September 30, 2024, thereafter 12% (+2% PIK), due June 21, 2026.
6/22/21
1,652,252
1,652,252
1,124 Class A Preferred Units and 1,924 Class B Common Units.
6/22/21
1,123,810
-
Total ITA
5,272,770
4,148,960
Subtotal Control Investments
$
5,272,770
$
4,148,960
TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 126.8%
$
68,365,606
$
77,125,712
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS - (26.8%)
(16,310,499
)
NET ASSETS - 100%
$
60,815,213
See accompanying notes
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2023 (Continued)
Notes to the Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments
(a)At December 31, 2023, restricted securities represented 91% of the fair value of the investment portfolio. Restricted securities are subject to one or more restrictions on resale and are not freely marketable. Type of investment for equity position is in the form of shares unless otherwise noted as units or interests, i.e., preferred shares, common shares.
(b)The Date Acquired column indicates the date on which the Corporation first acquired an investment.
(c)Each equity percentage estimates the Corporation’s ownership interest in the applicable portfolio investment. The estimated ownership is calculated based on the percent of outstanding voting securities held by the Corporation or the potential percentage of voting securities held by the Corporation upon exercise of warrants or conversion of debentures, or other available data. If applicable, the symbol “<1%” indicates that the Corporation holds an equity interest of less than one percent.
(d)The Corporation’s investments are carried at fair value in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” which defines fair value and establishes guidelines for measuring fair value. At December 31, 2023, ASC 820 designates 91% of the Corporation’s investments as “Level 3” assets. Under the valuation policy of the Corporation, unrestricted publicly traded securities are valued at the closing price for these securities on the last trading day of the reporting period. Restricted securities are subject to restrictions on resale and are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by our external investment advisor Rand Capital Management, LLC (“RCM”) and approved by the Board of Directors. Fair value is considered to be the amount that the Corporation may reasonably expect to receive for portfolio securities when sold on the valuation date. Valuations as of any particular date, however, are not necessarily indicative of amounts which may ultimately be realized as a result of future sales or other dispositions of securities and these favorable or unfavorable differences could be material. Among the factors considered in determining the fair value of restricted securities are the financial condition and operating results, projected operations, and other analytical data relating to the investment. Also considered are the market prices for unrestricted securities of the same class (if applicable) and other matters which may have an impact on the value of the portfolio company (see Note 2. “Investments” to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
(e)These investments are non-income producing. All other investments are income producing. Non-income producing investments have not generated cash payments of interest or dividends including LLC tax-related distributions within the last twelve months or are not expected to do so going forward. If a debt or a preferred equity investment fails to make its most recent payment, then the investment will also be classified as non-income producing.
(f)As of December 31, 2023, the total cost of investment securities was approximately $68.4 million. Net unrealized appreciation was approximately $8.8 million, which was comprised of $14.1 million of unrealized appreciation of investment securities and ($5.4) million of unrealized depreciation of investment securities. At December 31, 2023, the aggregate gross unrealized gain for federal income tax purposes was $14.1 million and the aggregate gross unrealized loss for federal income tax purposes was ($4.2) million. The net unrealized gain for federal income tax purposes was $9.9 million based on a tax cost of $68 million.
(g)All of the Corporation’s portfolio assets are pledged as collateral for purposes of securing the Corporation’s senior secured revolving credit facility pursuant to a general security agreement, dated June 27, 2022, between the Corporation, the subsidiaries listed therein, and the Lender (as defined herein).
(h)Reduction in cost and fair value from previously reported balances reflects current principal repayment.
(i)Represents interest due (amounts over $50,000) from investments included as interest receivable on the Corporation’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.
(j)Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Investments are investments that are neither Control Investments nor Affiliate Investments.
(k)Affiliate Investments are defined by the 1940 Act, as those Non-Control investments in companies in which between 5% and 25% of the voting securities are owned by the Corporation.
(l)Payment in kind (PIK) represents earned interest that is added to the cost basis of the investment and due at maturity. The amount of PIK earned is included in the interest rate detailed in the “Type of Investment” column, unless it has been noted with a (+), in which case the PIK is in addition to the face amount of interest due on the security.
(m)Equity holdings are held in a wholly owned (100%) “blocker corporation” subsidiary of Rand Capital Corporation for federal income tax and Regulated Investment Company (RIC) compliance purposes.
(n)Indicates assets that the Corporation believes do not represent “qualifying assets” under Section 55(a) of the 1940 Act. Qualifying assets must represent at least 70% of the Corporation’s total assets at the time of acquisition of any additional non-qualifying assets. Of the Corporation’s total assets, 5.38% were non-qualifying assets as of December 31, 2023.
(o)Control Investments are defined by the 1940 Act as investments in companies in which more than 25% of the voting securities are owned by the Corporation or where greater than 50% of the board representation is maintained.
(p)Investments classified as Level 3 for purposes of the fair value determination by RCM and approved by the Board of Directors.
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2023 (Continued)
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates
Company
Type of Investment
January 1, 2023, Fair Value
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)
Gross Additions
(1)
Gross Reductions
(2)
December 31, 2023, Fair Value
Net Realized Gains (Losses)
Interest/
Dividend/
Fee Income (3)
Control Investments:
ITA Acquisition, LLC
$2,297,808 Amended and Restated Term Note at 12% (+5% PIK) through September 30, 2024, thereafter 12% (+2% PIK), due June 21, 2026.
$
1,976,116
$
-
$
520,592
$
-
$
2,496,708
$
-
$
420,499
$1,500,000 Term Note at 12% (+5% PIK) through September 30, 2024, thereafter 12% (+2% PIK), due June 21, 2026.
1,560,091
-
92,161
-
1,652,252
-
295,615
1,124 Class A Preferred Units and 1,924 Class B Common Units.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Total ITA
3,536,207
-
612,753
-
4,148,960
-
716,114
Total Control Investments
$
3,536,207
$
-
$
612,753
$
-
$
4,148,960
$
-
$
716,114
Affiliate Investments:
Applied Image, Inc.
$1,750,000 Term Note at 10% due February 1, 2029.
$
1,750,000
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
1,750,000
$
-
$
183,536
Warrant for 1,167 shares.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Total Applied Image
1,750,000
-
-
-
1,750,000
-
183,536
BMP Food Service Supply Holdco, LLC
$7,035,000 Second Amended and Restated Term Note, $4,820,000 at 12%, $2,215,000 at 13% (+3% PIK), due November 22, 2027.
2,500,000
-
4,535,000
(640,047
)
6,394,953
-
643,615
15.4% Preferred Interest.
600,000
610,000
-
(210,000
)
1,000,000
-
-
Total FSS
3,100,000
610,000
4,535,000
(850,047
)
7,394,953
-
643,615
BMP Swanson Holdco, LLC
$1,600,000 Term Note at 12% due September 4, 2026.
1,600,000
-
100,115
-
1,700,115
-
206,918
Preferred Membership Interest for 9.29%.
233,333
266,667
-
-
500,000
-
-
Total BMP Swanson
1,833,333
266,667
100,115
-
2,200,115
-
206,918
Carolina Skiff LLC
6.0825% Class A Common Membership Interest.
1,957,000
(249,000
)
-
-
1,708,000
-
372,173
DSD Operating, LLC
$3,063,276 Term Note at 12% (+2% PIK) due September 30, 2026.
3,139,782
-
31,652
(3,171,434
)
-
-
324,000
1,067 Class A Preferred shares.
1,954,198
(886,698
)
-
(1,067,500
)
-
2,459,819
62,565
1,067 Class B Common shares.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Total DSD
5,093,980
(886,698
)
31,652
(4,238,934
)
-
2,459,819
386,565
FCM Industries Holdco LLC
$3,380,000 Term Note at 13% due July 31, 2028.
-
-
3,380,000
-
3,380,000
-
205,078
$420,000 Convertible Note at 10% PIK, due July 31, 2033.
-
-
438,156
-
438,156
-
18,156
Total FCM
-
-
3,818,156
-
3,818,156
-
223,234
Filterworks Acquisition USA, LLC
$2,283,702 Term Note at 12% (+2% PIK) due August 30, 2024.
2,633,105
-
247,841
-
2,880,946
-
388,915
626.2 shares Class A-1 Units.
256,994
-
-
-
256,994
-
-
417.7 shares Class A-0 Units.
139,232
-
-
-
139,232
-
-
Total Filterworks
3,029,331
-
247,841
-
3,277,172
-
388,915
Highland All About People Holdings, Inc.
$3,000,000 Term Note at 12% (+4% PIK) due August 7, 2028.
-
-
3,049,187
-
3,049,187
-
201,524
1,000,000 Class A Units.
-
-
1,000,000
-
1,000,000
-
-
Total All About People
-
-
4,049,187
-
4,049,187
-
201,524
Inter-National Electronic Alloys
$3,288,235 Term Note at 12% (+2% PIK) due April 4, 2028.
-
-
3,338,074
-
3,338,074
-
358,736
LLC
75.3 Class B Preferred Units.
-
-
1,011,765
-
1,011,765
-
-
Total INEA
-
-
4,349,839
-
4,349,839
-
358,736
See accompanying notes
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2023 (Continued)
Company
Type of Investment
January 1, 2023, Fair Value
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)
Gross Additions
(1)
Gross Reductions
(2)
December 31, 2023, Fair Value
Net Realized Gains (Losses)
Interest/
Dividend/
Fee Income (3)
Knoa Software, Inc.
973,533 Series A-1 Convertible Preferred.
-
-
-
-
-
-
34,850
1,876,922 Series B Preferred.
100,000
-
-
-
100,000
-
-
Total Knoa
100,000
-
-
-
100,000
-
34,850
Mezmeriz, Inc.
1,554,565 Series Seed Preferred.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Microcision LLC
Membership Interest Purchase Warrant for 5%.
-
-
-
-
-
115,010
-
Pressure Pro, Inc.
$3,000,000 Term Note at 12% (+3% PIK) due January 19, 2028.
-
-
3,063,436
-
3,063,436
-
474,582
Warrant for 10% Membership Interest.
-
-
30,000
-
30,000
-
-
Total Pressure Pro
-
-
3,093,436
-
3,093,436
-
474,582
SciAps, Inc.
187,500 Series A Preferred.
1,500,000
-
-
-
1,500,000
-
-
274,299 Series A1 Convertible Preferred.
504,710
-
-
-
504,710
-
-
117,371 Series B Convertible Preferred.
250,000
-
-
-
250,000
-
-
113,636 Series C Convertible Preferred.
175,000
-
-
-
175,000
-
-
369,698 Series C1 Convertible Preferred.
399,274
-
-
-
399,274
-
-
147,059 Series D Convertible Preferred.
250,000
-
-
-
250,000
-
-
Warrant to purchase Series D-1 Preferred.
45,000
-
-
-
45,000
-
-
$2,090,000 Second Amended and Restated Secured Subordinated Promissory Note at 12% due August 20, 2024.
2,085,000
-
5,000
-
2,090,000
-
261,300
Total SciAps
5,208,984
-
5,000
-
5,213,984
-
261,300
Seybert’s Billiards Corporation
$4,139,444 Term Note at 12% (+2% PIK) due January 19, 2026.
4,184,106
-
90,811
-
4,274,917
-
633,494
Warrant for 4% Membership Interest.
25,000
-
-
-
25,000
-
-
$1,435,435 Term Note at 12% (+2% PIK) due January 19, 2026.
