As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 16, 2020

File No.     ​

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10

GENERAL FORM FOR REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES
PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

TRINITY CAPITAL INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

(480) 374 5350
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

with copies to:

Cynthia M. Krus
Stephani M. Hildebrandt
Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP
700 Sixth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 383-0100

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None

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

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share

(Title of class)

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

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS

i

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Trinity Capital Inc. is filing this registration statement on Form 10 (this “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), on a voluntary basis in order to permit it to file an election to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and to provide current public information to the investment community and to comply with applicable requirements in the event of the future quotation or listing of its securities on a national securities exchange (an “Exchange Listing”) or other public trading market.

In this Registration Statement, except where the context suggests otherwise:

•

the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” and “Company,” refer to Trinity (as defined below) prior to the consummation of the Formation Transactions (as defined below) and Trinity Capital Inc. after the consummation of the Formation Transactions;

​

•

“Legacy Funds” refers collectively to TCI, Fund II, Fund III, Fund IV and Sidecar Fund (each as defined below);

​

•

“Legacy Investors” refers to the investors that received shares of our common stock through the Formation Transactions, which include the investors of the Legacy Funds and the general partners, managers and managing members, as applicable, of such funds; and

​

•

“Trinity” refers collectively to the Legacy Funds, Trinity Capital Holdings, LLC and its management company subsidiaries, and their respective affiliates.

​

This Registration Statement registers the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”) under the Exchange Act; however:

•

the shares of Common Stock are not currently listed on an exchange, and it is uncertain whether they will be listed or whether a secondary market will develop; and

​

•

an investment in the Company may not be suitable for investors who may need the return of money they invest in the Company in a specified time frame.

​

We are an emerging growth company as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”) and we intend to take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”).

Once this Registration Statement becomes effective, we will be subject to the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act, including the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, which will require us, among other things, to file annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K, and we will be required to comply with all other obligations of the Exchange Act applicable to issuers filing registration statements pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act.

Immediately following the filing of this Registration Statement with the SEC, we intend to file with the SEC an election to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. Upon the filing of such election, we will become subject to the 1940 Act requirements applicable to BDCs.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Registration Statement contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors and undue reliance should not be placed thereon. Any statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, predictions, forecasts, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and may be forward-looking. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believes,” “can,” “could,” “may,” “predicts,” “potential,” “should,” “will,” “estimate,” “plans,” “projects,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “expects,” “intends” and similar words or phrases. Accordingly, these statements are only predictions and involve estimates, known and unknown risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in

1

them. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of several factors more fully described under the section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Registration Statement, including the following factors, among others:

•

our status as a recently formed corporation;

​

•

our dependence upon our management team and key investment professionals;

​

•

our ability to manage our business and future growth;

​

•

risks related to investments in growth stage companies, other venture capital-backed companies and generally U.S. companies;

​

•

risks related to the uncertainty of the value of our portfolio investments;

​

•

risks related to changes in interest rates, our expenses and other general economic conditions and the effect on our net investment income; and

​

•

our business prospects and the prospects of our prospective portfolio companies.

​

All forward-looking statements are necessarily only estimates of future results, and there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from expectations, and, therefore, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. Any forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed throughout this Registration Statement. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

2

ITEM 1.

BUSINESS

​

Trinity Capital Inc.

Overview

Trinity Capital Inc., a Maryland corporation formed on August 12, 2019, is a leading provider of debt and equipment lease financing to growth stage companies, including venture-backed companies and companies with institutional equity investors. We are an internally managed, closed-end, non-diversified management investment company that intends to elect to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. We also intend to elect to be treated, and intend to qualify annually thereafter, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Our investment objective is to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation through our investments. We will seek to achieve our investment objective by making investments consisting primarily of term debt and equipment lease financing investments and, to a lesser extent, working capital loans, equity and equity-related investments. In addition, we may obtain warrants or contingent exit fees at funding from many of our portfolio companies, providing an additional potential source of investment returns.

We expect to target investments in growth stage companies, which are typically private companies, including venture-backed companies and companies with institutional equity investors. We define “growth stage companies” as companies that have significant ownership and active participation by sponsors and annual revenues of up to $100 million. We will not be limited to investing in any particular industry or geographic area and will seek to invest in under-financed segments of the private credit markets.

We generally seek to invest in loans and equipment lease financings to growth stage companies that we believe have proven they have progressed beyond technology or product risk and are in need of capital to fund revenue growth. As of September 30, 2019, the portfolio companies comprising our Legacy Portfolio had median annual revenues equal to approximately $20 million. We believe a lack of profitability often limits these companies’ ability to access traditional bank financing and our in-house engineering and operations experience allows us to better understand this risk and earn what we believe to be higher overall returns and better risk-adjusted returns than those associated with traditional bank loans.

We expect our loans and equipment lease financings in the near future to range from $2 million to $30 million. We believe investments of this scale are generally sufficient to support near-term growth needs of most growth stage companies. We expect to generally limit each loan and equipment lease financing to approximately five percent or less of our total assets. We seek to structure our loans and leases such that amortization of the amount invested quickly reduces our risk exposure. Leveraging the experience of our investment professionals, we will target companies at the growth stage of development and seek to identify financing opportunities ignored by the traditional direct lending community.

Legacy Funds

On January 16, 2020, we acquired Trinity Capital Investment, LLC ( “TCI”), Trinity Capital Fund II, L.P. (“Fund II”), Trinity Capital Fund III, L.P. (“Fund III”), Trinity Capital Fund IV, L.P. (“Fund IV”) and Trinity Sidecar Income Fund, L.P. (“Sidecar Fund”) (collectively, the “Legacy Funds”) as discussed in more detail below under “— Formation Transaction”. The Legacy Funds were providers of debt and equipment lease financing to growth stage companies, including venture capital-backed companies and companies with institutional equity investors, primarily in the United States. Prior to January 10, 2020, each of Fund II and Fund III were licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) to operate as a small business investment company (“SBIC”). Each of Fund II and Fund III surrendered its respective SBIC license on January 10, 2020.

As of September 30, 2019, the combined net asset value of the Legacy Funds was $232.1 million, which includes the payment of distributions in an aggregate amount of approximately $23.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the combined net investment income of the Legacy Funds was $26.7 million.

3

Credit Agreement

Prior to the Formation Transactions, on January 8, 2020, Fund II, Fund III and Fund IV entered into a $300 million Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”), with Credit Suisse AG (“Credit Suisse”). On January 9, 2020, the initial proceeds received under the Credit Agreement were used to repay the outstanding leverage due to the SBA by Fund II and Fund III in aggregate amounts of  $64.2 million and $150.0 million, respectively, and Fund II and Fund III surrendered their respective SBIC licenses, which was accepted and approved by the SBA on January 10, 2020.

An aggregate amount of approximately $190 million was outstanding under the Credit Agreement prior to the completion of the Formation Transactions and the Private Offerings (as defined below). We will use a portion of the proceeds of the Private Offerings to repay a portion of such aggregate amount outstanding in an amount of approximately $65 million. As a result, an aggregate amount of  $125 million is expected to be outstanding under the Credit Agreement.

On January 16, 2020, in connection with the Formation Transactions, through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Trinity Funding 1, LLC, we became a party to, and assumed, the Credit Agreement and may utilize the leverage available thereunder to finance future investments. The Credit Agreement matures on January 8, 2022, unless extended, and we will have the ability to borrow up to an aggregate of  $300.0 million. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement generally will bear interest at a rate of the three-month LIBOR plus 3.25%. See “— Formation Transactions.”

Private Common Stock Offering

On January 16, 2020, we completed a private offering of shares of our Common Stock in reliance upon the available exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, pursuant to which we issued and sold 7,000,000 shares of our Common Stock for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $105 million (the “Private Common Stock Offering”). Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. (“KBW”) acted as the initial purchaser and placement agent in connection with the Private Common Stock Offering pursuant to a Purchase/Placement Agreement, dated January 8, 2020 (the “Private Common Stock Purchase Agreement”), by and between us and KBW. Pursuant to the Private Common Stock Purchase Agreement, we granted KBW an option to purchase or place up to an additional 1,333,333 shares of our Common Stock within 30 days of the date of the Private Common Stock Purchase Agreement to cover additional allotments, if any, made by KBW.

Concurrently with the closing of the Private Common Stock Offering, we entered into a registration rights agreement, dated as of January 16, 2020 (the “Common Stock Registration Rights Agreement”), for the benefit of the purchasers of the shares of our Common Stock in the Private Common Stock Offering and the Legacy Investors that received shares of our Common Stock in connection with the Formation Transactions. See “Item 2. Financial Information — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Recent Developments — Private Common Stock Offering”.

144A Note Offering

Concurrent with the completion of the Private Common Stock Offering, on January 16, 2020, we completed a private offering of  $105 million in aggregate principal amount of our 7.00% Notes due 2025 (the “Notes”) in reliance upon the available exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act (the “144A Note Offering,” and together with the Private Common Stock Offering, the “Private Offerings”). KBW acted as the initial purchaser in connection with the 144A Note Offering pursuant to a Purchase Agreement, dated January 8, 2020 (the “144A Note Purchase Agreement”), by and between us and KBW. Pursuant to the 144A Note Purchase Agreement, we granted KBW an option to purchase or place up to an additional $20,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Notes within 30 days of the date of the 144A Note Purchase Agreement to cover additional allotments, if any, made by KBW.

The Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture dated as of January 16, 2020 (the “Base Indenture”), between us and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), and a First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 16, 2020 (the “First Supplemental Indenture” and together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), between us and the Trustee. The Notes mature on January 16, 2025 (the “Maturity Date”), unless repurchased or redeemed in accordance with their terms prior to such date. The

4

Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time, or from time to time, at our option, on or after January 16, 2023 at a redemption price equal to 100% of the outstanding principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption. The holders of the Notes do not have the option to have the Notes repaid or repurchased by us prior to the Maturity Date of the Notes.

The Notes bear interest at a rate of 7.00% per year payable quarterly on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing on March 15, 2020. The Notes are direct, general unsecured obligations of us and will rank senior in right of payment to all of our future indebtedness or other obligations that are expressly subordinated, or junior, in right of payment to the Notes. The Notes will rank pari passu, or equal, in right of payment with all of our existing and future indebtedness or other obligations that are not so subordinated, or junior. The Notes will rank effectively subordinated, or junior, to any of our future secured indebtedness or other obligations (including unsecured indebtedness that we later secure) to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The Notes will rank structurally subordinated, or junior, to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations (including trade payables) incurred by our subsidiaries, financing vehicles or similar facilities including, without limitation, borrowings under the Credit Agreement (as defined below). See “— Credit Agreement.”

The Indenture contains certain covenants, including covenants requiring us to (i) comply with the asset coverage requirements of the 1940 Act, whether or not we are subject to those requirements, and (ii) provide financial information to the holders of the Notes and the Trustee if we are no longer subject to the reporting requirements under the Exchange Act. These covenants are subject to important limitations and exceptions that are described in the Indenture.

Concurrently with the closing of the 144A Note Offering, we entered into a registration rights agreement, dated as of January 16, 2020 (the “Notes Registration Rights Agreement”), for the benefit of the purchasers of the Notes in the 144A Note Offering. See “Item 2. Financial Information — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Recent Developments — 144A Note Offering”.

Formation Transactions

On January 16, 2020, immediately following the consummation of the Private Offerings, we used a portion of the proceeds of the Private Offerings to acquire, through a series of transactions (collectively, the “Formation Transactions”), the Legacy Funds, which were managed by the members of our management team and our Investment Committee (the “Investment Committee”) and Trinity Capital Holdings, LLC, a holding company whose subsidiaries manage and/or have the right to receive fees from certain of the Legacy Funds (“Trinity Capital Holdings”).

In the Formation Transactions, the Legacy Funds were merged with and into the Company, and we issued 9,183,185 shares of our Common Stock and paid approximately $108.7 million in cash to the Legacy Investors to acquire the Legacy Funds and all of their respective assets (the “Legacy Assets”), including their respective investment portfolios (collectively, the “Legacy Portfolio”). The merger consideration of the Formation Transactions was based on valuations as of September 30, 2019, as adjusted for assets that were disposed of by the Legacy Funds, as well as earnings, capital contributions and distributions paid to the Legacy Investors and material events affecting the portfolio companies of the Legacy Funds subsequent to September 30, 2019 and through the closing date of the Formation Transactions.

As part of the Formation Transactions, we also used a portion of the proceeds of the Private Offerings to acquire 100% of the equity interests of Trinity Capital Holdings, the sole member of Trinity Management IV, LLC, the investment manager to Fund IV and the sub-adviser to Fund II and Fund III, for an aggregate purchase price of  $10.0 million, which was comprised of 533,332 shares of our Common Stock and approximately $2.0 million in cash. The valuation of Trinity Capital Holdings as of September 30, 2019 was based upon a valuation of Trinity Capital Holdings prepared by an independent third-party valuation expert. As a result of this transaction, Trinity Capital Holdings became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

5

Set forth below is a diagram of our organizational structure following the Formation Transactions:

As of September 30, 2019, the portfolio companies comprising the Legacy Portfolio had median annual revenues equal to approximately $20 million. The following table illustrates each of the Legacy Funds’ total funded investments since inception and total assets as of September 30, 2019:

(1)

The sum of total funded investments may not add to the total due to rounding.

​

Management Team

Upon our election to be regulated as a BDC, we will be an internally managed BDC employing 26 dedicated professionals who were previously employed by Trinity. Our management team has extensive management experience, including with early stage tech startups, and employs a highly systematized approach. Our senior management team, led by Steven L. Brown, comprises the majority of the senior management team that sourced and managed the Legacy Portfolio, and we believe is well positioned to take advantage of the potential investment opportunities available in the marketplace.

Steven L. Brown, our founder, is our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and has 25 years of experience in venture equity and venture debt investing and working with growth stage companies. Gerald Harder, our Chief Credit Officer, has been with Trinity since 2016 and we believe his prior 30 years of engineering and operations experience adds significant value in analyzing investment opportunities. Kyle Brown, our President and Chief Investment Officer, has been with Trinity since 2015 and is responsible for managing Trinity’s investment activities and has historically managed relationships with potential investment partners, including venture capital firms and technology bank lenders, allowing us to nearly triple the number of investment opportunities reviewed by our senior management after Mr. Brown joined the senior management of Trinity. Ron Kundich, our Senior Vice President — Loan Originations, is responsible for developing relationships with our referral partners, sourcing potential investments and evaluating investment opportunities. David Lund, our Executive Vice President of Finance and Strategic Planning, has over 35 years of finance and executive leadership experience working with both private and publicly traded companies, including serving as Chief Financial Officer at an internally managed venture lending, publicly traded BDC during its initial stage and subsequent years of growth in assets.

6

All investment decisions will be made by the Investment Committee, whose members consist of Steven L. Brown, Gerald Harder, Kyle Brown and Ron Kundich. The Investment Committee will approve proposed investments by majority consent, which majority must include Steven L. Brown, in accordance with investment guidelines and procedures established by the Investment Committee.

Potential Competitive Advantages

We believe that we are one of only a select group of specialty lenders that has our depth of knowledge, experience, and track record in lending to growth stage companies. Further, we are one of an even smaller subset of specialty lenders that offers both loans and equipment lease financings. Our other potential competitive advantages include:

•

In-house engineering and operations expertise to evaluate growth stage companies’ business products and plans.

​

•

We have a history of employing technology experts, including those with engineering and operations expertise, who have developed proven technology and hold patents in their names, as well as executives and other employees who have experience with the products and business plans of growth stage companies. The expertise, knowledge and experience of these individuals allows them understand and evaluate the business plans, products and financing needs of growth stage companies, including the risks related thereto.

​

•

Direct origination networks that benefit from relationships with venture banks, institutional equity investors and entrepreneurs built during the term of operations of the Legacy Funds, which began in 2008.

​

•

We seek to be the first contact for venture bankers who focus on growth stage companies and who have a portfolio company that would benefit from term debt or equipment lease financing. We have established relationships with the major technology banks over the last 10 years in every major market across the United States and have established standard intercreditor and subordination agreements, which we believe make working with technology banks seamless in most regions across the United States. These banks often will provide revolving credit facilities to emerging growth companies and we seek to provide term debt and or equipment lease financing to their portfolio companies.

​

•

We also focus on sourcing deals from the partners of growth stage institutional investors, including growth stage venture capital firms and private equity firms. We focus on building relationships with investors who have raised recent funds and have the ability to provide ongoing support to their portfolio companies.

​

•

We receive referrals directly to the executive officers of emerging growth companies from these various stakeholders. Most of these stakeholders have board seats on the portfolio companies referred to us, are intimately involved in the business of such portfolio companies and generally serve as our advocates when term sheets are negotiated.

​

•

A dedicated staff of professionals covering credit origination and underwriting, as well as portfolio management functions.

​

•

We have a broad team of professionals focused on every aspect of the investment lifecycle. We have a credit origination and underwriting team that manages and oversees our investment process from identification of investment opportunity through negotiations of final term sheet and investment in a portfolio company. Our investment management and oversight activities are separate from our origination and underwriting activities. The team members serving our investment management and oversight functions have significant operating experience and are not associated with our origination function to avoid any biased views of performance. This structure helps our originators focus on identifying investment opportunities and building relationships with our portfolio companies.

​

7

•

A proprietary credit rating system and regimented process for evaluating and underwriting prospective portfolio companies.

​

•

Historically, our management team has received significant prospective investment opportunities. In order to quickly review investment opportunities and evaluate risks, we have developed a detailed and consistent credit rating system. This system allows our analysts to receive a full set of financial statements and projections and quickly fill out a rating sheet for each potential investment, which includes using a series of weighted calculations to provide an initial “pass” or “fail” rating on the potential investment, as well as identifying specific risks for further consideration.

​

•

Scalable software platforms developed during the term of operations of the Legacy Funds, which support our underwriting processes and loan monitoring functions.

​

•

We have an internally developed pipeline management tool which gives us a detailed look at the our performance in real time. We believe our historical metrics generally predict our quarterly funding needs based upon the number of prospective investment opportunities we have at varying stages of our origination process. We believe this granular look at our underwriting process gives us the ability to increase or decrease marketing efforts in order to manage available capital and achieve our deployment goals.

​

Market Opportunity

We believe that an attractive market opportunity exists for providing debt and equipment lease financing to growth stage companies for the following reasons:

•

growth stage companies have generally been underserved by traditional lending sources;

​

•

unfulfilled demand exists for debt and equipment lease financing to growth stage companies due to the complexity of evaluating risk in these investments;

​

•

debt investments with warrants are less dilutive than traditional equity financing and complement equity financing from venture capital and private equity funds;

​

•

equity funding of growth stage companies, including venture capital backed companies, has increased steadily over the last ten years, resulting in new lending and equipment lease financing opportunities. During the last economic downturn from 2007 – 2009, new venture capital fundings in the United States decreased less than 15% annually, and totaled almost $60.0 billion. The total investment opportunities we have generated for review increased from approximately $1.14 billion in 2015 to $3.28 billion in 2018, and $2.86 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The total investment opportunities we have generated for review from inception through September 30, 2019 were approximately $12.0 billion. We believe that our potential investment opportunities year to date signal a continuing robust market for investment in growth stage companies. Notably, our equipment lease financing business has seen substantial growth in potential investment opportunities from $50 million in 2016 to $880.0 million in 2018, with more growth projected in 2019 and beyond; and

​

•

we estimate that the annual U.S. venture debt and equipment lease financing market in 2018 exceeded $16 billion, with the top three largest venture debt lenders comprising less than 15% of the total market. We believe that the equipment lease financing market is even more fragmented, with the majority of lease providers unable to fund investments for more than $10 million. We believe there are significant growth opportunities for us to expand our market share in the venture debt market and become a one-stop shop for debt and equipment lease financing for growth stage companies.

​

Growth Stage Companies are Underserved by Traditional Lenders.   We believe many viable growth stage companies have been unable to obtain sufficient growth financing from traditional lenders, including financial services companies such as commercial banks and finance companies, because traditional lenders have continued to consolidate and have adopted a more risk-averse approach to lending. More importantly, we believe traditional lenders are typically unable to underwrite the risk associated with these companies effectively.

8

The cash flow characteristics of many growth stage companies include significant research and development expenditures and high projected revenue growth, thus often making such companies difficult to evaluate from a credit perspective. In addition, the balance sheets of many of these companies often include a disproportionately large amount of intellectual property assets, which can be difficult to value. Finally, the speed of innovation in technology and rapid shifts in consumer demand and market share add to the difficulty in evaluating these companies.

Due to the difficulties described above, we believe traditional lenders generally refrain from lending and/or providing equipment lease financing to growth stage companies, instead preferring the risk-reward profile of traditional fixed asset-based lending. We believe traditional lenders generally do not have flexible product offerings that meet the needs of growth stage companies. The financing products offered by traditional lenders typically impose restrictive covenants and conditions on borrowers, including limiting cash outflows and requiring a significant depository relationship to facilitate rapid liquidation.

Unfulfilled Demand for Debt and Equipment Lease Financing to Growth Stage Companies.   Private capital in the form of debt and equipment lease financing from specialty finance companies continues to be an important source of funding for growth stage companies. We believe that the level of demand for debt and equipment lease financing is a function of the level of annual venture equity investment activity, and can be as much as 20% to 30% of such investment activity. We believe this market is largely served by a handful of venture banks, with whom our products generally do not compete, and a relative few term lenders and lessors.

We believe that demand for debt and equipment lease financing to growth stage companies is currently underserved, given the high level of activity in venture capital equity market for the growth stage companies in which we invest. Therefore, to the extent we have capital available, we believe this is an opportune time to invest in the debt and equipment lease financing for growth stage companies. We believe certain venture lending companies have begun to focus on larger investment opportunities, potentially creating additional opportunities for us in the near term. Our senior management team has seen a significant increase in the number of potential investment opportunities over the last ten years.

Debt Investments with Warrants Complement Equity Financing from Venture Capital and Private Equity Funds.   We believe that growth stage companies and their financial sponsors will continue to view debt and equipment lease financing as an attractive source of capital because it augments the capital provided by venture capital and private equity funds. We believe that our debt investments and equipment lease financings will provide access to growth capital that otherwise may only be available through incremental equity investments by new or existing equity investors. As such, we intend to provide portfolio companies and their financial sponsors with an opportunity to diversify their capital sources. Generally, we believe many growth stage companies target a portion of their capital to be debt and equipment lease financing in an attempt to minimize ownership dilution to existing investors and company founders. In addition, because growth stage companies generally reach a more mature stage prior to reaching a liquidity event, we believe our investments could provide the capital needed to grow or recapitalize during the extended growth period sometimes required prior to liquidity events.

Investment Philosophy, Strategy and Process

Overview

We intend to lend money in the form of term loans and equipment lease financings and, to a lesser extent, working capital loans to growth stage companies. Investors may receive returns from three sources — the loan’s interest payments or lease financing payments and the associated contractual fees; the final principal payment; and, contingent upon a successful change of control or initial public offering, proceeds from the equity positions or contingent exit fees obtained at loan or lease financing origination.

We generally seek to invest in loans and equipment lease financings to growth stage companies that we believe have proven they have progressed beyond technology or product risk and are in need of capital to fund revenue growth. As of September 30, 2019, the portfolio companies comprising our Legacy Portfolio had median annual revenues equal to approximately $20 million. We believe a lack of profitability often

9

limits these companies’ ability to access traditional bank financing and our in-house engineering and operations experience allows us to better understand this risk and earn what we believe to be higher overall returns and better risk-adjusted returns than those associated with traditional bank loans.

Historically, the Legacy Funds made loans and equipment lease financings of up to $30 million with a current average investment size of approximately $8.1 million. We expect our loans and equipment lease financings in the near future to range from $2 million to $30 million. We believe investments of this scale are generally sufficient to support near-term growth needs of most growth stage companies. We expect to generally limit each loan and equipment lease financing to approximately five percent or less of our total assets. We seek to structure our loans and leases such that amortization of the amount invested quickly reduces our risk exposure. Leveraging the experience of our investment professionals, we will target companies at the growth stage of development and seek to identify financing opportunities ignored by the traditional direct lending community.

Subject to the requirements under the 1940 Act, which require that we invest at least 70% of our total assets in qualifying assets, we may also engage in other lending activities, including asset-backed lending, which may constitute up to 30% of our total assets.

We believe good candidates for loans and leases appear in all business sectors. We will not be limited to investing in any particular industry or geographic area and will seek to invest in under-financed segments of the private credit markets. We believe in diversification and do not intend to specialize in any one sector, and we expect portfolio companies to be selected from a wide range of industries, technologies and geographic regions. Since we focus on investing in portfolio companies alongside venture capital firms and technology banks, we anticipate that most of our opportunities will come from sectors that those sources finance.

The following chart summarize the Legacy Portfolio’s mix of investments by security type based on fair value as of September 30, 2019.

Mix of Investments by Security Type

The following chart summarize the Legacy Portfolio’s mix of investments by region based on fair value as of September 30, 2019.

Mix of Investments by Region

10

The following chart summarize the Legacy Portfolio’s mix of investments by industry based on fair value as of September 30, 2019.

Mix of Investments by Industry

Characteristics of Target Portfolio Companies

We seek to invest in a cross-section of growth stage companies. In addition to the criteria discussed in this Registration Statement, we may consider other factors such as portfolio company size, industry, historical revenue growth, management’s revenue growth projections, relevant operating margins, competition, management capabilities and geographic concentration. We will evaluate prospective portfolio companies quantitatively and qualitatively, and determine investments based on the key factors, including the following items:

Recent, Concurrent, or Future Funding by a Venture Capital Firm

We intend to target companies that commonly require ongoing additional capital to support growth or to complete current expansion. This capital is generally obtained through venture capital firms, with loan or lease financing playing a supporting role. We believe that recent, concurrent, or future funding of a portfolio company by a venture capital firm contributes significantly to the success of most of our investments. When a loan or lease financing is made to a portfolio company that has received venture equity capital, the loan or lease financing can be structured to tie the amortization of the loan or lease financing to the portfolio company’s projected cash balances while cash is still available for operations. As such, the loan or lease financing may have a reduced risk of default. We believe the borrower also benefits under this scenario, as its equity holders experience less dilution than if the entire amount of capital required were raised from the venture capital firm. Venture lenders typically do not receive rights to purchase equity securities as do venture capital firms. Therefore, including venture debt or lease financing as part of the total capital required provides the necessary capital with a significant reduction in dilution for the portfolio company and its stakeholders.

Strong and Flexible Management Team

We prefer to finance portfolio companies with experienced management teams that also have significant ownership at stake. We believe a strong management team decreases the risk of default and helps position us for successful exit opportunities, which may enhance returns for investors.

11

Successful Product and/or Service, and Intellectual Property

A prospective portfolio company generally must have a market-proven product (or suite of products) and/or service. The portfolio company’s product line will ideally possess some proprietary characteristics, with either patented (or patent pending) technology; significant know-how that is not easily replicated, enabling the portfolio company to have a competitive advantage in its industry; or measurable brand awareness. However, we will consider other successful non-proprietary product/service companies if other factors are generally positive. The presence of a market-proven product (or suite of products) and/or service is heavily considered when taking warrants in a portfolio company and/or investment.

Technology

We believe the application of new technologies will continue to provide significant opportunities for traditional and new businesses to improve their margins. We believe many of the companies offering these new technologies represent excellent investment opportunities. We will typically invest in companies applying proven technology that enables their customers to reduce costs, improve strategic positioning, or fundamentally change the competitive nature of their industries. We may invest in companies whose survival depends on the development of new technology, but will prefer investing in well-established and market-tested technology companies possessing a strong management team and a substantial installed base of customers. Attractive portfolio companies generally will have materially completed their initial research and development activity, and the technology risks of the product will be resolved to the point where revenues are being generated and customer satisfaction is high. In some cases, however, we may invest in well-financed companies with early stage technologies.

