UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018

Commission File Number 814-00710

PRINCETON CAPITAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (978) 794-3366

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

NONE

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

Common Stock, par value $.001 per share

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☐ No ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☐ No ☐

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ☒

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 definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company”, and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one.)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $950,329 based on the closing price of $0.199 on the over-the-counter pink sheet market (OTC Pink Sheets) on June 29, 2018, the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter.

As of April 16, 2019, there were 120,486,061 shares of common stock, $.001 par value, issued and outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant’s proxy statement to be delivered to stockholders in connection with the registrant’s 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K. The registrant intends to file its proxy statement within 120 days after its fiscal year end.

Certain exhibits previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission are incorporated by reference into Part IV of this report.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, except as otherwise indicated, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” and the “Company” refer to Princeton Capital Corporation;“Princeton Advisory Group” refers to our former investment adviser Princeton Advisory Group, Inc.; and “House Hanover” refers to our current investment adviser House Hanover, LLC. Some of the statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K constitute forward-looking statements, which relate to future events, future performance or financial condition. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements for any reason, including those factors discussed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the report.

Item 1. BUSINESS

Overview and Background

Princeton Capital Corporation’s predecessor was initially incorporated in Florida in 1959 as Electro-Mechanical Services, Inc. In 1998, it changed its name from Electro-Mechanical Services, Inc. to Regal One Corporation (“Regal One”). In 2005, the then board of directors of Regal One determined it would be in the best interest of shareholders to change the focus of Regal One’s operations to providing financial services through a network of advisors and professionals.

On July 14, 2014, Regal One, the Company (then a wholly-owned subsidiary of Regal One), Capital Point Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“CPP”), and Capital Point Partners II, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“CPPII” and, together with CPP, the “Partnerships”), entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) pursuant to which we would acquire certain equity and debt investments of the Partnerships in exchange for shares of common stock. In addition to the customary conditions to closing the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, Regal One was required to (i) effect a reverse stock split of its then outstanding common stock at a ratio of 1-for-2, (ii) reincorporate from Florida to Maryland by merging with and into the Company with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation (the “Reincorporation”) and (iii) become an externally managed business development company (“BDC”) by entering into an external investment advisory agreement with Princeton Investment Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

On March 13, 2015, following the reverse stock split and the Reincorporation, we completed our previously announced acquisition in the approximate amounts of $11.2 million in cash, $43.5 million in equity & debt investments, and $1.9 million in restricted cash escrow deposits of the Partnerships with an aggregate value of approximately $56.6 million and issued approximately 115.5 million shares of our common stock to the Partnerships. The shares issued were based on a pre-valuation presumed fair value of $60.9 million.

On January 18, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) conditionally approved the investment advisory agreement with Princeton Advisory Group, Inc., a New Jersey corporation (“Princeton Advisory Group” or the “Former Investment Advisor”) (the “PAG Investment Advisory Agreement”), subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders at the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. At the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on June 9, 2016, the Company’s stockholders approved the PAG Investment Advisory Agreement, effective June 9, 2016. On June 27, 2017, the Board approved an annual renewal of the PAG Investment Advisory Agreement in accordance with the terms of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) and the PAG Investment Advisory Agreement. From June 9, 2016 until its termination as of December 31, 2017, Princeton Advisory Group acted as the Company’s investment advisor pursuant to the terms of the PAG Investment Advisory Agreement (although, as stated herein, Princeton Advisory Group was originally notified of the Company’s intent to terminate the Investment Advisory Agreement on September 27, 2017, as further described herein).

As a result of the allegations contained in the complaints filed by the United States of America against Munish Sood, the former President, Chief Executive Officer, and director of the Company, and others captioned U.S. v. Lamont Evans, et al. and U.S. v. James Gotto, et al., in the Southern District of New York., on September 27, 2017 and as previously disclosed, the Board authorized and directed its Audit Committee (which consists of the Board’s three independent board members) to conduct an independent investigation into whether such events impacted the Company, and the extent to which any officer or employee of the Company may have been involved, and whether any corporate funds may have been utilized in the conduct alleged.

The Audit Committee conducted an independent investigation into this matter with the assistance of outside advisors. The investigation concluded on January 24, 2018. The investigation uncovered (i) no evidence that the allegations contained in the Complaints impacted the Company (other than the resignation of Mr. Sood), (ii) no evidence that any officer or employee of the Company, other than (as has been alleged) Mr. Sood, had any involvement in the allegations contained in the Complaints, and (iii) no evidence that any corporate or portfolio company funds were utilized in the conduct alleged in the Complaints. In respect to Mr. Sood, the Audit Committee did not make any judgment regarding the criminal allegations made by the U.S. Attorney in its Complaints.

On December 27, 2017, the Board determined that it would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to terminate the PAG Investment Advisory Agreement and sent a formal Notice of Termination to Princeton Advisory Group notifying Princeton Advisory Group of its termination as the Company’s investment advisor, effective as of December 31, 2017 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Also on December 27, 2017, the Board approved (specifically in accordance with Rule 15a-4(b)(1)(ii) of the Investment Company Act) and authorized the Company to enter into an Interim Investment Advisory Agreement between the Company and House Hanover, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“House Hanover”) (the “Interim Investment Advisory Agreement”), in accordance with Rule 15a-4 of the Investment Company Act. The effective date of the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement was January 1, 2018.

On April 5, 2018, the Board, including a majority of the independent directors, conditionally approved the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Company and House Hanover (the “House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement”) subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement replaced the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement. On May 30, 2018, the Company’s stockholders approved the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement. The effective date of the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement was May 31, 2018.

Since January 1, 2018, House Hanover has acted as our investment advisor under the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement (from January 1, 2018 until May 31, 2018) and the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement (since May 31, 2018).

A summary of the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement was included in the Form 8-K filed on March 31, 2018 and the full text of the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement is attached as Exhibit 10.1 thereto and incorporated by reference therein.

The following discussion describes the Company as of December 31, 2018 as it relates to the financial statements covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K and as of the latest practicable date for other information about the Company.

General

We are an externally managed, non-diversified, closed-end investment company that has elected to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. We originate and invest primarily in private small and lower middle-market companies (typically those with less than $20.0 million of EBITDA) through first lien loans, second lien loans, unsecured loans, unitranche and mezzanine debt financing, often times with a corresponding equity investment. Our investment objective is to maximize the total return to our stockholders in the form of current income and capital appreciation through debt and related equity investments in private small and lower middle-market companies. Since January 1, 2018, we have been managed by House Hanover, LLC, who also provides some of the administrative services necessary for us to operate.

As a BDC, we must not acquire any assets other than “qualifying assets” specified in the 1940 Act unless, at the time the acquisition is made, at least 70% of our total assets are qualifying assets (with certain limited exceptions). Qualifying assets include investments in “eligible portfolio companies.” Under the relevant Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules, the term “eligible portfolio company” includes all private companies, companies whose securities are not listed on a national securities exchange, and certain public companies that have listed their securities on a national securities exchange and have a market capitalization of less than $250 million, in each case organized in the United States.

Our investment objective is to maximize the total return to our stockholders in the form of current income and capital appreciation by:

As a BDC, we are required to comply with regulatory requirements, including limitations on our use of debt. We are permitted to, and expect to continue to, finance our investments through borrowings. However, as a BDC, we are only generally allowed to borrow amounts such that our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% after such borrowing. The amount of leverage that we employ will depend on our assessment of market conditions and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing, such as the maturity, covenant package and rate structure of the proposed borrowings, our ability to raise funds through the issuance of our securities and the risks of such borrowings within the context of our investment outlook. Ultimately, we only intend to use leverage if the expected returns from borrowing to make investments will exceed the cost of such borrowings.

The Company will be taxed as a C corporation and subject to federal and state corporation income taxes for its 2018 and 2017 taxable years.