1,440,855
-
34,758
-
1,475,613
-
220,890
Warrant for 4% Membership Interest.
25,000
-
-
-
25,000
-
-
5.82 Common shares.
194,000
-
-
-
194,000
-
-
Total Seybert’s
5,868,961
-
125,569
-
5,994,530
-
854,384
Tilson Technology
120,000 Series B Preferred.
4,559,500
-
-
-
4,559,500
-
52,501
Management, Inc.
21,391 Series C Preferred.
812,800
-
-
-
812,800
-
-
70,176 Series D Preferred.
2,666,400
-
-
-
2,666,400
-
-
15,385 Series E Preferred.
584,500
-
-
-
584,500
-
-
23,077 Series F Preferred.
876,800
-
-
-
876,800
-
-
211,567 A-1 Units of SQF Holdco LLC.
800,000
-
-
-
800,000
-
-
250 Class D-1 Units of SQF Holdco LLC.
-
-
250,000
-
250,000
-
-
Total Tilson
10,300,000
-
250,000
-
10,550,000
-
52,501
Total Affiliate Investments
$
38,241,589
$
(259,031
)
$
20,605,795
$
(5,088,981
)
$
53,499,372
$
2,574,829
$
4,642,833
Total Control and Affiliate Investments
$
41,777,796
$
(259,031
)
$
21,218,548
$
(5,088,981
)
$
57,648,332
$
2,574,829
$
5,358,947
This schedule should be read in conjunction with the Corporation’s Consolidated Financial Statements, including the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments.
(1)Gross additions include increases in the cost basis of investments resulting from new portfolio investments, follow on investments, capitalized interest and the accretion of discounts. Gross additions also include the movement of an existing portfolio company into this category and out of another category.
(2)Gross reductions include decreases in the cost basis of investments resulting from principal repayments, sales, note conversions, the exchange of existing securities for new securities and the movement of an existing portfolio company out of this category and into another category.
(3)Represents the total amount of interest, fees or dividends credited to income for the portion of the period an investment was included in “Control or Affiliate” categories, respectively.
See accompanying notes
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2023 (Continued)
Industry Classification
Percentage of Total Investments (at fair value) as of December 31, 2023
Professional and Business Services
41.7
%
Manufacturing
22.0
Consumer Product
13.0
Software
7.7
BDC Investment Funds
5.7
Distribution
5.6
Automotive
4.3
Total Investments
%
See accompanying notes
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS SCHEDULE
For the Five Years Ended December 31, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020
The following is a schedule of financial highlights for the years ended:
Per Share Data: (1)
Net asset value, beginning of year
$
23.56
$
22.36
$
23.54
$
17.86
$
32.93
Net investment income (loss)
1.33
1.15
1.72
(1.01
)
0.68
Net realized gains (losses)
4.31
0.27
0.27
2.26
(2.32
)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation
(2.22
)
1.11
(2.33
)
4.87
1.93
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations
3.42
2.53
(0.34
)
6.12
0.29
Purchase of treasury shares
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
(0.03
)
Effect of the stock dividend
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
(12.16
)
Declaration of cash dividend
(1.67
)
(1.33
)
(0.83
)
(0.44
)
(3.17
)
Increase (decrease) in net assets
1.75
1.20
(1.18
)
5.68
(15.07
)
Net asset value, end of year
$
25.31
$
23.56
$
22.36
$
23.54
$
17.86
Per share market value, end of year
$
19.25
$
12.99
$
13.32
$
16.99
$
17.60
Total return based on market value (2)
88.58
%
7.26
%
(16.99
%)
6.51
%
(22.64
%)
Total return based on net asset value (3)
28.78
%
11.31
%
(1.45
%)
34.28
%
(40.87
%)
Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period
$
65,332,520
$
60,815,213
$
57,721,320
$
60,745,416
$
46,104,830
Ratio of expenses before income taxes to average net assets
7.67
%
7.05
%
1.89
%
12.49
%
3.96
%
Ratio of expenses including taxes to average net assets
7.60
%
10.88
%
2.25
%
12.11
%
6.62
%
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets
5.43
%
5.01
%
7.48
%
(4.88
%)
3.52
%
Portfolio turnover
18.9
%
29.4
%
11.2
%
37.8
%
29.4
%
Total amount of senior securities outstanding, exclusive of treasury securities
$
600,000
$
16,250,000
$
2,550,000
$
-
$
-
Asset coverage per unit (4)
10,988.8%
474.2
%
2,363.6%
N/A
N/A
(1)Per share data are based on shares outstanding and results are rounded.
(2)Total return based on market value is calculated as the change in market value per share during the period plus declared dividends per share, assuming reinvestment of dividends, divided by the beginning market value per share
(3)Total return based on net asset value is calculated as the change in net asset value per share during the period plus declared dividends per share, divided by the beginning net asset value per share.
(4)Asset coverage per unit is the ratio of the carrying value of the Corporation's total consolidated assets, less liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, to the aggregate amount of senior securities representing indebtedness.
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1. - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Nature of Business - Rand Capital Corporation (“Rand” or the “Corporation”) was incorporated under the laws of New York in 1969. Beginning in 1971, Rand operated as a publicly traded, closed-end, management company that was registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”).
In 2001, Rand elected to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the 1940 Act. As a BDC, Rand is required to comply with certain regulatory requirements specified in the 1940 Act. For instance, it generally has to invest at least 70% of total assets in “qualifying assets” and provide managerial assistance to the portfolio companies in which it invests.
In November 2019, Rand completed a stock sale transaction (the “Closing”) with East Asset Management (“East”). The transaction consisted of a $25 million investment in Rand by East, in exchange for approximately 8.3 million shares of Rand common stock. The consideration paid by East for the shares of Rand common stock was comprised of approximately $15.5 million of cash and a contribution of $9.5 million of portfolio assets (the “Contributed Assets”). Concurrent with the Closing, Rand’s management and staff became employees of Rand Capital Management, LLC (“RCM”), a registered investment adviser that has been retained by Rand as its external investment adviser. In connection with retaining RCM as investment adviser, on November 8, 2019, Rand entered into an investment advisory and management agreement (the “Prior Investment Management Agreement”) and an administration agreement (the “Prior Administration Agreement”) with RCM pursuant to which RCM serves as Rand’s investment adviser and administrator (the Closing and the retention of RCM as investment adviser and administrator are collectively referred to herein as the “Transaction”). In connection with a change of control of RCM, Rand’s shareholders were asked to approve a new investment advisory and management agreement (the “Investment Management Agreement”) with RCM at a special meeting of shareholders held on December 16, 2020 (the “Special Meeting”). The terms of the Investment Management Agreement are identical to those contained in the Prior Investment Management Agreement, with RCM continuing to provide investment advisory and management services to Rand. Following approval by Rand’s shareholders at the Special Meeting, Rand, on December 31, 2020, entered into the Investment Management Agreement and a new administration agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) with RCM and terminated the Prior Administration Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Investment Management Agreement, Rand pays RCM a base management fee and may pay an incentive fee, if specified benchmarks are met.
Rand is an externally managed, closed-end, non-diversified management investment company. In connection with the completion of the Transaction, Rand shifted to an investment strategy focused on higher yielding debt investments and elected U.S. Federal tax treatment as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). To maintain qualification as a RIC, Rand must, among other things, meet certain source of income and asset diversification requirements. As of December 31, 2024, Rand was in compliance with the RIC requirements. As a RIC, Rand generally will not be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any net ordinary income or capital gains that it timely distributes to its shareholders as dividends. In addition, as a RIC, Rand must distribute annually to shareholders at least 90% of its ordinary net income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any. Accordingly, the Board of Directors has regularly declared a quarterly cash dividend since our RIC election.
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The Board of Directors declared the following dividends during the year ended December 31, 2024:
Quarter
Dividend/Share
Amount
Record Date
Payment Date
1st
$
0.25
March 13, 2024
March 29, 2024
2nd
$
0.29
May 31, 2024
June 14, 2024
3rd
$
0.29
August 30, 2024
September 13, 2024
4th
$
4.20
December 16, 2024
January 24, 2025
On December 5, 2024, Rand's Board of Directors declared a dividend of $4.20 per share. The dividend was paid in the aggregate combination of 20% in cash and 80% in newly issued shares of common stock on January 24, 2025 to shareholders of record as of December 16, 2024.
The Board of Directors declared the following dividends during the year ended December 31, 2023:
Quarter
Dividend/Share
Amount
Record Date
Payment Date
1st
$
0.20
March 13, 2023
March 27, 2023
2nd
$
0.25
May 31, 2023
June 14, 2023
3rd
$
0.25
August 31, 2023
September 14, 2023
4th
$
0.25
December 18, 2023
December 29, 2023
4th
$
0.38
December 18, 2023
December 29, 2023
In order to continue to qualify as a RIC, Rand holds several of its equity investments in holding companies that facilitate a tax structure that is advantageous to the RIC election. Rand has the following wholly-owned blocker companies in place at December 31, 2024: Rand BMP Swanson Holdings Corp., Rand Carolina Skiff Holdings Corp., Rand DSD Holdings Corp., Rand Filterworks Holdings Corp., Rand FSS Holdings Corp., Rand INEA Holdings Corp., and Rand ITA Holdings Corp. (the “Blocker Corps”). These subsidiaries are consolidated using United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for financial reporting purposes.
The following discussion describes the operations of Rand and its wholly owned subsidiaries Rand Sub, Rand BMP Swanson Holdings Corp., Rand Carolina Skiff Holdings Corp., Rand DSD Holdings Corp., Rand Filterworks Holdings Corp., Rand FSS Holdings Corp., Rand INEA Holdings Corp., and Rand ITA Holdings Corp. (collectively, the “Corporation”).
On October 7, 2020, Rand, RCM and certain of their affiliates received an exemptive order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to permit Rand to co-invest in portfolio companies with certain affiliates, including other BDCs and registered investment companies managed by RCM and certain of its affiliates, in a manner consistent with Rand’s investment objective, policies, strategies and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements, subject to compliance with certain conditions (the “Order”). On March 29, 2021, the SEC granted Rand, Callodine Group, LLC (“Callodine”), which holds a controlling interest in RCM, and certain of their affiliates a new exemptive order (the “New Order”) that superseded the Order and permits Rand to co-invest with affiliates managed by RCM and Callodine. Callodine is a yield focused asset management platform. Pursuant to the New Order, Rand is generally permitted to co-invest with affiliates covered by the New Order if a “required majority” (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of Rand’s independent directors make certain conclusions in connection with a co-investment transaction, including that (1) the terms of the transaction, including the consideration to be paid, are reasonable and fair to Rand and its shareholders and do not involve overreaching in respect of Rand or its shareholders on the part of any person concerned, (2) the transaction is consistent with the interests of Rand’s shareholders and is consistent with Rand’s investment objective and strategies and, (3) the investment by Rand’s affiliates would not disadvantage Rand, and Rand’s participation would not be on a basis different from or less advantageous than that on which Rand’s affiliates are investing. In addition, on September 6, 2022, the SEC granted an amendment to the New Order to permit Rand to participate in follow-on investments in its existing portfolio companies with certain Affiliated Funds (as defined in the New Order) that do not hold any investments in such existing portfolio companies.
Basis of Presentation - The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and pursuant to Regulation S-X and Regulation S-K. The Corporation is an investment company following accounting and reporting guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 946, Financial Services- Investment Companies.