Business Model and Plan

Portfolio companies should have developed a detailed business plan and multi-year financial projection that covers the full term of the investment. They should have a cash management and forecasting model that they use and share with the board of directors and investors. Management should have a strategic and financial planning process in place or be willing to implement and maintain one post-funding.

Exit Strategy

Although lease financing investments do not rely on a portfolio company’s exit strategy in order to achieve our return objectives, subordinated debt and associated equity enhancements do rely on an exit strategy. Therefore, an exit analysis is necessary in order to determine the portfolio company’s attractiveness to the mergers and acquisitions or initial public offering market. Moreover, in our experience, companies that have a defined exit strategy tend to have highly motivated management teams that focus on achieving and exceeding growth projections. We will favor investments in companies that have a defined exit strategy and have identified a number of potential acquirers.

Investment Structure

We intend to structure each portfolio investment to mitigate risk and provide attractive risk-adjusted returns for our investors while meeting the portfolio company’s financing needs. Typically, our debt investments, equipment lease financing and equity and equity-related investments will take one of the following forms:

•

Term Debt and Working Capital Loans. Term debt and working capital loans typically involve an initial interest-only period of 0 to 24 months, followed by an amortization period of 24 to 60 months. The average annual interest rate on these loans typically ranges from 8% to 14% and may include fees paid at loan maturity ranging from 0% and 8% of invested principal. We typically target a 14 – 15% internal rate of return on our term debt and working capital loans.

​

•

Equipment Lease Financing. Typically, an equipment lease financing is structured as fully amortizing over a period of up to 60 months. The specific terms of each lease depend on the creditworthiness of the portfolio company and the projected value of the leased assets. Occasionally, we will offer an initial period of lower lease factor to companies with stronger creditworthiness, which is analogous to an interest-only period on a term loan. The average annual

​

12

interest rate on equipment lease financings typically ranges from 7% to 14%, plus residual payments at the end of the lease term ranging from 3% to 20% of the aggregate investment. We typically target a 14 – 15% internal rate of return on our equipment lease financings.

•

Additional Deal Considerations. Additional deal considerations typically include application and/or upfront fees of between 0% and 2% of invested principal, upfront interim rent of up to four months for equipment lease financings, upfront security deposit of up to three months for equipment lease financings, and final payments of 0% and 6% of invested principal.

​

•

Equity and Equity-Related Securities. We may also seek to obtain warrants entitling us to purchase preferred or common ownership shares of a portfolio company. We typically target the amount of such warrants to scale in proportion to the amount of the debt or equipment lease financing. We also attempt to structure such warrants so that the exercise price of the warrants will either be the price paid by venture capital investors in the most recent financing round or a current option price set by the portfolio company. Our typical exercise period for warrants is seven to 10 years. In addition, we may obtain rights to purchase additional shares of our portfolio companies in subsequent equity financing rounds.

​

Impact of Taking Equity

Targeting returns greater than those of traditional venture lenders, we may seek to secure warrants in certain of our portfolio companies. We will often ask for the right to make a direct equity investment, typically in a future equity fundraising round. We also believe we can obtain equity in the form of preferred or common warrants to purchase the portfolio company’s stock at an advantageous future price. We will target obtaining warrants at the time of initial funding entitling us to purchase shares equal in value to approximately $250,000 to $1 million. The price to exercise the warrants will either be the price paid by venture capital investors in the last financing round or a current option price set by the portfolio company. In addition, we may obtain the right to purchase additional shares of our portfolio companies.

Concentration Limits; Security

We expect to maintain reasonable limits of concentration to specific industries, technologies and geographic regions. By their nature, these limits will be subjective and will be applied solely at the discretion of management.

In all our loans, we seek to take a security position in all of the assets of the portfolio company, including intellectual property, if available. From time to time, we may agree to take a security position in less than the total amount of assets. In the case of equipment lease financing, for instance, the security interest may extend only to the asset(s) financed. As of September 30, 2019, the Legacy Funds were in first position or second position on all assets or first position on equipment leased in nearly all of their loans.

In addition, we expect to enter into standard intercreditor agreements in place with the major technology banks that we anticipate we will engage with, making work-out situations much easier and less contentious. Where and when possible, we will execute deposit account control agreements with our portfolio companies giving us ongoing access to their bank accounts for purposes of ensuring access to our collateral in a default.

In all cases, we intend to put in place Uniform Commercial Code filings to perfect our position, and to update these filings frequently to reflect changes in our collateral.

Investment Process

Investment Originations; New Deals Referred

We have a multi-channel sourcing strategy focused primarily on growth stage venture capital firms, private equity firms and technology banks as well as brokers who focus on our business. We seek to interact directly with the portfolio companies of these groups, and we typically negotiate investment terms directly with potential portfolio companies. We focus on venture and private equity firms with strong management teams, access to and availability of capital, as well as a history of supporting their portfolio companies. We

13

have a nationwide network and have built relationships with these equity investors one relationship at a time establishing a positive track record of working with their portfolio companies. We have established relationships with the major technology banks and have established standard intercreditor and subordination agreements, which make working with technology banks seamless in most regions across United States.

Since 2015, we have expanded our originations team internally in order to continue to focus on building relationships with individuals at top tier venture capital firms as well as building out connections to a nationwide network of technology bankers. We have developed proprietary internal systems and technology to give our originations and marketing team real time information about the broader market and our investment pipeline, which we leverage to attempt to become and maintain our relationship as the first call for our referral sources. We believe this proactive marketing approach has generated significant opportunity growth above and beyond the Legacy Funds’ current funding capacity and positions us for potential portfolio growth.

Initial Rating

The following illustrates our transaction rating methodology for terms loans.

The following illustrates our transaction rating methodology for equipment lease financings.

When a new investment opportunity is identified, a member of our originations team typically speaks with the prospective portfolio company to gather information about the business and its financing and capital needs. If, following this call, we see an opportunity as a potential fit with our investment strategy and

14

underwriting criteria, we ask the prospective portfolio company to submit an information package, which includes detailed information regarding the portfolio company’s products or services, capitalization, customers, historical financial performance, and forward looking financial projections.

Once received, the portfolio company’s information package is then reviewed by our due diligence team, and an initial rating of the opportunity is developed. The rating is based on six factors:

(1)

the portfolio company’s investors, specifically their ability and likelihood to provide ongoing financial support as needed;

​

(2)

the experience and strength of the portfolio company’s management team and board of directors;

​

(3)

the portfolio company’s products or services and the market needs that they fulfill;

​

(4)

the portfolio company’s historical and projected financial performance, including a review of revenue potential, growth, gross margins and other metrics;

​

(5)

debt structure and cash life; and

​

(6)

other factors such as intellectual property, collateral, corporate governance, or other items that are deemed to be relevant by the due diligence team.

​

Investment opportunities that score an acceptable initial rating are moved on for further consideration.

Preliminary Due Diligence and Executive Summary

The next phase of the due diligence process involves a structured call with the management team of the prospective portfolio company. A set of pre-determined questions is covered, as well as additional opportunity-specific questions that we identify during the initial rating process, including a discussion of the prospective portfolio company’s products or services, market dynamics, business model, historical financial performance and projections, management team, existing investors and capital structure and debt. Following the management call, if the opportunity still appears to be worthy of consideration, an executive summary memorandum is prepared by the due diligence team for consideration and voting by the Investment Committee. The executive summary memorandum is distributed to the Investment Committee, and the deal terms for the investment are defined. If approved by the Investment Committee, we issue a term sheet to the prospective portfolio company.

Confirmatory Due Diligence and On-Site Meeting

If the term sheet offered by us is accepted by the prospective portfolio company, the process of obtaining additional confirmatory due diligence begins. The confirmatory due diligence process typically includes calls with the venture capital partners responsible for the equity financing of the portfolio company, as well as key customers, suppliers, partners, or other stakeholders as may be deemed relevant by the due diligence team. Additional financial analysis is performed, in order to confirm the cash life assumptions that were made prior to term sheet issuance. In the case of a lease financing, or term loan in which fixed assets make up a significant portion of our collateral, the due diligence team completes an analysis of the equipment or fixed assets being financed, which may include calls to the original manufacturer and/or any dealers, resellers, or refurbishing companies, to evaluate the value of the equipment at inception, as well as the useful life and anticipated value throughout the life of our holding period. Occasionally, we may engage the assistance of an appraiser to assist in valuations.

The final step in the confirmatory diligence process involves an on-site meeting, at which members of our due diligence team meet with the management team of the prospective portfolio company for a final review of the portfolio company’s financial performance and forward-looking plans. This meeting is typically held at the business offices of the portfolio company; however, occasionally the meeting will be held via video teleconference if travel to the portfolio company is not possible. One or more members of the Investment Committee will attend the on-site meeting if possible.

15

Underwriting Report and Investment Committee Vote

Assuming that the confirmatory due diligence process reveals no issues that would cause the due diligence team to recommend against the proposed investment, the due diligence team prepares an Investment Underwriting Report (“IUR”), which is distributed to the Investment Committee. The Investment Committee then meets to discuss and review the deal terms and IUR regarding the proposed investment and a vote takes place. A majority of the Investment Committee, which majority must include Steven L. Brown, is required to approve the transaction.

Investment Management and Oversight

Our investment management and oversight activities are separate from our origination and underwriting activities. The team members serving our investment management and oversight functions have significant operating experience and are not associated with our origination function to avoid any biased views of performance. Beyond the dedicated portfolio management team, all of our management team members and investment professionals are typically involved at various times with our portfolio companies and investments. Our portfolio management team reviews our portfolio companies’ monthly or quarterly financial statements and compares actual results to the portfolio companies’ projections. Additionally, the portfolio management team may initiate periodic calls with the portfolio company’s venture capital partners and its management team, and may obtain observer rights on the portfolio company’s board of directors. Our management team and investment professionals anticipate potential problems by monitoring reporting requirements and having frequent calls with the management teams of our portfolio companies.

Investment Risk Rating System

Our portfolio management team uses an ongoing investment risk rating system to characterize and monitor our outstanding loans and lease financings. Our portfolio management team monitors and, when appropriate, recommends changes to the investment risk ratings. Our Investment Committee reviews the recommendations and/or changes to the investment risk ratings, which are submitted on a quarterly basis to the Audit Committee (the “Audit Committee”) of our Board of Directors (the “Board”) and the Board.

From time to time, we will identify investments that require closer monitoring or become work-out assets. We will develop a workout strategy for workout assets and our Investment Committee will monitor the progress against the strategy. We may incur losses from our investing activities; however, we work with our troubled portfolio companies in order to recover as much of our investments as is practicable, including possibly taking control of the portfolio company. There can be no assurance that principal will be recovered.

For our investment risk rating system, we review seven different criteria and, based on our review of such criteria, we assign a risk rating on a scale of 1 to 5, as set forth in the following illustration.

At September 30, 2019, the Legacy Portfolio had a weighted average risk rating score of 3.0.

16

Managerial Assistance

As a BDC, we are required to offer, and provide upon request, managerial assistance to our portfolio companies. This assistance could involve, among other things, monitoring the operations of our portfolio companies, participating in board and management meetings, consulting with and advising officers of portfolio companies and providing other organizational and financial guidance. We may, from time to time, receive fees for these services. In the event that such fees are received, we expect that they will be incorporated into our operating income and passed through to our stockholders, given the nature of our structure as an internally managed BDC. See “— Regulation as a Business Development Company — Significant Managerial Assistance” for additional information.

Employees

As of September 30, 2019, we had 26 employees, including eight investment, originations and portfolio management professionals, all of whom have extensive experience working on investment and financing transactions.

Emerging Growth Company

The Company is an emerging growth company as defined in the JOBS Act and is eligible to take advantage of certain specified reduced disclosure and other requirements that are otherwise generally applicable to public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”). Although we have not made a determination whether to take advantage of any or all of these exemptions, we expect to remain an emerging growth company for up to five years following the completion of our IPO or until the earliest of:

•

the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues exceed $1.07 billion;

​

•

December 31 of the fiscal year that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act which would occur if the market value of the shares of our Common Stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700.0 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter and we have been publicly reporting for at least 12 months; or

​

•

the date on which the we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the preceding three-year period.

​

In addition, we will take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards.

Distribution Reinvestment Plan

We adopted a distribution reinvestment plan that provides for the reinvestment of our stockholder distributions, unless a stockholder elects to receive cash as provided below. As a result, if our Board authorizes, and we declare, a cash distribution, then our stockholders who have not “opted out” of such distribution reinvestment plan have their cash distribution automatically reinvested in additional shares of our Common Stock, rather than receiving the cash distribution.

No action is required on the part of a registered stockholder to have its cash distribution reinvested in shares of our Common Stock. American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, the plan administrator (the “Plan Administrator”) and our transfer and dividend paying agent and registrar will set up an account for shares acquired through the plan for each stockholder and hold such shares in non-certificated form.

A registered stockholder may elect to receive an entire distribution in cash by notifying the Plan Administrator in writing so that such notice is received by the Plan Administrator no later than 10 days prior to the record date for the applicable distributions to stockholders. Such election will remain in effect until the stockholder notifies the Plan Administrator in writing of such stockholder’s desire to change its election, which notice must be delivered to the Plan Administrator no later than 10 days prior to the record date for the first distribution for which such stockholder wishes its new election to take effect.

17

There are no brokerage charges or other charges to stockholders who participate in the Plan. The Plan Administrator’s fees are paid by us. If a participant elects by written notice to the Plan Administrator prior to termination of his or her account to have the Plan Administrator sell part or all of the shares held by the Plan Administrator in the participant’s account and remit the proceeds to the participant, the Plan Administrator is authorized to deduct a $15.00 transaction fee plus a $0.12 per share brokerage commission from the proceeds.

The plan may be terminated by us upon notice in writing mailed to each participant at least 30 days prior to any record date for the payment of any stockholder distribution by us.

Regulation as a Business Development Company

The following discussion is a general summary of the material prohibitions and descriptions governing BDCs generally. It does not purport to be a complete description of all of the laws and regulations affecting BDCs.

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 the BDC’s total assets. The principal categories of qualifying assets relevant to our business are any of the following:

(1)

Securities purchased in transactions not involving any public offering from the issuer of such securities, which issuer (subject to certain limited exceptions) is an eligible portfolio company, or from any person who is, or has been during the preceding 13 months, an affiliated person of an eligible portfolio company, or from any other person, subject to such rules as may be prescribed by the SEC. An eligible portfolio company is defined in the 1940 Act as any issuer which:

​

(a)

is organized under the laws of, and has its principal place of business in, the United States;

​

(b)

is not an investment company (other than a small business investment company wholly owned by the BDC) or a company that would be an investment company but for certain exclusions under the 1940 Act; and

​

(c)

satisfies any of the following:

​

(i)

does not have any class of securities that is traded on a national securities exchange;

​

(ii)

has a class of securities listed on a national securities exchange, but has an aggregate market value of outstanding voting and non-voting common equity of less than $250 million;

​

(iii)

is controlled by a BDC or a group of companies including a BDC and the BDC has an affiliated person who is a director of the eligible portfolio company; or

​

(iv)

is a small and solvent company having total assets of not more than $4 million and capital and surplus of not less than $2 million;

​

(2)

Securities of any eligible portfolio company controlled by us;

​

(3)

Securities purchased in a private transaction from a U.S. issuer that is not an investment company or from an affiliated person of the issuer, or in transactions incident thereto, if the issuer is in bankruptcy and subject to reorganization or if the issuer, immediately prior to the purchase of its securities was unable to meet its obligations as they came due without material assistance other than conventional lending or financing arrangements;

​

(4)

Securities of an eligible portfolio company purchased from any person in a private transaction if there is no ready market for such securities and we already own 60% of the outstanding equity of the eligible portfolio company;

​

(5)

Securities received in exchange for or distributed on or with respect to securities described in (1) through (4) above, or pursuant to the exercise of warrants or rights relating to such securities; or

​

18

(6)

Cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or high-quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment.

​

In addition, a BDC must be operated for the purpose of making investments in the types of securities described in (1), (2) or (3) above.

Significant Managerial Assistance.   A BDC must have been organized and have its principal place of business in the United States and must be operated for the purpose of making investments in the types of securities described above. However, in order to count portfolio securities as qualifying assets for the purpose of the 70% test, the BDC must either control the issuer of the securities or must offer to make available to the issuer of the securities (other than small and solvent companies described above) significant managerial assistance. However, where the BDC purchases such 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 employees, 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.

Temporary Investments.   Pending investment in other types of qualifying assets, as described above, our investments can consist of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or high quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment, which are referred to herein, collectively, as temporary investments, so that 70% of our assets would be qualifying assets.

Issuance of Derivative Securities.   Under the 1940 Act, a BDC is subject to restrictions on the issuance, terms and amount of warrants, options, restricted stock or rights to purchase shares of capital stock that it may have outstanding at any time. In particular, the amount of capital stock that would result from the conversion or exercise of all outstanding warrants, options or rights to purchase capital stock cannot exceed 25% of the BDC’s total outstanding shares of capital stock. This amount is reduced to 20% of the BDC’s total outstanding shares of capital stock if the amount of warrants, options or rights issued pursuant to an executive compensation plan would exceed 15% of the BDC’s total outstanding shares of capital stock. We intend to apply for exemptive relief from the SEC to permit us to issue restricted stock and restricted stock units to our employees, officers and directors subject to the above conditions, among others; although there can be no assurance or guarantee that such exemptive relief will be received from the SEC.

Senior Securities; Coverage Ratio.   We are generally permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness and one class of stock senior to our Common Stock if our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, is at least equal to 150% immediately after each such issuance. In connection with the organization of the Company, the Board and our initial sole stockholder authorized us to adopt the 150% asset coverage ratio. This means we are permitted to borrow $2 for investment purposes for every $1 dollar of investor equity.

In addition, while any senior securities remain outstanding, we will be required to make provisions to prohibit any dividend distribution to our stockholders or the repurchase of such securities or shares unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratios at the time of the dividend distribution or repurchase. We will also be permitted to borrow amounts up to 5% of the value of our total assets for temporary or emergency purposes, which borrowings would not be considered senior securities.

Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Trinity Funding 1, LLC, we became a party to, and assumed, the Credit Agreement in connection with the Formation Transactions and may establish one or more credit facilities or enter into other financing arrangements to facilitate investments and the timely payment of expenses. We cannot assure stockholders that it will be able to enter into any future credit facility. Stockholders will indirectly bear the costs associated with any borrowings under a credit facility or otherwise. In connection with a credit facility or other borrowings, lenders may require us to pledge assets, commitments and/or drawdowns (and the ability to enforce the payment thereof) and may ask to comply with positive or negative covenants that could have an effect on our operations. We may pledge up to 100%

19

of its assets and may grant a security interest in all of its assets under the terms of any debt instrument that we enter into with lenders. In addition, from time to time, our losses on leveraged investments may result in the liquidation of other investments held by us and may result in additional drawdowns to repay such amounts.

Code of Ethics.   We will adopt a code of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that establishes procedures for personal investments and restricts certain personal securities transactions. Personnel subject to the code are permitted to invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by us, so long as such investments are made in accordance with the code’s requirements.

Affiliated Transactions.   We are prohibited under the 1940 Act from conducting certain transactions with our affiliates without the prior approval of our directors who are not interested persons and, in some cases, the prior approval of the SEC.

Other.   We will be periodically examined by the SEC for compliance with the 1940 Act, and be subject to the periodic reporting and related requirements of the Exchange Act.

We are also required to provide and maintain a bond issued by a reputable fidelity insurance company to protect against larceny and embezzlement. Furthermore, as a BDC, we are prohibited from protecting any director or officer against any liability to stockholders arising from willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office.

We are also required to designate a chief compliance officer and to adopt and implement written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation of the federal securities laws and to review these policies and procedures annually for their adequacy and the effectiveness of their implementation.

We are not permitted to change the nature of our business so as to cease to be, or to withdraw our election as, a BDC unless approved by a majority of our outstanding voting securities. A majority of the outstanding voting securities of a company is defined under the 1940 Act as the lesser of: (i) 67% or more of such company’s shares present at a meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of such company are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of such company.

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

Our Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are set forth below. The guidelines will be reviewed periodically by our non-interested directors, and, accordingly, are subject to change.

Proxy Policies

We will vote all proxies relating to our portfolio securities in the best interest of our stockholders. We will review on a case-by-case basis each proposal submitted to a stockholder vote to determine its impact on the portfolio securities held by us. Although we will generally vote against proposals that may have a negative impact on our portfolio securities, we may vote for such a proposal if there exists compelling long-term reasons to do so. We will abstain from voting only in unusual circumstances and where there is a compelling reason to do so.

Our proxy voting decisions are made by members of the Investment Committee who are responsible for monitoring each of our investments. To ensure that our vote is not the product of a conflict of interest, we will require that: (i) anyone involved in the decision making process disclose to our Chief Compliance Officer any potential conflict that he or she is aware of and any contact that he or she has had with any interested party regarding a proxy vote; and (ii) officers and employees involved in the decision-making process or vote administration are prohibited from revealing how we intend to vote on a proposal in order to reduce any attempted influence from interested parties.

Proxy Voting Records

You may obtain information about how we voted proxies by making a written request for proxy voting information to: Trinity Capital Inc., Attention: Chief Compliance Officer, 3075 West Ray Road, Suite 525, Chandler, AZ 85226.

20

Privacy Policy

The following information is provided to help investors understand what personal information we collect, how we protect that information and why, in certain cases, we may share information with select other parties.

We may collect nonpublic personal information regarding investors from sources such as subscription agreements, investor questionnaires and other forms; individual investors’ account histories; and correspondence between us and individual investors. We may share information that we collect regarding an investor with our affiliates and the employees of such affiliates for everyday business purposes, for example, to service the investor’s accounts and, unless an investor opts out, provide the investor with information about other products and services offered by us or our affiliates that may be of interest to the investor. In addition, we may disclose information that we collect regarding investors to third parties who are not affiliated with us (i) as authorized by the investors in investor subscription agreements or our organizational documents; (ii) as required by applicable law or in connection with a properly authorized legal or regulatory investigation, subpoena or summons, or to respond to judicial process or government regulatory authorities having property jurisdiction; (iii) as required to fulfill investor instructions; or (iv) as otherwise permitted by applicable law to perform support services for investor accounts or process investor transactions with us or our affiliates.

Any party not affiliated with us that receives nonpublic personal information relating to investors from us is required to adhere to confidentiality agreements and to maintain appropriate safeguards to protect investor information. Additionally, for our officers, employees and agents and our affiliates, access to such information is restricted to those who need such access to provide services to us and investors. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to seek to guard investor nonpublic personal information.

Reporting Obligations

We will furnish our stockholders with annual reports containing audited financial statements, quarterly reports, and such other periodic reports as we determine to be appropriate or as may be required by law. We are filing this Registration Statement with the SEC voluntarily with the intention of establishing the Company as a reporting company under the Exchange Act. Upon the effectiveness of this Registration Statement, we will be required to comply with all periodic reporting, proxy solicitation and other applicable requirements under the Exchange Act.

Stockholder reports and other information about the Company are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov and copies of this information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.

Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

The following discussion is a general summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to us and to an investment in the shares of our Common Stock. This discussion does not purport to be a complete description of the income tax considerations applicable to such an investment. For example, this discussion does not describe tax consequences that we have assumed to be generally known by investors or certain considerations that may be relevant to certain types of holders subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws, including persons who hold our Common Stock as part of a straddle or a hedging, integrated or constructive sale transaction, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, brokers or dealers in securities, pension plans and trusts, persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, U.S. expatriates, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, personal holding companies, persons who acquire shares of our Common Stock in connection with the performance of services, and financial institutions. Such persons should consult with their own tax advisers as to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in our Common Stock, which may differ substantially from those described herein. This discussion assumes that stockholders hold our Common Stock as capital assets (within the meaning of the Code).

21

The discussion is based upon the Code, Treasury regulations, and administrative and judicial interpretations, each as of the date of this Registration Statement and all of which are subject to change, possibly retroactively, which could affect the continuing validity of this discussion. We have not sought and will not seek any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service regarding any matter discussed herein. Prospective investors should be aware that, although we intend to adopt positions it believes are in accord with current interpretations of the U.S. federal income tax laws, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) may not agree with the tax positions taken by us and that, if challenged by the IRS, our tax positions might not be sustained by the courts. This summary does not discuss any aspects of U.S. estate, alternative minimum, or gift tax or foreign, state or local tax. It also does not discuss the special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws that could result if we invested in tax-exempt securities or certain other investment assets.

For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. Stockholder” generally is a beneficial owner of the Company’s Common Stock that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

•

a citizen or individual resident of the United States;

​

•

a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) organized in or under the laws of the U.S. or of any political subdivision thereof;

​

•

a trust that is subject to the supervision of a court within the U.S. and the control of one or more U.S. persons or that has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person; or

​

•

an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source.

​

A “Non-U.S. Stockholder” is a beneficial owner of the Company’s Common Stock that is not a U.S. stockholder or a partnership for U.S. tax purposes.

If a partnership (including an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds shares of our Common Stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Any partner of a partnership holding shares of our Common Stock should consult its tax advisers with respect to the purchase, ownership and disposition of such shares of our Common Stock.

Tax matters are very complicated and the tax consequences to an investor of an investment in shares of our Common Stock will depend on the facts of his, her or its particular situation.

Taxation as a Regulated Investment Company

As soon as practicable after our election to be a BDC, we intend to elect to be treated and to qualify each year thereafter as a RIC. 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 stockholders as distributions. To qualify as a RIC, we must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements (as described below). In addition, in order to obtain RIC tax benefits, we must distribute to stockholders, for each taxable year, at least 90% of our “investment company taxable income,” which is generally its ordinary income plus the excess of realized net short-term capital gains over realized net long-term capital losses (the “Annual Distribution Requirement”).

If we:

•

qualify as a RIC; and

​

•

satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement,

​

then we will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of income we distribute (or are deemed to distribute) to stockholders. We will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the regular corporate rates on any income or capital gains not distributed (or deemed distributed) to stockholders.

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  (i) 98% of net ordinary income for each calendar year, (ii) 98.2% of the amount by which capital gains exceeds capital losses (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for the one-year period ending October 31 in that calendar year and (iii) certain

22

undistributed amounts from previous years on which we paid no U.S. federal income tax (the “Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement”). While we intend to distribute any income and capital gains in order to avoid imposition of this 4% U.S. federal excise tax, we may not be successful in avoiding entirely the imposition of this tax. In that case, we will be liable for the tax only on the amount by which we do not meet the foregoing distribution requirement.

In order to qualify as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must, among other things:

•

continue to qualify as a BDC under the 1940 Act at all times during each taxable year;

​

•

derive in each taxable year at least 90% of gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to loans of certain securities, gains from the sale of stock or other securities or foreign currencies, net income from certain “qualified publicly traded partnerships,” or other income derived with respect to the business of investing in such stock or securities (the “90% Income Test”); and

​

•

diversify our holdings so that at the end of each quarter of the taxable year:

​

•

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; and

​

•

no more than 25% of the value of our assets is invested in the (i) securities, other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs, of one issuer, (ii) securities 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 (iii) securities of one or more “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (the “Diversification Tests”).

​

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 are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as debt instruments with payment-in-kind, or PIK, interest or, in certain cases, increasing interest rates or issued with warrants), we must include in income each year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by us in the same taxable year. We may also have to include in income other amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as PIK interest and deferred loan origination fees that are paid after origination of the loan. Because any original issue discount 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 stockholders in order to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, even though we will not have received the corresponding cash amount.

Although we do not presently expect to do so, we are authorized to borrow funds, to sell assets and to make taxable distributions of our stock and debt securities in order to satisfy distribution requirements. Our ability to dispose of assets to meet distribution requirements may be limited by (i) the illiquid nature of our portfolio and/or (ii) other requirements relating to our status as a RIC, including the Diversification Tests. If we dispose of assets in order to meet the Annual Distribution Requirement or the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement, we may make such dispositions at times that, from an investment standpoint, are not advantageous. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, we may fail to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC and become subject to tax as an ordinary corporation.