Our principal executive office is located at 800 Turnpike Street, Suite 300, North Andover, Massachusetts 01845, and our telephone number is (978) 794-3366. We maintain a website on the Internet at www.princetoncapitalcorp.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this annual report on Form 10-K and you should not consider information contained on our website to be part of this annual report on Form 10-K.

House Hanover

Since January 1, 2018, House Hanover manages our investment activities and is responsible for analyzing investment opportunities, conducting research and performing due diligence on potential investments, negotiating and structuring our investments, originating prospective investments and monitoring our investments and portfolio companies on an ongoing basis. House Hanover is a registered investment adviser and is wholly owned by Sema4, Inc.

House Hanover is headquartered in North Andover, Massachusetts.

Managerial Assistance

As a BDC, we offer, and must provide upon request, managerial assistance to our portfolio companies. This assistance could involve monitoring the operations of our portfolio companies, participating in board of directors and management meetings, consulting with and advising officers of portfolio companies and providing other organizational and financial guidance. House Hanover will provide such managerial assistance on our behalf to portfolio companies that request this assistance. We may receive fees for these services and will reimburse House Hanover for its allocated costs in providing such assistance, subject to the review by our board of directors, including our independent directors.

Competition

Our primary competitors in providing financing to small and lower middle-market companies include public and private funds, other BDC’s, commercial and investment 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 we do. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments and establish more relationships than us. 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 qualify as a regulated investment company or “RIC”. We did not meet the qualifications of a RIC for the 2017 or 2018 tax years.

Employees

We do not have any direct employees, and our day-to-day investment operations are managed by House Hanover. We have a chief executive officer and president, chief financial officer and chief compliance officer. To the extent necessary, our board of directors may hire additional personnel going forward. Our officers are employees or consultants of our investment advisor and our allocable portion of the cost of our chief executive officer and president, chief financial officer and chief compliance officer and their respective staffs is paid by us pursuant to the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement.

Management Agreements

Effective as of January 1, 2018, House Hanover serves as our investment advisor and is registered as an investment advisor under the 1940 Act. Prior to January 1, 2018, Princeton Advisory Group served as our investment advisor.

Summary of House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement

The terms and conditions of the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement and the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement are substantially similar, except that (i) the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement did not require approval in accordance with Rule 15a-4 of the 1940 Act and (ii) the duration of the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement is one year from the effective date (May 31, 2018) and thereafter shall continue automatically for successive annual periods, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (a) the vote of the Board, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company and (b) the vote of a majority of the members of the Board who are not parties to the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement or “interested persons” (as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) of any such party, in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, as opposed to a 150-day limitation on the term, as set forth in the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement.

Advisory Services

House Hanover is registered as an investment adviser under the 1940 Act and serves as the Company’s investment advisor pursuant to the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement in accordance with the 1940 Act. House Hanover is owned by and an affiliate of Mr. Mark DiSalvo, the Company’s Interim President, Interim Chief Executive Officer, and a director of the Company. 

Subject to supervision by the Company’s Board, House Hanover oversees the Company’s day-to-day operations and provides the Company with investment advisory services. Under the terms of the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement, House Hanover, among other things: (i) determines the composition and allocation of the portfolio of the Company, the nature and timing of the changes therein and the manner of implementing such changes; (ii) identifies, evaluates and negotiates the structure of the investments made by the Company; (iii) executes, closes, services and monitors the Company’s investments; (iv) determines the securities and other assets that the Company shall purchase, retain, or sell; (v) performs due diligence on prospective portfolio companies; (vi) provides the Company with such other investment advisory, research and related services as the Company may, from time to time, reasonably require for the investment of its funds; and (vii) if directed by the Board, assists in the execution and closing of the sale of the Company’s assets or a sale of the equity of the Company in one or more transactions. House Hanover’s services under the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement may not be exclusive and it is free to furnish similar services to other entities so long as its services to the Company are not impaired. At the request of the Company, House Hanover, upon any transition of the Company’s investment advisory relationship to another investment advisor or upon any internalization, shall provide reasonable transition assistance to the Company and any successor investment advisor.

Advisory Fee

Pursuant to the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement, the Company pays House Hanover a base management fee for investment advisory and management services. The cost of the base management fee is ultimately borne by the Company’s stockholders. The House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement does not contain an incentive fee component.

The base management fee is calculated at an annual rate of 1.00% of the Company’s gross assets, including assets purchased with borrowed funds or other forms of leverage and excluding cash and cash equivalents net of all indebtedness of the Company for borrowed money and other liabilities of the Company. The base management fee is payable quarterly in arrears, and determined as set forth in the preceding sentence at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters. The Board may retroactively adjust the valuation of the Company’s assets and the resulting calculation of the base management fee in the event the Company or any of its assets are sold or transferred to an independent third party or the Company or House Hanover receives an audit report or other independent third party valuation of the Company. To the extent that any such adjustment increases or decreases the base management fee of any prior period, the Company will be obligated to pay the amount of increase to House Hanover or House Hanover will be obligated to refund the decreased amount, as applicable.

Payment of Expenses

House Hanover bears all compensation expense (including health insurance, pension benefits, payroll taxes and other compensation related matters) of its employees and consultants and bear the costs of any salaries or directors’ fees of any officers or directors of the Company who are affiliated persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of House Hanover. However, House Hanover, subject to approval by the Board of the Company, is entitled to reimbursement for the portion of any compensation expense and the costs of any salaries of any such employees to the extent attributable to services performed by such employees for the Company. During the term of the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement, House Hanover will also bear all of its costs and expenses for office space rental, office equipment, utilities and other non-compensation related overhead allocable to performance of its obligations under the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement.

Except as provided in the preceding paragraph the Company reimburses House Hanover all direct and indirect costs and expenses incurred by it during the term of the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement for: (i) due diligence of potential investments of the Company, (ii) monitoring performance of the Company’s investments, (iii) serving as officers of the Company, (iv) serving as directors and officers of portfolio companies of the Company, (v) providing managerial assistance to portfolio companies of the Company, and (vi) enforcing the Company’s rights in respect of its investments and disposing of its investments; provided, however, that, any third party expenses incurred by House Hanover in excess of $50,000 in the aggregate in any calendar quarter will require advance approval by the Board of the Company.

In addition to the foregoing, the Company will also be responsible for the payment of all of the Company’s other expenses, including the payment of the following fees and expenses:

Duration and Termination

Unless terminated earlier as described below, the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement will continue in effect for a period of one (1) year from its effective date. It will remain in effect from year to year thereafter if approved annually by the Company’s Board or by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Company’s outstanding voting securities, and, in either case, if also approved by a majority of Company’s directors who are neither parties to the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement nor “interested persons” (as defined under the 1940 Act) of any such party. The House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, (i) upon written notice, effective on the date set forth in such notice, by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company or by the vote of the Company’s directors, or (ii) upon 60 days’ written notice, by House Hanover. The House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement automatically terminates in the event of its “assignment,” as defined in the 1940 Act.

Indemnification

The House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement provides that, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of their duties, or by reason of the material breach or reckless disregard of their duties and obligations under the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement, House Hanover and its officers, managers, employees and members are entitled to indemnification from the Company for any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) arising from the rendering of House Hanover’s services under the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement or otherwise as the Company’s investment advisor. The amounts payable for indemnification will be calculated net of payments recovered by the indemnified party under any insurance policy with respect to such losses.

At all times during the term of the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement and for one year thereafter, House Hanover is obligated to maintain directors and officers/errors and omission liability insurance in an amount and with a provider reasonably acceptable to the Board of the Company.

Regulation as a BDC

We have elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act and intend, as soon as we become eligible, to elect to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”.) The 1940 Act contains prohibitions and restrictions relating to transactions between BDC’s and their affiliates (including any investment advisors), principal underwriters and affiliates of those affiliates or underwriters and requires that a majority of the directors be persons other than “interested persons,” as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. In addition, the 1940 Act provides that we may not 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.