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Principles of Consolidation - The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Rand and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments - The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated statement of financial position of cash, interest receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value because of the immediate or short-term nature of these financial instruments.
Investment Classification - In accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act, the Corporation classifies its investments by level of control. Under the 1940 Act “Control Investments” are investments in companies that the Corporation is deemed to “Control” if it owns more than 25% of the voting securities of the company or has greater than 50% representation on the company’s board. “Affiliate Investments” are companies in which the Corporation owns between 5% and 25% of the voting securities. “Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Investments” are those companies that are neither Control Investments nor Affiliate Investments.
Investments - Investments are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by RCM and approved by Rand’s Board of Directors. The Corporation generally invests in loan, debt, and equity instruments and there is no single standard for determining fair value of these investments. As a result, determining fair value requires that judgment be applied to the specific facts and circumstances of each portfolio company while employing a consistent valuation process. Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of portfolio investments, there may be material risks associated with this determination including that estimated fair values may differ from the values that would have been used had a readily available market value for the investments existed and these differences could be material if the Corporation's assumptions and judgments differ from results of actual liquidation events. The Corporation analyzes and values each investment quarterly and records unrealized depreciation for an investment that it believes has become impaired, including where collection of a loan or debt security or realization of the recorded value of an equity security is doubtful. Conversely, the Corporation will record unrealized appreciation if it believes that an underlying portfolio company has appreciated in value and, therefore, the Corporation's equity securities in the underlying portfolio company have also appreciated in value. Additionally, the Corporation continues to assess any material risks associated with this fair value determination, including risks associated with material conflicts of interest. Under the valuation policy of the Corporation, unrestricted publicly traded securities are valued at the closing price for these securities on the last trading day of the reporting period. (See Note 2 “Investments.”)
Qualifying Assets - As of December 31, 2024, the Corporation’s portfolio of investments only includes qualifying assets as defined in Section 55(a) of the 1940 Act. The Corporation's qualifying assets consist of qualifying investments in privately held businesses, principally based in the United States.
Revenue Recognition - Interest Income - Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where the investment is in default or otherwise presumed to be in doubt. In such cases, interest is recognized at the time of receipt. A reserve for possible losses on interest receivable is maintained when appropriate. There was no reserve for possible losses of interest receivable as of December 31, 2024 or 2023.
The Corporation holds debt securities in its investment portfolio that contain payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest provisions. PIK interest, computed at the contractual rate specified in each debt agreement, is added to the principal balance of the debt and is recorded as interest income. Thus, the actual collection of this interest may be deferred until the time of debt principal repayment. The Corporation stops accruing PIK interest and writes off any accrued and uncollected interest when it determines that such PIK interest is no longer collectible. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Corporation did not not write off any accrued and uncollected PIK interest from prior periods. For the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, 23.1%, 16.7%, and 12.8%, respectively, of the Corporation's total investment income was attributable to non-cash PIK interest income.
Revenue Recognition - Dividend Income - The Corporation may receive cash distributions from portfolio companies that are limited liability companies or corporations, and these distributions are classified as dividend income on the consolidated statement of operations. Dividend income is recognized on an accrual basis when it can be reasonably estimated for private portfolio companies or on the ex-dividend date for publicly traded portfolio companies.
The Corporation may hold preferred equity securities that contain cumulative dividend provisions. Cumulative dividends are recorded as dividend income, if declared and deemed collectible, and any dividends in arrears are recognized into income and added to the balance of the preferred equity investment. The actual collection of these dividends in arrears may be deferred until such time as the preferred equity is redeemed.
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Revenue Recognition - Fee Income - Consists of the revenue associated with the amortization of financing fees charged to the portfolio companies upon successful closing of financings, income associated with portfolio company board attendance fees, income associated with portfolio company monitoring fees, income associated with early repayment fees and income associated with portfolio company loan modification fees. The income associated with the amortization of financing fees was $209,316, $205,480 and $120,914, for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and is estimated to be approximately $217,000 in 2025, $132,000 in 2026 and $108,000 in 2027. Board and monitoring fees earned were $92,393, $52,000, and $35,000 for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Non-recurring fees related to early repayment fees, loan modification fees, and dividend consent fees were $232,011 and $63,264 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. No non-recurring fees were earned during the year ended December 31, 2022.
Realized Gain or Loss and Unrealized Appreciation or Depreciation of Investments - Amounts reported as realized gains and losses are measured by the difference between the proceeds from the sale or exchange and the cost basis of the investment without regard to unrealized gains or losses recorded in prior periods. The cost of securities that have, in management’s judgment, become worthless are written off and reported as realized losses when appropriate. Unrealized appreciation or depreciation reflects the difference between the fair value of the investments and the cost basis of the investments.
Original Issue Discount - Investments may include “original issue discount”, or OID. This occurs when the Corporation purchases a warrant and a note from a portfolio company simultaneously, which requires an allocation of a portion of the purchase price to the warrant and reduces the purchase price allocated to the note by an equal amount in the form of a note discount or OID. The note is reported net of the OID and the OID is accreted into interest income over the life of the loan. The Corporation recognized $28,008, $21,008 and $25,008 in OID income for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. OID income is estimated to be approximately $28,000 for 2025.
Deferred Financing Fees - Origination and commitment costs related to the senior secured revolving credit facility with M&T Bank, (See Note 5 “Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility”), are amortized ratably over the term of the Credit Agreement. Amortization expense was approximately $25,000, $25,000 and $12,500 for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Amortization expense is estimated to be $25,000 in 2025, $25,000 in 2026, and $12,500 in 2027.
Net Assets Per Share - Net assets per share are based on the number of shares of common stock outstanding. There are no common stock equivalents outstanding.
Supplemental Cash Flow Information - Income taxes paid (refunded) during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 amounted to $121,433, $645,248 and ($5,248), respectively. Interest paid during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 was $1,154,059, $934,638 and $48,274, respectively. During 2024, 2023 and 2022, the Corporation converted $1,980,728, $1,225,773, and $739,356, respectively, of interest receivable and payment-in-kind (PIK) interest into debt investments.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Corporation declared a common stock dividend of $8,672,231, which was distributed on January 24, 2025.
Concentration of Credit and Market Risk - The Corporation’s financial instruments potentially subject it to concentrations of credit risk. Cash is invested with banks in amounts which, at times, exceed insured limits. The Corporation does not anticipate non-performance by the banks.
The following are the concentrations of the top five portfolio company values to the fair value of the Corporation’s total investment portfolio:
December 31, 2024
Tilson Technology Management, Inc. (Tilson)
%
Seybert’s Billiards Corporation (Seybert’s)
%
BMP Food Service Supply Holdco, LLC (FSS)
%
Mattison Avenue Holdings LLC (Mattison)
%
Caitec, Inc. (Caitec)
%
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2023
Tilson
%
FSS
%
Seybert’s
%
SciAps, Inc. (SciAps)
%
Inter-National Electronic Alloys LLC (INEA)
%
Income Taxes - The Corporation reviews the tax positions it has taken to determine if they meet the "more likely than not threshold" for the benefit of the tax position to be recognized in the financial statements. A tax position that fails to meet the more likely than not recognition threshold will result in either a reduction of a current or deferred tax asset or receivable, or the recording of a current or deferred tax liability. (See Note 4 “Income Taxes.”)
Accounting Estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements - In December 2023, FASB issued ASU 2023-09, "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures", to expand the disclosure requirements for income taxes, specifically related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. ASU 2023-09 is effective for annual periods beginning January 1, 2025, with early adoption permitted. The Corporation is currently evaluating the potential effect the new standard will have on its financial statement disclosures.
NOTE 2. - INVESTMENTS
The Corporation’s investments are carried at fair value in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.
Loan investments are defined as traditional loan financings typically with no equity features or required equity co-investment. Debt investments are defined as debt financings that include one or more equity features such as conversion rights, stock purchase warrants, and/or stock purchase options. Equity investments are direct investments into a portfolio company and may include preferred stock, common stock, warrants and limited liability company membership interests.
The Corporation uses several approaches to determine the fair value of an investment. The main approaches are:
•Loan and debt securities are generally valued at cost when representative of the fair value of the investment or sufficient assets or liquidation proceeds are expected to exist from a sale of a portfolio company at its estimated fair value. The valuation may also consider the carrying interest rate versus the related inherent portfolio risk of the investment. A loan or debt instrument may be reduced in value if it is judged to be of poor quality, collection is in doubt or insufficient liquidation proceeds exist.
•Equity securities may be valued using the:
▪Cost approach - The cost approach uses estimates of the liquidation value of the portfolio company’s assets in relation to the cost of the respective security. This approach values the equity at the value remaining after the portfolio company pays off its debt and loan balances and its outstanding liabilities.
▪Market approach - The market approach uses observable prices and other relevant information generated by similar market transactions. It may include both private and public M&A transactions where the traded price is a multiple of EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) or another relevant operating metric. It may also include the market value of comparable public companies that are trading in an active market, or the use of market multiples derived from a set of comparables to assist in pricing the investment. Additionally, the Corporation adjusts valuations if a subsequent significant equity financing has occurred that includes a meaningful portion of the financing by a sophisticated, unrelated new investor.
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
▪Income approach - The income approach employs valuation techniques to convert future benefits or costs, usually in the form of cash flows, into a present value amount. The measurement is based on value indicated by current market expectations about those future amounts.
ASC 820 classifies the inputs used to measure fair value into the following hierarchy:
Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, used in the Corporation’s valuation at the measurement date. Under the valuation policy, the Corporation values unrestricted publicly traded companies, categorized as Level 1 investments, at the closing price on the last trading day of the reporting period.
Level 2: Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, or quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other observable inputs other than quoted prices.
Level 3: Unobservable and significant inputs to determining the fair value.
Financial assets are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. Any changes in estimated fair value are recorded in the statement of operations.
At December 31, 2024, all of the Corporation’s investments were Level 3 investments. At December 31, 2023, 9% of the Corporation’s investments were Level 1 investments and 91% were Level 3 investments. There were no Level 2 investments at December 31, 2024 or 2023.
In the valuation process, the Corporation values restricted securities, categorized as Level 3 investments, using information from these portfolio companies, which may include:
•Audited and unaudited statements of operations, balance sheets and operating budgets;
•Current and projected financial, operational and technological developments of the portfolio company;
•Current and projected ability of the portfolio company to service its debt obligations;
•The current capital structure of the business and the seniority of the various classes of equity if a deemed liquidation event were to occur;
•Pending debt or capital restructuring of the portfolio company;
•Current information regarding any offers to purchase the investment, or recent financing transactions;
•Current ability of the portfolio company to raise additional financing if needed;
•Changes in the economic environment which may have a material impact on the operating results of the portfolio company;
•Internal circumstances and events that may have an impact (both positive and negative) on the operating performance of the portfolio company;
•Qualitative assessment of key management;
•Contractual rights, obligations or restrictions associated with the investment; and
•Other factors deemed relevant to assess valuation.
The valuation may be reduced if a portfolio company’s performance and potential have deteriorated significantly. If the factors that led to a reduction in valuation are overcome, the valuation may be readjusted.
Equity Securities
Equity securities may include preferred stock, common stock, warrants and limited liability company membership interests.