Under the 1940 Act, we are not permitted to make distributions to our stockholders while debt obligations and other senior securities are outstanding unless certain “asset coverage” tests are met. If we are prohibited from making distributions, we may fail to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC and become subject to tax as an ordinary corporation.

Certain of our investment practices may be subject to special and complex U.S. federal income tax provisions that may, among other things: (i) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions; (ii) convert lower taxed long-term capital gain into higher taxed short-term capital gain or ordinary income; (iii) convert an ordinary loss or a deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of

23

which is more limited); (iv) cause us to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash; (v) adversely affect the time as to when a purchase or sale of securities is deemed to occur; (vi) adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions; and (vii) produce income that will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 90% Income Test described above. We will monitor our transactions and may make certain tax decisions in order to mitigate the potential adverse effect of these provisions.

A RIC is limited in its ability to deduct expenses in excess of its “investment company taxable income” (which is, generally, ordinary income plus the excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses). If our expenses in a given year exceed investment company taxable income, we would experience a net operating loss for that year. However, a RIC is not permitted to carry forward net operating losses to subsequent years. In addition, expenses can be used only to offset investment company taxable income, not net capital gain. Due to these limits on the deductibility of expenses, we may, for tax purposes, have aggregate taxable income for several years that we are required to distribute and that is taxable to stockholders even if such income is greater than the aggregate net income we actually earned during those years. Such required distributions may be made from cash assets or by liquidation of investments, if necessary. We may realize gains or losses from such liquidations. In the event we realize net capital gains from such transactions, a stockholder may receive a larger capital gain distribution than it would have received in the absence of such transactions.

Failure to Qualify as a RIC

While we intend to elect to be treated as a RIC as soon as practicable following our election to be a BDC, we anticipate that we may have difficulty satisfying the Diversification Tests as we ramp up our portfolio. To the extent that we have net taxable income prior to qualification as RIC, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such income. We would not be able to deduct distributions to stockholders, nor would distributions be required to be made. Distributions, including distributions of net long-term capital gain, would generally be taxable to stockholders as ordinary dividend income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. Subject to certain limitations under the Code, corporate stockholders would be eligible to claim a dividend received deduction with respect to such dividend; non-corporate stockholders would generally be able to treat such distributions as “qualified dividend income,” which is subject to reduced rates of U.S. federal income tax. Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the stockholder’s tax basis, and any remaining distributions would be treated as a capital gain. In order to qualify as a RIC, in addition to the other requirements discussed above, we would be required to distribute all previously undistributed earnings and profits attributable to any period prior to becoming a RIC by the end of the first year that we intend to qualify as a RIC. To the extent that we have any net built-in gains in our assets (i.e., the excess of the aggregate gains, including items of income, over aggregate losses that would have been realized with respect to such assets if we had been liquidated) as of the beginning of the first year that we qualify as a RIC, we would be subject to a corporate-level U.S. federal income tax on such built-in gains if and when recognized over the next five years. Alternatively, we may choose to recognize such built-in gains immediately prior to qualification as a RIC.

If we have previously qualified as RIC, but are subsequently unable to qualify for treatment as a RIC, and certain amelioration provisions are not applicable, we would be subject to tax on all of our taxable income (including net capital gains) at regular corporate rates. We would not be able to deduct distributions to stockholders, nor would distributions be required to be made. Distributions, including distributions of net long-term capital gain, would generally be taxable to stockholders as ordinary dividend income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. Subject to certain limitations under the Code, corporate stockholders would be eligible to claim a dividend received deduction with respect to such dividend and non-corporate stockholders would generally be able to treat such distributions as “qualified dividend income,” which is subject to reduced rates of U.S. federal income tax. Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the stockholder’s tax basis, and any remaining distributions would be treated as a capital gain. In order to requalify as a RIC, in addition to the other requirements discussed above, we would be required to distribute all previously undistributed earnings attributable to the period we failed to qualify as a RIC by the end of the first year that we intend to requalify as a RIC. If we fail to requalify as a RIC for a period

24

greater than two taxable years, we may be subject to regular corporate tax on any net built-in gains with respect to certain assets (i.e., the excess of the aggregate gains, including items of income, over aggregate losses that would have been realized with respect to such assets if we had been liquidated) that we elect to recognize on requalification or when recognized over the next five years.

The remainder of this discussion assumes that we qualify as a RIC for each taxable year.

Acquisition of Portfolio Assets of the Legacy Funds

We anticipate that, for tax purposes, our acquisition of the Legacy Funds, including the Legacy Assets, in exchange for shares of our Common Stock and cash will generally be treated as if each Legacy Fund transferred its assets to the Company in exchange for cash and shares of our Common Stock and then each Legacy Fund distributed the cash and shares of our Common Stock to its investors in liquidation of such fund. We anticipate that these transactions will constitute taxable transactions and that the Legacy Funds, and possibly the investors in the Legacy Funds, will recognize gain or loss in connection with these transactions.

Taxation of U.S. Shareholders

Distributions by us generally are taxable to U.S. Stockholders as ordinary income or capital gains. Distributions of  “investment company taxable income” (which is, generally, net ordinary income plus realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses) will be taxable as ordinary income to U.S. Stockholders to the extent of current or accumulated earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares of our Common Stock. To the extent such distributions paid by us to stockholders taxed at individual rates are attributable to distributions from U.S. corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations, such distributions (“Qualifying Dividends”) may be eligible for a current maximum tax rate of 20%. In this regard, it is anticipated that distributions paid by us will generally not be attributable to distributions and, therefore, generally will not qualify for the 20% maximum rate applicable to Qualifying Dividends. Distributions of net capital gains (which are generally our realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses) properly reported by us as “capital gain dividends” will be taxable to a U.S. Stockholder as long-term capital gains that are currently taxable at a maximum rate of 20% in the case of stockholders taxed at individual rates, regardless of the U.S. Stockholder’s holding period for his, her or its shares of our Common Stock and regardless of whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional Common Stock. Distributions in excess of earnings and profits first will reduce a U.S. Stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in such stockholder’s shares of our Common Stock and, after the adjusted basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to such U.S. Stockholder.

We may retain some or all of our realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses, but designate the retained net capital gain as a “deemed distribution.” In that case, among other consequences, we will pay tax on the retained amount, each U.S. Stockholder will be required to include his, her or its share of the deemed distribution in income as if it had been actually distributed to the U.S. Stockholder, and the U.S. Stockholder will be entitled to claim a credit equal to his, her or its allocable share of the tax paid thereon by us. If the amount of tax that a U.S. Stockholder is treated as having paid exceeds the tax such stockholder owes on the capital gain distribution, such excess generally may be refunded or claimed as a credit against the U.S. Stockholder’s other U.S. federal income tax obligations. The amount of the deemed distribution net of such tax will be added to the U.S. Stockholder’s cost basis for his, her or its shares of our Common Stock. In order to utilize the deemed distribution approach, we must provide written notice to stockholders prior to the expiration of 60 days after the close of the relevant taxable year.

For purposes of determining (i) whether the Annual Distribution Requirement is satisfied for any year and (ii) the amount of capital gain dividends paid for that year, we may, under certain circumstances, elect to treat a dividend that is paid during the following taxable year as if it had been paid during the taxable year in question. If we make such an election, the U.S. Stockholder will still be treated as receiving the dividend in the taxable year in which the distribution is made. However, any dividend declared by us in October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to our stockholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following year, will be treated as if it had been received by our U.S. Stockholders on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared.

25

Under our reinvestment of distributions policy, if a U.S. Stockholder owns shares of our Common Stock registered in its own name, the U.S. Stockholder will have all cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of our Common Stock if the U.S. Stockholder does not “opt out” of the reinvestment of distributions by delivering a written notice to us prior to the record date of the next dividend or distribution. Any distributions reinvested will nevertheless remain taxable to the U.S. Stockholder. The U.S. Stockholder will have an adjusted basis in the additional shares of our Common Stock purchased through the reinvestment equal to the amount of the reinvested distribution. The additional shares of our Common Stock will have a new holding period commencing on the day following the day on which the shares of our Common Stock are credited to the U.S. Stockholder’s account.

If an investor purchases shares of our Common Stock shortly before the record date of a distribution, the price of the shares of our Common Stock will include the value of the distribution. However, the stockholder will be taxed on the distribution as described above, despite the fact that, economically, it may represent a return of his, her or its investment.

A U.S. Stockholder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss if the U.S. Stockholder sells or otherwise disposes of his, her or its shares of our Common Stock. The amount of gain or loss will be measured by the difference between such U.S. Stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in shares of our Common Stock sold and the amount of the proceeds received in exchange. Any gain arising from such sale or disposition generally will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Stockholder has held his, her or its shares of our Common Stock for more than one year. Otherwise, it will be classified as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any capital loss arising from the sale or disposition of shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of capital gain dividends received, or undistributed capital gain deemed received, with respect to such shares of our Common Stock. In addition, all or a portion of any loss recognized upon a disposition of shares of our Common Stock may be disallowed if other shares of our Common Stock are purchased (whether through reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) within 30 days before or after the disposition.

In general, U.S. Stockholders taxed at individual rates currently are subject to a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20% on their recognized net capital gain (i.e., the excess of recognized net long-term capital gains over recognized net short-term capital losses, subject to certain adjustments), including any long-term capital gain derived from an investment in shares of our Common Stock. Such rate is lower than the maximum rate on ordinary income currently payable by such U.S. Stockholders. In addition, individuals with modified adjusted gross incomes in excess of  $200,000 ($250,000 in the case of married individuals filing jointly) and certain estates and trusts are subject to an additional 3.8% tax on their “net investment income,” which generally includes gross income from interest, dividends, annuities, royalties, and rents, and net capital gains (other than certain amounts earned from trades or businesses), reduced by certain deductions allocable to such income. Corporate U.S. Stockholders currently are subject to U.S. federal income tax on net capital gain at the maximum 21% rate also applied to ordinary income. Non-corporate U.S. Stockholders with net capital losses for a year (i.e., capital losses in excess of capital gains) generally may deduct up to $3,000 of such losses against their ordinary income each year. Any net capital losses of a non-corporate U.S. Stockholder in excess of  $3,000 generally may be carried forward and used in subsequent years as provided in the Code. Corporate U.S. Stockholders generally may not deduct any net capital losses for a year, but may carry back such losses for three years or carry forward such losses for five years.

Under applicable Treasury regulations, if a U.S. Stockholder recognizes a loss with respect to shares of our Common Stock of  $2 million or more for a non-corporate U.S. Stockholder or $10 million or more for a corporate U.S. Stockholder in any single taxable year (or a $20 million loss over a combination of years), the U.S. Stockholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct U.S. Stockholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, U.S. Stockholders of a RIC are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to U.S. Stockholders of most or all RICs. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. U.S. Stockholders should consult their own tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

26

We (or the applicable withholding agent) will send to each of its U.S. Stockholders, as promptly as possible after the end of each calendar year, a notice reporting the amounts includible in such U.S. Stockholder’s taxable income for such year as ordinary income and as long-term capital gain. In addition, the federal tax status of each year’s distributions generally will be reported to the IRS (including the amount of distributions, if any, eligible for the 20% maximum rate). Distributions paid by us generally will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction or the preferential tax rate applicable to Qualifying Dividends because our income generally will not consist of dividends. Distributions may also be subject to additional state, local and foreign taxes depending on a U.S. Stockholder’s particular situation.

We may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax (“backup withholding”) from all distributions to certain U.S. Stockholders (i) who fail to furnish us with a correct taxpayer identification number or a certificate that such stockholder is exempt from backup withholding or (ii) with respect to whom the IRS notifies us that such stockholder furnished an incorrect taxpayer identification number or failed to properly report certain interest and dividend income to the IRS and to respond to notices to that effect. An individual’s taxpayer identification number is his or her social security number. Any amount withheld under backup withholding is allowed as a credit against the U.S. Stockholder’s federal income tax liability, provided that proper information is provided to the IRS.

A “publicly offered regulated investment company” is a RIC whose shares are either (i) continuously offered pursuant to a public offering, (ii) regularly traded on an established securities market or (iii) held by at least 500 persons at all times during the taxable year. Prior to conducting an IPO, we anticipate that we likely will not qualify as a publicly offered RIC. We expect that we will qualify as a publicly offered RIC if we conduct an IPO. For any period that we are not a publicly offered RIC, a U.S. non-corporate stockholder’s allocable portion of our affected expenses will be treated as an additional distribution to the stockholder and will be deductible by such stockholder only to the extent permitted under the limitations described below. For U.S. non-corporate stockholders, including individuals, trusts, and estates, significant limitations generally apply to the deductibility of certain expenses of a non-publicly offered RIC. In particular, these expenses, which are “miscellaneous itemized deductions”, are currently not deductible by individuals (and beginning in 2026, will be deductible only to the extent they exceed 2% of such a stockholder’s adjusted gross income), and are not deductible for alternative minimum tax purposes.

Taxation of Tax-Exempt Stockholders

A U.S. Stockholder that is a tax-exempt organization for U.S. federal income tax purposes and therefore generally exempt from U.S. federal income taxation may nevertheless be subject to taxation to the extent that it is considered to derive unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”). The direct conduct by a tax-exempt U.S. Stockholder of the activities we propose to conduct could give rise to UBTI. However, a BDC is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes and its business activities generally will not be attributed to its stockholders for purposes of determining their treatment under current law. Therefore, a tax-exempt U.S. Stockholder generally should not be subject to U.S. taxation solely as a result of the stockholder’s ownership of our Common Stock and receipt of distributions with respect to such Common Stock. Moreover, under current law, if we incur indebtedness, such indebtedness will not be attributed to a tax-exempt U.S. Stockholder. Therefore, a tax-exempt U.S. Stockholder should not be treated as earning income from “debt-financed property” and distributions we pay should not be treated as “unrelated debt-financed income” solely as a result of indebtedness that we incur. Legislation has been introduced in Congress in the past, and may be introduced again in the future, which would change the treatment of “blocker” investment vehicles interposed between tax-exempt investors and non-qualifying investments if enacted. In the event that any such proposals were to be adopted and applied to BDCs, the treatment of distributions payable to tax-exempt investors could be adversely affected. In addition, special rules would apply if we were to invest in certain real estate mortgage investment conduits or taxable mortgage pools, which we do not currently plan to do, that could result in a tax-exempt U.S. Stockholder recognizing income that would be treated as UBTI.

27

Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders

The following discussion only applies to certain Non-U.S. Stockholders. Whether an investment in the shares of our Common Stock is appropriate for a Non-U.S. Stockholder will depend upon that person’s particular circumstances. An investment in the shares of our Common Stock by a Non-U.S. Stockholder may have adverse tax consequences. Non-U.S. Stockholders should consult their tax advisers before investing in our Common Stock.

Distributions of our “investment company taxable income” to Non-U.S. Stockholders (including interest income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized long-term capital losses, which generally would be free of withholding if paid to Non-U.S. Stockholders directly) will be subject to withholding of federal tax at a 30% rate (or lower rate provided by an applicable treaty) to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits unless an applicable exception applies. No withholding is required with respect to certain distributions if  (i) the distributions are properly reported as “interest-related dividends” or “short-term capital gain dividends,” (ii) the distributions are derived from sources specified in the Code for such dividends and (iii) certain other requirements are satisfied. No assurance can be provided as to whether any of our distributions will be reported as eligible for this exemption. If the distributions are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the Non-U.S. Stockholder, we will not be required to withhold federal tax if the Non-U.S. Stockholder complies with applicable certification and disclosure requirements, although the distributions will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. persons. (Special certification requirements apply to a Non-U.S. Stockholder that is a foreign partnership or a foreign trust, and such entities are urged to consult their own tax advisers.)

Actual or deemed distributions of net capital gains to a Non-U.S. Stockholder, and gains realized by a Non-U.S. Stockholder upon the sale of our Common Stock, will generally not be subject to federal withholding tax and generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless the distributions or gains, as the case may be, are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the Non-U.S. Stockholder.

Under our reinvestment of distributions policy, if a Non-U.S. Stockholder owns shares of our Common Stock registered in its own name, the Non-U.S. Stockholder will have all cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of our Common Stock if such stockholder does not “opt out” of the reinvestment of distributions policy by delivering a written notice to us prior to the record date of the next dividend or distribution. If the distribution is a distribution of our investment company taxable income, is not reported as a short-term capital gains dividend or interest-related dividend and it is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the Non-U.S. Stockholder (or, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is not attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of the Non-U.S. Stockholder), the amount distributed (to the extent of current or accumulated earnings and profits) will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate (or lower rate provided by an applicable treaty) and only the net after-tax amount will be reinvested in our Common Stock. The Non-U.S. Stockholder will have an adjusted basis in the additional shares of our Common Stock purchased through the reinvestment equal to the amount reinvested. The additional shares of our Common Stock will have a new holding period commencing on the day following the day on which the shares of our Common Stock are credited to the Non-U.S. Stockholder’s account.

The tax consequences to Non-U.S. Stockholders entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty or that are individuals that are present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during a taxable year may be different from those described herein. Non-U.S. Stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisers with respect to the procedure for claiming the benefit of a lower treaty rate and the applicability of foreign taxes.

If we distribute net capital gains in the form of deemed rather than actual distributions, a Non-U.S. Stockholder will be entitled to a U.S. federal income tax credit or tax refund equal to the stockholder’s allocable share of the tax we pay on the capital gains deemed to have been distributed. In order to obtain the refund, the Non-U.S. Stockholder must obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number and file a refund claim even if the Non-U.S. Stockholder would not otherwise be required to obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number or file a U.S. federal income tax return. For a corporate Non-U.S. Stockholder, distributions (both actual and deemed), and gains realized upon the sale of our Common Stock that are

28

effectively connected to a U.S. trade or business may, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate (or at a lower rate if provided for by an applicable treaty). Accordingly, investment in the shares of our Common Stock may not be advisable for a Non-U.S. Stockholder.

We must generally report to Non-U.S. Stockholders and the IRS the amount of distributions paid during each calendar year and the amount of any tax withheld. Information reporting requirements may apply even if no withholding was required because the distributions were effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Stockholder’s conduct of a United States trade or business or withholding was reduced or eliminated by an applicable income tax treaty. This information also may be made available under a specific treaty or agreement with the tax authorities in the country in which the Non-U.S. Stockholder resides or is established. Under U.S. federal income tax law, interest, dividends and other reportable payments may, under certain circumstances, be subject to “backup withholding” at the then applicable rate. Backup withholding, however, generally will not apply to distributions to a Non-U.S. Stockholder of our Common Stock, provided the Non-U.S. Stockholder furnishes to us the required certification as to its non-U.S. status, such as by providing a valid IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, or IRS Form W-8ECI, or certain other requirements are met. Backup withholding is not an additional tax but can be credited against a Non-U.S. Stockholder’s federal income tax, and may be refunded to the extent it results in an overpayment of tax and the appropriate information is timely supplied to the IRS.

Legislation commonly referred to as the “Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act,” or “FATCA,” generally imposes a 30% withholding tax on payments of certain types of income to foreign financial institutions (“FFIs”) unless such FFIs enter into an agreement with the U.S. Treasury to report certain required information with respect to accounts held by U.S. persons (or held by foreign entities that have U.S. persons as substantial owners) or reside in a jurisdiction that has entered into an intergovernmental agreement (“IGA”) with the United States to collect and share such information and are in compliance with the terms of such IGA and any related laws or regulations. The types of income subject to the tax include U.S. source interest and distributions. The information required to be reported includes the identity and taxpayer identification number of each account holder that is a U.S. person and certain transaction activity within the holder’s account. In addition, subject to certain exceptions, this legislation also imposes a 30% withholding on payments to a foreign entity that is not a financial institution unless the foreign entity certifies that it does not have a greater than 10% U.S. owner or provides the withholding agent with identifying information on each greater than 10% U.S. owner. Depending on the status of a Non-U.S. Stockholder and the status of the intermediaries through which they hold their shares of our Common Stock, Non-U.S. Stockholders could be subject to this 30% withholding tax with respect to distributions on their shares of our Common Stock. Under certain circumstances, a Non-U.S. Stockholder might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes.

Non-U.S. Stockholders should consult their own tax advisers with respect to the U.S. federal income tax and withholding tax, and state, local and foreign tax consequences of an investment in the shares of our Common Stock.

29

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

​

Investments in the Company involve a high degree of risk. There can be no assurance that our investment objective will be achieved, or that a stockholder of the Company will receive a return of its capital. The following considerations should be carefully evaluated before making an investment in shares of our Common Stock. If any of these risks actually occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected, and stockholders of the Company may lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Related to Our Business and Structure

We have no operating history.

We were formed in August 12, 2019 and have no operating history. As a result, we are subject to the business risks and uncertainties associated with recently formed businesses, including the risk that we will not achieve our investment objective and the value of a stockholder’s investment could decline substantially or become worthless. In addition, we may be unable to generate sufficient revenue from our operations to make or sustain distributions to our stockholders.

We will depend upon our senior management team and investment professionals, including the members of the Investment Committee, for our success.

Our ability to achieve our investment objective and to make distributions to our stockholders will depend upon the performance of our senior management. We will depend on the investment expertise, skill and network of business contacts of our senior management team and investment professionals, including the members of the Investment Committee, who will evaluate, negotiate, structure, execute, monitor and service our investments. Our success depends to a significant extent on the continued service and coordination of these individuals. The departure of any of these individuals or competing demands on their time in the future could have a material adverse effect on our ability to achieve our investment objective. Further, if these individuals do not maintain their existing relationships with financial institutions, sponsors and investment professionals and do not develop new relationships with other sources of investment opportunities, we may not be able to grow our investment portfolio or achieve our investment objective. This could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our business model depends to a significant extent upon strong referral relationships with venture capital sponsors, and our inability to develop or maintain these relationships, or the failure of these relationships to generate investment opportunities, could adversely affect our business.

We expect that members of our management team will maintain their relationships with venture capital sponsors, and we will rely to a significant extent upon these relationships to provide us with our deal flow. If we fail to maintain our existing relationships, our relationships become strained as a result of enforcing our rights with respect to non-performing investments in protecting our investments or we fail to develop new relationships with other firms or sources of investment opportunities, then we will not be able to grow our investment portfolio. In addition, persons with whom members of our management team have relationships are not obligated to provide us with investment opportunities and, therefore, there is no assurance that such relationships will lead to the origination of debt or other investments.

Our financial condition and results of operations depend on our ability to manage our business effectively.

Our ability to achieve our investment objective and grow depends on our ability to manage our business. This depends, in turn, on our ability to identify, invest in and monitor companies that meet our investment criteria. The achievement of our investment objective depends upon the execution of our investment process and our access to financing on acceptable terms. Our senior origination professionals and other investment personnel may be called upon to provide managerial assistance to our portfolio companies. These activities may distract them or slow our rate of investment. Any failure to manage our business and our future growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Our results of operations depend on many factors, including the availability of opportunities for investment, readily accessible short and long-term funding alternatives

30

in the financial markets and economic conditions. Furthermore, if we cannot successfully operate our business or implement our investment policies and strategies, it could negatively impact our ability to pay distributions or other distributions and you may lose all or part of your investment.

We will be subject to certain regulatory restrictions that may adversely affect our business.

As an internally managed business development company, the size and categories of our assets under management will be limited, and we will be unable to offer as wide a variety of financial products to prospective portfolio companies and sponsors (potentially limiting the size and diversification of our asset base). We therefore may not achieve efficiencies of scale and greater management resources available to externally managed business development companies.

Additionally, as an internally managed business development company, our ability to offer more competitive and flexible compensation structures, such as offering both a profit-sharing plan and a long-term incentive plan, will be subject to the limitations imposed by the 1940 Act, which may limit our ability to attract and retain talented investment management professionals. As such, these limitations could inhibit our ability to grow, pursue our business plan and attract and retain professional talent, any or all of which may have a negative impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Other than the Legacy Portfolio, we have not identified any specific investments that we will make with the proceeds from the Private Offerings, and you will not have the opportunity to evaluate our investments prior to purchasing shares of our Common Stock or the Notes.

Other than our acquisition of the Legacy Portfolio, we have not presently identified, made investments in or contracted to make any investments. As a result, you will not be able to evaluate the economic merits, transaction terms or other financial or operational data concerning our investments prior to purchasing shares of our Common Stock or the Notes. You must rely on our investment professionals and the Board to implement our investment policies, to evaluate our investment opportunities and to structure the terms of our investments. Because investors are not able to evaluate our investments in advance of purchasing shares of our Common Stock or the Notes, an investment in shares of our Common Stock or the Notes may entail more risk than other types of offerings. This additional risk may hinder your ability to achieve your own personal investment objective related to portfolio diversification, risk-adjusted investment returns and other objectives.

Our stockholders may experience dilution.

Our stockholders will not have preemptive rights to subscribe to or purchase any shares issued in the future. To the extent we issue additional equity interests, including in an additional private or public offering, a stockholder’s percentage ownership interest in the Company will be diluted. In addition, depending upon the terms and pricing of any additional offerings and the value of our investments, a stockholder may also experience dilution in the net asset value and fair value of our shares.

As a BDC, we generally will not be able to issue our Common Stock at a price below net asset value per share without first obtaining the approval of our stockholders and our independent directors. We have received such approval from our stockholders and our independent directors to issue our Common Stock at a price below net asset value per share. If we raise additional funds by issuing more Common Stock or senior securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, our Common Stock, then percentage ownership of our stockholders at that time would decrease, and you might experience dilution.

Our management team and/or members of the Investment Committee may, from time to time, possess material nonpublic information, limiting our investment discretion.

Our management team and/or the members of the Investment Committee may serve as directors of, or in a similar capacity with, companies in which we invest, the securities of which are purchased or sold on our behalf. In the event that material nonpublic information is obtained with respect to such companies, or we become subject to trading restrictions under the internal trading policies of those companies or as a result of applicable law or regulations, we could be prohibited for a period of time from purchasing or selling the securities of such companies, and this prohibition may have a material adverse effect on us.

31

We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities, which could reduce returns and result in losses.

Our competitors include both existing and newly formed equity and debt focused public and private funds, other BDCs, investment banks, venture-oriented commercial banks, commercial financing companies and, to the extent they provide an alternative form of financing, private equity and hedge funds. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than us. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of capital and access to funding sources (including deposits) that are not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments than we have. Furthermore, many of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a BDC or to the distribution and other requirements we must satisfy to maintain our ability to be subject to tax as a RIC. These characteristics could 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.

The competitive pressures we face may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We believe that some competitors may make loans with rates that are comparable or lower than our rates. We may lose some investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure. However, if we match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure, we may experience decreased net interest income, lower yields and increased risk of credit loss. As a result of this competition, we may not be able to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities from time to time, and we may not be able to identify and make investments that are consistent with our investment objective.

In addition, we believe a significant part of our competitive advantage stems from the fact that the market for investments in small, fast-growing, private companies is underserved by traditional commercial banks and other financing sources. A significant increase in the number and/or the size of our competitors in this target market could force us to accept less attractive investment terms.

We will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax if we are unable to qualify or maintain qualification as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code.

We intend to elect to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code as soon as practicable, and intend to qualify annually thereafter; however, no assurance can be given that we will be able to qualify for and maintain RIC status. To qualify for RIC tax treatment under the Code and to be relieved of federal taxes on income and gains distributed to our stockholders, we must meet certain requirements, including source-of-income, asset-diversification and annual distribution requirements. The annual distribution requirement applicable to RICs is satisfied if we 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 stockholders on an annual basis. To the extent we use debt financing, we will be subject to certain asset coverage ratio requirements under the 1940 Act and may be subject to financial covenants under loan and credit agreements, each of which could, under certain circumstances, restrict us from making annual distributions necessary to receive RIC tax treatment. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify to be taxed as a RIC and, thus, may be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax on our entire taxable income without regard to any distributions made by us. In order to be taxed as a RIC, we must also meet certain asset-diversification requirements at the end of each calendar quarter. Failure to meet these tests may result in our having to dispose of certain investments quickly in order to prevent the loss of RIC status. Because most of our investments are in private or thinly traded public companies, any such dispositions could be made at disadvantageous prices and may result in substantial losses. If we fail to be taxed as a RIC for any reason and become subject to corporate income tax, the resulting corporate taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distributions to stockholders and the amount of our distributions and the amount of funds available for new investments. Such a failure would have a material adverse effect on us and our stockholders.