We may invest up to 100% of our assets in securities acquired directly from issuers in privately negotiated transactions. With respect to such securities, we may, for the purpose of public resale, be deemed an “underwriter” as that term is defined in the Securities Act. Our intention is to not write (sell) or buy put or call options to manage risks associated with the publicly traded securities of our portfolio companies, except that we may enter into hedging transactions to manage the risks associated with interest rate fluctuations. However, we may purchase or otherwise receive warrants to purchase the common stock of our portfolio companies in connection with acquisition financing or other investments. Similarly, in connection with an acquisition, we may acquire rights to require the issuers of acquired securities or their affiliates to repurchase them under certain circumstances. We also do not intend to acquire securities issued by any investment company that exceed the limits imposed by the 1940 Act. Under these limits, we generally cannot acquire more than 3% of the voting stock of any registered investment company, invest more than 5% of the value of our total assets in the securities of one investment company or invest more than 10% of the value of our total assets in the securities of more than one investment company. With regard to that portion of our portfolio invested in securities issued by investment companies, it should be noted that such investments might subject our stockholders to additional expenses. None of these policies is fundamental and may be changed without stockholder approval upon 60 days’ prior written notice to stockholders. 

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

The regulations defining qualifying assets may change over time. We may adjust our investment focus as needed to comply with and/or take advantage of any regulatory, legislative, administrative or judicial actions in this area.

Managerial Assistance to Portfolio Companies

In order to count portfolio securities as qualifying assets for the purpose of the 70% test, a BDC must either control the issuer of the securities or must offer to make available to the issuer of the securities significant managerial assistance. However, when the BDC purchases 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 managerial assistance means any arrangement whereby the BDC, through its directors, officers, employees or agents, 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. House Hanover will provide such managerial assistance on our behalf to portfolio companies that request this assistance.

Temporary Investments

Pending investment in other types of qualifying assets, as described above, our investments may consist of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, repurchase agreements and high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less from the date of investment, which we refer to, collectively, as temporary investments, so that 70% of our assets are qualifying assets or temporary investments. Typically, we will invest in U.S. Treasury bills or in repurchase agreements, so long as the agreements are fully collateralized by cash or securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies. A repurchase agreement involves the purchase by an investor, such as us, of a specified security and the simultaneous agreement by the seller to repurchase it at an agreed-upon future date and at a price that is greater than the purchase price by an amount that reflects an agreed-upon interest rate. There is no percentage restriction on the proportion of our assets that may be invested in such repurchase agreements. However, if more than 25% of our total assets constitute repurchase agreements from a single counterparty, we would not meet the Diversification Tests in order to qualify as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, we do not intend to enter into repurchase agreements with a single counterparty in excess of this limit.

Senior Securities

We are 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 200% immediately after each such issuance. In addition, while any senior securities remain outstanding, we must make provisions to prohibit any 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 distribution or repurchase. We may also borrow amounts up to 5% of the value of our total assets for temporary or emergency purposes without regard to asset coverage. A loan will be considered temporary if it is repaid within sixty days and is not extended or renewed.

Common Stock

We are not generally able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share. We may, however, sell our common stock at a price below the current net asset value of the common stock if our board of directors determines that such sale is in our best interests and that of our stockholders, and our stockholders approve such sale. In any such case, the price at which our securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price which, in the determination of our board of directors, closely approximates the market value of such securities (less any distributing commission or discount).

Other

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

House Hanover and the Company will each be required to adopt and implement written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation of relevant federal securities laws, review these policies and procedures annually for their adequacy and the effectiveness of their implementation, and designate a chief compliance officer to be responsible for administering the policies and procedures.

We may also be prohibited under the 1940 Act from knowingly participating in certain transactions with our affiliates without the prior approval of our board of directors who are not interested persons and, in some cases, prior approval by the SEC. The SEC has interpreted the BDC prohibition on transactions with affiliates to prohibit all “joint transactions” between, among other things, entities that share a common investment advisor. The staff of the SEC has granted no-action relief permitting purchases of a single class of privately placed securities provided that the advisor negotiates no term other than price and certain other conditions are met.

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act imposes a wide variety of regulatory requirements on publicly held companies and their insiders. Many of these requirements affect us. For example:

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires us to review our current policies and procedures to determine whether we comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the regulations promulgated under such act. We will continue to monitor our compliance with all regulations that are adopted under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and will take actions necessary to ensure that we are in compliance with that act.

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves a number of significant risks. Before you invest in our securities, you should be aware of various risks, including those described below. You should carefully consider these risk factors, together with all of the other information included in this annual report on Form 10-K, before you decide whether to make an investment in our securities. The risks set out below are the principal risks with respect to an investment in our securities generally and with respect to a BDC with investment objectives, investment policies, capital structures or trading markets similar to ours. However, they may not be the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not presently deemed material by us may also impair our operations and performance. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected. In such case, our net asset value and the trading price of our securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Relating to our Business and Structure

We are dependent upon key personnel of House Hanover for our future success. If House Hanover were to lose any of its key personnel, our ability to achieve our investment objective could be significantly harmed.

We will depend on the diligence, skill and network of business contacts of the investment professionals of House Hanover to achieve our investment objective. We expect that House Hanover’s investment team will evaluate, negotiate, structure, close and monitor our investments in accordance with the terms of the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement. We can offer no assurance, however, that House Hanover’s investment team will continue to provide investment advice to us.

Our business model depends to a significant extent upon strong referral relationships. Any inability of House Hanover to maintain or develop these relationships, or the failure of these relationships to generate investment opportunities, could adversely affect our business.

We depend upon House Hanover to maintain its relationships with private equity sponsors, placement agents, investment banks, management groups, financial institutions and other service providers, and we expect to rely to a significant extent upon these relationships to provide us with potential investment opportunities. If House Hanover fails to maintain such relationships, or to develop new relationships with other sources of investment opportunities, we will not be able to grow our investment portfolio. In addition, individuals with whom House Hanover has relationships are not obligated to provide us with investment opportunities, and we can offer no assurance that these relationships will generate investment opportunities for us in the future.

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

Our ability to achieve our investment objective will depend on our ability to manage our business and to grow our investments and earnings. This will depend, in turn, on House Hanover ability to identify, invest in and monitor portfolio companies that meet our investment criteria. The achievement of our investment objective on a cost-effective basis will depend upon House Hanover execution of our investment process, its ability to provide competent, attentive and efficient services to us and, to a lesser extent, our access to financing on acceptable terms. House Hanover’s investment team may have responsibilities in connection with the management of other investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles. The personnel of House Hanover may be called upon to provide managerial assistance to our portfolio companies. These activities may distract them from servicing new investment opportunities for us 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 cash flows. We have limited capital on hand by which we can make new investments, thereby making it difficult to grow our investments.

There are significant potential conflicts of interest that could negatively affect our investment returns.

The investment professionals of House Hanover serve, or may serve, as officers, directors, members, or principals of entities that operate in the same or a related line of business as we do, or of investment funds, accounts, or investment vehicles managed by House Hanover. Similarly, House Hanover may have other clients with similar, different or competing investment objectives. In serving in these multiple capacities, they may have obligations to other clients or investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which may not be in the best interests of us or our stockholders.

The senior investment team and other investment professionals of House Hanover may, from time to time, possess material non-public information, limiting our investment discretion.

The senior investment team and other investment professionals of House Hanover may serve as directors of, or in a similar capacity with portfolio 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 an adverse effect on us.

The management fee structure we have with House Hanover may create incentives that are not fully aligned with the interests of our stockholders.

In the course of our investing activities, we will pay management fees to House Hanover. We have entered into an investment advisory agreement with House Hanover that provides that these fees will be based on the value of our net assets. As a result, investors in our common stock will invest on a gross basis and receive distributions on a net basis after expenses, resulting in a lower rate of return than one might achieve through direct investments.