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Corporation’s equity investments are EBITDA and revenue multiples, where applicable, the financial and operational performance of the business, and the debt and senior equity preferences that may exist in a deemed liquidation event. Standard industry multiples may be used when available; however, the Corporation’s portfolio companies are typically privately-held, lower middle market companies and these industry standards may be adjusted to more closely match the specific financial and operational characteristics of the portfolio company. Due to the nature of certain investments, fair value measurements may be based on other criteria, which may include third party appraisals. Significant changes in any of these unobservable inputs may result in a significantly higher or lower fair value estimate.
Another key factor used in valuing equity investments is a significant recent arms-length equity transaction entered into by the portfolio company with a sophisticated, non-strategic, unrelated, new investor. The terms of these equity transactions may not be identical to the equity transactions between the portfolio company and the Corporation, and the impact of the difference in transaction terms on the market value of the portfolio company may be difficult or impossible to quantify.
When appropriate the Black-Scholes pricing model is used to estimate the fair value of warrants for accounting purposes. This model requires the use of highly subjective inputs including expected volatility and expected life, in addition to variables for the valuation of minority equity positions in small private and early stage companies. Significant changes in any of these unobservable inputs may result in a significantly higher or lower fair value estimate.
For investments made within the last year, the Corporation generally relies on the cost basis, which is deemed to represent the fair value, unless other fair value inputs are identified causing the Corporation to depart from this basis.
Loan and Debt Securities
The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Corporation’s loan and debt securities are the financial and operational performance of the portfolio company, similar debt with similar terms with other portfolio companies, as well as the market acceptance for the portfolio company’s products or services. These inputs will likely provide an indicator as to the probability of principal recovery of the investment. The Corporation’s loan and debt investments are often junior secured or unsecured securities. Fair value may also be determined based on other criteria where appropriate. Significant changes to the unobservable inputs may result in a change in fair value. For recent investments, the Corporation generally relies on the cost basis, which is deemed to represent the fair value, unless other fair value inputs are identified causing the Corporation to depart from this basis.
The following table provides a summary of the significant unobservable inputs used to determine the fair value of the Corporation’s Level 3 portfolio investments as of December 31, 2024:
Investment Type
Market Approach
EBITDA Multiple
Market Approach
Liquidation Seniority
Market Approach
Revenue Multiple
Market Approach Transaction Pricing
Totals
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Equity
$
-
$
-
$
700,000
$
100,063
$
800,063
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Loan and Debt
13,619,638
2,230,196
-
-
15,849,834
Total Non-Control/Non-Affiliate
$
13,619,638
$
2,230,196
$
700,000
$
100,063
$
16,649,897
Affiliate Equity
$
7,061,384
$
-
$
-
$
9,875,000
$
16,936,384
Affiliate Loan and Debt
30,475,441
-
-
4,256,319
34,731,760
Total Affiliate
$
37,536,825
$
-
$
-
$
14,131,319
$
51,668,144
Control Equity
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
Control Debt
-
2,500,000
-
-
2,500,000
Total Control
$
-
$
2,500,000
$
-
$
-
$
2,500,000
Total Level 3 Investments
$
51,156,463
$
4,730,196
$
700,000
$
14,231,382
$
70,818,041
Range
4-10X
1X
3.5X
Not Applicable
Unobservable Input
EBITDA Multiple
Asset Value
Revenue Multiple
Transaction Price
Weighted Average
5.5 X
1X
3.5X
Not Applicable
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following table provides a summary of the components of Level 1, 2 and 3 Assets Measured at Fair Value at December 31, 2024:
Fair Value Measurements at Reported Date Using
Description
December 31, 2024
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Significant
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
Other Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Loan investments
$
15,037,873
$
-
$
-
$
15,037,873
Debt investments
38,043,721
-
-
38,043,721
Equity investments
17,736,447
-
-
17,736,447
Total
$
70,818,041
$
-
$
-
$
70,818,041
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following table provides a summary of changes in Assets Measured at Fair Value Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) for the year ended December 31, 2024:
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Description
Loan Investments
Debt
Investments
Equity
Investments
Total
Ending Balance December 31, 2023, of Level 3 Assets
$
12,417,977
$
36,861,525
$
20,536,560
$
69,816,062
Realized gains (losses) included in net change in net assets from operations:
DSD Operating, LLC (DSD)
-
-
23,699
23,699
Knoa Software, Inc. (Knoa)
-
-
(1,229,155
)
(1,229,155
)
Mezmeriz, Inc. (Mezmeriz)
-
-
(742,850
)
(742,850
)
SciAps, Inc. (SciAps)
-
-
7,716,461
7,716,461
Tilson Technology Management, Inc. (Tilson)
-
-
397,264
397,264
Total realized gains (losses)
-
-
6,165,419
6,165,419
Unrealized gains (losses) included in net change in net assets from operations:
BMP Food Service Supply Holdco, LLC (FSS)
-
-
(610,000
)
(610,000
)
BMP Swanson Holdco, LLC (Swanson)
-
-
250,000
250,000
Caitec, Inc. (Caitec)
-
-
(72,522
)
(72,522
)
Carolina Skiff LLC (Carolina Skiff)
-
-
(500,000
)
(500,000
)
Filterworks Acquisition USA, LLC (Filterworks)
-
-
(396,226
)
(396,226
)
FCM Industries Holdco LLC (First Coast Mulch)
-
(484,837
)
-
(484,837
)
Highland All About People Holdings, Inc. (All About People)
-
-
(400,000
)
(400,000
)
ITA Acquisition, LLC (ITA)
(2,565,130
)
-
-
(2,565,130
)
Knoa
-
-
1,129,155
1,129,155
Mezmeriz
-
-
742,850
742,850
Mountain Regional Equipment Solutions (MRES)
-
(452,000
)
(264,545
)
(716,545
)
Pressure Pro, Inc. (Pressure Pro)
-
-
720,000
720,000
Tilson
-
-
950,000
950,000
Total unrealized gains (losses)
(2,565,130
)
(936,837
)
1,548,712
(1,953,255
)
Purchases of securities/changes to securities/non-cash conversions:
All About People
-
125,904
-
125,904
Caitec
590,424
-
-
590,424
Filterworks
-
253,952
-
253,952
First Coast Mulch
-
46,681
-
46,681
FSS
-
177,911
107,619
285,530
GoNoodle, Inc. (GoNoodle)
-
14,314
-
14,314
HDI Acquisition LLC (Hilton Displays)
-
21,519
-
21,519
Inter-National Electronic Alloys LLC (INEA)
-
33,995
-
33,995
ITA
916,170
-
-
916,170
Mattison Avenue Holdings LLC (Mattison)
5,572,902
-
-
5,572,902
Mobile RN Holdings LLC (Mobile IV Nurses)
-
2,506,319
375,000
2,881,319
MRES
-
2,952,000
264,545
3,216,545
Pressure Pro
-
66,721
-
66,721
Seybert’s Billiards Corporation (Seybert’s)
-
1,928,257
-
1,928,257
Total purchases of securities/changes to securities/non-cash conversions
7,079,496
8,127,573
747,164
15,954,233
Repayments and sale of securities:
DSD
-
-
(23,699
)
(23,699
)
Filterworks
-
(206,250
)
-
(206,250
)
FSS
-
(34,838
)
-
(34,838
)
Mattison
(1,894,470
)
-
-
(1,894,470
)
Nailbiter, Inc. (Nailbiter)
-
(2,250,000
)
-
(2,250,000
)
Pressure Pro
-
(1,427,452
)
-
(1,427,452
)
SciAps
-
(2,090,000
)
(10,840,445
)
(12,930,445
)
Tilson
-
-
(397,264
)
(397,264
)
Total repayments and sale of securities
(1,894,470
)
(6,008,540
)
(11,261,408
)
(19,164,418
)
Transfers within Level 3
-
-
-
-
Transfers out of Level 3
-
-
-
-
Ending Balance December 31, 2024, of Level 3 Assets
$
15,037,873
$
38,043,721
$
17,736,447
$
70,818,041
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation included in earnings related to Level 3 investments still held at reporting date
$
(3,825,260
)
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following table provides a summary of the significant unobservable inputs used to determine the fair value of the Corporation’s Level 3 portfolio investments as of December 31, 2023:
Investment Type
Market Approach
EBITDA Multiple
Market Approach
Liquidation Seniority
Market Approach
Revenue Multiple
Market Approach Transaction Pricing
Totals
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Equity
$
72,522
$
-
$
700,000
$
100,063
$
872,585
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Loan and Debt
6,829,263
4,465,882
-
-
11,295,145
Total Non-Control/Non-Affiliate
$
6,901,785
$
4,465,882
$
700,000
$
100,063
$
12,167,730
Affiliate Equity
$
5,889,991
$
-
$
3,223,984
$
10,550,000
$
19,663,975
Affiliate Loan and Debt
26,177,241
-
2,090,000
5,568,156
33,835,397
Total Affiliate
$
32,067,232
$
-
$
5,313,984
$
16,118,156
$
53,499,372
Control Equity
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
Control Debt
-
4,148,960
-
-
4,148,960
Total Control
$
-
$
4,148,960
$
-
$
-
$
4,148,960
Total Level 3 Investments
$
38,969,017
$
8,614,842
$
6,013,984
$
16,218,219
$
69,816,062
Range
4-7X
1X
1X-3X
Not Applicable
Unobservable Input
EBITDA Multiple
Asset Value
Revenue Multiple
Transaction Price
Weighted Average
5.4 X
1X
1.7X
Not Applicable
The following table provides a summary of the components of Level 1, 2 and 3 Assets Measured at Fair Value at December 31, 2023:
Fair Value Measurements at Reported Date Using
Description
December 31, 2023
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Significant
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
Other Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Loan investments
$
12,417,977
$
-
$
-
$
12,417,977
Debt investments
36,861,525
-
-
36,861,525
Equity investments
27,846,210
7,309,650
-
20,536,560
Total
$
77,125,712
$
7,309,650
$
-
$
69,816,062
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following table provides a summary of changes in Assets Measured at Fair Value Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) for the year ended December 31, 2023:
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Description
Loan Investments
Debt
Investments
Equity
Investments
Total
Ending Balance December 31, 2022, of Level 3 Assets
$
14,578,351
$
19,582,616
$
20,935,744
$
55,096,711
Realized gains (losses) included in net change in net assets from operations:
ClearView Social, Inc. (Clearview Social)
-
-
10,432
10,432
DSD Operating, LLC (DSD)
-
-
2,459,819
2,459,819
Mercantile Adjustment Bureau, LLC (Mercantile)
-
-
3,440
3,440
Microcision, LLC (Microcision)
-
-
115,010
115,010
Rheonix, Inc. (Rheonix)
-
-
(2,802,731
)
(2,802,731
)
SocialFlow, Inc. (Social Flow)
-
-
(4,941
)
(4,941
)
Somerset Gas Transmission Company, LLC (Somerset)
-
-
(448,717
)
(448,717
)
Total realized gains (losses)
-
-
(667,688
)
(667,688
)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in net change in net assets from operations:
BMP Food Service Supply Holdco, LLC (FSS)
-
-
610,000
610,000
BMP Swanson Holdco, LLC (Swanson)
-
-
266,667
266,667
Caitec, Inc. (Caitec)
-
-
(300,000
)
(300,000
)
Carolina Skiff LLC (Carolina Skiff)
-
-
(249,000
)
(249,000
)
DSD
-
-
(886,698
)
(886,698
)
Open Exchange, Inc. (Open Exchange)
-
-
(701,940
)
(701,940
)
Post Process Technologies, Inc. (Post Process)
-
-
(100,000
)
(100,000
)
Rheonix
-
-
2,802,731
2,802,731
Somerset
-
-
594,097
594,097
Total unrealized gains (losses)
-
-
2,035,857
2,035,857
Purchases of securities/changes to securities/non-cash conversions:
Caitec
228,606
-
72,522
301,128
DSD
31,652
-
-
31,652
FCM Industries Holdco LLC (First Coast Mulch)
-
3,818,156
-
3,818,156
Filterworks Acquisition USA, LLC (Filterworks)
-
247,841
-
247,841
FSS
-
4,535,000
-
4,535,000
GoNoodle, Inc. (GoNoodle)
-
14,170
-
14,170
HDI Acquisition LLC (Hilton Displays)
-
22,523
-
22,523
Highland All About People Holdings, Inc. (All About People)
-
3,049,187
1,000,000
4,049,187
Inter-National Electronic Alloys LLC (INEA)
-
3,338,074
1,011,765
4,349,839
ITA Acquisition, LLC (ITA)
612,753
-
-
612,753
Mattison Avenue Holdings LLC (Mattison)
37,934
-
-
37,934
Pressure Pro, Inc. (Pressure Pro)
-
3,063,436
30,000
3,093,436
SciAps, Inc. (SciAps)
-
5,000
-
5,000
Seybert’s Billiards Corporation (Seybert’s)
-
125,569
-
125,569
Social Flow
-
-
4,941
4,941
Swanson
100,115
-
-
100,115