32

Capital markets may experience periods of disruption and instability. These market conditions may materially and adversely affect debt and equity capital markets in the United States and abroad, which may in the future have a negative impact on our business and operations.

From time-to-time, capital markets may experience periods of disruption and instability. During such periods of market disruption and instability, we and other companies in the financial services sector may have limited access, if available, to alternative markets for debt and equity capital. Equity capital may be difficult to raise because, subject to some limited exceptions which will apply to us as a BDC, we will generally not be able to issue additional shares of our Common Stock at a price less than net asset value without first obtaining approval for such issuance from our stockholders and our independent directors. In addition, our ability to incur indebtedness (including by issuing preferred stock) is limited by applicable regulations such that our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, must equal at least 150% immediately after each time we incur indebtedness. The debt capital that will be available, if at all, may be at a higher cost and on less favorable terms and conditions in the future. Any inability to raise capital could have a negative effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Given the extreme volatility and dislocation in the capital markets over the past several years, many BDCs have faced, and may in the future face, a challenging environment in which to raise or access capital. In addition, significant changes in the capital markets, including the extreme volatility and disruption over the past several years, has had, and may in the future have, a negative effect on the valuations of our investments and on the potential for liquidity events involving these investments. While most of our investments are not publicly traded, applicable accounting standards require us to assume as part of our valuation process that our investments are sold in a principal market-to-market participants (even if we plan on holding an investment through its maturity). As a result, volatility in the capital markets can adversely affect our investment valuations. Further, the illiquidity of our investments may make it difficult for us to sell such investments if required and to value such investments. Consequently, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we carry our investments. An inability to raise capital, and any required sale of our investments for liquidity purposes, could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations. In addition, a prolonged period of market illiquidity may cause us to reduce the volume of loans and debt securities we originate and/or fund and adversely affect the value of our portfolio investments, which could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We may need to raise additional capital to grow because we must distribute most of our income.

We will need additional capital to fund new investments and grow our portfolio of investments. We issued shares of our Common Stock in connection with the Private Common Stock Offering, issued the Notes in connection with the 144A Note Offering, assumed the outstanding obligations under the Credit Agreement through our wholly owned subsidiary, Trinity Funding 1, LLC, and may borrow from financial institutions in the future. Unfavorable economic conditions could increase our funding costs or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. A reduction in the availability of new capital could limit our ability to grow. In addition, we are required to distribute each taxable year an amount at least equal to 90% of our “investment company taxable income” (i.e., our net ordinary income and net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses, if any) to our stockholders to continue to be taxed as a RIC. As a result, these earnings are not available to fund new investments.

We could raise capital through other channels.

The Board may determine to raise additional capital through other channels, including through private or public offerings. Capital raised through other channels could subject us to additional regulatory requirements. These additional provisions could affect our stockholders and limit our ability to take certain actions. In addition, if capital is raised through other channels, we would have to use financial and other resources to file any required registration statements and to comply with any additional regulatory requirements.

33

We may have difficulty paying our required distributions if we recognize income before, or without, receiving cash representing such income.

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we will include in income certain amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as original issue discount, or a contractual payment added to the loan balance and due at the end of the loan term. Original issue discount could be significant relative to our overall investment activities. We also may be required to include in income certain other amounts that we have not yet received in cash.

Because we may recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income, we may have difficulty meeting the annual distribution requirements applicable to RICs. In such a case, we may have to sell some of our investments at times and/or at prices we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or reduce new investment originations and sourcing to meet these distribution requirements. If we are not able to obtain such cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify for the tax benefits available to RICs and thus be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax.

Regulations governing our operation as a BDC affect our ability to and the way in which we raise additional capital.

We may issue debt securities or preferred stock and/or borrow money from banks or other financial institutions, which we refer to collectively as “senior securities,” up to the maximum amount permitted by the 1940 Act. Under the provisions of the 1940 Act, we are permitted as a BDC to issue senior securities in amounts such that our asset coverage ratio, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% of total assets less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities immediately after each issuance of senior securities. This ratio decreases to 150% if certain requirements are met. We have satisfied the requirements to increase our asset coverage ratio to 150%, including stockholder and Board approval. The Board and our initial sole stockholder approved a proposal to adopt an asset coverage ratio of 150% in connection with our organization. The reduced asset coverage requirement applicable to us permit us to double the amount of leverage we can incur as compared to a BDC subject to the 200% asset coverage test. For example, under a 150% asset coverage ratio, we could potentially borrow $2 for investment purposes of every $1 of investor equity whereas under a 200% asset coverage ratio, we may only borrow $1 for investment purposes for every $1 of investor equity.

If the value of our assets declines, we may be unable to satisfy this test. If that happens, we may be required to sell a portion of our investments and, depending on the nature of our leverage, repay a portion of our indebtedness at a time when such sales may be disadvantageous. This could have a material adverse effect on our operations and we may not be able to make distributions in an amount sufficient to be subject to taxation as a RIC, or at all. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors — Risks Related to our Business and Structure — We may borrow money, which may magnify the potential for gain or loss and may increase the risk of investing in us.” In addition, issuance of securities could dilute the percentage ownership of our current stockholders in us.

No person or entity from which we borrow money will have a veto power or a vote in approving or changing any of our fundamental policies. If we issue preferred stock, the preferred stock would rank “senior” to Common Stock in our capital structure, preferred stockholders would have separate voting rights on certain matters and might have other rights, preferences or privileges more favorable than those of our common stockholders, and the issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change of control that might involve a premium price for holders of our Common Stock or otherwise be in your best interest. Holders of our Common Stock will directly or indirectly bear all of the costs associated with offering and servicing any preferred stock that we issue. In addition, any interests of preferred stockholders may not necessarily align with the interests of holders of our Common Stock and the rights of holders of shares of preferred stock to receive distributions would be senior to those of holders of shares of our Common Stock.

34

We may borrow money, which may magnify the potential for gain or loss and may increase the risk of investing in us.

As part of our business strategy, we have assumed the Credit Agreement through our wholly owned subsidiary, Trinity Funding 1, LLC, and we may borrow from and issue senior debt securities to banks, insurance companies and other lenders or investors. Holders of these senior securities or other credit facilities will have claims on our assets that are superior to the claims of our stockholders. Leverage magnifies the potential for loss on investments in our indebtedness and on invested equity capital. As we use leverage to partially finance our investments, you will experience increased risks of investing in our securities. If the value of our assets increases, then leveraging would cause the net asset value attributable to our Common Stock to increase more sharply than it would have had we not leveraged. Conversely, if the value of our assets decreases, leveraging would cause net asset value to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had we not leveraged our business. Similarly, any increase in our income in excess of interest payable on the borrowed funds would cause our net investment income to increase more than it would without the leverage, while any decrease in our income would cause net investment income to decline more sharply than it would have had we not borrowed. Such a decline could negatively affect our ability to pay common stock distributions, scheduled debt payments or other payments related to our securities. Leverage is generally considered a speculative investment technique.

There are significant financial and other resources necessary to comply with the requirements of being a public entity.

Upon the effectiveness of this Registration Statement, we will be subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and certain requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. These requirements may place a strain on our systems and resources. The Exchange Act requires that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to our business and financial condition. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act will require that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting, which are discussed below. In order to maintain and improve the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls, significant resources and management oversight will be required. We intend to implement procedures, processes, policies and practices for the purpose of addressing the standards and requirements applicable to public companies. These activities may divert management’s attention from other business concerns, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We expect to incur significant additional annual expenses related to these steps and, among other things, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, director fees, reporting requirements of the SEC, transfer agent fees, additional administrative expenses, increased auditing and legal fees and similar expenses.

The systems and resources necessary to comply with public company reporting requirements will increase further once we cease to be an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act. As long as we remain an emerging growth company, we intend to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies, including not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We will remain an emerging growth company for up to five years following an IPO or until the earliest of  (i) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues exceed $1.07 billion, (ii) December 31 of the fiscal year that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act which would occur if the market value of our Common Stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700.0 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter and we have been publicly reporting for at least 12 months or (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the preceding three-year period.

If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result, stockholders could lose confidence in our financial and other public reporting, which could harm our business and the market price of our Common Stock.

We are not required to comply with certain requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, including the internal control evaluation and certification requirements of Section 404 of that statute (“Section 404”), and will not be required to comply with all of those requirements until we have been subject to the

35

reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for a specified period of time or, in the case of the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the date we are no longer an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act. Accordingly, our internal controls over financial reporting do not currently meet all of the standards contemplated by Section 404 that we will eventually be required to meet. We are in the process of addressing our internal controls over financial reporting and are establishing formal procedures, policies, processes and practices related to financial reporting and to the identification of key financial reporting risks, assessment of their potential impact and linkage of those risks to specific areas and activities within the Company.

Additionally, we have begun the process of documenting our internal control procedures to satisfy the requirements of Section 404, which requires annual management assessments of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting. Our independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to formally attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting until the later of the year following our first annual report required to be filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act, or the date we are no longer an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act. Because we do not currently have comprehensive documentation of our internal controls and have not yet tested our internal controls in accordance with Section 404, we cannot conclude in accordance with Section 404 that we do not have a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting or a combination of significant deficiencies that could result in the conclusion that we have a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. As a public entity, we will be required to complete our initial management assessment of our internal control over financial reporting in a timely manner. If we are not able to implement the requirements of Section 404 in a timely manner or with adequate compliance, our operations, financial reporting or financial results could be adversely affected. Matters impacting our internal controls may cause us to be unable to report our financial information on a timely basis and thereby subject us to adverse regulatory consequences, including sanctions by the SEC or violations of applicable stock exchange listing rules, and result in a breach of the covenants under the agreements governing any of our financing arrangements. There could also be a negative reaction in the financial markets due to a loss of investor confidence in us and the reliability of our financial statements. Confidence in the reliability of our financial statements could also suffer if we or our independent registered public accounting firm were to report a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. This could materially adversely affect us and, following an IPO, lead to a decline in the market price of our Common Stock.

Provisions in our credit facilities may limit our operations.

At our discretion, we may utilize the leverage available under the Credit Agreement for investment and operating purposes. Additionally, we may in the future enter into additional credit facilities. To the extent we borrow money to make investments, the applicable credit facility may be backed by all or a portion of our loans and securities on which the lender will have a security interest. We may pledge up to 100% of our assets and may grant a security interest in all of our assets under the terms of any debt instrument we enter into with a lender. 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. In addition, we expect that the custodian for our securities serving as collateral for such loan would include in its electronic systems notices indicating the existence of such security interests and, following notice of occurrence of an event of default, if any, and during its continuance, will only accept transfer instructions with respect to any such securities from the lenders or their designee. If we were to default under the terms of any debt instrument, the agent for the applicable 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 and/or negative covenants required by any credit 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 any credit facility were to decrease, we may be required to secure additional assets in an amount sufficient to cure 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 make deposits to a collection account, either of which could have a material adverse impact on our ability to fund future investments and to make distributions.

36

In addition, we may be subject to limitations as to how borrowed funds may be used, which may include restrictions on geographic and industry concentrations, loan size, payment frequency and status, average life, collateral interests and investment ratings, as well as regulatory restrictions on leverage which may affect the amount of funding that may be obtained. There may also be certain requirements relating to portfolio performance, including required minimum portfolio yield and limitations on delinquencies and charge-offs, a violation of which could limit further advances and, in some cases, result in an event of default. An event of default under a credit 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 flow and impair our ability to grow our business.

Any defaults under a credit facility could adversely affect our business.

In the event we default under any credit facility or other borrowings, our business could be adversely affected as we may be forced to sell a portion of our investments quickly and prematurely at what may be disadvantageous prices to us in order to meet our outstanding payment obligations and/or support working capital requirements under the credit facility, any of which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, following any such default, the agent for the lenders under such credit facility could assume control of the disposition of any or all of our assets, including the selection of such assets to be disposed and the timing of such disposition, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We are exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates.

Because we intend to borrow money to make investments, our net investment income will depend, in part, upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the rate at which we invest those funds. As a result, we can offer no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on our net investment income. A reduction in the interest rates on new investments relative to interest rates on current investments could have an adverse impact on our net investment income. However, an increase in interest rates could decrease the value of any investments we hold which earn fixed interest rates and also could increase our interest expense, thereby decreasing our net income. Also, an increase in interest rates available to investors could make an investment in our Common Stock less attractive if we are not able to increase our distribution rate, which could reduce the value of our Common Stock. Further, rising interest rates could also adversely affect our performance if such increases cause our borrowing costs to rise at a rate in excess of the rate that our investments yield.

In periods of rising interest rates, to the extent we borrow money subject to a floating interest rate, our cost of funds would increase, which could reduce our net investment income. Further, rising interest rates could also adversely affect our performance if we hold investments with floating interest rates, subject to specified minimum interest rates (such as a LIBOR floor), while at the same time engaging in borrowings subject to floating interest rates not subject to such minimums. In such a scenario, rising interest rates may increase our interest expense, even though our interest income from investments is not increasing in a corresponding manner as a result of such minimum interest rates.

If general interest rates rise, there is a risk that the portfolio companies in which we hold floating rate securities will be unable to pay escalating interest amounts, which could result in a default under their loan documents with us. Rising interest rates could also cause portfolio companies to shift cash from other productive uses to the payment of interest, which may have a material adverse effect on their business and operations and could, over time, lead to increased defaults. In addition, rising interest rates may increase pressure on us to provide fixed rate loans to our portfolio companies, which could adversely affect our net investment income, as increases in our cost of borrowed funds would not be accompanied by increased interest income from such fixed-rate investments.

On July 27, 2017, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that it intends to phase out LIBOR by the end of 2021. It is unclear if at that time whether LIBOR will cease to exist or if new methods of calculating LIBOR will be established such that it continues to exist after 2021. The U.S. Federal Reserve, in conjunction with the Alternative Reference Rates Committee, a steering committee comprised of large U.S. financial institutions, is considering replacing U.S.

37

dollar LIBOR with a new index calculated by short term repurchase agreements, backed by Treasury securities called the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”). The first publication of SOFR was released in April 2018. Whether or not SOFR attains market traction as a LIBOR replacement remains a question and the future of LIBOR at this time is uncertain. At this time, it is not possible to predict the effect of any such changes, any establishment of alternative reference rates or any other reforms to LIBOR that may be enacted. The elimination of LIBOR or any other changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of LIBOR could have an adverse impact on the market for or value of any LIBOR-linked securities, loans, and other financial obligations or extensions of credit held by or due to us or on our overall financial condition or results of operations. In addition, if LIBOR ceases to exist, we may need to renegotiate credit agreements extending beyond 2021 with our portfolio companies that utilize LIBOR as a factor in determining the interest rate, in order to replace LIBOR with the new standard that is established, which may have an adverse effect on our overall financial condition or results of operations. Following the replacement of LIBOR, some or all of these credit agreements may bear interest a lower interest rate, which could have an adverse impact on our results of operations. Moreover, if LIBOR ceases to exist, we may need to renegotiate certain terms of our credit facilities, if any. If we are unable to do so, amounts drawn under our credit facilities may bear interest at a higher rate, which would increase the cost of our borrowings and, in turn, affect our results of operations.

If we do not invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets, we could fail to qualify as a BDC, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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 are 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 business development companies. 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 in order to come into compliance with the 1940 Act. If we need to dispose of 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 would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

Many of our portfolio investments will be recorded at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board and, as a result, there may be uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments.

Under the 1940 Act, we are required to carry our portfolio investments at market value or if there is no readily available market value, at fair value as determined by the Board. Many of our portfolio investments may take the form of securities that are not publicly traded. The fair value of securities and other investments that are not publicly traded may not be readily determinable, and we value these securities at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board, including to reflect significant events affecting the value of our securities. As part of the valuation process, we may take into account the following types of factors, if relevant, in determining the fair value of our investments:

•

a comparison of the portfolio company’s securities to publicly traded securities;

​

•

the enterprise value of a portfolio company;

​

•

the nature and realizable value of any collateral;

​

•

the portfolio company’s ability to make payments and its earnings and discounted cash flow;

​

•

the markets in which the portfolio company does business; and

​

•

changes in the interest rate environment and the credit markets generally that may affect the price at which similar investments may be made in the future and other relevant factors.

​

38

We expect that most of our investments (other than cash and cash equivalents) will be classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy and require disclosures about the level of disaggregation along with the inputs and valuation techniques we use to measure fair value. This means that our portfolio valuations are based on unobservable inputs and our own assumptions about how market participants would price the asset or liability in question. Inputs into the determination of fair value of our portfolio investments require significant management judgment or estimation. Even if observable market data is available, such information may be the result of consensus pricing information or broker quotes, which include a disclaimer that the broker would not be held to such a price in an actual transaction. The non-binding nature of consensus pricing and/or quotes accompanied by disclaimers materially reduces the reliability of such information. We employ the services of one or more independent service providers to review the valuation of these securities. The types of factors that the Board may take into account in determining the fair value of our investments generally include, as appropriate, comparison to publicly traded securities including such factors as yield, maturity and measures of credit quality, the enterprise value of a portfolio company, the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments and its earnings and discounted cash flow, the markets in which the portfolio company does business and other relevant factors. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of private securities and private companies, are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates, our determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these securities existed. Due to this uncertainty in the value of our portfolio investments, a fair value determination may cause net asset value on a given date to materially understate or overstate the value that we may ultimately realize upon one or more of our investments. As a result, investors purchasing shares of our Common Stock based on an overstated net asset value would pay a higher price than the value of the investments might warrant. Conversely, investors selling shares during a period in which the net asset value understates the value of investments will receive a lower price for their shares than the value the investment portfolio might warrant.

We will adjust quarterly the valuation of our portfolio to reflect the determination of the Board of the fair value of each investment in our portfolio. Any changes in fair value are recorded in our statements of operations as net change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments.

We may experience fluctuations in our quarterly operating results.

We could experience fluctuations in our quarterly operating results due to a number of factors, including our ability or inability to make investments in companies that meet our investment criteria, the interest rate payable on the debt securities we acquire, 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, the degree to which we encounter competition in our markets 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 periods.

Changes in laws or regulations governing our operations may adversely affect our business or cause us to alter our business strategy.

We and our portfolio companies are subject to regulation at the local, state and federal level. These laws and regulations, as well as their interpretation, may change from time to time, including as the result of interpretive guidance or other directives from the U.S. President and others in the executive branch, and new laws, regulations and interpretations may also come into effect, including those governing the types of investments we or our portfolio companies are permitted to make, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business. In particular, on July 21, 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the Dodd-Frank Act, became law. The Dodd-Frank Act impacts many aspects of the financial services industry. Many of the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act have been implemented, while others will still require final rulemaking by regulatory authorities. President Trump and certain members of Congress have indicated that they will seek to amend or repeal portions of the Dodd-Frank Act, among other federal laws, and drastically reduce the role of regulatory agencies, such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which may create regulatory uncertainty in the near term. While the impact of the Dodd-Frank Act, and recently-enacted federal tax reform legislation on us and our portfolio companies may not be known for an extended period of time, the Dodd-Frank Act and federal tax

39

reform, including future rules implementing its provisions and the interpretation of those rules, along with other legislative and regulatory proposals directed at the financial services industry or affecting taxation that are proposed or pending in the U.S. Congress, may negatively impact the operations, cash flows or financial condition of us or our portfolio companies, impose additional costs on us or our portfolio companies, intensify the regulatory supervision of us or our portfolio companies or otherwise adversely affect our business or the business of our portfolio companies. In addition, if we do not comply with applicable laws and regulations, we could lose any licenses that we then hold for the conduct of our business and may be subject to civil fines and criminal penalties.

Additionally, changes to the laws and regulations governing our operations, including those associated with RICs, may cause us to alter our investment strategy in order to avail ourselves of new or different opportunities or result in the imposition of corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on us. Such changes could result in material differences to the strategies and plans set forth in this Registration Statement and may shift our investment focus from the areas of expertise of our investment professionals to other types of investments in which our investment professionals may have little or no expertise or experience. Any such changes, if they occur, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.

Over the last several years, there also has been an increase in regulatory attention to the extension of credit outside of the traditional banking sector, raising the possibility that some portion of the non-bank financial sector will be subject to new regulation. While it cannot be known at this time whether any regulation will be implemented or what form it will take, increased regulation of non-bank credit extension could negatively impact our operations, cash flows or financial condition, impose additional costs on us, intensify the regulatory supervision of us or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We cannot predict how tax reform legislation will affect us, our investments, or our stockholders, and any such legislation could adversely affect our business.

Legislative or other actions relating to taxes could have a negative effect on us. The rules dealing with U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and the U.S. Treasury Department. The U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate passed tax reform legislation in December 2017 (the “2017 Tax Act”), which the President signed into law shortly thereafter. Such legislation made many changes to the Code, including, among other things, significant changes to the taxation of business entities, the deductibility of interest expense, and the tax treatment of capital investment. Such legislation could significantly and negatively affect our ability to qualify as a RIC and have adverse federal income tax consequences to us and our stockholders. Additionally, the U.S. Treasury and IRS are in the process of issuing regulations and administrative interpretations of the 2017 Tax Act, and any such regulations, interpretations, any court decisions interpreting the 2017 Tax Act or the regulations or administrative interpretations thereunder, or any other changes in the tax laws could similarly, significantly and negatively affect our ability to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC or the U.S. federal income tax consequences to us and our stockholders of such qualification, or could have other adverse consequences. Stockholders are urged to consult with their tax advisor regarding tax legislative, regulatory, or administrative developments and proposals and their potential effect on an investment in our securities.

For any period that we do not qualify as a “publicly offered regulated investment company,” as defined in the Code, U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts or estates will be taxed as though they received a distribution of some of our expenses.

A “publicly offered regulated investment company” is a RIC whose shares are either (i) continuously offered pursuant to a public offering, (ii) regularly traded on an established securities market or (iii) held by at least 500 persons at all times during the taxable year. Prior to conducting an IPO, we anticipate that we will not qualify as a publicly offered RIC. We expect that we will qualify as a publicly offered RIC if we conduct an IPO. For any period that we are not a publicly offered RIC, a U.S. non-corporate stockholder’s allocable portion of our affected expenses will be treated as an additional distribution to the stockholder and will be deductible by such stockholder only to the extent permitted under the limitations described

40

below. For U.S. non-corporate stockholders, including individuals, trusts, and estates, significant limitations generally apply to the deductibility of certain expenses of a non-publicly offered RIC. In particular, these expenses, which are “miscellaneous itemized deductions,” are currently not deductible by individuals (and beginning in 2026, will be deductible only to the extent they exceed 2% of such a stockholder’s adjusted gross income), and are not deductible for alternative minimum tax purposes.

The Board may change our investment objective, operating policies and strategies without prior notice or stockholder approval, the effects of which may be adverse.

The Board has the authority, except as otherwise prohibited by the 1940 Act, to modify or waive certain of our operating policies and strategies without prior notice and without stockholder approval. However, absent stockholder approval, we may not change the nature of our business so as to cease to be, or withdraw our election as, a BDC. Under Maryland law, we also cannot be dissolved without prior stockholder approval except by judicial action. We cannot predict the effect any changes to our current operating policies and strategies would have on our business, operating results and the price value of our Common Stock. Nevertheless, any such changes could adversely affect our business and impair our ability to make distributions.

Any failure in cyber security systems, as well as the occurrence of events unanticipated in our disaster recovery systems and management continuity planning, could impair our ability to conduct business effectively.

The occurrence of a disaster such as a cyber-attack, a natural catastrophe, an industrial accident, a terrorist attack or war, events unanticipated in our disaster recovery systems, or a support failure from external providers, could have an adverse effect on our ability to conduct business and on our results of operations and financial condition, particularly if those events affect our computer-based data processing, transmission, storage, and retrieval systems or destroy data. If a significant number of our management team were unavailable in the event of a disaster, our ability to effectively conduct our business could be severely compromised.

We depend heavily upon computer systems to perform necessary business functions. Despite our implementation of a variety of security measures, our computer systems could be subject to cyber-attacks and unauthorized access, such as physical and electronic break-ins or unauthorized tampering. Like other companies, we 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 processed and stored in, and transmitted through, our computer systems and networks, or otherwise cause interruptions or malfunctions in our operations, which could result in damage to our reputation, financial losses, litigation, increased costs, regulatory penalties and/or customer dissatisfaction or loss.

We may incur lender liability as a result of our lending activities.

In recent years, a number of judicial decisions have upheld the right of borrowers and others to sue lending institutions on the basis of various evolving legal theories, collectively termed “lender liability.” Generally, lender liability is founded on the premise that a lender has either violated a duty, whether implied or contractual, of good faith and fair dealing owed to the borrower or has assumed a degree of control over the borrower resulting in the creation of a fiduciary duty owed to the borrower or its other creditors or stockholders. We may be subject to allegations of lender liability, which could be time-consuming and expensive to defend and result in significant liability.

We may incur liability as a result of providing managerial assistance to our portfolio companies.

In the course of providing significant managerial assistance to certain portfolio companies, certain of our management and directors may serve as directors on the boards of such companies. To the extent that litigation arises out of investments in these companies, our management and directors may be named as defendants in such litigation, which could result in an expenditure of our funds, through our indemnification of such officers and directors, and the diversion of management time and resources.

41

Our management team and investment professionals may not be able to achieve the same or similar returns as those achieved by the Legacy Funds or by such persons while they were employed at prior positions.

The track record and achievements of the our management team and investment professionals are not necessarily indicative of future results that will be achieved by us. As a result, we may not be able to achieve the same or similar returns as those achieved by our management team and investment professionals at their prior positions, including at the Legacy Funds.

Risks Related to Our Investments

Our investment strategy focuses on growth stage companies, which are subject to many risks, including dependence on the need to raise additional capital, volatility, intense competition, shortened product life cycles, changes in regulatory and governmental programs, periodic downturns, below investment grade ratings, which could cause you to lose all or part of your investment in us.

We invest primarily in growth stage companies, many of which may have narrow product lines and small market shares, which tend to render them more vulnerable to competitors’ actions and market conditions, as well as to general economic downturns, compared to more mature companies. The revenues, income (or losses), and projected financial performance and valuations of growth stage companies can and often do fluctuate suddenly and dramatically. For these reasons, investments in our portfolio companies, if rated by one or more ratings agency, would typically be rated below “investment grade,” which refers to securities rated by ratings agencies below the four highest rating categories. Our target growth stage companies are geographically concentrated and are therefore highly susceptible to materially negative local, political, natural and economic events. In addition, high growth industries are generally characterized by abrupt business cycles and intense competition. Overcapacity in high growth industries, together with cyclical economic downturns, may result in substantial decreases in the value of many growth stage companies and/or their ability to meet their current and projected financial performance to service our debt. Furthermore, growth stage companies also typically rely on venture capital and private equity investors, or initial public offerings, or sales for additional capital.

Venture capital firms in turn rely on their limited partners to pay in capital over time in order to fund their ongoing and future investment activities. To the extent that venture capital firms’ limited partners are unable or choose not to fulfill their ongoing funding obligations, the venture capital firms may be unable to continue operationally and/or financially supporting the ongoing operations of our portfolio companies which could materially and adversely impact our financing arrangement with the portfolio company.

These companies, their industries, their products and customer demand and the outlook and competitive landscape for their industries are all subject to change which could adversely impact their ability to execute their business plans and generate cash flow or raise additional capital that would serve as the basis for repayment of our loans. Therefore, our growth stage companies may face considerably more risk of loss than do companies at other stages of development.