Our board of directors is charged with protecting our interests by monitoring how House Hanover addresses these and other conflicts of interests associated with its management services and compensation. While our board of directors is not expected to review or approve each investment decision, borrowing or incurrence of leverage, our independent directors will periodically review House Hanover’s services and fees as well as its portfolio management decisions and performance of our portfolio. In connection with these reviews, our independent directors will consider whether our fees and expenses (including those related to leverage) remain appropriate. As a result of this arrangement, House Hanover may from time to time have interests that differ from those of our stockholders, giving rise to a conflict.

The involvement of our interested directors in the valuation process may create conflicts of interest.

We expect to make many of our portfolio investments in the form of loans and securities that are not publicly traded and for which no market based price quotation is available. As a result, our board of directors will determine the fair value of these loans and securities in good faith as described below in “— Our portfolio investments will be recorded at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors and, as a result, there may be uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments.” In connection with that determination, investment professionals from House Hanover may provide our board of directors with valuations based upon the most recent portfolio company financial statements available and projected financial results of each portfolio company. While the valuation for most portfolio investments will be prepared quarterly by an independent valuation firm, the ultimate determination of fair value will be made by our board of directors, including our interested directors, and not by such third-party valuation firm. In addition, Mr. Mark DiSalvo, an interested member of our board of directors, has a direct pecuniary interest in House Hanover. The participation of House Hanover’s investment professionals in our valuation process, and the pecuniary interest in House Hanover by a member of our board of directors, could result in a conflict of interest as House Hanover’s management fee is based, in part, on the value of our gross assets.

The time and resources that House Hanover devote to us may be diverted, and we may face additional competition due to the fact that House Hanover and its affiliates are not prohibited from raising money for, or managing, another entity that makes the same types of investments that we target.

House Hanover and some of its affiliates, including our officers and our non-independent directors, are not prohibited from raising money for, or managing, another investment entity that makes the same types of investments as those we target. For example, House Hanover could seek to raise capital for a private credit fund that will have an investment strategy that is identical to our investment strategy. House Hanover and we may seek exemptive relief from the SEC that would establish a co-investment program with investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles managed by House Hanover; however, there can be no assurance if and when the SEC would grant such relief. In addition, we may compete with any such investment entity for the same investors and investment opportunities.

House Hanover’s liability is limited under the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement and we have agreed to indemnify House Hanover against certain liabilities, which may lead House Hanover to act in a riskier manner on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.

Under the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement, House Hanover has not assumed any responsibility to us other than to render the services called for under that agreement. It will not be responsible for any action of our board of directors by following or declining to follow House Hanover’s advice or recommendations. Under the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement, House Hanover, its officers, members and personnel, and any person controlling or controlled by House Hanover will not be liable to us, any subsidiary of ours, our directors, our stockholders or any subsidiary’s stockholders or partners for acts or omissions performed in accordance with and pursuant to the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement, except those resulting from acts constituting gross negligence, willful misfeasance, bad faith or reckless disregard of the duties that House Hanover owes to us under the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement. In addition, as part of the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement, we have agreed to indemnify House Hanover and each of its officers, directors, members, managers and employees from and against any claims or liabilities, including reasonable legal fees and other expenses reasonably incurred, arising out of or in connection with our business and operations or any action taken or omitted on our behalf pursuant to authority granted by the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement, except where attributable to gross negligence, willful misfeasance, bad faith or reckless disregard of such person’s duties under the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement. These protections may lead House Hanover to act in a riskier manner when acting on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.

Our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates will be restricted, which may limit the scope of investments available to us.

We are prohibited under the 1940 Act from participating in certain transactions with our affiliates without the prior approval of our independent directors and, in some cases, the SEC. Any person that owns, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of our outstanding voting securities will be our affiliate for purposes of the 1940 Act, and we are generally prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to such affiliate without the prior approval of our independent directors. The 1940 Act also prohibits certain “joint” transactions with certain of our affiliates, which could include concurrent investments in the same portfolio company, without prior approval of our independent directors and, in some cases, of the SEC. We are prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to any person that controls us or who owns more than 25% of our voting securities or certain of that person’s affiliates, or entering into prohibited joint transactions with such persons, absent the prior approval of the SEC. As a result of these restrictions, we may be prohibited from buying or selling any security (other than any security of which we are the issuer) from or to any portfolio company of a private fund managed by House Hanover or its affiliates without the prior approval of the SEC, which may limit the scope of investment opportunities that would otherwise be available to us.

We may, however, invest alongside House Hanover’s investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles in certain circumstances where doing so is consistent with our investment strategy as well as applicable law and SEC staff interpretations. For example, we may invest alongside such investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles consistent with guidance promulgated by the SEC staff to purchase interests in a single class of privately placed securities so long as certain conditions are met, including that House Hanover, acting on our behalf and on behalf of such investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles, negotiates no term other than price. We may also invest alongside House Hanover’s investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles as otherwise permissible under regulatory guidance, applicable regulations and House Hanover’s allocation policy. This allocation policy provides that allocations among us and investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles managed by House Hanover and its affiliates will generally be made pro rata based on capital available for investment, as determined, in our case, by our board of directors as well as the terms of our governing documents and those of such investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles. It is our policy to base our determinations on such factors as the amount of cash on-hand, existing commitments and reserves, if any, our targeted leverage level, our targeted asset mix and diversification requirements and other investment policies and restrictions set by our board of directors or imposed by applicable laws, rules, regulations or interpretations. We expect that these determinations will be made similarly for investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles managed by House Hanover. However, we can offer no assurance that investment opportunities will be allocated to us fairly or equitably in the short-term or over time.

In situations where co-investment with investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles managed by House Hanover, prior to receiving exemptive relief, is not permitted or appropriate, such as when there is an opportunity to invest concurrently in different securities of the same issuer or where the different investments could be expected to result in a conflict between our interests and those of House Hanover’s clients, subject to the limitations described in the preceding paragraph, House Hanover will need to decide which client will proceed with the investment. House Hanover will make these determinations based on its policies and procedures, which generally require that such opportunities be offered to eligible accounts on an alternating basis that will be fair and equitable over time. Moreover, except in certain circumstances, we will be unable to invest in any issuer in which an investment fund, account or investment vehicle managed by House Hanover has previously invested.

We and House Hanover may seek exemptive relief from the SEC to permit greater flexibility to negotiate the terms of co-investments if our board of directors determines that it would be advantageous for us to co-invest with investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles managed by House Hanover in a manner consistent with our investment objective, positions, policies, strategies and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements and other pertinent factors. We believe that co-investment by us and investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles managed by House Hanover may afford us additional investment opportunities and an ability to achieve greater diversification. Accordingly, if we make an application for exemptive relief, we will seek an exemptive order permitting us to invest with investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles managed by House Hanover in the same portfolio companies under circumstances in which such investments would otherwise not be permitted by the 1940 Act. We expect that such exemptive relief permitting co-investments, if granted, would not require review and approval of each co-investment by our independent directors. There can be no assurance if and when the SEC would grant such relief.

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

A number of entities compete with us to make the types of investments that we plan to make. We will compete with public and private funds, commercial and investment 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 we do. For example, we believe some of our competitors may have access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments and establish more relationships than us. Furthermore, many of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a BDC or the source-of-income, asset diversification and distribution requirements we must satisfy to achieve RIC qualification. The competitive pressures we face may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. 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.

With respect to the investments we make, we will not seek to compete based primarily on the interest rates we will offer, and we believe that some of our competitors may make loans with interest rates that will be lower than the rates we offer. With respect to all investments, 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. We may also compete for investment opportunities with investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles managed by House Hanover. Although House Hanover will allocate opportunities in accordance with its policies and procedures, allocations to such investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles will reduce the amount and frequency of opportunities available to us and may not be in the best interests of us and our stockholders. See “Risk Factor — Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure — There are significant potential conflicts of interest that could negatively affect our investment returns.”