Tilson Technology Management, Inc. (Tilson)
-
-
250,000
250,000
Total purchases of securities/changes to securities/non-cash conversions
1,011,060
18,218,956
2,369,228
21,599,244
Repayments and sale of securities:
Clearview Social
-
-
(10,432
)
(10,432
)
DSD
(3,171,434
)
-
(3,527,319
)
(6,698,753
)
FSS
-
(640,047
)
(210,000
)
(850,047
)
Hilton Displays
-
(300,000
)
-
(300,000
)
Mercantile
-
-
(3,440
)
(3,440
)
Microcision
-
-
(115,010
)
(115,010
)
Somerset
-
-
(270,380
)
(270,380
)
Total repayments and sale of securities
(3,171,434
)
(940,047
)
(4,136,581
)
(8,248,062
)
Transfers within Level 3
-
-
-
-
Transfers out of Level 3
-
-
-
-
Ending Balance December 31, 2023, of Level 3 Assets
$
12,417,977
$
36,861,525
$
20,536,560
$
69,816,062
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation included in earnings related to Level 3 investments still held at reporting date
$
(474,273
)
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 3. - OTHER ASSETS
Other assets was comprised of the following at December 31:
Deferred financing fees, net
$
62,500
$
87,500
Accounts receivable
22,929
-
Prepaid expenses
16,977
16,711
Dividend receivables
13,125
85,090
Total other assets
$
115,531
$
189,301
NOTE 4. - INCOME TAXES
The Corporation elected to be treated, for income tax purposes, as a RIC for the 2024, 2023 and 2022 tax years under Subchapter M of the Code. As a result, the Corporation did not pay corporate-level federal income taxes on any net ordinary income or capital gains that the Corporation distributed to its stockholders as dividends. The Corporation must distribute substantially all of its investment company taxable income each tax year as dividends to its stockholders to maintain its RIC status. Depending on the level of taxable income earned in a tax year, the Corporation may choose to carry forward taxable income in excess of current year dividend distributions from such current year taxable income into the next tax year and pay a 4% excise tax on such income, as required. To the extent that the Corporation determines that its estimated current year taxable income will be in excess of estimated dividend distributions for the current year from such income, the Corporation accrues excise tax, if any, on estimated excess taxable income as such taxable income is earned. The Corporation incurred $37,388 and $52,800 in federal excise tax expense during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Corporation did not incur any federal excise tax expense during the year ended December 31, 2022.
Distributions from net investment income and distributions from net realized capital gains are determined in accordance with U.S. federal tax regulations, which may differ from amounts determined in accordance with GAAP and those differences could be material. These book-to-tax differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. Reclassifications due to permanent book-tax differences, including non-deductible taxes and the tax treatment of earnings from the subsidiaries, have no impact on net assets.
The following differences were reclassified for tax purposes for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
(Decrease) increase in capital in excess of par value
$
(381,550
)
$
4,336,903
Increase (decrease) in total distributable earnings
381,550
(4,336,903
)
The Corporation’s permanent book-to-tax reclassifications for 2024 are an estimate and will not be finalized until the Corporation files its 2024 federal income tax returns in 2025. Therefore, the Corporation’s actual permanent book-to tax reclassifications may be different than this estimate.
Taxable income generally differs from net increase (decrease) in net assets for financial reporting purposes due to temporary and permanent differences in the recognition of income and expenses and generally excludes unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, as investment gains and losses are not included in taxable income until they are realized.
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following table reconciles net increase in net assets resulting from operations to taxable income for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
$
8,827,612
$
6,526,650
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments
5,722,329
(2,867,520
)
Net change in deferred tax asset/liability
376,989
(77,734
)
GAAP versus tax basis consolidation of subsidiaries
(32,936
)
(1,332,687
)
Other permanent book income and tax income differences
37,498
1,348,624
Temporary book income and tax income differences
(2,270,112
)
(82,198
)
Taxable income
$
12,661,380
$
3,515,135
The Corporation’s taxable income for 2024 is an estimate and will not be finalized until the Corporation files its 2024 federal income tax returns in 2025. Therefore, the Corporation’s actual taxable income and the Corporation’s actual taxable income that was earned in 2024 and carried forward for distribution in 2025 may be different than this estimate.
For tax purposes, distributions paid to shareholders are reported as ordinary income, long term capital gains and return of capital, or a combination thereof. The tax character of distributions paid and deemed paid during the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was as follows:
Ordinary income
$
3,427,968
$
3,432,757
Long-term capital gains
9,554,568
-
Return of Capital
-
-
Total
$
12,982,536
$
3,432,757
The determination of the tax attributes of the Corporation’s distributions is made annually as of the end of the Corporation’s fiscal year based upon the Corporation’s taxable income for the full year and distributions paid for the full year. The actual tax characteristics of distributions to shareholders are reported to shareholders annually on Form 1099-DIV.
The tax basis components of distributable earnings (accumulated losses) and reconciliation to accumulated earnings (deficit) on a book basis for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were as follows:
Undistributed ordinary income - tax basis
$
11,649
$
332,806
Capital loss carry forwards
-
(1,546,597
)
Unrealized appreciation on investments
3,843,912
9,906,212
Other temporary differences
(1,313,179
)
(2,376,665
)
Total accumulated earnings - book basis
$
2,542,382
$
6,315,756
The differences between components of distributable earnings on a tax basis and the amounts reflected in the consolidated statement of changes in net assets are primarily due to temporary book-tax differences that will reverse in subsequent periods.
The Corporation had the following wholly-owned blocker companies in place at December 31, 2024: Rand BMP Swanson Holdings Corp., Rand Carolina Skiff Holdings Corp., Rand DSD Holdings Corp., Rand Filterworks Holdings Corp., Rand FSS Holdings Corp., Rand INEA Holdings Corp., and Rand ITA Holdings Corp. (the “Blocker Corps”), which are taxable entities and therefore are not consolidated for tax purposes. The primary purpose of the Blocker Corps is to permit the Corporation to hold certain equity interests in portfolio companies that are organized as limited liability companies, or LLCs (or other forms of pass-through entities), and still allow the Corporation to satisfy the RIC tax requirement that at least 90% of its gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes must consist of qualifying investment income. The Blocker Corps are taxed at standard corporate tax rates based on their taxable income.
At December 31, 2024, the Corporation had a net deferred tax asset of $2,161 that primarily related to net operating loss carryforwards, business interest expense carryforwards, and capital loss carryforwards within the Blocker Corps. At December 31,
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2023, the Corporation had a net deferred tax asset of $39,179 that primarily related to net operating loss carryforwards, business interest expense carryforwards, and capital loss carryforwards within the Blocker Corps.
Income Taxes on Blocker Corporations
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using the tax rate expected to be in effect when the taxes are actually paid or recovered.
The tax effect of the major temporary differences and carryforwards that give rise to the Corporation’s net deferred tax asset at December 31, 2024 and 2023 are approximately as follows:
Investments
$
(635,300
)
$
(644,497
)
NOL & tax credit carryforwards
637,461
683,676
Deferred tax asset, net
$
2,161
$
39,179
The major temporary differences cited above include differences in the book and tax bases of the Corporation’s portfolio company investments, as well as unrealized gains and losses on corporate investments that will be taxed when realized in future years. The Corporation assesses the recoverability of its deferred tax assets annually to determine if a valuation allowance is necessary. The Corporation records a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets if and to the extent it is more likely than not that the Corporation will not recover the deferred tax assets. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, the Corporation weights all relevant positive and negative evidence, and considers among other factors, historical financial performance, projected future taxable income, scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, the overall business environment, and tax planning strategies. Changes in circumstances, including the Blocker Corps generating significant taxable income and tax planning strategies, could cause a change in judgment about the need for a valuation allowance of the related deferred tax assets. Any change in the valuation allowance will be included in income in the period of the change in estimate.
Accordingly, during the year ended December 31, 2024, the Corporation estimated that a portion of its Blocker Corps’ deferred tax assets, related to realized capital losses and NOL carryforwards, is not expected to be fully recoverable in the future. As a result, the Corporation recorded a partial valuation allowance of approximately $232,000 during the year ended December 31, 2024 against its U.S. Federal deferred tax assets. The valuation allowance was $363,471 and $131,338 at December 31, 2024 and 2023.
The components of income tax expense (benefit) reported in the consolidated statements of operations are as follows for the years ended December 31:
Current:
Federal
$
(85,356
)
$
609,056
$
173,235
State
5,292
58,320
(2,555
)
(80,064
)
667,376
170,680
Deferred:
Federal
62,619
(13,797
)
92,304
State
(25,600
)
2,778
60,538
37,019
(11,019
)
152,842
Total
$
(43,045
)
$
656,357
$
323,522
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
A reconciliation of the expense (benefit) from income taxes at the federal statutory rate to the expense reported is as follows:
Net investment income (loss), realized gain (loss) and unrealized gain (loss) before income taxes
$
8,784,567
$
7,183,007
$
(558,327
)
Expected tax expense (benefit) at statutory rate
1,844,759
1,508,431
(117,249
)
State - net of federal effect
(14,673
)
48,267
45,807
Pass-through expense (benefit) from portfolio investment
4,145
Change in valuation allowance
232,133
131,338
-
Tax benefit of RIC status
(2,169,298
)
(1,067,238
)
400,329
RIC excise tax expense
37,388
52,800
-
Other
22,501
(17,728
)
(6,086
)
Total
$
(43,045
)
$
656,357
$
323,522
On January 1, 2024, the Corporation restructured the Blocker Corps with Rand DSD Holdings Corp becoming the common tax parent of the other Blocker Corps. It is the Corporation’s intent to file a consolidated federal, and if applicable, various state consolidated income tax returns beginning in 2024. As a result of this restructuring, the Blocker Corps have certain tax attributes that are subject to Separate Return Limitations (“SRLY”). At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Corporation had $2,256,664, and $2,063,562, respectively, of federal net operating loss carryforwards (“NOL”), $1,913,908 and $1,061,635, respectively, of business interest expense carryforwards and $559,301 and $583,000, respectively, of capital loss carryforwards. Of these amounts approximately $2,100,000 and $1,060,000 of federal NOL and business interest expense carryforwards are subject to SRLY limitations. For state tax purposes, there were various state NOL carryforwards totaling $821,683 and $1,957,489 at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Corporation has not determined how much of the state NOL carryforwards may be subject to SRLY limitations.