The equipment financing industry is highly competitive and competitive forces could adversely affect the lease rates and resale prices that we may realize on our equipment lease investment portfolio and the prices that we have to pay to acquire our investments.

As part of our investment strategy, we plan to engage in equipment lease financing, through which we will finance equipment to growth stage companies. Equipment manufacturers, corporations, partnerships and others offer users an alternative to the purchase of most types of equipment with payment terms that vary widely depending on the type of financing, the lease or loan term and type of equipment. In seeking equipment financing transactions, we will compete with financial institutions, manufacturers and public and private leasing companies, many of which may have greater financial resources than us.

Some types of equipment are under special government regulation which may make the equipment more costly to acquire, own, maintain under lease and sell.

The use, maintenance and ownership of certain types of equipment are regulated by federal, state and/or local authorities. Regulations may impose restrictions and financial burdens on our ownership and operation of equipment. Changes in government regulations, industry standards or deregulation may also

42

affect the ownership, operation and resale value of equipment. For example, certain types of equipment are subject to extensive safety and operating regulations imposed by government and/or industry self-regulatory organizations which may make these types of equipment more costly to acquire, own, maintain under lease and sell. These agencies or organizations may require changes or improvements to equipment and we may have to spend our own capital to comply. These changes may also require the equipment to be removed from service for a period of time. The terms of leases may provide for rent reductions if the equipment must remain out of service for an extended period or is removed from service. We may then have reduced operating revenues from the leases for these items of equipment. If we did not have the capital to make a required change, we might be required to sell the affected equipment or to sell other items of its equipment in order to obtain the necessary cash; in either event, we could suffer a loss on our investment and might lose future revenues, and we might also have adverse tax consequences.

We will be subject to risks inherent in the equipment lease financing business that may adversely affect our ability to finance our portfolio on terms which will permit us to generate profitable rates of return for investors.

A number of economic conditions and market factors, many of which we cannot control, could threaten our ability to operate profitably. These include: changes in economic conditions, including fluctuations in demand for equipment, lease rates, interest rates and inflation rates; the timing of purchases and the ability to forecast technological advances for equipment; technological and economic obsolescence; and increases in our expenses.

Demand for equipment fluctuates and periods of weak demand could adversely affect the lease rates and resale prices that we may realize on our investment portfolio while periods of high demand could adversely affect the prices that we have to pay to acquire our investments. Such fluctuations in demand could therefore adversely affect the ability of a leasing program to invest its capital in a timely and profitable manner. Equipment lessors have experienced a more difficult market in which to make suitable investments during historical periods of reduced growth and recession in the U.S. economy as a result of the softening demand for capital equipment during these periods. An economic recession resulting in lower levels of capital expenditure by businesses may result in more used equipment becoming available on the market and downward pressure on prices and lease rates due to excess inventory. Periods of low interest rates exert downward pressure on lease rates and may result in less demand for lease financing. Furthermore, a decline in corporate expansion or demand for capital goods could delay investment of our capital, and its production of lease revenues. There can be no assurance as to what future developments may occur in the economy in general or in the demand for equipment and other asset based financing in particular.

Economic recessions or downturns could impair our portfolio companies and harm our operating results.

Many of our portfolio companies will be susceptible to economic slowdowns or recessions and may be unable to repay our loans during these periods. Therefore, any non-performing assets are likely to increase and the value of our portfolio is likely to decrease during these periods. Adverse economic conditions may decrease the value of collateral securing some of our loans and the value of our equity and equity-related investments and could lead to financial losses in our portfolio and a corresponding decrease in revenues, net income and assets.

Unfavorable economic conditions also could increase our funding costs or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. These events could prevent us from increasing our investments and harm our operating results.

A portfolio company’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, acceleration of its loans and foreclosure on its assets, which could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize our portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt securities that we hold. We may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting portfolio company. It is possible that we could become subject to a lender liability claim, including as a result of actions taken if we render significant managerial assistance to the borrower. Furthermore, if one of our portfolio companies were to file for bankruptcy protection, even though we may have structured our investment as senior secured debt,

43

depending on the facts and circumstances, including the extent to which we provided managerial assistance to that portfolio company or otherwise exercise control over it, a bankruptcy court might re-characterize our debt as a form of equity and subordinate all or a portion of our claim to claims of other creditors.

Global economic, political and market conditions have materially and adversely affected debt and equity capital markets in the United States and around the world.

The worldwide financial markets, as well as various social and political tensions in the United States and around the world, may contribute to increased market volatility, may have long-term effects on the United States and worldwide financial markets, and may cause economic uncertainties or deterioration in the United States and worldwide. We monitor developments and seek to manage our investments in a manner consistent with achieving our investment objective, but there can be no assurance that we will be successful in doing so.

In August 2011 and then affirmed in August 2013, Standard & Poor’s Rating Services lowered its long-term sovereign credit rating on the U.S. from “AAA” to “AA+”. Additionally, in January of 2012, Standard & Poor’s Rating Services lowered its long-term sovereign credit rating for several large European countries. These ratings negatively impacted global markets and economic conditions. Although U.S. lawmakers have taken steps to avoid further downgrades, U.S. budget deficit concerns and similar conditions in Europe, China and elsewhere have increased the possibility of additional credit-rating downgrades and worsening global economic and market conditions. The current political climate has also intensified concerns about a potential trade war between the United States and China in connection with each country’s recent or proposed tariffs on the other country’s products. There can be no assurance that current or future governmental measures to mitigate these conditions will be effective. These conditions, government actions, market and economic disruptions and future developments may cause interest rates and borrowing costs to rise, which may adversely affect our ability to access debt financing on favorable terms and may increase the interest costs of our borrowers, hampering their ability to repay us. Continued or future adverse economic conditions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In October 2014, the Federal Reserve announced that it was concluding its bond-buying program, or quantitative easing, which was designed to stimulate the economy and expand the Federal Reserve’s holdings of long-term securities, suggesting that key economic indicators, such as the unemployment rate, had showed signs of improvement since the inception of the program. It is possible that, without quantitative easing by the Federal Reserve, these developments, along with the United States government’s credit and deficit concerns and other global economic conditions, could cause interest rates and borrowing costs to rise, which may negatively impact our ability to access the debt markets on favorable terms. Additionally, in December 2016, the Federal Reserve raised its federal funds target rate. However, if key economic indicators, such as the unemployment rate or inflation, do not progress at a rate consistent with the Federal Reserve’s objectives, the target range for the federal funds rate may further increase and cause interest rates and borrowing costs to rise, which may negatively impact our ability to access the debt markets on favorable terms and may also increase the costs of our borrowers, hampering their ability to repay us.

Our investments in leveraged portfolio companies may be risky, and you could lose all or part of your investment.

Investment in leveraged companies involves a number of significant risks. Leveraged companies in which we invest may have limited financial resources and may be unable to meet their obligations under their debt securities that we hold. Such developments may be accompanied by a deterioration in the value of any collateral and a reduction in the likelihood of our realizing any guarantees that we may have obtained in connection with our investment. In addition, our junior secured loans are generally subordinated to senior loans. As such, other creditors may rank senior to us in the event of an insolvency.

44

In addition, investing in small, fast-growing, private companies involves a number of significant risks, including the following:

•

these companies may have limited financial resources and may be unable to meet their obligations under their debt securities that we hold. This failure to meet obligations 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;

​

•

they typically have shorter operating histories, narrower product lines and smaller market shares than larger businesses, which tend to render them more vulnerable to competitors’ actions, market conditions, and general economic downturns;

​

•

they 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;

​

•

they generally have less predictable operating results, may from time to time be parties to litigation, 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. In addition, our executive officers, and directors may, in the ordinary course of business, be named as defendants in litigation arising from our investments in the portfolio companies; and

​

•

they may have difficulty accessing the capital markets to meet future capital needs, which may limit their ability to grow or to repay their outstanding debt upon maturity.

​

Our investments are very risky and highly speculative.

We intend to invest primarily in secured loans and select equity and equity-related investments issued by, and provide equipment lease financing to, small, fast-growing private companies. We intend to invest primarily in secured loans made to companies whose debt has generally not been rated by any rating agency, although we would expect such debt, if rated, to fall below investment grade. Securities rated below investment grade are often referred to as “high yield” securities and “junk bonds,” and are considered “high risk” and speculative in nature compared to debt instruments that are rated above investment grade.

Generally, little public information exists about these companies, and we are required to rely on the ability of our senior management team and investment professionals to obtain adequate information to evaluate the potential returns from investing in these companies. If we are unable to uncover all material information about these companies, we may not make a fully informed investment decision, and we may lose money on our investments. Also, privately held companies frequently have less diverse product lines and smaller market presence than larger competitors. These factors could adversely affect our investment returns as compared to companies investing primarily in the securities of public companies.

Senior Secured Loans.   There is a risk that the collateral securing our loans may decrease in value over time, may be difficult to sell in a timely manner, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value based upon the success of the business and market conditions, including as a result of the inability of the portfolio company to raise additional capital. In some circumstances, our liens on the collateral securing our loans could be subordinated to claims of other creditors. In addition, deterioration in a portfolio company’s financial condition and prospects, including its inability to raise additional capital, may be accompanied by deterioration in the value of the collateral for the loan. Consequently, the fact that a loan is secured does not guarantee that we will receive principal and interest payments according to the loan’s terms, or at all, or that we will be able to collect on the loan should we be compelled to enforce our remedies.

Second Lien Secured Loans.   In structuring our loans, we may subordinate our security interest in certain assets of a borrower to another lender, usually a bank. In these situations, all of the risks identified above in Senior Secured Loans would be true and additional risks inherent in holding a junior security position would also be present.

45

Equity and Equity-Related Investments.   When we invest in secured loans, we may acquire equity and equity-related securities as well. In addition, we may invest directly in the equity and equity-related securities of portfolio companies. The equity and equity-related interests we receive may not appreciate in value and may in fact decline in value. Accordingly, we may not be able to realize gains from our equity and equity-related interests, and any gains that we do realize on the disposition of any equity and equity-related interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we experience.

Investing in small, fast-growing companies involves a high degree of risk, and our financial results may be affected adversely if one or more of our significant portfolio investments defaults on its loans or fails to perform as we expect.

Our portfolio will consist primarily of debt and equity and equity-related investments in small privately owned companies. Investing in these companies involves a number of significant risks. Typically, the debt in which we will invest is not initially rated by any rating agency; however, we believe that if such investments were rated, they would be below investment grade. Securities rated below investment grade are often referred to as “high yield” securities and “junk bonds,” and are considered “high risk” and speculative in nature compared to debt instruments that are rated above investment grade. Compared to larger publicly owned companies, these companies may be in a weaker financial position and may experience wider variations in their operating results, which may make them more vulnerable to economic downturns. Typically, these companies need more capital to compete; however, their access to capital is limited and their cost of capital is often higher than that of their competitors. Our portfolio companies will face intense competition from larger companies with greater financial, technical, and marketing resources and their success typically depends on the managerial talents and efforts of an individual or a small group of persons. Therefore, the loss of any of its key employees could affect a portfolio company’s ability to compete effectively and harm its financial condition. Further, some of these companies will conduct business in regulated industries that are susceptible to regulatory changes. These factors could impair the cash flow of our portfolio companies and result in other events, such as bankruptcy. These events could limit a portfolio company’s ability to repay its obligations to us, which may have an adverse effect on the return on, or the recovery of, our investment in these businesses. Deterioration in a borrower’s financial condition and prospects may be accompanied by deterioration in the value of the loan’s collateral.

Many of these companies cannot obtain financing from public capital markets or from traditional credit sources, such as commercial banks. Accordingly, loans made to these types of companies pose a higher default risk than loans made to companies that have access to traditional credit sources.

We may be subject to risks associated with our investments in senior loans.

We intend to invest in senior secured loans. Senior secured loans are usually rated below investment grade or may also be unrated. As a result, the risks associated with senior secured loans may be considered by credit rating agencies to be similar to the risks of below investment grade fixed income instruments, although senior secured loans are senior and secured in contrast to other below investment grade fixed income instruments, which are often subordinated or unsecured. Investment in senior secured loans rated below investment grade is considered speculative because of the credit risk of their issuers. Such companies are more likely than investment grade issuers to default on their payments of interest and principal owed to us, and such defaults could have a material adverse effect on our performance. An economic downturn would generally lead to a higher non-payment rate, and a senior secured loan may lose significant market value before a default occurs. Moreover, any specific collateral used to secure a senior secured loan may decline in value or become illiquid, which would adversely affect the senior secured loan’s value.

There may be less readily available and reliable information about most senior secured loans than is the case for many other types of securities, including securities issued in transactions registered under the Securities Act or registered under the Exchange Act. As a result, we will rely primarily on our own evaluation of a borrower’s credit quality rather than on any available independent sources. Therefore, we will be particularly dependent on the analytical abilities of our management team and investment professionals.

In general, the secondary trading market for senior secured loans is not well developed. No active trading market may exist for certain senior secured loans, which may make it difficult to value them. Illiquidity and adverse market conditions may mean that we may not be able to sell senior secured loans

46

quickly or at a fair price. To the extent that a secondary market does exist for certain senior secured loans, the market for them may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods.

We may be subject to risks associated with our investments in junior debt securities.

We may invest in junior debt securities. Although certain junior debt securities are typically senior to common stock or other equity securities, the equity and debt securities in which we will invest may be subordinated to substantial amounts of senior debt, all or a significant portion of which may be secured. Such subordinated investments may be characterized by greater credit risks than those associated with the senior obligations of the same issuer. These subordinated securities may not be protected by all of the financial covenants, such as limitations upon additional indebtedness, typically protecting such senior debt. Holders of junior debt generally are not entitled to receive full payments in bankruptcy or liquidation until senior creditors are paid in full. Holders of equity are not entitled to payments until all creditors are paid in full. In addition, the remedies available to holders of junior debt are normally limited by restrictions benefiting senior creditors. In the event any portfolio company cannot generate adequate cash flow to meet senior debt service, we may suffer a partial or total loss of capital invested.

Second priority liens on collateral securing loans that we make to our portfolio companies may be subject to control by senior creditors with first priority liens. If there is a default, the value of the collateral may not be sufficient to repay in full both the first priority creditors and us.

Certain loans that we intend to make are secured by a second priority security interest in the same collateral pledged by a portfolio company to secure senior debt owed by the portfolio company to commercial banks or other traditional lenders. Often the senior lender has procured covenants from the portfolio company prohibiting the incurrence of additional secured debt without the senior lender’s consent. Prior to and as a condition of permitting the portfolio company to borrow money from us secured by the same collateral pledged to the senior lender, the senior lender will require assurances that it will control the disposition of any collateral in the event of bankruptcy or other default. In many such cases, the senior lender will require us to enter into an intercreditor agreement prior to permitting the portfolio company to borrow from us. Typically the intercreditor agreements we will be requested to execute will expressly subordinate our debt instruments to those held by the senior lender and further provide that the senior lender shall control: (1) the commencement of foreclosure or other proceedings to liquidate and collect on the collateral; (2) the nature, timing, and conduct of foreclosure or other collection proceedings; (3) the amendment of any collateral document; (4) the release of the security interests in respect of any collateral; and (5) the waiver of defaults under any security agreement. Because of the control we may cede to senior lenders under intercreditor agreements we may enter, we may be unable to realize the proceeds of any collateral securing some of our loans.

If the assets securing the loans that we make decrease in value, then we may lack sufficient collateral to cover losses.

We believe that our borrowers generally are able to repay our loans from their available capital, future capital-raising transactions or current and/or future cash flow from operations. However, to attempt to mitigate credit risks, we typically take a secured collateral position. There is a risk that the collateral securing our secured loans may decrease in value over time, may be difficult to sell in a timely manner, may be difficult to appraise, may be liquidated at a price lower than what we consider to be fair value and may fluctuate in value based upon the success of the business and market conditions, including as a result of the inability of a borrower to raise additional capital.

In some circumstances, other creditors have claims having priority over our senior lien. Although for certain borrowers, we may be the only form of secured debt (other than potentially specific equipment financing), other borrowers may also have other senior secured debt, such as revolving loans and/or term loans, having priority over our senior lien. At the time of underwriting our loans, we generally only consider growth capital loans for prospective borrowers with sufficient collateral that covers the value of our loan as

47

well as the revolving and/or term loans that may have priority over our senior lien; however, there may be instances in which we have incorrectly estimated the current or future potential value of the underlying collateral or the underlying collateral value has decreased, in which case our ability to recover our investment may be materially and adversely affected.

In addition, a substantial portion of the assets securing our investment may be in the form of intellectual property, inventory and equipment and, to a lesser extent, cash and accounts receivable. Intellectual property, if any, that is securing our loan could lose value if, among other things, the borrower’s rights to the intellectual property are challenged or if the borrower’s license to the intellectual property is revoked or expires. Inventory may not be adequate to secure our loan if our valuation of the inventory at the time that we made the loan was not accurate or if there is a reduction in the demand for the inventory.

Similarly, any equipment securing our loan may not provide us with the anticipated security if there are changes in technology or advances in new equipment that render the particular equipment obsolete or of limited value, or if the borrower fails to adequately maintain or repair the equipment. The residual value of the equipment at the time we would take possession may not be sufficient to satisfy the outstanding debt and we could experience a loss on the disposition of the equipment. Any one or more of the preceding factors could materially impair our ability to recover our investment in a foreclosure.

Our portfolio may be exposed in part to one or more specific industries, which may subject us to a risk of significant loss in a particular investment or investments if there is a downturn in that particular industry.

Our portfolio may be exposed in part to one or more specific industries. A downturn in any particular industry in which we are invested could significantly impact the aggregate returns we realize. If an industry in which we have significant investments suffers from adverse business or economic conditions, as these industries have to varying degrees, a material portion of our investment portfolio could be affected adversely, which, in turn, could adversely affect our financial position and results of operations.

The Legacy Portfolio’s concentration in technology-related companies is subject to many risks, including volatility, intense competition, shortened product life cycles, changes in regulatory and governmental programs and periodic downturns, and you could lose all or part of your investment.

As of September 30, 2019, investments in technology-related companies in the professional, scientific and technical services industry represented approximately 22.3% of the Legacy Portfolio, and many of these technology-related companies have narrow product lines and small market shares, which tend to render them more vulnerable to competitors’ actions and market conditions, as well as to general economic downturns. The revenues, income (or losses), and valuations of technology-related companies can and often do fluctuate suddenly and dramatically. In addition, technology-related industries are generally characterized by abrupt business cycles and intense competition. Overcapacity in technology-related industries, together with cyclical economic downturns, may result in substantial decreases in the market capitalization of many technology-related companies. Such decreases in market capitalization may occur again, and any future decreases in technology-related company valuations may be substantial and may not be temporary in nature. Therefore, our portfolio companies may face considerably more risk of loss than do companies in other industry sectors.

Because of rapid technological change, the average selling prices of products and some services provided by technology-related companies have historically decreased over their productive lives. As a result, the average selling prices of products and services offered by technology-related companies may decrease over time, which could adversely affect their operating results, their ability to meet obligations under their debt securities and the value of their equity securities. This could, in turn, materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Investments that we may make in sustainable and renewable technology companies will be subject to substantial operational risks, such as underestimated cost projections, unanticipated operation and maintenance expenses, loss of government subsidies, and inability to deliver cost-effective alternative energy solutions compared to traditional energy products. In addition, sustainable and renewable technology companies employ a variety of means of increasing cash flow, including increasing utilization of existing facilities, expanding operations through new construction or acquisitions, or securing additional long-term

48

contracts. Thus, some energy companies may be subject to construction risk, acquisition risk or other risks arising from their specific business strategies. Furthermore, production levels for solar, wind and other renewable energies may be dependent upon adequate sunlight, wind, or biogas production, which can vary from market to market and period to period, resulting in volatility in production levels and profitability. Demand for sustainable and renewable technology is also influenced by the available supply and prices for other energy products, such as coal, oil and natural gases. A change in prices in these energy products could reduce demand for alternative energy.

A natural disaster may also impact investments that we may make in technology-related portfolio companies. The nature and level of natural disasters cannot be predicted and may be exacerbated by global climate change. A major disaster, such as an earthquake, tsunami, flood or other catastrophic event could result in disruption to the business and operations of any such technology-related portfolio companies.

We may invest in technology-related companies that are reliant on U.S. and foreign regulatory and governmental programs. Any material changes or discontinuation, due to change in administration or U.S. Congress or otherwise could have a material adverse effect on the operations of a portfolio company in these industries and, in turn, impair our ability to timely collect principal and interest payments owed to us to the extent applicable.

We may invest in technology-related companies that do not have venture capital or private equity firms as equity investors, and these companies may entail a higher risk of loss than do companies with institutional equity investors, which could increase the risk of loss of your investment.

Our portfolio companies may require substantial additional equity financing to satisfy their continuing working capital and other cash requirements and, in most instances, to service the interest and principal payments on our investment. Portfolio companies that do not have venture capital or private equity investors may be unable to raise any additional capital to satisfy their obligations or to raise sufficient additional capital to reach the next stage of development. Portfolio companies that do not have venture capital or private equity investors may be less financially sophisticated and may not have access to independent members to serve on their boards, which means that they may be less successful than portfolio companies sponsored by venture capital or private equity firms. Accordingly, financing these types of companies may entail a higher risk of loss than would financing companies that are sponsored by venture capital or private equity firms.

Our relationship with certain portfolio companies may expose us to our portfolio companies’ trade secrets and confidential information which may require us to be parties to non-disclosure agreements and restrict us from engaging in certain transactions.

Our relationship with some of our portfolio companies may expose us to our portfolio companies’ trade secrets and confidential information (including transactional data and personal data about their employees and clients) which may require us to be parties to non-disclosure agreements and restrict us from engaging in certain transactions. Unauthorized access or disclosure of such information may occur, resulting in theft, loss or other misappropriation. Any theft, loss, improper use, such as insider trading or other misappropriation of confidential information could have a material adverse impact on our competitive positions, our relationship with our portfolio companies and our reputation and could subject us to regulatory inquiries, enforcement and fines, civil litigation (which may cause us to incur significant expense or expose us to losses) and possible financial liability or costs.

The Legacy Portfolio’s concentration in the manufacturing industry is subject to various risks, including interruptions to the manufacturing process and costs of raw materials and energy, which may adversely affect our performance.

As of September 30, 2019, investments in the manufacturing industry represented approximately 22.0% of the Legacy Portfolio. Generally, our investments in the manufacturing industry are subject to various risks including safety or product liability issues, costs of raw materials and energy, including crude oil, and competition in global markets. The manufacturing industry is highly competitive, which puts pressure on prices. Prices are subject to international supply and demand as well as to the purchase costs of raw materials and energy. Markets for these products, as well as prices for raw materials and energy used by the

49

manufacturing industry, are cyclical and volatile and the costs of raw materials and energy represent a substantial portion of the industry’s production costs and operating expenses. In addition, manufacturing facilities are subject to planned and unplanned production shutdowns, turnarounds and outages, which could have an adverse effect on long-term production. Companies in this industry are also subject to extensive federal, state, local and foreign environmental, health and safety laws and regulations concerning, among other things, emissions in the air, discharges to land and water and the generation, handling, treatment and disposal of hazardous waste and other materials. These requirements, and enforcement of these requirements, may become more stringent in the future. In addition, future regulatory or other developments could also restrict or eliminate the use of, or require manufacturing companies to make modifications to, their products, packaging, manufacturing processes and technology, which could have a significant adverse impact on its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Any of these interruptions to a manufacturing company in which we invest could adversely affect our performance.

The Legacy Portfolio’s concentration in the consumer and retail industry faces considerable uncertainties. Continued adverse changes in the economy may adversely affect consumer spending, which could negatively impact our business.

As of September 30, 2019, investments in the consumer and retail industry represented approximately 17.6% of the Legacy Portfolio. The consumer and retail industry is heavily dependent on discretionary consumer spending patterns. Our investments in the consumer and retail industry will be sensitive to numerous factors that affect discretionary consumer income, including adverse general economic conditions, changes in employment trends and levels of unemployment, increases in interest rates, weather, a significant rise in energy or food prices or other events or actions that may lead to a decrease in consumer confidence or a reduction in discretionary income. In addition, in a period of inflationary pricing, increased fuel costs may discourage customers from driving to retail locations, reducing store traffic and possibly sales. Declines in consumer spending, especially for extended periods, could have a material adverse effect on a portfolio company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. If a consumer and retail company in which we invest is unable to navigate these risks, our performance may be adversely affected.

The Legacy Portfolio’s concentration in the information industry is subject to various risks, including intellectual property infringement issues and rapid technological changes, which may adversely affect our performance.

As of September 30, 2019, investments in the information industry represented approximately 9.9% of the Legacy Portfolio. General risks of companies in the information industry include intellectual property infringement liability issues, the inability to protect software and other proprietary technology, extensive competition and limited barriers to entry. Generally, the market for information technology and software products is characterized by rapid technological change, evolving industry standards, changes in customer requirements and frequent new product introduction and enhancements. If a portfolio company in the information industry cannot develop new products and enhance its current products in response to technological changes and competing products, its business and operating results will be negatively affected. In addition, there has been a substantial amount of litigation in the information industry relating to intellectual property rights. Regardless of whether claims that a company is infringing patents or other intellectual property have any merit, these claims are time-consuming and costly. Moreover, a company in the information industry must monitor the unauthorized use of its intellectual property, which may be difficult and costly. A company’s failure to protect its intellectual property could put it at a disadvantage to its competitors and harm its business, results of operations and financial condition. If a company in the information industry in which we invest is unable to navigate these risks, our performance may be adversely affected.

The main industry sectors around which we intend to develop our investments are all capital intensive.

The industry sectors in which we intend to make investments, technology, business services and industrial, are each capital intensive. Currently, financing for capital-intensive companies remains difficult. In some successful companies, we believe we may need to invest more than we currently have planned to invest in these companies. There can be no assurance that we will have the capital necessary to make such investments. In addition, investing greater than planned amounts in our portfolio companies could limit our

50

ability to pursue new investments and fund follow-on investments. Both of these situations could cause us to miss investment opportunities or limit our ability to protect existing investments from dilution or other actions or events that would decrease the value and potential return from these investments.

The majority of our portfolio companies will need multiple rounds of additional financing to repay their debts to us and continue operations. Our portfolio companies may not be able to raise additional financing, which could harm our investment returns.

The majority of our portfolio companies will often require substantial additional equity financing to satisfy their continuing working capital and other cash requirements and, in most instances, to service the interest and principal payments on our investment. Each round of venture financing is typically intended to provide a company with only enough capital to reach the next stage of development. We cannot predict the circumstances or market conditions under which our portfolio companies will seek additional capital. It is possible that one or more of our portfolio companies will not be able to raise additional financing or may be able to do so only at a price or on terms unfavorable to us, either of which would negatively impact our investment returns. Some of these companies may be unable to obtain sufficient financing from private investors, public capital markets or traditional lenders. This may have a significant impact if the companies are unable to obtain certain federal, state or foreign agency approval for their products or the marketing thereof, of if regulatory review processes extend longer than anticipated, and the companies need continued funding for their operations during these times. Accordingly, financing these types of companies may entail a higher risk of loss than would financing companies that are able to utilize traditional credit sources.

If our portfolio companies are unable to commercialize their technologies, products, business concepts or services, the returns on our investments could be adversely affected.

The value of our investments in our portfolio companies may decline if they are not able to commercialize their technology, products, business concepts or services. Additionally, although some of our portfolio companies may already have a commercially successful product or product line at the time of our investment, information technology, e-commerce, life science, and energy technology-related products and services often have a more limited market or life span than products in other industries. Thus, the ultimate success of these companies often depends on their ability to continually innovate in increasingly competitive markets. If they are unable to do so, our investment returns could be adversely affected and their ability to service their debt obligations to us over the term of the loan could be impaired. Our portfolio companies may be unable to acquire or develop any new products successfully, and the intellectual property they currently hold may not remain viable. Even if our portfolio companies are able to develop commercially viable products, the market for new products and services is highly competitive and rapidly changing. Neither our portfolio companies nor we will have any control over the pace of technology development. Commercial success is difficult to predict, and the marketing efforts of our portfolio companies may not be successful.