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

To qualify as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, we must meet certain source-of-income, asset diversification and distribution requirements. The distribution requirement for a RIC 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. If we incur debt, we will be subject to certain asset coverage ratio requirements under the 1940 Act and financial covenants under loan and credit agreements that could, under certain circumstances, restrict us from making distributions necessary to qualify as a RIC. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify as a RIC and, thus, may be subject to corporate-level income tax. To qualify 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 our qualification as a RIC. Because most of our investments will be in private or thinly-traded public companies, any such dispositions may be made at disadvantageous prices and may result in substantial losses. If we fail to qualify as a RIC for any reason and become subject to corporate income tax, the resulting corporate income taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distributions to our stockholders and the amount of funds available for new investments. Such a failure would have a material adverse effect on us and our stockholders.

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

We may need additional capital to fund new investments and grow our portfolio of investments. We intend to access the capital markets periodically to issue debt or equity securities or borrow from financial institutions in order to obtain such additional capital. Unfavorable economic conditions could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets 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 will be required to distribute at least 90% of our net ordinary income and net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses, if any, to our stockholders to achieve qualification as a RIC. As a result, these earnings will not be available to fund new investments. An inability on our part to access the capital markets successfully could limit our ability to grow our business and execute our business strategy fully and could decrease our earnings, if any, which would have an adverse effect on the value of our securities.

You may not receive distributions, or our distributions may not grow over time.

To date since the Reincorporation, we have not made any distributions. We intend to make distributions on a quarterly basis 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 make a specified level of cash distributions or year-to-year increases in cash distributions. Our ability to pay distributions might be adversely affected by the impact of one or more of the risk factors described in this filing. Due to the asset coverage test applicable to us under the 1940 Act as a BDC, we may be limited in our ability to make distributions. All distributions will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our earnings, financial condition, maintenance of RIC status, compliance with applicable BDC, and such other factors as our board of directors may deem relative from time to time. We cannot assure you that we will make distributions to our stockholders in the future.

We may have difficulty paying required distributions to qualify as a RIC 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 the accrual of original issue discount. This may arise if we receive warrants in connection with the making of a loan and in other circumstances, or through contracted PIK interest, which represents contractual interest added to the loan balance and due at the end of the loan term. Such original issue discount, which could be significant relative to our overall investment activities, and increases in loan balances as a result of contracted PIK arrangements will be included in income before we receive any corresponding cash payments. We also may be required to include in income certain other amounts that we will not receive in cash.

Since we may recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income, we may have difficulty meeting the requirement to distribute at least 90% of our net ordinary income and net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses, if any, to achieve qualification as a RIC. In such a case, we may have to sell some of our investments at times we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or reduce new investment originations to meet these distribution requirements. If we are not able to obtain such cash from other sources, we may continue to fail to qualify as a RIC and thus be subject to corporate-level income tax.

PIK interest payments we receive will increase our assets under management and, as a result, will increase the amount of base management fees payable by us to House Hanover.

Certain of our debt investments may contain provisions providing for the payment of PIK interest. Because PIK interest results in an increase in the size of the loan balance of the underlying loan, the receipt by us of PIK interest will have the effect of increasing our assets under management. As a result, because the base management fee that we pay to House Hanover is based on the value of our gross assets, the receipt by us of PIK interest will result in an increase in the amount of the base management fee payable by us.

Regulations governing our operation as a BDC affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital. As a BDC, the necessity of raising additional capital may expose us to risks, including the typical risks associated with leverage.

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 will be 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 our gross assets less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, after each issuance of senior securities. 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 at a time when such sales may be disadvantageous to us in order to repay a portion of our indebtedness. Also, any amounts that we use to service our indebtedness would not be available for distributions to our common stockholders. If we issue senior securities, we will be exposed to typical risks associated with leverage, including an increased risk of loss.

We are not generally able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share. We may, however, sell our common stock, or warrants, options or rights to acquire our common stock, at a price below then current net asset value per share of our common stock if our board of directors determines that such sale is in our best interests and if our stockholders approve such sale. In any such case, the price at which our securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price that, in the determination of our board of directors, closely approximates the market value of such securities (less any distributing commission or discount). If we raise additional funds by issuing common stock or senior securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, our common stock, then the percentage ownership of our stockholders at that time will decrease, and you may experience dilution.

We may finance our investments with borrowed money, which will magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and may increase the risk of investing in us.

We may finance our investments with borrowed money when we expect the return on our investment to exceed the cost of borrowing. The use of leverage magnifies the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested. The use of leverage is generally considered a speculative investment technique and increases the risks associated with investing in our securities. However, we may borrow from, and may in the future issue debt securities to, banks, insurance companies and other lenders. Lenders of these funds will have fixed dollar claims on our assets that are superior to the claims of our common stockholders, and we would expect such lenders to seek recovery against our assets in the event of a default. 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 instruments we may enter into with lenders. In addition, under the terms of any borrowing facility or other debt instrument we may enter into, we are likely to be required to use the net proceeds of any investments that we sell to repay a portion of the amount borrowed under such facility or instrument before applying such net proceeds to any other uses. 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, thereby magnifying losses or eliminating our stake in a leveraged investment. Similarly, any decrease in our revenue or income will cause our net income to decline more sharply than it would have had we not borrowed. Such a decline would also negatively affect our ability to make distributions with respect to our common stock or preferred stock. Our ability to service any debt will depend largely on our financial performance and will be subject to prevailing economic conditions and competitive pressures. Moreover, as the base management fee payable to House Hanover will be payable based on the value of our gross assets, including those assets acquired through the use of leverage, House Hanover will have a financial incentive to incur leverage, which may not be consistent with our stockholders’ interests. In addition, our stockholders will bear the burden of any increase in our expenses as a result of our use of leverage, including interest expenses and any increase in the base management fee payable to House Hanover.

As a BDC, we generally are required to meet a coverage ratio of total assets to total borrowings and other senior securities, which include all of our borrowings (other than potential leverage in future SBIC subsidiaries, should we apply for and receive an SBIC license(s), subject to exemptive relief) and any preferred stock that we may issue in the future, of at least 200%. If this ratio declines below 200%, we will not be able to incur additional debt and could be required to sell a portion of our investments to repay some debt when it is otherwise disadvantageous for us to do so. This could have a material adverse effect on our operations, and we may not be able to make distributions. The amount of leverage that we employ will depend on House Hanover’s and our board of directors’ assessment of market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain credit at all or on terms acceptable to us.

We may default under any future borrowing facility we enter into or be unable to amend, repay or refinance any such facility on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

In the event we default under any future borrowing facility, 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 such future borrowing 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 future borrowing 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.

Because we may use debt to finance our investments, if market interest rates were to increase, our cost of capital could increase, which could reduce our net investment income.

Because we may 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 would not have a material adverse effect on our net investment income in the event we use debt to finance our investments. In periods of rising interest rates, our cost of funds would increase, which could reduce our net investment income. We may use interest rate risk management techniques in an effort to limit our exposure to interest rate fluctuations. We may utilize instruments such as forward contracts, currency options and interest rate swaps, caps, collars and floors to seek to hedge against fluctuations in the relative values of our portfolio positions from changes in currency exchange rates and market interest rates to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.

Provisions in any future borrowing facility may limit our discretion in operating our business.

Any future borrowing facility may be backed by all or a portion of our loans and securities on which the lenders may 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 lenders. 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 lender or its 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 as well as negative covenants in any borrowing facility may limit our ability to create liens on assets to secure additional debt and may make it difficult for us to restructure or refinance indebtedness at or prior to maturity or obtain additional debt or equity financing. In addition, if our borrowing base under any other borrowing facility were to decrease, we would be required to secure additional assets in an amount equal to any borrowing base deficiency. In the event that all of our assets are secured at the time of such a borrowing base deficiency, we could be required to repay advances under the borrowing 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 stockholder distributions.