Under the provisions of Section 382 of the Code, net operating loss and credit carryforwards and other tax attributes may be subject to limitations if there has been a significant change in ownership in the Corporation, as defined by the IRC. Prior to the completion of the Transaction with East in November 2019, the Corporation was able to utilize the remaining federal net operating losses. However, state net operating losses may be subject to similar limitations.
The Corporation is currently open to audit under the statute of limitations by the Internal Revenue Service for the years ended December 31, 2021 through 2024. In general, the Corporation’s state income tax returns are open to audit under the statute of limitations for the years ended December 31, 2021 through 2024.
It is the Corporation’s policy to include interest and penalties related to income tax liabilities in income tax expense on the Corporation's Consolidated Statement of Operations. In addition, the Corporation records uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes”, (“ASC 740”). ASC 740 provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented, and disclosed in the financial statements. The uncertain tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 were de minimis. The Corporation incurred $2,266 in interest expense and penalties related to income tax liabilities during the year ended December 31, 2024. No amounts were recorded for interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax positions for the year ended December 31, 2023. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Corporation received $10,116 in interest income relating to an IRS carryback claim.
NOTE 5. - SENIOR SECURED REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY
On June 27, 2022, the Corporation entered into a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with M&T Bank, as lender (the “Lender”), which provides the Corporation with a senior secured revolving credit facility in a principal amount not to exceed $25.0 million (the “Credit Facility”). The amount the Corporation can borrow, at any given time, under the Credit Facility is tied to a borrowing base, which is measured as (i) 75% of the aggregate sum of the fair market values of the publicly traded equity securities held (other than shares of ACV Auctions, if any) plus (ii) the least of (a) 75% of the fair market value of the shares of ACV Auctions held, if any, (b) $6.25 million and (c) 25% of the aggregate borrowing base availability for the Credit Facility at any date of determination plus (iii) 50% of the aggregate sum of the fair market values of eligible private loans held that meet specified criteria plus (iv) the lesser of (a) 50% of the aggregate sum of the fair market values of unsecured private loans held that meet specified criteria and (b) $1.25 million minus (v) such reserves as the Lender may establish from time to time in its sole discretion. The Credit
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Facility has a maturity date of June 27, 2027. Under the borrowing base formula described above, the unused line of credit balance for the Credit Facility was $24,400,000 at December 31, 2024.
The Corporation’s borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at a variable rate determined as a rate per annum equal to 3.50 percentage points above the greater of (i) the applicable daily simple secured overnight financing rate (SOFR) or (ii) 0.25%. At December 31, 2024, the Corporation's applicable interest rate was 7.99%. In addition, under the terms of the Credit Facility, the Corporation has also agreed to pay the Lender an unused commitment fee on a quarterly basis, computed as 0.30% multiplied by the average daily Unused Commitment Fee Base (which is defined as the difference between (i) $25.0 million and (ii) the sum of the aggregate principal amount of the Corporation’s outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility) for the preceding quarter.
The Credit Agreement contains representations and warranties and affirmative, negative and financial covenants usual and customary for agreements of this type, including among others, covenants that prohibit, subject to certain specified exceptions, the Corporation’s ability to merge or consolidate with other companies, sell any material part of the Corporation’s assets, incur other indebtedness, incur liens on the Corporation’s assets, make investments or loans to third parties other than permitted investments and permitted loans, and declare any distribution or dividend other than certain permitted distributions. The Credit Agreement includes the following financial covenants: (i) a tangible net worth covenant that requires the Corporation to maintain a Tangible Net Worth (defined in the Credit Agreement as the Corporation’s aggregate assets, excluding intangible assets, less all liabilities) of not less than $50.0 million, which is measured quarterly at the end of each fiscal quarter, (ii) an asset coverage ratio covenant that requires the Corporation to maintain an Asset Coverage Ratio (defined in the Credit Agreement as the ratio of the fair market value of all of the Corporation’s assets to the sum of all of the Corporation’s obligations for borrowed money plus all capital lease obligations) of not less than 3:1, which is measured quarterly at the end of each fiscal quarter and (iii) an interest coverage ratio covenant that requires the Corporation to maintain an Interest Coverage Ratio (defined in the Credit Agreement as the ratio of Cash Flow (as defined in the Credit Agreement) to Interest Expense (as defined in the Credit Agreement)) of not less than 2.5:1, which is measured quarterly on a trailing twelve-months basis. As of December 31, 2024, the Corporation was in compliance with these covenants.
Events of default under the Credit Agreement which permit the Lender to exercise its remedies, including acceleration of the principal and interest on the Credit Facility, include, among others: (i) default in the payment of principal or interest on the Credit Facility, (ii) default by the Corporation on any other obligation, condition, covenant or other provision under the Credit Agreement and related documents, (iii) failure by the Corporation to pay any material indebtedness or obligation owing to any third party or affiliate, or the failure by the Corporation to perform any agreement with any third party or affiliate that would have a material adverse effect on the Corporation and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, (iv) the sale of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets to a third party, (v) various bankruptcy and insolvency events, and (vi) any material adverse change in the Corporation and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or their business, assets, operations, management, ownership, affairs, condition (financial or otherwise) or the Lender’s collateral that the Lender reasonably determines will have a material adverse effect on the Lender’s collateral, the Corporation and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or their business, assets, operation or condition (financial or otherwise) or on the Corporation’s ability to repay its debts.
In connection with entry into the Credit Facility, the Corporation and each of its subsidiaries that guaranty the Credit Facility entered into a general security agreement, dated June 27, 2022, with the Lender (the “Security Agreement”). The Security Agreement secures all of the Corporation’s obligations to the Lender, including, without limitation, principal and interest on the Credit Facility and any fees and charges. The security interest granted under the Security Agreement covers all of the Corporation’s personal property including, among other things, all accounts, chattel paper, investment property, deposit accounts, general intangibles, inventory, and all of the fixtures. The Security Agreement contains various representations, warranties, covenants and agreements customary in security agreements and various events of default with remedies under the New York Uniform Commercial Code and the Security Agreement. Events of default under the Security Agreement, which permit the Lender to exercise its various remedies, are similar to those contained in the Credit Agreement.
The outstanding balance drawn on the Credit Facility at was $600,000 and $16,250,000 at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. A closing fee of $125,000 was paid related to the closing of this Credit Facility during the year ended December 31, 2022. The unamortized closing fee was $62,500 and $87,500 as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and it is recorded in Other Assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. Amortization expense related to the Credit Facility during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 was $25,000, $25,000 and $12,500, respectively.
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, the average debt outstanding under the Credit Facility and weighted average interest rate were as follows:
Average debt outstanding
$
11,484,016
$
11,180,959
$
253,562
Weighted average interest rate
8.91
%
8.72
%
7.90
%
Information about the Corporation’s senior securities (including debt securities and other indebtedness) is shown in the following table.
Year
Total Amount
Outstanding (1)
Asset Coverage
Ratio Per Unit (2)
Involuntary Liquidation
Preference Per Unit (3)
Average Market
Value Per Unit (4)
December 31, 2022
Credit Facility
$
2,550,000
$
23,636
N/A
N/A
December 31, 2023
Credit Facility
16,250,000
4,737
N/A
N/A
December 31, 2024
Credit Facility
600,000
109,888
N/A
N/A
(1)Total amount of each class of senior securities outstanding at the end of the period presented
(2)Asset coverage per unit is the ratio of the carrying value of the Corporation’s total consolidated assets, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, to the aggregate amount of senior securities representing indebtedness. Asset coverage per unit is expressed in terms of dollar amounts per $1,000 of indebtedness.
(3)The amount to which such class of senior security would be entitled upon the voluntary liquidation of the issuer in preference to any security junior to it. The N/A in this column indicates that the SEC expressly does not require this information to be disclosed for certain types of senior securities.
(4)Average market value per unit is not applicable because these are not registered for public trading.
NOTE 6. - STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (NET ASSETS)
At December 31, 2024 and 2023, there were 500,000 shares of $10.00 par value preferred stock authorized and unissued.
On May 7, 2024, the Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase plan, which authorizes the Corporation to repurchase shares of the Corporation’s outstanding common stock with an aggregate cost of up to $1,500,000 at prices per share of common stock no greater than the then current net asset value per share. This new share repurchase authorization lasts for a period of 12 months from the authorization date until May 7, 2025. This new share repurchase plan replaces the share repurchase authorization that was previously approved by the Board of Directors in April 2023. No shares of Rand's common stock were repurchased by the Corporation during the years ended December 31, 2024 or 2023.
The Corporation’s Board of Directors declared the following dividends during the year ended December 31, 2024:
Quarter
Dividend/Share
Amount
Record Date
Payment Date
1st
$
0.25
March 13, 2024
March 29, 2024
2nd
$
0.29
May 31, 2024
June 14, 2024
3rd
$
0.29
August 30, 2024
September 13, 2024
4th
$
4.20
December 16, 2024
January 24, 2025
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Summary of changes in equity accounts:
Common Stock
Capital in excess of par value
Stock dividends distributable
Treasury Stock, at cost
Total distributable earnings (losses)
Total Stockholders’
Equity (Net Assets)
January 1, 2023
$
264,892
$
51,464,267
$
-
$
(1,566,605
)
$
7,558,766
$
57,721,320
Dividend declaration
-
-
-
-
(3,432,757
)
(3,432,757
)
Tax reclassification of stockholders’ equity in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
-
4,336,903
-
-
(4,336,903
)
-
Net increase in net assets from operations
-
-
-
-
6,526,650
6,526,650
December 31, 2023
$
264,892
$
55,801,170
$
-
$
(1,566,605
)
$
6,315,756
$
60,815,213
January 1, 2024
$
264,892
$
55,801,170
$
-
$
(1,566,605
)
$
6,315,756
$
60,815,213
Dividend declaration
-
-
8,672,231
-
(12,982,536
)
(4,310,305
)
Tax reclassification of stockholders’ equity in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
-
(381,550
)
-
-
381,550
-
Net increase in net assets from operations
-
-
-
-
8,827,612
8,827,612
December 31, 2024
$
264,892
$
55,419,620
$
8,672,231
$
(1,566,605
)
$
2,542,382
$
65,332,520
NOTE 7. - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Corporation had no commitments at December 31, 2024 or 2023.
NOTE 8. - QUARTERLY OPERATIONS AND EARNINGS DATA - UNAUDITED
4th Quarter
3rd Quarter
2nd Quarter
1st Quarter
Investment income
$
2,137,463
$
2,218,454
$
2,136,149
$
2,067,219
Net (decrease) increase in net assets from operations
$
(2,946,058
)
$
2,636,516
$
7,737,773
$
1,399,381
Basic and diluted net (decrease) increase in net assets from operations per weighted share outstanding
$
(1.14
)
$
1.02
$
3.00
$
0.54
Investment income
$
1,930,119
$
1,741,114
$
1,815,432
$
1,851,498
Net increase in net assets from operations
$
1,088,979
$
595,504
$
2,671,890
$
2,170,277
Basic and diluted net increase in net assets from operations per weighted share outstanding
$
0.42
$
0.23
$
1.04
$
0.84
NOTE 9. - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Investment Management Agreement
Concurrent with the Closing, RCM, a registered investment adviser, was retained by the Corporation as its external investment adviser and administrator, which resulted in Daniel Penberthy, the Corporation's President and Chief Executive Officer, and Margaret Brechtel, the Corporation's Executive Vice President, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, serving as officers and employees of RCM. Under the Investment Management Agreement, the Corporation pays RCM, as compensation for the investment advisory and management services, fees consisting of two components: (i) the Base Management Fee and (ii) the Incentive Fee.