If our portfolio companies are unable to protect their intellectual property rights, our business and prospects could be harmed, and if portfolio companies are required to devote significant resources to protecting their intellectual property rights, the value of our investment could be reduced.

Our future success and competitive position will depend in part upon the ability of our portfolio companies to obtain, maintain and protect proprietary technology used in their products and services. Our portfolio companies will rely, in part, on patent, trade secret, and trademark law to protect that technology, but competitors may misappropriate their intellectual property, and disputes as to ownership of intellectual property may arise. Portfolio companies may, from time to time, be required to institute litigation to enforce their patents, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights; protect their trade secrets; determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others; or defend against claims of infringement. Such litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources. Similarly, if a portfolio company is found to infringe or misappropriate a third-party’s patent or other proprietary rights, it could be required to pay damages to the third-party, alter its products or processes, obtain a license from the third-party, and/or cease activities utilizing the proprietary rights, including making or selling products utilizing the proprietary rights. Any of the foregoing events could negatively affect both the portfolio company’s ability to service our debt investment and the value of any related debt and equity securities that we own, as well as any collateral securing our investment.

51

Loans may become nonperforming for a variety of reasons.

A loan or debt obligation may become non-performing for a variety of reasons. Such non-performing loans may require substantial workout negotiations or restructuring that may entail, among other things, a substantial reduction in the interest rate, a substantial write-down of the principal amount of the loan and/or the deferral of payments. In addition, such negotiations or restructuring may be quite extensive and protracted over time, and therefore may result in substantial uncertainty with respect to the ultimate recovery. We may also incur additional expenses to the extent that it is required to seek recovery upon a default on a loan or participate in the restructuring of such obligation. The liquidity for defaulted loans may be limited, and to the extent that defaulted loans are sold, it is highly unlikely that the proceeds from such sale will be equal to the amount of unpaid principal and interest thereon. In connection with any such defaults, workouts or restructuring, although the we exercise voting rights with respect to an individual loan, we may not be able to exercise votes in respect of a sufficient percentage of voting rights with respect to such loan to determine the outcome of such vote.

The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business.

All of our assets may be invested in illiquid securities, and a substantial portion of our investments in leveraged companies will be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or will otherwise be less liquid than more broadly traded public securities. The illiquidity of these investments may make it difficult for us to sell such investments when desired. In addition, if we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we have previously recorded these investments. As a result, we do not expect to achieve liquidity in our investments in the near-term. However, to pay distributions to our stockholders and to maintain the election to be regulated as a BDC and qualify as a RIC, we may have to dispose of investments if we do not satisfy one or more of the applicable criteria under the respective regulatory frameworks. We may also face other restrictions on our ability to liquidate an investment in a portfolio company to the extent that we have material nonpublic information regarding such portfolio company.

Price declines and illiquidity in the corporate debt markets may adversely affect the fair value of our portfolio investments, reducing our net asset value through increased net unrealized depreciation.

As a BDC, we will be required to carry our investments at market value or, if no market value is ascertainable, at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board. When an external event such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, we use the pricing indicated by the external event to corroborate our valuation. We record decreases in the market values or fair values of our investments as unrealized depreciation. Declines in prices and liquidity in the corporate debt markets may result in significant net unrealized depreciation in our portfolio. The effect of all of these factors on our portfolio may reduce our net asset value by increasing net unrealized depreciation in our portfolio. Depending on market conditions, we could incur substantial realized losses and may suffer additional unrealized losses in future periods, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our portfolio companies may prepay loans, which prepayment may reduce stated yields if capital returned cannot be invested in transactions with equal or greater expected yields.

The loans that will underlie our portfolio may be callable at any time, and many of them can be repaid with no premium to par. It is not clear at this time when or if any loan might be called. Whether a loan is called will depend both on the continued positive performance of the portfolio company and the existence of favorable financing market conditions that allow such company the ability to replace existing financing with less expensive capital. As market conditions change frequently, it is unknown when, and if, this may be possible for each portfolio company. Risks associated with owning loans include the fact that prepayments may occur at any time, sometimes without premium or penalty, and that the exercise of prepayment rights during periods of declining spreads could cause us to reinvest prepayment proceeds in lower-yielding instruments. In the case of some of these loans, having the loan called early may reduce our achievable yield if the capital returned cannot be invested in transactions with equal or greater expected yields, especially during periods of declining interest rates in the broader market, such in current market conditions.

52

To the extent original issue discount and payment-in-kind interest constitute a portion of our income, we will be exposed to typical risks associated with such income being required to be included in taxable and accounting income prior to receipt of cash representing such income.

Our investments may include original issue discount, or OID. To the extent original issue discount constitutes a portion of our income, we are exposed to typical risks associated with such income being required to be included in taxable and accounting income prior to receipt of cash, including the following:

•

We must include in income each year a portion of the OID that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by us in the same taxable year. Because any OID or other amounts accrued will be included in investment company taxable income for the year of the accrual, we may be required to make a distribution to our stockholders in order to satisfy our annual distribution requirements, even though we will not have received any corresponding cash amount. As a result, we may have to sell some of our investments at times or at prices that would not be advantageous to us, raise additional debt or equity capital or forgo new investment opportunities.

​

•

The higher yield of OID instruments reflect the payment deferral and credit risk associated with these instruments.

​

•

Even if the accounting conditions for income accrual are met, the borrower could still default when our actual collection is supposed to occur at the maturity of the obligation.

​

•

OID instruments may have unreliable valuations because their continuing accruals require continuing judgments about the collectability of the deferred payments and the value of the collateral.

​

•

OID instruments generally represent a significantly higher credit risk than coupon loans.

​

•

OID income received by us may create uncertainty about the source of our cash distributions to stockholders. For accounting purposes, any cash distributions to stockholders representing OID or market discount income are not treated as coming from paid-in capital, even though the cash to pay them comes from the offering proceeds. Thus, although a distribution of OID or market discount interest comes from the cash invested by the stockholders, Section 19(a) of the 1940 Act does not require that stockholders be given notice of this fact by reporting it as a return of capital.

​

We will be a non-diversified investment company within the meaning of the 1940 Act, and therefore we are not limited by the 1940 Act with respect to the proportion of our assets that may be invested in securities of a single issuer.

We will be classified as a non-diversified investment company within the meaning of the 1940 Act, which means that we are not limited by the 1940 Act with respect to the proportion of our assets that we may invest in securities of a single issuer. Our portfolio may be concentrated in a limited number of portfolio companies and industries. Beyond the asset diversification requirements associated with our qualification as a RIC under the Code, we will not have fixed guidelines for diversification. To the extent that we assume large positions in the securities of a small number of issuers, our net asset value may fluctuate to a greater extent than that of a diversified investment company as a result of changes in the financial condition or the market’s assessment of the issuer. We may also be more susceptible to any single economic or regulatory occurrence than a diversified investment company. As a result, the aggregate returns we realize may be significantly adversely affected if a small number of investments perform poorly or if we need to write down the value of any one investment. Additionally, while we are not targeting any specific industries, our investments may be concentrated in relatively few industries. As a result, a downturn in any particular industry in which we are invested could also significantly impact the aggregate returns we realize.

We may hold the debt securities of leveraged companies that may, due to the significant volatility of such companies, enter into bankruptcy proceedings.

Leveraged companies may experience bankruptcy or similar financial distress. The bankruptcy process has a number of significant inherent risks. Many events in a bankruptcy proceeding are the product of contested matters and adversary proceedings and are beyond the control of the creditors. A bankruptcy

53

filing by a portfolio company may adversely and permanently affect the portfolio company. If the proceeding is converted to a liquidation, the value of the issuer may not equal the liquidation value that was believed to exist at the time of the investment. The duration of a bankruptcy proceeding is also difficult to predict, and a creditor’s return on investment can be adversely affected by delays until the plan of reorganization or liquidation ultimately becomes effective. The administrative costs in connection with a bankruptcy proceeding are frequently high and would be paid out of the debtor’s estate prior to any return to creditors. Because the standards for classification of claims under bankruptcy law are vague, our influence with respect to the class of securities or other obligations we own may be lost by increases in the number and amount of claims in the same class or by different classification and treatment. In the early stages of the bankruptcy process, it is often difficult to estimate the extent of, or even to identify, any contingent claims that might be made. In addition, certain claims that have priority by law (for example, claims for taxes) may be substantial.

Our failure to make follow-on investments in our portfolio companies could impair the value of our portfolio.

Following an initial investment in a portfolio company, we may make additional investments in that portfolio company as “follow-on” investments, in seeking to:

•

increase or maintain in whole or in part our position as a creditor or equity ownership percentage in a portfolio company;

​

•

exercise warrants, options or convertible securities that were acquired in the original or subsequent financing; or

​

•

preserve or enhance the value of our investment.

​

We have discretion to make follow-on investments, subject to the availability of capital resources and the provisions of the 1940 Act. Failure on our part to make follow-on investments may, in some circumstances, jeopardize the continued viability of a portfolio company and our initial investment, or may result in a missed opportunity for us to increase our participation in a successful operation. Even if we have sufficient capital to make a desired follow-on investment, we may elect not to make a follow-on investment because we may not want to increase our level of risk, because we prefer other opportunities or because we are inhibited by compliance with BDC requirements or the desire to maintain our RIC status.

Because we will not hold controlling equity interests in the majority of our portfolio companies, we may not be able to exercise control over our portfolio companies or to prevent decisions by management of our portfolio companies, which could decrease the value of our investments.

We do not expect to hold controlling equity positions in the majority of our portfolio companies. Our debt investments may provide limited control features such as restrictions on the ability of a portfolio company to assume additional debt or to use the proceeds of our investment for other than certain specified purposes. “Control” under the 1940 Act is presumed at more than 25% equity ownership, and may also be present at lower ownership levels where we provide managerial assistance. When we do not acquire a controlling equity position in a portfolio company, we may be subject to the risk that a portfolio company may make business decisions with which we disagree, and that the management and/or stockholders of a portfolio company may take risks or otherwise act in ways that are adverse to our interests. Due to the lack of liquidity of the debt and equity and equity-related investments that we typically hold in our portfolio companies, we may not be able to dispose of our investments in the event we disagree with the actions of a portfolio company and may therefore suffer a decrease in the value of our investments.

Defaults by our portfolio companies will harm our operating results.

A portfolio company’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, termination of its loans and foreclosure on its assets. This could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize such portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt or equity securities that we hold. We may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms, which may include the waiver of certain financial covenants, with a defaulting portfolio company.

54

In addition, many of our investments will likely have a principal amount outstanding at maturity, which could result in a substantial loss to us if the borrower is unable to refinance or repay.

Our portfolio companies may incur debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, our investments in such companies.

Although we expect that our investments will be primarily secured, some investments may be unsecured and subordinated to substantive amounts of senior indebtedness. The portfolio companies in which we invest usually have, or may be permitted to incur, other debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, the debt securities in which we invest. By their terms, such debt instruments may provide that the holders 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 senior creditors, the portfolio company may not have any remaining assets to use for repaying its obligation to us. In the case of debt ranking equally with debt securities in which we invest, we would have to share any distributions on an equal and ratable basis with other creditors holding such debt in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of the relevant portfolio company.

Additionally, certain loans that we make to portfolio companies may be secured on a second-priority basis by the same collateral securing senior secured debt of such companies. The first-priority liens on the collateral will secure the portfolio company’s obligations under any outstanding senior debt and may secure certain other future debt that may be permitted to be incurred by the portfolio company under the agreements governing the loans. The holders of obligations secured by first-priority liens on the collateral will generally control the liquidation of, and be entitled to receive proceeds from, any realization of the collateral to repay their obligations in full before us. In addition, the value of the collateral in the event of liquidation will depend on market and economic conditions, the availability of buyers and other factors. There can be no assurance that the proceeds, if any, from sales of all of the collateral would be sufficient to satisfy the loan obligations secured by the second-priority liens after payment in full of all obligations secured by the first-priority liens on the collateral. If such proceeds were not sufficient to repay amounts outstanding under the loan obligations secured by the second-priority liens, then, to the extent not repaid from the proceeds of the sale of the collateral, we will only have an unsecured claim against the portfolio company’s remaining assets, if any.

The rights we may have with respect to the collateral securing the loans we make to our portfolio companies with senior debt outstanding may also be limited pursuant to the terms of one or more intercreditor agreements that we enter into with the holders of such senior debt, including in unitranche transactions. Under a typical intercreditor agreement, at any time that obligations that have the benefit of the first-priority liens are outstanding, any of the following actions that may be taken in respect of the collateral will be at the direction of the holders of the obligations secured by the first-priority liens:

•

the ability to cause the commencement of enforcement proceedings against the collateral;

​

•

the ability to control the conduct of such proceedings;

​

•

the approval of amendments to collateral documents;

​

•

releases of liens on the collateral; and

​

•

waivers of past defaults under collateral documents.

​

We may not have the ability to control or direct such actions, even if our rights are adversely affected. In addition, a bankruptcy court may choose not to enforce an intercreditor agreement or other agreement with creditors.

We may also make unsecured loans to portfolio companies, meaning that such loans will not benefit from any interest in collateral of such companies. Liens on such portfolio companies’ collateral, if any, will secure the portfolio company’s obligations under its outstanding secured debt and may secure certain future debt that is permitted to be incurred by the portfolio company under its secured loan agreements. The

55

holders of obligations secured by such liens will generally control the liquidation of, and be entitled to receive proceeds from, any realization of such collateral to repay their obligations in full before us. In addition, the value of such collateral in the event of liquidation will depend on market and economic conditions, the availability of buyers and other factors. There can be no assurance that the proceeds, if any, from sales of such collateral would be sufficient to satisfy our unsecured loan obligations after payment in full of all secured loan obligations. If such proceeds were not sufficient to repay the outstanding secured loan obligations, then our unsecured claims would rank equally with the unpaid portion of such secured creditors’ claims against the portfolio company’s remaining assets, if any.

We may also make subordinated investments that rank below other obligations of the obligor in right of payment. Subordinated investments are generally more volatile than secured loans and are subject to greater risk of default than senior obligations as a result of adverse changes in the financial condition of the obligor or in general economic conditions. If we make a subordinated investment in a portfolio company, the portfolio company may be highly leveraged, and its relatively high LTV ratio may create increased risks that its operations might not generate sufficient cash flow to service all of its debt obligations.

The disposition of our investments may result in contingent liabilities.

A significant portion of our investments may involve private securities. In connection with the disposition of an investment in private securities, we may be required to make representations about the business and financial affairs of the portfolio company typical of those made in connection with the sale of a business. We may also be required to indemnify the purchasers of such investment to the extent that any such representations turn out to be inaccurate or with respect to potential liabilities. These arrangements may result in contingent liabilities that ultimately result in funding obligations that we must satisfy through our return of distributions previously made to us.

We may be subject to additional risks if we engage in hedging transactions and/or invest in foreign securities.

The 1940 Act generally requires that 70% of our investments be in issuers each of whom, in addition to other requirements, is organized under the laws of, and has its principal place of business in, any state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands or any other possession of the United States. Our investment strategy does not contemplate a significant number of investments in securities of non-U.S. companies. We expect that these investments would focus on the same investments that we intend to make in U.S. growth stage companies and, accordingly, would be complementary to our overall strategy and enhance the diversity of our holdings.

To the extent that these investments are denominated in a foreign currency, we may engage in hedging transactions. Engaging in either hedging transactions or investing in foreign securities would entail additional risks to our stockholders. We may, for example, use instruments such as interest rate swaps, caps, collars and floors, forward contracts or currency options or borrow under a credit facility in foreign currencies to minimize our foreign currency exposure. In each such case, we generally would seek to hedge against fluctuations of the relative values of our portfolio positions from changes in market interest rates or currency exchange rates. Hedging against a decline in the values of our portfolio positions would not eliminate the possibility of fluctuations in the values of such positions or prevent losses if the values of the positions declined. However, such hedging could establish other positions designed to gain from those same developments, thereby offsetting the decline in the value of such portfolio positions. Such hedging transactions could also limit the opportunity for gain if the values of the underlying portfolio positions increased. Moreover, it might not be possible to hedge against an exchange rate or interest rate fluctuation that was so generally anticipated that we would not be able to enter into a hedging transaction at an acceptable price.

While we may enter into such transactions to seek to reduce currency exchange rate and interest rate risks, unanticipated changes in currency exchange rates or interest rates could result in poorer overall investment performance than if we had not engaged in any such hedging transactions. In addition, the degree of correlation between price movements of the instruments used in a hedging strategy and price movements in the portfolio positions being hedged could vary. Moreover, for a variety of reasons, we might not seek to establish a perfect correlation between the hedging instruments and the portfolio holdings being

56

hedged. Any such imperfect correlation could prevent us from achieving the intended hedge and expose us to risk of loss. In addition, it might not be possible to hedge fully or perfectly against currency fluctuations affecting the value of securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies because the value of those securities would likely fluctuate as a result of factors not related to currency fluctuations.

The new market structure applicable to derivatives imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act may affect our ability to use over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives for hedging purposes.

The Dodd-Frank Act enacted, and the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and SEC have issued or proposed rules to implement, both broad new regulatory requirements and broad new structural requirements applicable to OTC derivatives markets and, to a lesser extent, listed commodity futures (and futures options) markets. Similar changes are in the process of being implemented in other major financial markets.

Recent and anticipated regulatory changes require that certain types of OTC derivatives, including those that we may use for hedging activities, including interest rate and credit default swaps, be cleared and traded on regulated platforms, and these regulatory changes are expected to apply to foreign exchange transactions in the future. U.S. regulators have also adopted rules requiring us to post collateral with respect to cleared OTC derivatives and rules imposing margin requirements for OTC derivatives executed with registered swap dealers that are not cleared. The margin requirements for cleared and uncleared OTC derivatives may, in order to maintain our exemption from commodity pool operator (“CPO”) registration under the CFTC No-Action Letter 12-40, limit our ability to enter into hedging transactions or to obtain synthetic investment exposures, in either case adversely affecting our ability to mitigate risk. Furthermore, any failure by us to fulfill any collateral requirement (e.g., a so-called “margin call”) may result in a default and could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Dodd-Frank Act also imposed requirements relating to real-time public and regulatory reporting of OTC derivative transactions, enhanced documentation requirements, position limits on an expanded array of derivatives, and recordkeeping requirements. Taken as a whole, these changes could significantly increase the cost of using uncleared OTC derivatives to hedge risks, including interest rate and foreign exchange risk; reduce the level of exposure we are able to obtain for risk management purposes through OTC derivatives (including as the result of the CFTC imposing position limits on additional products); reduce the amounts available to us to make non-derivatives investments; impair liquidity in certain OTC derivatives; and adversely affect the quality of execution pricing obtained by us, all of which could adversely impact our investment returns.

We may not realize gains from our equity and equity-related investments.

We may in the future make investments that include warrants or other equity or equity-related securities. In addition, we may from time to time make non-control, equity co-investments in companies in conjunction with private equity sponsors. Our goal is ultimately to realize gains upon our disposition of such equity and equity-related interests. However, the equity and equity-related interests we receive may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline in value. Accordingly, we may not be able to realize gains from our equity and equity-related interests, and any gains that we do realize on the disposition of any equity and equity-related interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we experience. We also may be unable to realize any value if a portfolio company does not have a liquidity event, such as a sale of the business, recapitalization or public offering, which would allow us to sell the underlying equity interests. We often seek puts or similar rights to give us the right to sell our equity and equity-related securities back to the portfolio company issuer. We may be unable to exercise these put rights for the consideration provided in our investment documents if the issuer is in financial distress.

Risks Related to Our Common Stock

We may not be able to pay distributions, our distributions may not grow over time and/or a portion of our distributions may be a return of capital.

We intend to pay distributions to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. We cannot assure you that we will achieve investment results that will allow us to sustain a specified level of cash distributions or make periodic increases in cash distributions. Our ability to pay distributions might be

57

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 could limit our ability to pay distributions. All distributions will be paid at the discretion of the Board and will depend on our earnings, our financial condition, maintenance of our RIC status, compliance with applicable BDC regulations and such other factors as the Board may deem relevant from time to time. We cannot assure you that we will continue to pay distributions to our stockholders.

When we make distributions, we will be 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.

We may choose to pay a portion of our distributions in our own stock, in which case you may be required to pay tax in excess of the cash you receive.

We may distribute taxable distributions that are payable in part in our stock. Taxable stockholders receiving such distributions will be required to include the full amount of the dividend as ordinary income (or as long-term capital gain or qualified dividend income to the extent such distribution is properly reported as such) to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits for federal income tax purposes.

As a result of receiving distributions in the form of our Common Stock, a U.S. stockholder may be required to pay tax with respect to such distributions in excess of any cash received. If a U.S. stockholder sells the stock such stockholder receives as a dividend in order to pay this tax, the sales proceeds may be less than the amount included in income with respect to the dividend, depending on the market price of our stock at the time of the sale. Furthermore, with respect to non-U.S. stockholders, we may be required to withhold U.S. federal tax with respect to such distributions, including in respect of all or a portion of such dividend that is payable in shares of our Common Stock. In addition, if a significant number of our stockholders determine to sell shares of our stock in order to pay taxes owed on distributions, it may put downward pressure on the trading price of shares of our Common Stock.

Investing in our Common Stock may involve an above-average degree of risk.

The investments we make in accordance with our investment objective may result in a higher amount of risk than alternative investment options and a higher risk of volatility or loss of principal. Our investments in portfolio companies may be highly speculative and aggressive and, therefore, an investment in our Common Stock may not be suitable for someone with lower risk tolerance.

Provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and our Charter and Bylaws could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse effect on the price of our Common Stock.

The MGCL and our Charter and Bylaws contain provisions that may discourage, delay or make more difficult a change in control of us or the removal of our directors. We are subject to the Maryland Business Combination Act, subject to any applicable requirements of the 1940 Act. The Board has adopted a resolution exempting from the Maryland Business Combination Act any business combination between us and any other person, subject to prior approval of such business combination by the Board, including approval by a majority of our independent directors. If the resolution exempting business combinations is repealed or the Board does not approve a business combination, the Maryland Business Combination Act may discourage third parties from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating such an offer. The SEC staff has taken the position that, under the 1940 Act, an investment company may not avail itself of the Control Share Acquisition Act. As a result, we will amend our Bylaws to be subject to the Control Share Acquisition Act, only if the Board determines that it would be in our best interests and, after notification, the SEC staff does not object to our determination that our being subject to the Control Share Acquisition Act does not conflict with the 1940 Act. If such conditions are met, and we amend our Bylaws to repeal the exemption from the Control Share Acquisition Act, the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act also may make it more difficult for a third party to obtain control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating such a transaction.

58

We have adopted certain measures that may make it difficult for a third-party to obtain control of us, including provisions of our Charter classifying the Board in three staggered terms and authorizing the Board to classify or reclassify shares of our capital stock in one or more classes or series and to cause the issuance of additional shares of our stock. These provisions, as well as other provisions of our Charter and Bylaws, may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.

There is currently no public market for the shares of our Common Stock, which could result in stockholders being unable to liquidate their investment in us.

The shares of our Common Stock have not been registered under the Securities Act or any state or foreign securities laws and, unless so registered, may not be offered or sold except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and other applicable securities laws. As a result, the shares of our Common Stock are subject to restrictions on ownership and transfer. Although shares of our Common Stock that are held by qualified institutional buyers have been approved for reporting through the Stifel Private Capital Markets Bloomberg Portal accessible from Bloomberg page “SNFI ”, shares of our Common Stock are newly issued securities for which there is no established trading market. In addition, although we have entered into the Common Stock Registration Rights Agreement in connection with the Private Common Stock Offering, pursuant to which we have agreed to use our commercially reasonable efforts to file and to cause to become effective a registration statement registering the public resale of the shares of our Common Stock issued and sold in the Private Common Stock Offering and issued to the Legacy Investors in connection with the Formation Transactions and to list such shares of our Common Stock on a national securities exchange, we can make no assurance that such registration statement will become or remain effective or that shares of our Common Stock will be listed on any exchange. Even if a resale registration statement is filed and becomes effective and the shares of our Common Stock are listed on a national securities exchange, we cannot assure you as to:

•

the likelihood that an active market will develop for the shares of our Common Stock;

​

•

the liquidity of any such market;

​

•

the ability of our stockholders to sell their shares of our Common Stock; or

​

•

the price that our stockholders may obtain for their shares of our Common Stock.

​

Even if an active trading market for the shares of our Common Stock develops, the market price for such shares may be highly volatile and you may not be able to resell your shares of our Common Stock at or above the price you paid to purchase the shares or at all. Some of the factors that could negatively affect our share price include:

•

our operating results in any future quarter not meeting the expectations of market analysts or investors;

​

•

reductions in our earnings estimates by us or market analysts;

​

•

publication of negative research or other unfavorable publicity or speculation in the press or investment community about our company, market or industry in which we invest;

​

•

increases in interest rates causing investors to demand a higher yield or return on investment than an investment in shares of our Common Stock may be projected to provide;

​

•

changes in market valuations of similar companies;

​

•

additions or departures of key personnel;

​

•

changes in the economic or regulatory environment in the markets in which we operate;

​

•

the occurrence of any of the other risk factors presented in this Registration Statement; and

​

•

general market, economic and political conditions.

​

59

Transfer of our shares of Common Stock is subject to stringent transfer requirements under the Securities Act and will be subject to lock-up provisions provided for in the Common Stock Registration Rights Agreement.

Pursuant to the Private Common Stock Offering and the Formation Transactions, we issued and sold shares of our Common Stock in private transactions exempt from registration under the Securities Act and, therefore, our shares of Common Stock are as of this Registration Statement treated as “restricted securities” for purposes of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. Restricted securities may not be resold except in compliance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act or under an exemption from those registration requirements, such as the exemptions provided by Rule 144 and other exemptions under the Securities Act.

Shares of our Common Stock may be offered, resold, pledged or otherwise transferred, only (i) in the United States to a person whom the seller reasonably believes is a qualified institutional buyer (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, (ii) outside of the United States in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, (iii) pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act provided by Rule 144 thereunder (if available), (iv) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or (v) pursuant to another available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, in each of cases (i) through (v) in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States. In addition, each holder of shares of our Common Stock will, and each subsequent holder will be required to, notify any purchaser of shares of our Common Stock from it of the resale restrictions referred to above.

Stockholders may be subject to filing requirements under the Exchange Act as a result of an investment in us.

Because our Common Stock will be registered under the Exchange Act, ownership information for any person who beneficially owns 5% or more of our Common Stock must be disclosed in a Schedule 13D, Schedule 13G or other filings with the SEC. Beneficial ownership for these purposes is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC, and includes having voting or investment power over the securities. In some circumstances, investors who choose to reinvest their distributions may see their percentage stake in us increased to more than 5%, thus triggering this filing requirement. Although we provide in our quarterly financial statements the amount of outstanding stock and the amount of the investor’s stock, the responsibility for determining the filing obligation and preparing the filing remains with the investor. In addition, owners of 10% or more of our Common Stock are subject to reporting obligations under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act.

Stockholders may be subject to the short-swing profits rules under the Exchange Act as a result of an investment in us.

Persons who hold more than 10% of a class of shares of our Common Stock may be subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, which recaptures for the benefit of the issuer profits from the purchase and sale of registered stock within a six-month period.

Risks Related to the Notes

The Notes are unsecured and therefore are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness we have currently incurred or may incur in the future.