In addition, under any future borrowing facility 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 any borrowing facility could result in an accelerated maturity date for all amounts outstanding thereunder, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. This could reduce our revenues and, by delaying any cash payment allowed to us under the borrowing facility until the lenders have been paid in full, reduce our liquidity and cash flow and impair our ability to grow our business and to qualify as a RIC.

Adverse developments in the credit markets may impair our ability to enter into any other future borrowing facility.

During the economic downturn in the United States that began in mid-2007, many commercial banks and other financial institutions stopped lending or significantly curtailed their lending activity. In addition, in an effort to stem losses and reduce their exposure to segments of the economy deemed to be high risk, some financial institutions limited refinancing and loan modification transactions and reviewed the terms of existing facilities to identify bases for accelerating the maturity of existing lending facilities. If these conditions recur, it may be difficult for us to enter into a borrowing facility, obtain financing for growth of our investments, or refinance any outstanding indebtedness on acceptable economic terms, or at all.

If we do not invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets, we could fail to maintain our qualification as a BDC or be precluded from investing according to our current business strategy.

As a BDC, we are required to invest at least 70% of our total assets in “qualifying assets” as defined under the 1940 Act. See “Business – Regulation as a BDC.” We believe that most of the investments that we may acquire in the future will constitute qualifying assets. However, we may be precluded from investing in what we believe to be attractive investments if such investments are not qualifying assets for purposes of the 1940 Act. If we do not invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets, we could violate the 1940 Act provisions applicable to BDC’s. 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 such investments quickly, it could be difficult to dispose of such investments on favorable terms. We may not be able to find a buyer for such investments and, even if we do find a buyer, we may have to sell the investments at a substantial loss. Any such outcomes would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

If we do not maintain our status as a BDC, we would be subject to regulation as a registered closed-end investment company under the 1940 Act. As a registered closed-end investment company, we would be subject to substantially more regulatory restrictions under the 1940 Act, which would significantly decrease our operating flexibility.

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

We expect that most of our portfolio investments will take the form of securities that are not publicly traded. The fair value of loans, securities and other investments that are not publicly traded may not be readily determinable, and we will value these investments at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors, including to reflect significant events affecting the value of our investments. Most, if not all, of our investments (other than cash and cash equivalents) will be classified as Level 3 under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, or ASC 820. This means that our portfolio valuations will be based on unobservable inputs and our own assumptions about how market participants would price the asset or liability in question. We expect that inputs into the determination of fair value of our portfolio investments will require significant management judgment or estimation. Even if observable market data are 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 expect to retain the services of one or more independent service providers to review the valuation of these loans and securities. The types of factors that the board of directors 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 loans and securities existed. Our net asset value could be adversely affected if our determinations regarding the fair value of our investments were materially higher than the values that we ultimately realize upon the disposal of such loans and securities.

We will adjust the valuation of our portfolio quarterly to reflect our board of directors’ determination of the fair value of each investment in our portfolio. Any changes in fair value are recorded in our statement of operations as net change in unrealized gain or loss.

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 the interest rate payable on the loans and debt securities we acquire, the default rate on such loans and 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. In light of these factors, results for any period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in future periods.

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 would harm our business and the trading price of our common stock.

Effective internal controls over financial reporting are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and, together with adequate disclosure controls and procedures, are designed to prevent fraud. Any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. In addition, any testing by us conducted in connection with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, or the subsequent testing by our independent registered public accounting firm (when undertaken, as noted below), may reveal deficiencies in our internal controls over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses or that may require prospective or retroactive changes to our consolidated financial statements or identify other areas for further attention or improvement. Inferior internal controls could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our common stock.

We will be required to disclose changes made in our internal control and procedures on a quarterly basis and our management will be required to assess the effectiveness of these controls annually. An independent assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls could detect problems that our management’s assessment might not. Undetected material weaknesses in our internal controls could lead to financial statement restatements and require us to incur the expense of remediation.

Our common stock is traded on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board “Pink Sheet” market, which may make it more difficult for investors to resell their shares due to suitability requirements.

Our common stock is currently traded on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board under the symbol “PIAC” where we expect it to remain in the foreseeable future. We do not believe that we will become eligible for the OTCQB Market in the foreseeable future because of our inability to meet the required public float restrictions of the OTCQB Market. Broker-dealers often decline to trade in OTC Pink Sheet stocks given the markets for such securities are often limited, the stocks are more volatile, and the risk to investors is greater. These factors may reduce the potential market for our common stock by reducing the number of potential investors. This may make it more difficult for investors in our common stock to sell shares to third parties or to otherwise dispose of their shares. This could cause our stock price to decline.

New or modified laws or regulations governing our operations may adversely affect our business.

We and our portfolio companies will be subject to regulation by laws at the U.S. federal, state and local levels. These laws and regulations, as well as their interpretation, may change from time to time, and new laws, regulations and interpretations may also come into effect. Any such new or changed laws or regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Additionally, changes to the laws and regulations governing our operations related to permitted investments may cause us to alter our investment strategy in order to avail ourselves of new or different opportunities. Such changes could result in material differences to the strategies and plans set forth in this filing and may shift our investment focus from the areas of expertise of House Hanover to other types of investments in which House Hanover 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.

Our board of directors may change our investment objective, operating policies and strategies without prior notice or stockholder approval.

Our board of directors has the authority, except as otherwise provided in 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. We cannot predict the effect any changes to our current operating policies and strategies would have on our business, operating results and the market price of our common stock. Nevertheless, any such changes could adversely affect our business and impair our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

Recently passed legislation may allow us to incur additional leverage.

Historically a BDC, under the 1940 Act generally were not permitted to incur indebtedness unless immediately after such borrowing we had an asset coverage for total borrowings of at least 200% (i.e., the amount of debt could not exceed 50% of the value of our total assets). The Small Business Credit Availability Act, which was signed into law in March 2018, modifies this section of the 1940 Act and decreases this percentage from 200% to 150% (subject to either stockholder approval or approval of both a majority of the board of directors and a majority of directors who are not interested persons). As a result of this new law, we may be able to incur additional indebtedness subject to relevant approval and disclosure requirements and therefore your risk of an investment in us may increase. In addition, since our management fee is calculated as a percentage of the value of our gross assets, which includes any borrowings for investment purposes, the management fee expenses will increase if we incur additional indebtedness.

Our board of directors is authorized to reclassify any unissued shares of common stock into one or more series of preferred stock, which could convey special rights and privileges to its owners.

Under Maryland General Corporation Law and our charter, our board of directors is authorized to classify and reclassify any authorized but unissued shares of stock into one or more classes or series of stock, including preferred stock of one or more series. Prior to the issuance of shares of each class or series, the board of directors will be required by Maryland law and our charter to set the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each such class or series. Thus, the board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of a series of preferred stock with terms and conditions which could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or that otherwise might be in their best interest. The cost of any such reclassification and issuance would be borne by our common stockholders. Certain matters under the 1940 Act require the separate vote of the holders of any issued and outstanding preferred stock. For example, the 1940 Act provides that holders of preferred stock are entitled to vote separately from holders of common stock to elect two directors. We currently have no plans to issue preferred stock. The issuance of shares of preferred stock convertible into shares of common stock may also reduce the net income and net asset value per share of our common stock upon conversion, provided, that we will only be permitted to issue such convertible preferred stock to the extent we comply with the requirements of Section 61 of the 1940 Act, including obtaining common stockholder approval. These effects, among others, could have an adverse effect on your investment in our common stock.