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
At December 31, 2024 and 2023, amounts payable to RCM were comprised of the following, and are reported on the "Due to investment adviser" line on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position:
Base Management Fee payable
$
277,628
$
287,297
Income Based Incentive Fees payable
178,218
-
Capital Gains Fee payable
1,727,000
692,000
Total due to investment adviser
$
2,182,846
$
979,297
The “Base Management Fee” is calculated at an annual rate of 1.50% of the Corporation’s total assets (other than cash but including assets purchased with borrowed funds). For the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, the Base Management Fees earned by RCM were $1,212,160, $1,057,166 and $927,226, respectively. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Corporation had $277,628 and $287,297, respectively, payable for the Base Management Fees, and it is included in the "Due to investment adviser" line on the Corporation's Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.
The “Incentive Fee” is comprised of two parts: (1) the “Income Based Fee” and (2) the “Capital Gains Fee”. The Income Based Fee is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears based on the “Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income” (as defined in the agreement) for the immediately preceding calendar quarter, subject to a hurdle rate of 1.75% per quarter (7% annualized) and is payable promptly following the filing of the Corporation's financial statements for such quarter, to the extent the Income Based Fee exceeds Accrued Unpaid Income.
The Corporation pays RCM an Incentive Fee with respect to its Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income in each calendar quarter as follows:
(i)no Income Based Fee in any quarter in which the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for such quarter does not exceed the hurdle rate of 1.75% (7.00% annualized);
(ii)100% of the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for any calendar quarter with respect to that portion of the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for such calendar quarter, if any, that exceeds the hurdle rate of 1.75% (7.00% annualized) but is less than 2.1875% (8.75% annualized); and
(iii)20% of the amount of the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for any calendar quarter with respect to that portion of the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for such calendar quarter, if any, that exceeds 2.1875% (8.75% annualized).
The Income Based Fee paid to RCM for any calendar quarter shall not be in excess of the Incentive Fee Cap. The “Incentive Fee Cap” for any quarter is an amount equal to (1) 20.0% of the Cumulative Net Return (as defined below) during the relevant Income Based Fee Calculation Period (as defined below) minus (2) the aggregate Income Based Fee that was paid in respect of the calendar quarters included in the relevant Income Based Fee Calculation Period.
For purposes of the calculation of the Income Based Fee, “Income Based Fee Calculation Period” is defined as, with reference to a calendar quarter, the period of time consisting of such calendar quarter and the additional quarters that comprise the eleven calendar quarters immediately preceding such calendar quarter.
For purposes of the calculation of the Income Based Fee, “Cumulative Net Return” is defined as (1) the aggregate net investment income in respect of the relevant Income Based Fee Calculation Period minus (2) any Net Capital Loss, if any, in respect of the relevant Income Based Fee Calculation Period. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap is zero or a negative value, the Corporation pays no Income Based Fee to RCM for such quarter. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter is a positive value but is less than the Income Based Fee that is payable to RCM for such quarter (before giving effect to the Incentive Fee Cap) calculated as described above, the Corporation pays an Income Based Fee to RCM equal to the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter is equal to or greater than the Income Based Fee that is payable to RCM for such quarter (before giving effect to the Incentive Fee Cap) calculated as described above, the Corporation pays an Income Based Fee to the Adviser equal to the Income Based Fee calculated as described above for such quarter without regard to the Incentive Fee Cap.
For purposes of the calculation of the Income Based Fee, “Net Capital Loss,” in respect of a particular period, means the difference, if positive, between (1) aggregate capital losses, whether realized or unrealized, in such period and (2) aggregate capital gains, whether realized or unrealized, in such period.	
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Any Income Based Fee otherwise payable under the Investment Management Agreement with respect to Accrued Unpaid Income (as described below) (such fees being the “Accrued Unpaid Income Based Fees”) shall be deferred, on a security by security basis, and shall become payable to RCM only if, as, when and to the extent cash is received in respect of any Accrued Unpaid Income. Any Accrued Unpaid Income that is subsequently reversed in connection with a write-down, write-off, impairment or similar treatment of the investment giving rise to such Accrued Unpaid Income will, in the applicable period of reversal, (1) reduce Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income and (2) reduce the amount of Accrued Unpaid Income Based Fees. For purposes of the Investment Management Agreement, Accrued Unpaid Income is defined as any net investment income that consists of any accretion of original issue discount, market discount, payment-in-kind interest, payment-in-kind dividends or other types of deferred or accrued income, including in connection with zero coupon securities, that the Corporation has recognized in accordance with GAAP, but has not yet received in cash. Subsequent payments of Accrued Unpaid Income Based Fees that are deferred as provided for in the Investment Management Agreement shall not reduce the amounts otherwise payable for any quarter as an Income Based Fee.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Income Based Fees earned were $178,218. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were no Income Based Fees earned under the Investment Management Agreement. As of December 31, 2024, cumulative accrued Income Based Fees payable were $178,218, and after calculating Accrued Unpaid Income, the accrued income based incentive fee was not currently payable to RCM as the cash that forms the basis of the fee has not yet been received by the Corporation. As of December 31, 2023, there were no accrued Income Based Fees payable.
The second part of the Incentive Fee is the “Capital Gains Fee”. This fee is determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year. Under the terms of the Investment Management Agreement, the Capital Gains Fee is calculated at the end of each applicable year by subtracting (1) the sum of the cumulative aggregate realized capital losses and aggregate unrealized capital depreciation from (2) the cumulative aggregate realized capital gains, in each case calculated from November 8, 2019. If this amount is positive at the end of any calendar year, then the Capital Gains Fee for such year is equal to 20.0% of such amount, less the cumulative aggregate amount of Capital Gains Fees paid in all prior years. If such amount is negative, then there is no Capital Gains Fee payable for that calendar year. If the Investment Management Agreement is terminated as of a date that is not a calendar year end, the termination date shall be treated as though it were a calendar year end for purposes of calculating and paying the Capital Gains Fee.
For purposes of the Capital Gains Fee:
•The cumulative aggregate realized capital gains are calculated as the sum of the differences, if positive, between (a) the net sales price of each investment in the Corporations portfolio when sold minus (b) the accreted or amortized cost basis of such investment.
•The cumulative aggregate realized capital losses are calculated as the sum of the amounts by which (a) the net sales price of each investment in the portfolio when sold is less than (b) the accreted or amortized cost basis of such investment.
•The aggregate unrealized capital depreciation is calculated as the sum of the amount, if negative, between (a) the valuation of each investment in the portfolio as of the applicable Capital Gains Fee calculation date minus (b) the accreted or amortized cost basis of such investment.
For purposes of calculating the amount of the capital gains incentive fee accrual to be included as part of a company’s financial statements, GAAP requires a company to consider, as part of such calculation, the amount of cumulative aggregate unrealized capital appreciation that such company has with respect to its investments. As a result, the capital gains incentive fee accrual under GAAP is calculated using the both the cumulative aggregate realized capital gains and losses and the aggregate net change in unrealized capital appreciation/depreciation at the close of the period. If the calculated amount is positive, GAAP requires the Corporation to record a capital gains incentive fee accrual equal to 20% of this cumulative amount, less the aggregate amount of actual capital gains incentive fees paid, or capital gains incentive fees accrued under GAAP, for all prior periods. However, unrealized capital appreciation is not used by the Corporation as part of the calculation to determine the amount of the Capital Gains Fee actually payable to RCM under the terms of the Investment Management Agreement. There can be no assurance that such unrealized capital appreciation will be realized in the future.
As of December 31, 2024, the accrued capital gains incentive fee under GAAP was $3,292,000. The amount payable to RCM as of December 31, 2024, under the Investment Management Agreement, was $1,727,000, and is recorded on the "Due to investment adviser" line on the Corporation's Consolidated Statement of Financial Position. The remaining capital gains fee accrued in accordance with GAAP as of December 31, 2024 was $1,565,000, and was not payable to RCM, and is recorded on the "Capital gains incentive fees" line on the Corporation's Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
As of December 31, 2023, the accrued capital gains incentive fee under GAAP was $2,971,700. The amount payable to RCM as of December 31, 2023, under the Investment Management Agreement, was $692,000, and was recorded on the "Due to investment adviser" line on the Corporation's Consolidated Statement of Financial Position. The remaining capital gains fee accrued in accordance with GAAP as of December 31, 2023 was $2,279,700, and was not payable to RCM, and was recorded on the "Capital gains incentive fees" line on the Corporation's Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.
The expense related to the accrued capital gains incentive fee was $1,012,300, $804,700 and ($1,048,760) for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively and is recorded on the “Capital gains incentive fees” line on the Corporation's Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Administration Agreement
Under the terms of the Administration Agreement, RCM agreed to perform (or oversee, or arrange for, the performance of) the administrative services necessary for the Corporation’s operations, including, but not limited to, office facilities, equipment, clerical, bookkeeping, finance, accounting, compliance and record keeping services at such office facilities and such other services as RCM, subject to review by the Corporation’s Board of Directors, will from time to time determine to be necessary or useful to perform its obligations under the Administration Agreement. RCM shall also arrange for the services of, and oversee, custodians, depositories, transfer agents, dividend disbursing agents, other shareholder servicing agents, accountants, attorneys, underwriters, brokers and dealers, corporate fiduciaries, insurers, banks and such other persons in any such other capacity deemed to be necessary or desirable.
RCM is responsible for the Corporation’s financial and other records that are required to be maintained and prepares all reports and other materials required to be filed with the SEC or any other regulatory authority, including reports to shareholders. In addition, RCM assists the Corporation in determining and publishing the Corporation’s net asset value (NAV), overseeing the preparation and filing of tax returns, and the printing and dissemination of reports to shareholders, and generally overseeing the payment of expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered by others. RCM provides, on the Corporation’s behalf, managerial assistance to those portfolio companies that have accepted its offer to provide such assistance.
For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Corporation recorded administrative fees of $158,167 and $149,000, respectively, related to costs incurred by RCM that are reimbursable under the Administration Agreement. There were no administrative fees incurred during the year ended December 31, 2022.
NOTE 10. - SUBSEQUENT EVENT
On December 5, 2024, Rand's Board of Directors declared a dividend of $4.20 per share. The dividend was paid in the aggregate combination of 20% in cash and 80% in newly issued shares of common stock on January 24, 2025 to shareholders of record as of December 16, 2024. The stock dividend increased the number of issued and outstanding shares of Rand’s common stock from 2,648,916 shares and 2,581,021 shares, respectively, to 3,037,709 shares and 2,969,814 shares, respectively, as of January 24, 2025.
Subsequent to year end, on March 3, 2025, Rand’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.29 per share. The cash dividend will be paid on or about March 28, 2025 to shareholders of record as of March 14, 2025.
RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
SCHEDULE OF CONSOLIDATED CHANGES IN INVESTMENTS AT
COST AND REALIZED GAIN
For the Year Ended December 31, 2024
Cost
Increase (Decrease)
Realized
Gain (Loss)
New investments:
Mattison Avenue Holdings LLC
$
5,500,000
$
-
Mountain Regional Equipment Solutions
3,204,545
-
Mobile RN Holdings LLC
2,875,000
-
Seybert’s Billiards Corporation
1,800,000
-
ITA Acquisition, LLC
458,333
-
BMP Food Service Supply Holdco, LLC
107,619
-
Total of new investments
13,945,497
-
Other changes to investments:
Caitec, Inc. interest conversion
590,424
-
ITA Acquisition, LLC interest conversion
457,837
-
Filterworks Acquisition USA, LLC interest conversion
253,952
-
BMP Food Service Supply Holdco, LLC interest conversion
177,911
-
Seybert’s Billiards Corporation OID amortization and interest conversion
128,257
-
Highland All About People Holdings, Inc. interest conversion
125,904
-
Mattison Avenue Holdings, LLC interest conversion
72,902
-
Pressure Pro, Inc. OID amortization and interest conversion
66,721
-
FCM Industries Holdco LLC interest conversion
46,681
-
Inter-National Electronic Alloys LLC interest conversion
33,995
-
HDI Acquisition LLC interest conversion
21,519
-
GoNoodle, Inc. interest conversion
14,314
-
Mountain Regional Equipment Solutions OID amortization
12,000
-
Mobile RN Holdings LLC interest conversion
6,319
-
Total of other changes to investments
2,008,736
-
Investments repaid, sold or liquidated:
Tilson Technology Management, Inc. asset sale
-
397,264
DSD Operating, LLC escrow receipt
-
23,699
BMP Food Service Supply Holdco, LLC debt repayment
(34,838
)
-
ACV Auctions, Inc. stock sold
(53,094
)
3,450,092
Filterworks Acquisition USA, LLC debt repayment
(206,250
)
-
Ares Capital Corporation stock sold
(267,140
)
176,794
Barings BDC, Inc. stock sold
(333,352
)
59,282
Mezmeriz, Inc. liquidated
(742,850
)
(742,850
)
FS KKR Capital Corp. stock sold
(755,058
)
190,072
PennantPark Investment Corporation stock sold
(892,212
)
484,834
Carlyle Secured Lending Inc. stock sold
(899,749
)
598,371
Knoa Software, Inc. liquidated
(1,229,155
)
(1,229,155
)
Pressure Pro, Inc. debt repayment
(1,427,452
)
-
Mattison Avenue Holdings LLC loan repayment
(1,894,470
)
-
Nailbiter, Inc. debt repayment
(2,250,000
)
-
SciAps, Inc. debt repayment and equity sale
(5,213,984
)
7,716,461
Total of investments repaid, sold, liquidated or converted
(16,199,604
)
11,124,864
Net change in investments, at cost and total realized gain
$
(245,371
)
$
11,124,864
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Rand Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position, including the consolidated schedules of portfolio investments, of Rand Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries (the Corporation) as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in net assets and cash flows and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2024, and the financial highlights schedule for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2024 (collectively, the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights schedule present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Rand Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2024, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2024 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and the financial highlights schedule are the responsibility of the Corporation’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Corporation’s financial statements and financial highlights schedule based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Corporation in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights schedule are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Corporation's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights schedule, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights schedule. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights schedule. Our procedures included confirmation of investments as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, by correspondence with portfolio companies and custodian(s); or by other appropriate audit procedures when replies were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
The supplemental schedule of consolidated changes in investments at cost and realized gain for the year ended December 31, 2024 has been subjected to audit procedures performed in conjunction with the audit of the Corporation's financial statements. The supplemental schedule is the responsibility of the Corporation's management. Our audit procedures included determining whether the supplemental schedule reconciles to the financial statements or the underlying accounting and other records, as applicable and performing procedures to test the completeness and accuracy of the information presented in the supplemental schedule. In forming our opinion on the supplemental schedule, we evaluated whether the supplemental schedule, including its form and content, is presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In our opinion, the supplemental schedule of consolidated changes in investments at cost and realized gain for the year ended December 31, 2024 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the financial statements as a whole.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgements. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Fair-Value - Level 3 Investments
Critical Audit Matter Description
At December 31, 2024, the fair value of the Corporation’s investments categorized as Level 3 investments within the fair value hierarchy (Level 3 investments) totaled $70,818,041. Management determines the fair value of the Corporation’s Level 3 investments by applying the methodologies outlined in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements and using significant unobservable inputs and assumptions. Determining the fair value of the Level 3 investments requires management to make judgments about the valuation methodologies and significant unobservable inputs and assumptions including, among others, EBITDA multiples and revenue multiples, used in determining the fair value measurements.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Auditing the fair value of the Corporation’s Level 3 investments was complex, as the unobservable inputs and assumptions used by the Corporation are highly judgmental, are sensitive to economic factors, and could have a significant effect on the fair value measurement of such investments.
Our audit procedures included, among others, obtaining an understanding and evaluated the design of controls over the Corporation’s investment valuation process, evaluating the Corporation’s valuation methodologies, testing the significant unobservable inputs and assumptions used by the Corporation in determining the fair value of the Corporation’s Level 3 investments, and testing the mathematical accuracy of the Corporation’s valuation calculations. For Level 3 investments, we reviewed the information considered by the Board of Directors relating to the Corporation’s determination of fair value. For a selection of the Corporation’s Level 3 investments, we independently developed fair value estimates and compared them to the Corporation’s estimates. We developed our independent fair value estimates by using the respective investment's financial information, which we compared to underlying source documents provided to the Corporation by the investment, and available market information from third-party sources, such as market multiples. We also evaluated subsequent events and other available information and considered whether they corroborated or contradicted the Corporation’s year-end valuations.
/s/ FREED MAXICK P.C. (F/K/A Freed Maxick CPAs, P.C.)
We have served as the Corporation's auditor since 2003.
Buffalo, New York
March 10, 2025

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Corporation maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that this information is accumulated and communicated to our Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2024. Based on the evaluation of these disclosure controls and procedures, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Corporation’s controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2024.
Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. The executive officers of the Corporation are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Corporation’s internal control system is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Corporation’s executive officers and Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.
Our Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer assessed the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024. In making this assessment, our Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013). Based on their assessment, our Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer believes that, as of December 31, 2024, the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting is effective.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the SEC that permit the Corporation to provide only management’s report in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the Corporation’s most recent quarter ended December 31, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 9B. Other Information
Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plan
During the three months ended December 31, 2024, no director or officer of the Corporation adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Insider Trading Policy
The Corporation has adopted an insider trading policy governing the purchase, sale and/or other dispositions of its securities by its directors and officers and entities controlled by such directors and officers, which the Corporation believes is reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules and regulations. The foregoing summary of the Corporation’s insider trading policy does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text thereof attached hereto as Exhibit 19.1
Information in response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the information under the headings “PROPOSAL 1-ELECTION OF DIRECTORS”, “DELINQUENT SECTIONS 16(a) REPORTS” and “COMMITTEES AND MEETING DATA,” provided in the Corporation’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed under Regulation 14A (the “2025 Proxy Statement”).

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Information in response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the information provided in the Corporation’s 2025 Proxy Statement under the heading “DIRECTOR COMPENSATION” and “COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION.”

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Information in response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the information provided in the Corporation’s 2025 Proxy Statement under the heading “BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SHARES.”

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Information in response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the information in the Corporation’s 2025 Proxy Statement under the heading “DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE” and “RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS”.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm is Freed Maxick P.C. (F/K/A Freed Maxick CPAs, P.C.), Buffalo, New York, PCAOB Auditor Firm ID: 317
Information concerning the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm, the audit committee’s pre-approval policy for audit services and our independent registered public accounting firm fees and services is contained in the Corporation’s 2025 Proxy Statement under the heading “INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FEES”.
Part IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a)
The following documents are filed as part of this report and included in Item 8:
(1)
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of December 31, 2024 and 2023
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three years in the period ended December 31, 2024
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the three years in the period ended December 31, 2024
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three years in the period ended December 31, 2024
Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments as of December 31, 2024
Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments as of December 31, 2023
Financial Highlights Schedule for the five years in the period ended December 31, 2024
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Supplemental Schedule of Consolidated Changes in Investments at Cost and Realized Gain for the year ended December 31, 2024
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
(2)
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
The required financial statement Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts has been omitted because the information required is included in the Notes to the consolidated financial statements.
(b)
The following exhibits are filed with this report or are incorporated herein by reference to a prior filing, in accordance with Rule 12b-32 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(2.1)
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 27, 2021, by and between Rand Capital Sub, Inc. and Rand Capital Sub, LLC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on December 30, 2021.
(3.1)(i)
Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(1) of Form N-2 filed with the SEC on April 22, 1997. (File No. 333-25617).
(3.1)(ii)
Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 12, 2019.
(3.1)(iii)
Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 21, 2020.
(3.1)(iv)
By-laws of the Corporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(ii) to the Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2016 filed with the SEC on November 2, 2016. (File No. 814-00235).
(4.1)
Specimen certificate of common stock certificate, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (b) of Form N-2 filed with the SEC on April 22, 1997. (File No. 333-25617).
(4.2)
Description of Securities of Rand Capital Corporation registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, as filed with the SEC on March 9, 2020.
(10.1)
Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 24, 2019, by and among East Asset Management LLC, Rand Capital Corporation and, solely for purposes of being bound by Sections 7.10 and 10.9(a) and (b) thereof, Rand Capital Management, LLC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 25, 2019.
(10.2)
Investment Advisory and Management Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2020, between Rand Capital Corporation and Rand Capital Management LLC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 4, 2021.
(10.3)
Administration Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2020, between Rand Capital Corporation and Rand Capital Management LLC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 4, 2021.
(10.4)
Shareholder Agreement, dated as of November 8, 2019, by and between Rand Capital Corporation and East Asset Management, LLC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 12, 2019.
(10.5)
Credit Agreement, dated June 27, 2022, by and between Rand Capital Corporation, as borrower, and M&T Bank, as lender, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 27, 2022.
(10.6)
Revolving Line Note, dated June 27, 2022, by Rand Capital Corporation, as borrower, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 27, 2022.
(10.7)
Addendum to Line of Credit Note, dated June 27, 2022, by Rand Capital Corporation, as borrower, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 27, 2022.
(10.8)
Variable Rate Rider (Daily Simple SOFR), dated June 27, 2022, by Rand Capital Corporation, as borrower, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 27, 2022.
(10.9)
General Security Agreement, dated June 27, 2022, by Rand Capital Corporation and each of the subsidiaries listed therein, as debtors, in favor of Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company, as the secured party, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 27, 2022.
(19.1)*
Insider Trading Policy
(21.1)*
Subsidiaries of Rand Capital Corporation. - Rand BMP Swanson Holdings Corp., Rand Carolina Skiff Holdings Corp., Rand DSD Holdings Corp., Rand Filterworks Holdings Corp., Rand FSS Holdings Corp., Rand INEA Holdings Corp., and Rand ITA Holdings Corp.
(31.1)*
Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(31.2)*
Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(32.1)*
Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 - Rand Capital Corporation.
(97.1)*
Clawback Policy
101.INS*
Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCH*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema With Embedded Linkbases Document
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
* Filed herewith.