The Notes are not secured by any of our assets or any of the assets of our subsidiaries. As a result, the Notes are effectively subordinated, or junior, to any secured indebtedness or other obligations we or our subsidiaries have currently incurred, including the Credit Agreement, and may incur in the future (or any indebtedness that is initially unsecured that we later secure) to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. In any liquidation, dissolution, bankruptcy or other similar proceeding, the holders of any of our existing or future secured indebtedness and the secured indebtedness of our subsidiaries may assert rights against the assets pledged to secure that indebtedness in order to receive full payment of their indebtedness before the assets may be used to pay other creditors, including the holders of the Notes. Secured indebtedness is effectively senior to the Notes to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness.

60

The Notes are structurally subordinated to the indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries.

The Notes are obligations exclusively of us and not of any of our subsidiaries. None of our subsidiaries are a guarantor of the Notes and the Notes are not required to be guaranteed by any subsidiaries we may acquire or create in the future. Except to the extent we are a creditor with recognized claims against our subsidiaries, all claims of creditors (including trade creditors) and holders of preferred stock, if any, of our subsidiaries will have priority over our equity interests in such subsidiaries (and therefore the claims of our creditors, including holders of the Notes) with respect to the assets of such subsidiaries. Even if we are recognized as a creditor of one or more of our subsidiaries, our claims would still be effectively subordinated to any security interests in the assets of any such subsidiary and to any indebtedness or other liabilities of any such subsidiary senior to our claims. Consequently, the Notes will be structurally subordinated, or junior, to the Credit Agreement and all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations (including trade payables) incurred by any of our subsidiaries, financing vehicles or similar facilities and any subsidiaries, financing vehicles or similar facilities that we may in the future acquire or establish.

The Indenture contains limited protection for holders of the Notes.

The Indenture offers limited protection to holders of the Notes. The terms of the Indenture and the Notes do not restrict our or any of our subsidiaries’ ability to engage in, or otherwise be a party to, a variety of corporate transactions, circumstances or events that could have an adverse impact on your investment in the Notes. In particular, the terms of the Indenture and the Notes will not place any restrictions on our or our subsidiaries’ ability to:

•

issue securities or otherwise incur additional indebtedness or other obligations, including (1) any indebtedness or other obligations that would be pari passu, or equal, in right of payment to the Notes, (2) any indebtedness or other obligations that would be secured and therefore rank effectively senior in right of payment to the Notes to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness, (3) indebtedness or other obligations of ours that are guaranteed by one or more of our subsidiaries and which therefore are structurally senior to the Notes and (4) securities, indebtedness or other obligations incurred by our subsidiaries that would be senior to our equity interests in our subsidiaries and therefore rank structurally senior to the Notes with respect to the assets of those subsidiaries, in each case other than an incurrence of indebtedness or other obligations that would cause a violation of Section 18(a)(1)(A) as modified by Section 61(a) of the 1940 Act or any successor provisions of the 1940 Act, but giving effect, in either case, to any exemptive relief granted to us by the SEC. Currently, these provisions generally prohibit us from incurring additional borrowings, including through the issuance of additional debt securities, unless our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 150% after such borrowings;

​

•

pay dividends on, or purchase or redeem or make any payments in respect of, capital stock or other securities ranking junior in right of payment to the Notes;

​

•

sell assets (other than certain limited restrictions on our ability to consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets);

​

•

create liens (including liens on the shares of our subsidiaries) or enter into sale and leaseback transactions;

​

•

enter into transactions with affiliates;

​

•

make investments; or

​

•

create restrictions on the payment of dividends or other amounts to us from our subsidiaries.

​

In addition, the Indenture does not require us to offer to purchase the Notes in connection with a change of control or any other event. Furthermore, the terms of the Indenture and the Notes do not protect holders of the Notes in the event that we experience changes (including significant adverse changes) in our financial condition, results of operations or credit ratings, as they do not require that we or our subsidiaries adhere to any financial tests or ratios or specified levels of net worth, revenues, income, cash flow, or liquidity.

61

Our ability to recapitalize, incur additional debt and take a number of other actions that are not limited by the terms of the Notes may have important consequences for you as a holder of the Notes, including making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to the Notes or negatively affecting the trading value of the Notes to the extent such a trading market develops for the Notes. Certain of our current debt instruments include more protections for their holders than the Indenture and the Notes.

In addition, other debt we issue or incur in the future could contain more protections for its holders than the Indenture and the Notes, including additional covenants and events of default. The issuance or incurrence of any such debt with incremental protections could affect the market for and trading levels and prices of the Notes to the extent such a market develops for the Notes.

If we default on our obligations to pay our other indebtedness, we may not be able to make payments on the Notes.

Any default under the agreements governing our indebtedness or under other indebtedness to which we may be a party, that is not waived by the required lenders or holders and the remedies sought by the holders of such indebtedness could make us unable to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes and substantially decrease the market value of the Notes.

If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow and are otherwise unable to obtain funds necessary to meet required payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness, or if we otherwise fail to comply with the various covenants, including financial and operating covenants, in the instruments governing our indebtedness, we could be in default under the terms of the agreements governing such indebtedness. In the event of such default, the holders of such indebtedness could elect to declare all the funds borrowed thereunder to be due and payable, together with accrued and unpaid interest, the lenders under our current indebtedness or other debt we may incur in the future could elect to terminate their commitments, cease making further loans and institute foreclosure proceedings against our assets, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.

If our operating performance declines, we may in the future need to seek to obtain waivers from the required lenders or holders under the agreements governing our indebtedness, or other indebtedness that we may incur in the future, to avoid being in default. If we breach our covenants under the agreements governing our indebtedness and seek a waiver, we may not be able to obtain a waiver from the required lenders or holders. If this occurs, we would be in default and our lenders or debt holders could exercise their rights as described above, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.

If we are unable to repay debt, lenders having secured obligations, including the lenders under certain of our credit facilities, could proceed against the collateral securing the debt. Because the Indenture has cross-acceleration provisions, and any future debt will likely have, customary cross-default and cross-acceleration provisions, if the indebtedness thereunder, hereunder or under any future credit facility is accelerated, we may be unable to repay or finance the amounts due.

The optional redemption provision may materially adversely affect your return on the Notes.

The Notes are redeemable in whole or in part at any time or from time to time on or after January 16, 2023 at our option. We may choose to redeem the Notes at times when prevailing interest rates are lower than the interest rate paid on the Notes. In this circumstance, you may not be able to reinvest the redemption proceeds in a comparable security at an effective interest rate as high as that of the Notes being redeemed.

62

ITEM 2.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

​

On January 8, 2020, Fund II, Fund III and Fund IV entered into the Credit Agreement with Credit Suisse and borrowed approximately $190.0 million on January 9, 2020 and used the proceeds to repay the outstanding SBA-guaranteed debentures of Fund II and Fund III and the outstanding balance under the Loan and Security Agreement with MUFG (each as defined below). On January 16, 2020, we consummated the Private Common Stock Offering and the 144A Note Offering and used the proceeds to repay a portion of the borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement with Credit Suisse and to consummate the Formation Transactions by acquiring the Legacy Funds and Trinity Capital Holdings as discussed in more detail below under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Recent Developments — Formation Transactions”.

Pro Forma As Adjusted Balance Sheet

The following unaudited pro forma as adjusted balance sheet is based on the historical unaudited balance sheet of the Legacy Funds as of September 30, 2019 included with this Registration Statement, and pro forma as adjusted to give effect to the borrowings under the Credit Agreement with Credit Suisse and repayment of the SBA guarantee debentures and the Loan and Security Agreement with MUFG, the completion of the Private Common Stock Offering and the 144A Note Offering and completion of the Formation Transactions discussed in this Registration Statement.

63

(1)

The Credit Suisse Transaction consists of  (i) borrowings under the Credit Agreement of approximately $190.0 million, net of  $3.6 million of deferred costs, (ii) the repayment of the SBA guaranteed debentures of approximately $214.2 million as well as the write off of the related deferred financing costs of  $5.3 million, (iii) the recording of  $3.0 million of interest expense related to the SBA guaranteed debentures for the period of October 1, 2019 through the next payment date of March 1, 2020, and the related payment of such total accrued SBA guaranteed debenture interest of approximately $0.6 million, and (iv) the repayment of the amounts outstanding under a Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2019 and as amended on June 3, 2019, September 5, 2019 and January 2, 2020 (the “Loan and Security Agreement”), by and between Fund IV and MUFG Union Bank, N.A. (“MUFG”), of approximately $4.2 million as well as the write off of the related deferred financing costs of approximately $0.1 million.

​

(2)

The “Private Offerings Adjustments” consists of  (i) the sale of 7.0 million shares of Common Stock, representing approximately $105.0 million in total value at an offering price of  $15.00 per share in the Private Common Stock Offering, net of approximately $7.9 million of initial purchaser discounts and placement fees, and Private Common Stock Offering expenses, and (ii) the sale of  $105.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the Notes, net of approximately $4.9 million of initial purchaser discounts and 144A Note Offering expenses.

​

(3)

In connection with the Formation Transactions, the Legacy Investors and the members of Trinity Capital Holdings were given the option to receive shares of Common Stock and/or cash in exchange for their interests. The deadline for the Legacy Investors to make their respective elections to receive shares of Common Stock and/or cash expired on November 15, 2019. Based on the results of such elections and the valuation of each Legacy Fund as of January 16, 2020 and for purposes of the Formation Transactions Adjustments, the Company issued 9,183,185 shares of Common Stock, representing approximately $137.7 million in total value based on a per share price of  $15.00, and paid approximately $108.7 million in cash to the Legacy Investors in connection with the Formation Transactions. The merger consideration of the Formation Transactions was based on valuations as of September 30, 2019, as adjusted for assets that were disposed of by the Legacy Funds, as well as earnings, capital contributions and distributions paid to the Legacy Investors and material events affecting the portfolio companies of the Legacy Funds subsequent to September 30, 2019 and through January 16, 2020, the closing date of the Formation Transactions. As a result of these adjustments and changes in balances subsequent to September 30, 2019, promissory notes payable and members’ equity and partners’ capital contributions do not net to zero on a pro forma as adjusted basis. In addition, 533,332 shares of Common Stock, representing approximately $8.0 million in total value based on a per share price of  $15.00, were issued to, and approximately $2.0 million in cash was paid to, the members of Trinity Capital Holdings for their equity interests in Trinity Capital Holdings in connection with the Formation Transactions.

​

(4)

Cash used in the Formation Transactions totals approximately $178.3 million, which was funded from $97.1 million in net proceeds from the Private Common Stock Offering and $100.1 million in net proceeds from the 144A Note Offering, resulting in an approximately $18.9 million increase of cash on hand. The cash used in the Formation Transactions was used in the following manner: approximately $108.7 million was paid to Legacy Investors, $65.0 million was used to partially repay amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement, approximately $2.0 million was paid to the members of Trinity Capital Holdings as partial consideration for their equity interests, and a scheduled payment of $2.1 million to a former partner related to a severance agreement, which was an obligation of, and was paid by, Trinity Capital Holdings as a subsidiary of the Company.

​

(5)

Amount includes 10 shares of Common Stock issued in connection with the formation of the Company.

​

64

Pro Forma As Adjusted Income Statement

The following unaudited pro forma as adjusted income statement is based on the historical unaudited income statement of the Legacy Funds as of September 30, 2019 included with this Registration Statement, and pro forma adjusted to give effect to the completion of the Formation Transactions, the Private Common Stock Offering and the 144A Note Offering discussed in this Registration Statement.

(1)

Interest expense for the periods presented represents (i) SBA interest expense totaling approximately $6.8 million and $7.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, respectively, for Fund II and Fund III borrowings, with annual interest rates ranging from 3.6% to 4.4%, (ii) interest expense totaling approximately $1.7 million and $2.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, respectively, on the TCI promissory notes whose annual interest rates range from 8% – 10%, and (iii) interest expense totaling approximately $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 for Fund IV under the Loan and Security Agreement. On a pro forma basis, (i) the amount borrowed and the effective annual interest rate on borrowings under the Credit Agreement could differ from historical borrowings, and the interest rate generally reflects the three-month LIBOR plus 3.25%; and (ii) reflects the sale of  $105.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the Notes, including the amortization of financing fees.

​

(2)

Adjustments reflect additional audit, legal and other general administrative expenses that are expected to be incurred on a pro forma basis.

​

(3)

General and administrative includes compensation and benefits for approximately 26 full time associates that provide deal origination, accounting, portfolio management and other services on behalf of the Legacy Funds, as well as other operating expenses such as lease, legal, marketing, and systems expenses.

​

(4)

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the pro forma return on equity is approximately 8.4%, as was calculated based on the average of the pro forma adjusted ending net assets at December 31, 2017 and

​

65

December 31, 2018. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the pro forma return on equity is approximately 21.2%, as was calculated based on the annualized pro forma adjusted net income for the period and average of the pro forma adjusted ending net assets at December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2019.

Capitalization

The following table sets forth the cash and capitalization of:

•

The Legacy Funds on an actual basis as of September 30, 2019;

​

•

The Legacy Funds on a pro forma basis to reflect entering into the Credit Agreement, the borrowing of approximately $190.0 million thereunder, the repayment of all of the amounts outstanding under the SBA guaranteed debentures of Fund II and Fund III and outstanding borrowings under the Loan and Security Agreement; and

​

•

The Company on a pro forma, as adjusted, basis to reflect (i) the sale of  $105.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the Notes in the 144A Note Offering, net of initial purchaser’s discounts and offering costs; (ii) the sale of 7,000,000 shares of Common Stock in the Private Common Stock Offering, net of initial purchaser’s discounts/placement agent’s fees and offering costs, (iii) the issuance of 9,716,527 shares of Common Stock and payment of  $112.8 million in cash in connection with the Formation Transactions and (iv) the repayment of approximately $65.0 million in amounts borrowed under the Credit Agreement.

​

66

(1)

The Legacy Funds pro forma column is based on the unaudited financial statements of the Legacy Funds as of September 30, 2019, and reflects pro forma adjustments for amounts expected to be borrowed under the Credit Agreement, the repayment of the SBA guaranteed debentures, the repayments of borrowings under the Loan and Security Agreement and accelerated interest and fees related to the repayment of these debt instruments.

​

(2)

The Trinity Capital Inc. pro forma as adjusted column reflects (i) scheduled distributions paid to certain Legacy Investors after September 30, 2019 (assuming the correctness of the Formation Transactions assumptions described herein), the consummation of the Private Common Stock Offering and the 144A Note Offering, the repayment of a portion of the amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement with proceeds of the Private Common Stock Offering and the 144A Note Offering, the consummation of the Formation Transactions after September 30, 2019 using proceeds of the Private Common Stock Offering and the 144A Note Offering, and the other recent events relating to the Legacy Portfolio.

​

(3)

In connection with the Formation Transactions, the Legacy Investors and the members of Trinity Capital Holdings were given the option to receive shares of Common Stock and/or cash in exchange for their interests. The deadline for the Legacy Investors to make their respective elections to receive shares of Common Stock and/or cash expired on November 15, 2019. Based on the results of such elections and the valuation of each Legacy Fund as of January 16, 2020 and for purposes of the Formation Transactions Adjustments, the Company issued 9,183,185 shares of Common Stock, representing approximately $137.7 million in total value based on a per share price of  $15.00, and paid approximately $108.7 million in cash to the Legacy Investors in connection with the Formation Transactions. The merger consideration of the Formation Transactions was based on valuations as of September 30, 2019, as adjusted for assets that were disposed of by the Legacy Funds, as well as earnings, capital contributions and distributions paid to the Legacy Investors and material events affecting the portfolio companies of the Legacy Funds subsequent to September 30, 2019 and through January 16, 2020, the closing date of the Formation Transactions. As a result of these adjustments and changes in balances subsequent to September 30, 2019, promissory notes payable and members’ equity and partners’ capital contributions do not net to zero on a pro forma as adjusted basis. In addition, 533,332 shares of Common Stock, representing approximately $8.0 million in total value based on a per share price of  $15.00, were issued to, and approximately $2.0 million in cash was paid to, the members of Trinity Capital Holdings for their equity interests in Trinity Capital Holdings in connection with the Formation Transactions.

​

(4)

Amount includes 10 shares of Common Stock issued in connection with the formation of the Company and assumes no exercise of the over-allotment option granted to Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. as initial purchaser and placement agent in the Private Common Stock Offering.

​

67

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with seed financial statements of the Company that will be audited by Ernst & Young LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm (“EY”), and the financial statements of the Legacy Funds for (i) the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 for TCI, Fund II, Fund III and Fund IV, which have been audited by EY and (ii) the nine month period ended September 30, 2019, which have been reviewed by EY, and the related notes and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this Registration Statement. In addition to historical information, the following discussion and other parts of this Registration Statement may contain forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated by such forward-looking information due to the factors discussed under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements” appearing elsewhere herein.

Overview

Trinity Capital Inc., a Maryland corporation and specialty lending company, is a leading provider of debt and equipment lease financing to growth stage companies, including venture-backed companies and companies with institutional equity investors. We are an internally managed, closed-end, non-diversified management investment company that intends to elect to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. We also intend to elect to be treated, and intend to qualify annually thereafter, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a BDC and a RIC, we will be required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. See “Item 1. Business — Regulation as a Business Development Company” and “Item 1. Business — Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences — Taxation as a Regulated Investment Company.”

We were formed for the purpose of acquiring the Legacy Funds, including the Legacy Assets, raising capital in the Private Offerings and making investments in accordance with our investment objective and investment strategy. Our investment objective is to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation through our investments. We will seek to achieve our investment objective by making investments consisting primarily of term debt and equipment lease financing investments and, to a lesser extent, working capital loans, equity and equity-related investments. In addition, we may obtain warrants or contingent exit fees at funding from many of our portfolio companies, providing an additional potential source of investment returns. We generally will be required to invest at least 70% of our total assets in qualifying assets in accordance with the 1940 Act but may invest up to 30% of our total assets in non-qualifying assets, as permitted by the 1940 Act. See “Item 1. Business — Regulation as a Business Development Company.”

We expect to target investments in growth stage companies, which are typically private companies, including venture-backed companies and companies with institutional equity investors. We define “growth stage companies” as companies that have significant ownership and active participation by sponsors and annual revenues of up to $100 million. We will not be limited to investing in any particular industry or geographic area and will seek to invest in under-financed segments of the private credit markets; provided, we will be limited by certain requirements of the 1940 Act. See “Item 1. Business — Regulation as a Business Development Company.”

We will invest in debt and equipment lease financings that may have initial interest only periods of 0 to 24 months and may then fully amortize over a term of 24 to 60 months and are secured by a blanket first lien, a specific asset lien on mission critical assets or a blanket second lien. We may also make a limited number of direct equity and equity-related investments in conjunction with our debt investments and equipment lease financings.

Critical Accounting Policies

The financial statements of the Legacy Funds are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to Regulation S-X under the Securities Act. The Legacy Funds follow accounting and reporting guidance as determined by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), in FASB ASC 946, Financial Services — Investment Companies.

68

The preparation of our financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets and any other parameters used in determining such estimates could cause actual results to differ. Valuation of investments, income recognition, realized / unrealized gains or losses and U.S. federal income taxes are considered to be our critical accounting policies and estimates. These have been disclosed under “Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in the notes to the financial statements of the Legacy Funds included with this Registration Statement.

Portfolio Composition

Through the Formation Transactions, we acquired the Legacy Assets, including the Legacy Portfolio, from the Legacy Funds, as well as Trinity Capital Holdings. The portfolio composition information is presented on a combined basis unless otherwise noted. The investments included in the Legacy Portfolio had a collective fair value of approximately $438.3 million as of September 30, 2019, as determined by management’s internal analysis and a third-party independent valuation firm. As of September 30, 2019, the Legacy Assets, including the Legacy Portfolio, consisted of: (1) approximately $438.3 million in investments, including debt, equipment lease financing and equity and equity-related investments; (2) an aggregate of approximately $34.5 million in cash, interest receivables and other assets; and (3) liabilities of approximately $240.7 million.

As of September 30, 2019, the investments in the Legacy Portfolio were comprised of approximately $344.2 million in debt investments, $57.0 million in equipment lease financing investments, and $37.1 million in equity and equity-related investments, including warrants, across 74 portfolio companies.

Summaries of the composition of the Legacy Portfolio at cost and fair value as a percentage of total investments are shown in following tables:

The following tables show the composition of the Legacy Portfolio by geographic region at cost and fair value as a percentage of total investments. The geographic composition is determined by the location of the corporate headquarters of the portfolio company.

69

Set forth below are tables showing the industry composition of the Legacy Portfolio at cost and fair value:

70

As of September 30, 2019, the debt and equipment lease financing investments in the Legacy Portfolio had a weighted average time to maturity of approximately 2.7 years. Additional information regarding the Legacy Portfolio is set forth in the schedules of investments and the related notes thereto included with this Registration Statement.

Portfolio Asset Quality

Our portfolio management team uses an ongoing investment risk rating system to characterize and monitor our outstanding loans and lease financings. Our portfolio management team monitors and, when appropriate, recommends changes to the investment risk ratings. Our Investment Committee reviews the recommendations and/or changes to the investment risk ratings, which are submitted on a quarterly basis to the Audit Committee and our Board.

For our investment risk rating system, we review seven different criteria and, based on our review of such criteria, we assign a risk rating on a scale of 1 to 5, as set forth in the following illustration.

71

The following table shows the distribution of the loan and equipment lease financing investments in the Legacy Portfolio, on a combined basis, on the 1 to 5 investment risk rating scale range at fair value as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the loan and equipment lease financing investments in the Legacy Portfolio had a weighted average risk rating score of 3.0 and 3.0, respectively.

Debt and Equipment Lease Financing Investments on Non-Accrual Status

We will not accrue interest on our debt and equipment lease financing investments if we have reason to doubt our ability to collect such interest. At September 30, 2019, investments in two portfolio companies in the Legacy Portfolio were on non-accrual status, which represented approximately $17.0 million, or 3.9%, of the fair value of the Legacy Portfolio. At December 31, 2018, investments in two portfolio companies in the Legacy Portfolio were on non-accrual status, which represented approximately $11.0 million, or 2.5%, of the fair value of the Legacy Portfolio. Each investment under non-accrual status at December 31, 2018 either began making payments, repaid the outstanding debt in its entirety or the outstanding debt was restructured prior to September 30, 2019.

Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations of the Legacy Funds

The following presents the results of operations of the Legacy Funds on a combined basis unless otherwise noted.

Nine months ended September 30, 2019

The following results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 include all of the Legacy Funds on a combined basis, except that the results of operations of Sidecar Fund included in the following only cover the period from April 9, 2019 through September 30, 2019, as Sidecar Fund was formed on April 5, 2019 and commenced operations on April 9, 2019.

Investment Income

Investment income represents interest income recognized as earned in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Interest income from original issue discount (“OID”) represents the estimated fair value of detachable equity warrants obtained in conjunction with the origination of debt and equipment lease securities and is accreted into interest income over the term of the loan as a yield enhancement.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, total investment income was approximately $42.5 million, which represents an approximate yield of 14.1% on the investments during the period.

Expenses

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, total expenses were approximately $15.8 million. Total expenses represent approximately $8.7 million of interest expenses as well as approximately $6.2 million for management fees and $0.9 million for other administrative expenses such as legal fees. Such management fees relate to Fund II, Fund III and Fund IV.

72

Net Investment Income

As a result of approximately $42.5 million in total investment income as compared to approximately $15.8 million in total expenses, net investment income for the nine months ended September, 2019 was approximately $26.7 million.

Net Realized Gains and Losses

Realized gains or losses are measured by the difference between the net proceeds from the sale or redemption of an investment or a financial instrument and the cost basis of the investment or financial instrument, without regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation previously recognized, and includes investments written-off during the period.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Legacy Funds realized gains on their investments of approximately $3.4 million.

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation / (Depreciation) from Investments

Net change in unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) from investments primarily reflects the net change in the fair value of the investment portfolio and financial instruments and the reclassification of any prior period unrealized appreciation or depreciation on exited investments and financial instruments to realized gains or losses.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, net change in unrealized appreciation from investments totaled approximately $7.8 million. The net change in unrealized appreciation from investments was driven primarily by approximately $9.4 million of unrealized appreciation in equity investments, offset by approximately $1.6 million unrealized loss in loan and equipment lease financing investments. Within the loan and equipment lease financing portfolio, the approximately $1.6 million of unrealized depreciation is primarily due to a write-down of Edeniq of approximately $5.7 million which is offset by unrealized appreciation spread over numerous investments. Vertical Communications equity contributed unrealized losses of approximately $3.5 as a result of their deteriorating performance and lack of cash funding. The largest single contributor to the total unrealized gain in equity investments is Nanotherapeutics, Inc., which contributed approximately $4.8 million of unrealized appreciation based upon improvements in this company’s business outlook.

Net Increase in Members’ Equity and Partners’ Capital Resulting from Operations

Net increase in members’ equity and partners’ capital resulting from operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was approximately $37.9 million.

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2018

The following results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 include TCI, Fund II, Fund III and Fund IV on a combined basis, except that the results of operations of Fund IV included in the following only cover the period from November 21, 2018 through December 31, 2018, as Fund IV was formed on May 1, 2018 and commenced operations on November 21, 2018. Sidecar Fund is excluded from the following because it was formed on April 5, 2019 and commenced operations on April 9, 2019.

Investment Income

Investment income represents interest income recognized as earned in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Interest income from OID represents the estimated fair value of detachable equity warrants obtained in conjunction with the origination of debt and equipment lease securities and is accreted into interest income over the term of the loan as a yield enhancement.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, total investment income was approximately $47.1 million which represents an approximate yield of 14% on the investments during the period.

73

Expenses

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, total expenses were approximately $18.1 million. Total expenses represent approximately $10.1 million of interest expenses as well as approximately $7.8 million for management fees and $0.3 million for other administrative expenses such as legal fees. Such management fees relate to Fund II, Fund III and Fund IV.

Net Investment Income

As a result of approximately $47.1 million in total investment income as compared to approximately $18.1 million in total expenses, net investment income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was approximately $29.0 million.

Net Realized Gains and Losses

Realized gains or losses are measured by the difference between the net proceeds from the sale or redemption of an investment or a financial instrument and the cost basis of the investment or financial instrument, without regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation previously recognized, and includes investments written-off during the period.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, the Legacy Funds realized gains on their investments of approximately $2.8 million.

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation / (Depreciation) from Investments

Net change in unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) from investments primarily reflects the net change in the fair value of the investment portfolio and financial instruments and the reclassification of any prior period unrealized appreciation or depreciation on exited investments and financial instruments to realized gains or losses.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from investments totaled approximately ($8.6 million). The net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from investments was driven primarily by approximately ($4.0 million) of unrealized depreciation of the warrant portfolio, and approximately ($4.5 million) of unrealized depreciation in the equity portfolio. Within the warrant portfolio, warrants in Hospitalists Now, Inc. contributed approximately ($2.0 million) of unrealized depreciation, and warrants in Edeniq, Inc. contributed approximately ($1.8 million) of unrealized depreciation, in both cases due to degradations of the business outlook at the respective portfolio companies. Within the equity portfolio, approximately ($3.1 million) of unrealized depreciation was due to equity holdings in Edeniq, Inc, while approximately ($1.9 million) of unrealized depreciation was attributable to equity holdings in Vertical Communications.

Net Increase in Members’ Equity and Partners’ Capital Resulting from Operations

Net increase in members’ equity and partners’ capital resulting from operations during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was approximately $23.2 million.

Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations of TCI

Nine months ended September 30, 2019

Investment Income

Investment income represents interest income recognized as earned in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Interest income from OID represents the estimated fair value of detachable equity warrants obtained in conjunction with the origination of debt and equipment lease securities and is accreted into interest income over the term of the loan as a yield enhancement.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, total investment income was approximately $2.4 million.

74

Expenses

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, total expenses were approximately $1.8 million. Total expenses represent interest expenses as well as other administrative expenses such as legal fees.

Net Investment Income

As a result of approximately $2.4 million in total investment income as compared to approximately $1.8 million in total expenses, net investment income for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was approximately $0.6 million.