The foregoing provisions are expected to discourage certain coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate first with our board of directors. However, these provisions may deprive a stockholder of the opportunity to sell such stockholder’s shares at a premium to a potential acquirer. We believe that the benefits of these provisions outweigh the potential disadvantages of discouraging any such acquisition proposals because, among other things, the negotiation of such proposals may improve their terms. Our board of directors has considered both the positive and negative effects of the foregoing provisions determined that they are in the best interests of our stockholders.

Provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and of our charter and bylaws could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse impact on the price of our common stock.

The Maryland General Corporation Law and our charter and bylaws contain provisions that may discourage, delay or make more difficult a change in control of the Company or the removal of our directors. We are subject to the Maryland Business Combination Act, subject to any applicable requirements of the 1940 Act. Our board of directors has adopted a resolution exempting from the Business Combination Act any business combination between us and any other person, subject to prior approval of such business combination by our board of directors, including approval by a majority of our independent directors. If the resolution exempting business combinations is repealed or our board of directors does not approve a business combination, the Business Combination Act may discourage third parties from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating such an offer. Our bylaws exempt from the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act acquisitions of our stock by any person. If we amend our bylaws to repeal the exemption from the Control Share Acquisition Act, the 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.

We have also adopted measures that may make it difficult for a third party to obtain control of us, including authorizing our board of directors to classify or reclassify shares of our stock in one or more classes or series, to cause the issuance of additional shares of our stock and to amend our charter without stockholder approval to increase or decrease the number of shares of stock that we have authority to issue. 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.

The foregoing provisions are expected to discourage certain coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate first with our board of directors. However, these provisions may deprive a stockholder of the opportunity to sell such stockholder’s shares of a premium to a potential acquirer. We believe that the benefits of these provisions outweigh the potential disadvantages of discouraging any such acquisition proposals because, among other things, the negotiation of such proposals may improve their terms. Our board of directors has considered both the positive and negative effects of the foregoing provisions and determined that they are in the best interests of our stockholders.

House Hanover can resign as our investment advisor and administrator upon 60 days’ notice and we may not be able to find suitable replacements within that time, or at all, resulting in a disruption in our operations that could adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.

House Hanover has the right under the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement to resign as our investment adviser and administrator at any time upon 60 days’ written notice, whether we have found a replacement or not. If House Hanover was to resign, we may not be able to find a new investment adviser or administrator or hire internal management with similar expertise and ability to provide the same or equivalent services on acceptable terms within 60 days, or at all. If we are unable to do so quickly, our operations are likely to experience a disruption, our financial condition, business and results of operations as well as our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders are likely to be adversely affected and the market price of our shares may decline. In addition, the coordination of our internal management and investment or administrative activities, as applicable, is likely to suffer if we are unable to identify and reach an agreement with a single institution or group of executives having the expertise possessed by House Hanover. Even if we are able to retain comparable management, whether internal or external, the integration of such management and their lack of familiarity with our investment objective may result in additional costs and time delays that may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Recent market conditions materially and adversely affected debt and equity capital markets in the United States and around the world. If these conditions recur, debt capital may not be available to us on favorable terms, or at all, which could negatively affect our financial performance and results.

From 2007 through 2009, the global capital markets experienced a period of disruption resulting in increasing spreads between the yields realized on riskier debt securities and those realized on risk-free securities and a lack of liquidity in parts of the debt capital markets, significant write-offs in the financial services sector relating to subprime mortgages and the re-pricing of credit risk in the broadly syndicated market. These events, along with the deterioration of the housing market, illiquid market conditions, declining business and consumer confidence and the failure of major financial institutions in the United States, led to a decline of general economic conditions. This economic decline materially and adversely affected the broader financial and credit markets and reduced the availability of debt and equity capital for the market as a whole and to financial firms in particular during that time. These conditions may recur, in which case, to the extent that we wish to use debt to fund our investments, the debt capital that will be available to us, if at all, may be at a higher cost, and on terms and conditions that may be less favorable, than what we expect, which could negatively affect our financial performance and results. 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.

Risks Relating to our Investments

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

Many of the portfolio companies in which we expect to make investments, including those currently included in our portfolio, are likely to be susceptible to economic slowdowns or recessions and may be unable to repay our loans during such periods. Therefore, the number of our non-performing assets are likely to increase and the value of our portfolio is likely to decrease during such periods. Adverse economic conditions may decrease the value of collateral securing some of our loans and debt securities and the value of our equity investments. Economic slowdowns or recessions could lead to financial losses in our portfolio and a decrease in revenues, net income and assets. Unfavorable economic conditions also could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets 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, termination 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 loans and 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. In addition, lenders in certain cases can be subject to lender liability claims for actions taken by them when they become too involved in the borrower’s business or exercise control over a borrower. It is possible that we could become subject to a lender’s 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, a bankruptcy court might re-characterize our debt holding and subordinate all or a portion of our claim to claims of other creditors, even though we may have structured our investment as senior secured debt. The likelihood of such a re-characterization would depend on the facts and circumstances, including the extent to which we provided managerial assistance to that portfolio company.

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

Investments in leveraged companies involve 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 loans and 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. Smaller leveraged companies also may have less predictable operating results and may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, finance their expansion or maintain their competitive position.

We may hold the loans and debt securities of leveraged companies that may, due to the significant operating volatility typical 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 filing by a portfolio company may adversely and permanently affect that company. If the proceeding is converted to a liquidation, the value of the portfolio company 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 investments in private and small and lower middle-market portfolio companies are risky, and we could lose all or part of our investment.

Investments in private and small and lower middle-market companies involve a number of significant risks. Generally, little public information exists about these companies, and we will rely on the ability of House Hanover’s 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. Small and lower middle-market companies may have limited financial resources and may be unable to meet their obligations under their loans and debt securities that we hold, which may be accompanied by a deterioration in the value of any collateral and a reduction in the likelihood of our realizing any guarantees we may have obtained in connection with our investment. In addition, such companies 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 and adverse market conditions, as well as general economic downturns. Additionally, middle-market companies 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 one or more of the portfolio companies we invest in and, in turn, on us. Small and lower middle-market companies also may be parties to litigation and may be engaged in rapidly changing businesses with products subject to a substantial risk of obsolescence. In addition, our executive officers, directors and investment advisor may, in the ordinary course of business, be named as defendants in litigation arising from our investments in portfolio companies.

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

All of our assets may be invested in illiquid loans and 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 if the need arises. 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 our investments. Also, as noted above, we may be limited or prohibited in our ability to sell or otherwise exit certain positions in our initial portfolio as such a transaction could be considered a joint transaction prohibited by the 1940 Act.

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 are required to carry our investments at market value or, if no market value is ascertainable, at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors. 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:

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, results of operations and cash flows.

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

We are classified as a non-diversified investment company as defined under 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. Beyond the asset diversification requirements associated with our qualification as a RIC under the Code, we do not have fixed guidelines for diversification. To the extent that we assume large positions in the securities of a small number of issuers or our investments are concentrated in relatively few industries, 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.

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:

We have discretion to make follow-on investments, subject to the availability of capital resources. 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 of the 1940 Act or the desire to maintain our qualification as a RIC. Our ability to make follow-on investments may also be limited by House Hanover’s allocation policy.

Because we generally do not hold controlling equity interests in 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 that could decrease the value of our investments.

If we do not hold controlling equity positions the portfolio companies included in our portfolio, we will 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 investments that we expect to 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 loans or 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.

Because we rely on the interest income from our portfolio companies to fund operating expenses, payment defaults of our portfolio companies could have an adverse effect on our operations. Our interest income may not exceed our operating expenses which could affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.

Prepayments of our debt investments by our portfolio companies could adversely impact our results of operations and ability to make stockholder distributions and result in a decline in the market price of our shares.