Net Realized Gains and Losses

Realized gains or losses are measured by the difference between the net proceeds from the sale or redemption of an investment or a financial instrument and the cost basis of the investment or financial instrument, without regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation previously recognized, and includes investments written-off during the period.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, TCI had realized gains on its investments of approximately $17,000.

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation / (Depreciation) from Investments

Net change in unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) primarily reflects the net change in the fair value of the investment portfolio and financial instruments and the reclassification of any prior period unrealized appreciation or depreciation on exited investments and financial instruments to realized gains or losses

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from investments totaled approximately $2.4 million.

Net Increase in Members’ Equity and Partners’ Capital Resulting from Operations

Net increase in members’ equity and partners’ capital resulting from operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was approximately $3.0 million.

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2018

Investment Income

Investment income represents interest income recognized as earned in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Interest income from OID represents the estimated fair value of detachable equity warrants obtained in conjunction with the origination of debt and equipment lease securities and is accreted into interest income over the term of the loan as a yield enhancement.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, total investment income was approximately $3.8 million.

Expenses

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, total expenses were approximately $2.8 million. Total expenses represent interest expenses as well as other administrative expenses such as legal fees.

Net Investment Income

As a result of approximately $3.8 million in total investment income as compared to approximately $2.8 million in total expenses, net investment income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was approximately $1.0 million.

75

Net Realized Gains and Losses

Realized gains or losses are measured by the difference between the net proceeds from the sale or redemption of an investment or a financial instrument and the cost basis of the investment or financial instrument, without regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation previously recognized, and includes investments written-off during the period.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, TCI realized gains on its investments of approximately $49,000.

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation / (Depreciation) from Investments

Net change in unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) primarily reflects the net change in the fair value of the investment portfolio and financial instruments and the reclassification of any prior period unrealized appreciation or depreciation on exited investments and financial instruments to realized gains or losses.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, net change in unrealized (depreciation) from investments totaled approximately ($726,000).

Net Increase in Members’ Equity and Partners’ Capital Resulting from Operations

Net increase in members’ equity and partners’ capital resulting from operations during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was approximately $323,000.

Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations of Fund II

Nine months ended September 30, 2019

Investment Income

Investment income represents interest income recognized as earned in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Interest income from OID represents the estimated fair value of detachable equity warrants obtained in conjunction with the origination of debt and equipment lease securities and is accreted into interest income over the term of the loan as a yield enhancement.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, total investment income was approximately $12.4 million.

Expenses

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, total expenses were approximately $5.1 million. Total expenses represent interest expenses and investment manager fees as well as other administrative expenses such as legal fees.

Net Investment Income

As a result of approximately $12.4 million in total investment income as compared to approximately $5.1 million in total expenses, net investment income for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was approximately $7.3 million.

Net Realized Gains and Losses

Realized gains or losses are measured by the difference between the net proceeds from the sale or redemption of an investment or a financial instrument and the cost basis of the investment or financial instrument, without regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation previously recognized, and includes investments written-off during the period.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, Fund II realized gains on its investments of approximately $1.5 million.

76

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation / (Depreciation) from Investments

Net change in unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) primarily reflects the net change in the fair value of the investment portfolio and financial instruments and the reclassification of any prior period unrealized appreciation or depreciation on exited investments and financial instruments to realized gains or losses.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, net change in unrealized appreciation from investments totaled approximately $2.7 million.

Net Increase in Members’ Equity and Partners’ Capital Resulting from Operations

Net increase in members’ equity and partners’ capital resulting from operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was approximately $11.5 million.

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2018

Investment Income

Investment income represents interest income recognized as earned in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Interest income from OID represents the estimated fair value of detachable equity warrants obtained in conjunction with the origination of debt and equipment lease securities and is accreted into interest income over the term of the loan as a yield enhancement.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, total investment income was approximately $20.8 million.

Expenses

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, total expenses were approximately $7.3 million. Total expenses represent interest expenses and investment manager fees as well as other administrative expenses such as legal fees.

Net Investment Income

As a result of approximately $20.8 million in total investment income as compared to approximately $7.3 million in total expenses, net investment income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was approximately $13.5 million.

Net Realized Gains and Losses

Realized gains or losses are measured by the difference between the net proceeds from the sale or redemption of an investment or a financial instrument and the cost basis of the investment or financial instrument, without regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation previously recognized, and includes investments written-off during the period.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, Fund II realized losses on its investments of approximately $392,000.

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation / (Depreciation) from Investments

Net change in unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) primarily reflects the net change in the fair value of the investment portfolio and financial instruments and the reclassification of any prior period unrealized appreciation or depreciation on exited investments and financial instruments to realized gains or losses.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, net change in unrealized (depreciation) from investments totaled approximately ($6.0 million).

Net Increase in Members’ Equity and Partners’ Capital Resulting from Operations

Net increase in members’ equity and partners’ capital resulting from operations during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was approximately $7.1 million.

77

Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations of Fund III

Nine months ended September 30, 2019

Investment Income

Investment income represents interest income recognized as earned in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Interest income from OID represents the estimated fair value of detachable equity warrants obtained in conjunction with the origination of debt and equipment lease securities and is accreted into interest income over the term of the loan as a yield enhancement.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, total investment income was approximately $24.8 million.

Expenses

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, total expenses were approximately $7.7 million. Total expenses represent interest expenses and investment manager fees as well as other administrative expenses such as legal fees.

Net Investment Income

As a result of approximately $24.8 million in total investment income as compared to approximately $7.7 million in total expenses, net investment income for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was approximately $17.1 million.

Net Realized Gains and Losses

Realized gains or losses are measured by the difference between the net proceeds from the sale or redemption of an investment or a financial instrument and the cost basis of the investment or financial instrument, without regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation previously recognized, and includes investments written-off during the period.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, Fund III realized gains on its investments of approximately $1.9 million.

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation / (Depreciation) from Investments

Net change in unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) primarily reflects the net change in the fair value of the investment portfolio and financial instruments and the reclassification of any prior period unrealized appreciation or depreciation on exited investments and financial instruments to realized gains or losses.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from investments totaled approximately $1.5 million.

Net Increase in Members’ Equity and Partners’ Capital Resulting from Operations

Net increase in members’ equity and partners’ capital resulting from operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was approximately $20.5 million.

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2018

Investment Income

Investment income represents interest income recognized as earned in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Interest income from OID represents the estimated fair value of detachable equity warrants obtained in conjunction with the origination of debt and equipment lease securities and is accreted into interest income over the term of the loan as a yield enhancement.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, total investment income was approximately $22.5 million.

78

Expenses

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, total expenses were approximately $7.9 million. Total expenses represent interest expenses and investment manager fees as well as other administrative expenses such as legal fees.

Net Investment Income

As a result of the approximately $22.5 million in total investment income as compared to the approximately $7.9 million in total expenses, net investment income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, was approximately $14.6 million.

Net Realized Gains and Losses

Realized gains or losses are measured by the difference between the net proceeds from the sale or redemption of an investment or a financial instrument and the cost basis of the investment or financial instrument, without regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation previously recognized, and includes investments written-off during the period.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, Fund III realized gains on its investments of approximately $3.1 million.

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation / (Depreciation) from Investments

Net change in unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) primarily reflects the net change in the fair value of the investment portfolio and financial instruments and the reclassification of any prior period unrealized appreciation or depreciation on exited investments and financial instruments to realized gains or losses.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, net change in unrealized (depreciation) from investments totaled approximately ($1.9 million).

Net Increase in Members’ Equity and Partners’ Capital Resulting from Operations

Net increase in members’ equity and partners’ capital resulting from operations during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was approximately $15.8 million.

Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations of Fund IV

Nine months ended September 30, 2019

Investment Income

Investment income represents interest income recognized as earned in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Interest income from OID represents the estimated fair value of detachable equity warrants obtained in conjunction with the origination of debt and equipment lease securities and is accreted into interest income over the term of the loan as a yield enhancement.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, total investment income was approximately $2.4 million.

Expenses

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, total expenses were approximately $1.2 million. Total expenses represent interest expenses and investment manager fees as well as other administrative expenses such as legal fees.

Net Investment Income

As a result of approximately $2.4 million in total investment income as compared to approximately $1.2 million in total expenses, net investment income for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was approximately $1.2 million.

79

Net Realized Gains and Losses

Realized gains or losses are measured by the difference between the net proceeds from the sale or redemption of an investment or a financial instrument and the cost basis of the investment or financial instrument, without regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation previously recognized, and includes investments written-off during the period.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, Fund IV did not realize gains or losses on its investments.

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation / (Depreciation) from Investments

Net change in unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) primarily reflects the net change in the fair value of the investment portfolio and financial instruments and the reclassification of any prior period unrealized appreciation or depreciation on exited investments and financial instruments to realized gains or losses

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, net change in unrealized appreciation from investments totaled approximately $0.9.

Net Increase in Members’ Equity and Partners’ Capital Resulting from Operations

Net increase in members’ equity and partners’ capital resulting from operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was approximately $2.1 million.

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2018

Fund IV was formed on May 1, 2018 and commenced operations on November 21, 2018. As a result, the following covers the period from November 21, 2018 through December 31, 2018.

Investment Income

For the period from November 21, 2018 through December 31, 2018, Fund IV did not have any investment income.

Expenses

For the period from November 21, 2018 through December 31, 2018, total expenses were approximately $65,000. Total expenses represent interest expenses and investment manager fees as well as other administrative expenses such as legal fees.

Net Investment Loss

As a result of not having any investment income as compared to approximately $65,000 in total expenses, net investment loss for the period from November 21, 2018 through December 31, 2018 was approximately $65,000.

Net Realized Gains and Losses

Realized gains or losses are measured by the difference between the net proceeds from the sale or redemption of an investment or a financial instrument and the cost basis of the investment or financial instrument, without regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation previously recognized, and includes investments written-off during the period.

For the period from November 21, 2018 through December 31, 2018, Fund IV did not realize gains or losses on its investments.

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation / (Depreciation) from Investments

Net change in unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) primarily reflects the net change in the fair value of the investment portfolio and financial instruments and the reclassification of any prior period unrealized appreciation or depreciation on exited investments and financial instruments to realized gains or losses.

80

For the period from November 21, 2018 through December 31, 2018, net change in unrealized appreciation from investments totaled approximately $36,000.

Net Decrease in Members’ Equity and Partners’ Capital Resulting from Operations

Net decrease in members’ equity and partners’ capital resulting from operations during period from November 21, 2018 through December 31, 2018 was approximately $29,000.

Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations of Sidecar Fund

Period Ended September 30, 2019

Sidecar Fund was formed on April 5, 2019 and commenced operations on April 9, 2019. As a result, the following covers the period from April 9, 2019 through September 30, 2019.

Investment Income

Investment income represents interest income recognized as earned in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Interest income from OID represents the estimated fair value of detachable equity warrants obtained in conjunction with the origination of debt and equipment lease securities and is accreted into interest income over the term of the loan as a yield enhancement.

For the period from April 9, 2019 through September 30, 2019, total investment income was approximately $518,000.

Expenses

For the period from April 9, 2019 to September 30, 2019, total expenses were approximately $44,000. Total expenses represent interest expenses as well as other administrative expenses such as legal fees.

Net Investment Income

As a result of approximately $518,000 in total investment income as compared to approximately $44,000 in total expenses, net investment income for the period from April 9, 2019 to September 30, 2019 was approximately $474,000.

Net Realized Gains and Losses

Realized gains or losses are measured by the difference between the net proceeds from the sale or redemption of an investment or a financial instrument and the cost basis of the investment or financial instrument, without regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation previously recognized, and includes investments written-off during the period.

For the period from April 9, 2019 to September 30, 2019, Sidecar Fund did not realize gains or losses on its investments.

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation / (Depreciation) from Investments

Net change in unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) primarily reflects the net change in the fair value of the investment portfolio and financial instruments and the reclassification of any prior period unrealized appreciation or depreciation on exited investments and financial instruments to realized gains or losses.

For the period from April 9, 2019 to September 30, 2019, net change in unrealized appreciation from investments totaled approximately $380,000.

Net Increase in Members’ Equity and Partners’ Capital Resulting from Operations

Net increase in members’ equity and partners’ capital resulting from operations during the period from April 9, 2019 to September 30, 2019 was approximately $854,000.

81

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flows from Operating and Financing Activities

We expect to generate cash from any future offerings of securities and cash flows from operations, including earnings on investments in the Legacy Portfolio and future investments, as well as interest earned from the temporary investment of cash in U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. In addition, we may borrow funds under one or more credit facilities, including the Credit Agreement, to make investments, including before we have fully invested the proceeds of the Private Offerings.

We expect our primary use of funds to be investments in portfolio companies, the payment of interest on our outstanding debt, if any, the payment of operating expenses and distributions to our stockholders.

We generated approximately $197.2 million in cash from the net proceeds of the Private Offerings, and have cash resources of approximately $13.8 million, $105.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding and approximately $125.0 million of indebtedness under the Credit Agreement. See “—Recent Developments.”

We may from time to time enter into additional credit facilities, increase the size of our existing Credit Agreement or issue debt securities. Any such incurrence or issuance would be subject to prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual and regulatory restrictions and other factors.

Reduced Asset Coverage Requirements

In accordance with the 1940 Act, with certain limited exceptions, we are only allowed to incur borrowings, issue debt securities or issue preferred stock, if 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 150%. On September 27, 2019, the Board, including a “required majority” (as such term is defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) and our initial stockholder approved the application to us of the 150% minimum asset coverage ratio set forth in Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act. As a result, effective September 28, 2019, the asset coverage ratio under the 1940 Act applicable to us decreased from 200% to 150%, permitting us potentially borrow $2 for investment purposes of every $1 of investor equity.

Distributions

We intend to elect to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and intend to qualify annually thereafter, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. To obtain and maintain our tax treatment as a RIC, we must distribute (or be deemed to distribute) in each taxable year distribution for tax purposes equal to at least 90 percent of the sum of our:

•

investment company taxable income (which is generally our ordinary income plus the excess of realized short-term capital gains over realized net long-term capital losses), determined without regard to the deduction for distributions paid, for such taxable year; and

​

•

net tax-exempt interest income (which is the excess of our gross tax-exempt interest income over certain disallowed deductions) for such taxable year.

​

As a RIC, we (but not our stockholders) generally will not be subject to U.S. federal tax on investment company taxable income and net capital gains that we distribute to our stockholders.

We intend to distribute annually all or substantially all of such income. To the extent that we retain our net capital gains or any investment company taxable income, we generally will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax. We can be expected to carry forward our net capital gains or any investment company taxable income in excess of current year distributions, and pay the U.S. federal excise tax as described below.

82

Amounts not distributed on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement are subject to a nondeductible 4% U.S. federal excise tax payable by us. We may be subject to a nondeductible 4% U.S. federal excise tax if we do not distribute (or are treated as distributing) during each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of:

•

98% of our net ordinary income excluding certain ordinary gains or losses for that calendar year;

​

•

98.2% of our capital gain net income, adjusted for certain ordinary gains and losses, recognized for the twelve-month period ending on October 31 of that calendar year; and

​

•

100% of any income or gains recognized, but not distributed, in preceding years.

​

While we intend to distribute any income and capital gains in the manner necessary to minimize imposition of the 4% U.S. federal excise tax, sufficient amounts of our taxable income and capital gains may not be distributed and as a result, in such cases, the excise tax will be imposed. In such an event, we will be liable for this tax only on the amount by which we do not meet the foregoing distribution requirement.

We intend to pay quarterly distributions to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. All distributions will be paid at the discretion of our Board and will depend on our earnings, financial condition, maintenance of our tax treatment as a RIC, compliance with applicable BDC regulations and such other factors as our Board may deem relevant from time to time.

To the extent our current taxable earnings for a year fall below the total amount of our distributions for that year, a portion of those distributions may be deemed a return of capital to our stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Thus, the source of a distribution to our stockholders may be the original capital invested by the stockholder rather than our income or gains. Stockholders should read written disclosure carefully and should not assume that the source of any distribution is our ordinary income or gains.

We have adopted an “opt out” distribution reinvestment plan for our stockholders. As a result, if we declare a cash distribution or other distribution, each stockholder that has not “opted out” of our distribution reinvestment plan will have their distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of our Common Stock rather than receiving cash distributions. Stockholders who receive distributions in the form of shares of Common Stock will be subject to the same U.S. federal, state and local tax consequences as if they received cash distributions. See “Item 1. Business — Distribution Reinvestment Plan” and “Item 1. Business — Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

Recently Issued or Adopted Accounting Standards and Pronouncements

See Note 10 to the financial statements of the Legacy Funds included with this Registration Statement for a description of recently issued or adopted accounting standards and pronouncements, if any, including the expected dates of adoption and the anticipated impact on the financial statements, if any.

Related Party Transactions

As discussed herein, the Legacy Funds were merged with and into the Company and we issued 9,183,185 shares of our Common Stock and paid approximately $108.7 million in cash to the Legacy Investors, which include the general partners/managers of the Legacy Funds. In addition, as part of the Formation Transactions, we acquired 100% of the equity interests of Trinity Capital Holdings for shares of our Common Stock and cash. See “Item 1. Business — Formation Transactions” and “Item 7. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.”

We have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers. The indemnification agreements are intended to provide our directors and executive officers with the maximum indemnification permitted under Maryland law and the 1940 Act. Each indemnification agreement provides that we will indemnify the director or executive officer who is a party to the agreement, including the advancement of legal expenses, if, by reason of his or her corporate status, such director or executive officer is, or is threatened to be, made a party to or a witness in any threatened, pending, or completed proceeding, other than a proceeding by or in our right, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and the 1940 Act.

83

Other Contractual Obligations

Other than as discussed in this Registration Statement, we do not have any other contractual obligations.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Other than contractual commitments with respect to our portfolio companies and other legal contingencies incurred in the normal course of our business, we do not expect to have any off-balance sheet financings or liabilities. The contractual commitments with respect to our portfolio companies include commitments to extend credit and financing to our portfolio companies and involve, to varying degrees, elements of liquidity and credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet. At September 30, 2019, we had two portfolio companies, each with equipment lease financings, that had $1.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of unfunded commitments from us.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We will be subject to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates. To the extent that we borrow money to make investments, including under the Credit Agreement or any future financing arrangement, our net investment income will be dependent upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the rate at which we invest these funds. In periods of rising interest rates, our cost of borrowing funds would increase, which may reduce our net investment income. As a result, there can be no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on our net investment income.

In addition, any investments we make that are denominated in a foreign currency will be subject to risks associated with changes in currency exchange rates. These risks include the possibility of significant fluctuations in the foreign currency markets, the imposition or modification of foreign exchange controls and potential illiquidity in the secondary market. These risks will vary depending upon the currency or currencies involved.

We may hedge against interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations by using standard hedging instruments such as futures, options and forward contracts subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act. While hedging activities may insulate us against adverse changes in interest rates, they may also limit our ability to participate in benefits of lower interest rates with respect to our portfolio of investments with fixed interest rates. We may also borrow funds in local currency as a way to hedge our non-U.S. denominated investments.

Recent Developments

Loan and Security Agreement

On January 2, 2020, Fund IV entered into a third amendment to the Loan and Security Agreement with MUFG, which (i) extended the maturity date of such Loan and Security Agreement, as amended, to January 30, 2020 and (ii) lowered the maximum borrowing amount thereunder to the principal amount then outstanding of  $8,157,152. On January 8, 2020, the amount outstanding under the Loan and Security Agreement, as amended, was repaid in full using proceeds available under the Credit Agreement and the Loan and Security Agreement, as amended, was retired.

Credit Agreement

On January 8, 2020, Fund II, Fund III and Fund IV entered the Credit Agreement with Credit Suisse. On January 9, 2020, the initial proceeds received under the Credit Agreement were used to repay the outstanding leverage due to the SBA by Fund II and Fund III in aggregate amounts of  $64.2 million and $150.0 million, respectively, and Fund II and Fund III surrendered their respective SBIC licenses, which was accepted and approved by the SBA on January 10, 2020.

An aggregate amount of approximately $190 million was outstanding under the Credit Agreement prior to the completion of the Formation Transactions and the Private Offerings. We will use a portion of the proceeds of the Private Offerings to repay a portion of such aggregate amount outstanding in an

84

amount of approximately $65 million. As a result, an aggregate amount of  $125 million is expected to be outstanding under the Credit Agreement.

Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Trinity Funding 1, LLC, we became a party to, and assumed, the Credit Agreement in connection with the Formation Transactions and may utilize the leverage available thereunder to finance future investments. The Credit Agreement matures on January 8, 2022, unless extended, and we will have the ability to borrow up to an aggregate of  $300.0 million. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement generally will bear interest at a rate of the three-month LIBOR plus 3.25%. See “Item 1. Business — Formation Transactions.”

Private Common Stock Offering

Overview

On January 16, 2020, we completed the Private Common Stock Offering of shares of our Common Stock pursuant to which we issued and sold 7,000,000 shares of our Common Stock for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $105 million. KBW acted as the initial purchaser and placement agent in connection with the Private Common Stock Offering pursuant to the Private Common Stock Purchase Agreement. Pursuant to the Private Common Stock Purchase Agreement, we granted KBW an option to purchase or place up to an additional 1,333,333 shares of our Common Stock within 30 days of the date of the Private Common Stock Purchase Agreement to cover additional allotments, if any, made by KBW.

Common Stock Registration Rights Agreement

Concurrently with the closing of the Private Common Stock Offering, we entered into the Common Stock Registration Rights Agreement, for the benefit of the purchasers of the shares of our Common Stock in the Private Common Stock Offering and the Legacy Investors that received shares of our Common Stock in connection with the Formation Transactions. Under the Common Stock Registration Rights Agreement and subject to the terms and conditions provided therein, we have agreed to use our commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC a resale registration statement for the shares of our Common Stock issued and sold in the Private Common Stock Offering and the shares of our Common Stock issued to the Legacy Investors in connection with the Formation Transactions, including shares of our Common Stock issued by stock dividend, stock distribution, stock split or otherwise at the time of such filing, as soon as reasonably practicable following the effectiveness of this Registration Statement, but in no event later than May 15, 2020.

Under the Common Stock Registration Rights Agreement, we have also agreed to use our commercially reasonable efforts to cause such resale registration statement to be declared effective by the SEC and to have such shares of our Common Stock listed on a national securities exchange as soon as practicable after the initial filing thereof, but in no event later than December 31, 2020, and to continuously maintain such registration statement’s effectiveness under the Securities Act, subject to certain permitted blackout periods, for the period described in the Common Stock Registration Rights Agreement. Nevertheless, we can offer no assurance that we will file the resale registration statement, that the SEC will ever declare it effective or that the registrable shares will ever be listed on a national securities exchange. See “Item 1. Business — Common Stock Registration Rights Agreement.”

144A Note Offering

Overview

Concurrent with the completion of the Private Common Stock Offering, on January 16, 2020, we completed a private offering of  $105 million in aggregate principal amount of our 7.00% Notes due 2025 in reliance upon the available exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. KBW acted as the initial purchaser in connection with the 144A Note Offering pursuant to the 144A Note Purchase Agreement. Pursuant to the 144A Note Purchase Agreement, we granted KBW an option to purchase or place up to an additional $20,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Notes within 30 days of the date of the 144A Note Purchase Agreement to cover additional allotments, if any, made by KBW.

85

The Notes were issued pursuant to the Indenture. The Notes mature on January 16, 2025, unless repurchased or redeemed in accordance with their terms prior to such date. The Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time, or from time to time, at our option, on or after January 16, 2023 at a redemption price equal to 100% of the outstanding principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption. The holders of the Notes do not have the option to have the Notes repaid or repurchased by us prior to the Maturity Date of the Notes.

The Notes bear interest at a rate of 7.00% per year payable quarterly on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing on March 15, 2020. The Notes are direct, general unsecured obligations of us and will rank senior in right of payment to all of our future indebtedness or other obligations that are expressly subordinated, or junior, in right of payment to the Notes. The Notes will rank pari passu, or equal, in right of payment with all of our existing and future indebtedness or other obligations that are not so subordinated, or junior. The Notes will rank effectively subordinated, or junior, to any of our future secured indebtedness or other obligations (including unsecured indebtedness that we later secure) to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The Notes will rank structurally subordinated, or junior, to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations (including trade payables) incurred by our subsidiaries, financing vehicles or similar facilities including, without limitation, borrowings under the Credit Agreement (as defined below). See “— Credit Agreement.”

The Indenture contains certain covenants, including covenants requiring us to (i) comply with the asset coverage requirements of the 1940 Act, whether or not we are subject to those requirements, and (ii) provide financial information to the holders of the Notes and the Trustee if we are no longer subject to the reporting requirements under the Exchange Act. These covenants are subject to important limitations and exceptions that are described in the Indenture.

Notes Registration Rights Agreement

Concurrently with the closing of the 144A Note Offering, we entered into the Notes Registration Rights Agreement for the benefit of the purchasers of the Notes in the 144A Note Offering. Under the Notes Registration Rights Agreement and subject to the terms and conditions provided therein, we have agreed to use our commercially reasonable efforts to file with or confidentially submit to the SEC a resale registration statement for the Notes issued and sold in the 144A Note Offering, within 180 days after the Issue Date (or if such 180th day is not a business day, the next succeeding business day).

Under the Notes Registration Rights Agreement, we have also agreed to use our commercially reasonable efforts to cause such resale registration statement to become or be declared effective by the SEC at the earliest possible time after the initial filing thereof, but in no event later than 270 days after the Issue Date (or if such 270th day is not a business day, the next succeeding business day), and to continuously maintain such registration statement’s effectiveness under the Securities Act, subject to certain permitted blackout periods, for the period described in the Notes Registration Rights Agreement. Nevertheless, we can offer no assurance that we will file or confidentially submit such resale registration statement or that the SEC will ever declare it effective. See “Item 1. Business — Notes Registration Rights Agreement.”

Formation Transactions

On January 16, 2020, immediately following the consummation of the Private Offerings, we completed the Formation Transactions using a portion of the proceeds of the Private Offerings. In the Formation Transactions, the Legacy Funds were merged with and into the Company, and we issued 9,183,185 shares of our Common Stock and paid approximately $108.7 million in cash to the Legacy Investors to acquire the Legacy Funds, including the Legacy Assets and the Legacy Portfolio. The merger consideration of the Formation Transactions was based on valuations as of September 30, 2019, as adjusted for assets that were disposed of by the Legacy Funds, as well as earnings, capital contributions and distributions paid to the Legacy Investors and material events affecting the portfolio companies of the Legacy Funds subsequent to September 30, 2019 and through the closing date of the Formation Transactions.

As part of the Formation Transactions, we also acquired 100% of the equity interests of Trinity Capital Holdings for an aggregate purchase price of  $10.0 million, which was comprised of 533,332 shares of our Common Stock and approximately $2.0 million in cash. The valuation of Trinity Capital Holdings

86

as of September 30, 2019 was based upon a valuation of Trinity Capital Holdings prepared by an independent third-party valuation expert. As a result of this transaction, Trinity Capital Holdings became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. In addition, in connection with the acquisition of Trinity Capital Holdings, we assumed a $3.5 million severance related liability due to a former member of the general partner to Fund II, Fund III, Fund IV and Sidecar Fund.

87

Portfolio Companies

The following tables set forth certain information regarding each of the portfolio companies in which the Legacy Funds had a debt, equipment lease financing, equity or equity-related investment as of September 30, 2019. We acquired the Legacy Funds, including the Legacy Portfolio, in connection with the Formation Transactions. We will offer to make available significant managerial assistance to our portfolio companies. We may receive rights to observe the meetings of our portfolio companies’ board of directors. Other than these investments, our only relationships with our portfolio companies will be the managerial assistance we may separately provide to our portfolio companies, which services will be ancillary to our investments.

TCI – Portfolio Companies