We will be subject to the risk that the debt investments we make in our portfolio companies may be repaid prior to maturity. We expect that our investments will generally allow for repayment at any time subject to certain penalties. When this occurs, we intend to generally reinvest these proceeds in temporary investments, pending their future investment in accordance with our investment strategy. These temporary investments will typically have substantially lower yields than the debt being prepaid, and we could experience significant delays in reinvesting these amounts. Any future investment may also be at lower yields than the debt that was repaid. As a result, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected if one or more of our portfolio companies elects to repay amounts owed to us prior to maturity. Additionally, prepayments could negatively impact our ability to make, or the amount of, distributions with respect to our common stock, which could result in a decline in the market price of our shares.

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

We intend to invest a portion of our capital in second lien and subordinated loans issued by our portfolio companies. The portfolio companies usually have, or may be permitted to incur, other debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, the loans 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 loans 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, a portfolio company may not have any remaining assets to use for repaying its obligation to us. In the case of debt ranking equally with loans 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 may 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 we, to the extent not repaid from the proceeds of the sale of the collateral, will only have an unsecured claim against the portfolio company’s remaining assets, if any.

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 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.

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. 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:

We may not have the ability to control or direct such actions, even if our rights are adversely affected.

If we make subordinated investments, the obligors or the portfolio companies may not generate sufficient cash flow to service their debt obligations to us.

We may make subordinated investments that rank below other obligations of the obligor in right of payment. Subordinated investments are subject to greater risk of default than senior obligations as a result of adverse changes in the financial condition of the obligor or economic conditions in general. If we make a subordinated investment in a portfolio company, the portfolio company may be highly leveraged, and its relatively high debt-to-equity 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.

We currently expect that substantially all of our investments will involve loans and private securities. In connection with the disposition of an investment in loans and 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 not realize gains from our equity investments.

When we invest in loans and debt securities, we may acquire warrants or other equity securities of portfolio companies as well. We may also invest in equity securities directly. To the extent we hold equity investments, we will attempt to dispose of them and realize gains upon our disposition of them. However, the equity interests we receive may not appreciate in value and, may decline in value. As a result, we may not be able to realize gains from our equity interests, and any gains that we do realize on the disposition of any equity interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we experience.

Risks Relating to our Common Stock

Shares of closed-end investment companies, including BDC’s, frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value.

Shares of closed-end investment companies, including BDC’s, frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value. This characteristic of closed-end investment companies is separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value per share of common stock may decline. We cannot predict whether our common stock will trade at, above or below net asset value. In addition, we cannot issue shares of our common stock below net asset value unless our board of directors determines that it would be in our and our stockholders’ best interests to do so. Sales of common stock at prices below net asset value per share dilute the interests of existing stockholders, have the effect of reducing out net asset value per share and may reduce our market price per share. In addition, continuous sales of common stock below net asset value may have a negative impact on total returns and could have a negative impact on the market price of our shares of common stock.

Stockholders may experience dilution in their ownership percentage if they do not participate in our dividend reinvestment plan.

All distributions declared in cash payable to stockholders that are participants in our dividend reinvestment plan are generally automatically reinvested in shares of our common stock. As a result, stockholders that do not participate in the dividend reinvestment plan may experience dilution over time. Stockholders who receive distributions in shares of common stock may experience accretion to the net asset value of their shares if our shares are trading at a premium and dilution if our shares are trading at a discount. The level of accretion or discount would depend on various factors, including the proportion of our stockholders who participate in the plan, the level of premium or discount at which our shares are trading and the amount of the distribution payable to a stockholder.

Our share ownership is concentrated.

As of April 1, 2019 the Partnerships beneficially own approximately 95% of our outstanding common stock. As a result, the Partnerships will exert significant influence over all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election and removal of directors, any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the assets, as well as any charter amendment and other matters requiring stockholder approval. This concentration of ownership may delay or prevent a change in control and may have a negative impact on the market price of our common stock by discouraging third party investors. In addition, the interests of the Partnerships may not always coincide with the interests of our other stockholders.

The Company’s common stock may be subject to the penny stock rules which might make it harder for stockholders to sell.

As a result of our stock price, our shares are subject to the penny stock rules. Because a “penny stock” is, generally speaking, one selling for less than $5.00 per share, the Company’s common stock may be subject to the foregoing rules. The application of the penny stock rules may affect stockholders’ ability to sell their shares because some broker-dealers may not be willing to make a market in the Company’s common stock because of the burdens imposed upon them by the penny stock rules which include but are not limited to:

Section 15(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and SEC Rules 15g-1 through 15g-6, which impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell Company securities to persons other than established customers and accredited investors.

Rule 15g-2 declares unlawful any broker-dealer transactions in penny stocks unless the broker-dealer has first provided to the customer a standardized disclosure document.

Rule 15g-3 provides that it is unlawful for a broker-dealer to engage in a penny stock transaction unless the broker-dealer first discloses and subsequently confirms to the customer the current quotation prices or similar market information concerning the penny stock in question.

Rule 15g-4 prohibits broker-dealers from completing penny stock transactions for a customer unless the broker-dealer first discloses to the customer the amount of compensation or other remuneration received as a result of the penny stock transaction.

Rule 15g-5 requires that a broker-dealer executing a penny stock transaction, other than one exempt under Rule 15g-1, disclose to its customer, at the time of or prior to the transaction, information about the sales persons compensation.

Potential stockholders of the Company should also be aware that, according to SEC Release No. 34-29093, the market for penny stocks has suffered in recent years from patterns of fraud and abuse. Such patterns include (i) control of the market for the security by one or a few broker-dealers that are often related to the promoter or issuer; (ii) manipulation of prices through prearranged matching of purchases and sales and false and misleading press releases; (iii) “boiler room” practices involving high-pressure sales tactics and unrealistic price projections by inexperienced sales persons; (iv) excessive and undisclosed bid-ask differential and markups by selling broker-dealers; and (v) the wholesale dumping of the same securities by promoters and broker dealers after prices have been manipulated to a desired level, along with the resulting inevitable collapse of those prices and with consequent investor losses.

Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not applicable.

Item 2. PROPERTIES

The Company does not own any real estate or other physical properties materially important to our operation. Our headquarters are located at 800 Turnpike Street, Suite 300, North Andover, Massachusetts 01845. Our headquarters are provided to us by House Hanover, our investment adviser since January 1, 2018. We believe that our office facilities are suitable and adequate for our business as we contemplate conducting it.

Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

As of December 31, 2018, there were no material legal proceedings against the Company or any of its officers or directors.

From time to time, the Company may be a party to certain legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, including proceedings relating to the enforcement of the Company’s rights under contracts with its portfolio companies. The Company is not currently subject to any material legal proceedings, nor, to our knowledge, is any material legal proceeding threatened against us.

Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

PART II

Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDERS MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information

Our common stock is currently traded on the Over the Counter Pink Sheets under the symbol “PIAC” where we expect it to remain in the foreseeable future. Prior to April 20, 2015, our common stock was traded under the symbol “RONE”. Broker-dealers often decline to trade in OTC Pink Sheet stocks given the markets for such securities are often limited, the stocks are more volatile, and the risk to investors is greater. These factors may reduce the potential market for our common stock by reducing the number of potential investors. This may make it more difficult for investors in our common stock to sell shares to third parties or to otherwise dispose of their shares. This could cause our stock price to decline.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, our common stock is sporadically and thinly trading. Accordingly, although there appears to be quotation information, the Company does not believe that there exists an established public market for our securities. Further, there can be no assurance the current market for the Company’s common stock will be sustained or grow in the future.

Holders of record

As of March 19, 2019, there were 36 shareholders of our common stock.

The number of record holders reflects shares held by a broker as one record holder. The underlying shares may be held by one or more beneficial owners.

The Company feels the actual number of common stock holders may be significantly higher as 1,599,722 shares of common stock are held in street name which reflected approximately 1.33% of the outstanding shares of common stock as of March 19, 2019, according to our transfer agent.

Dividends

Our dividends, if any, are determined by our board of directors. To date since the Reincorporation, no dividends have been declared or distributed to stockholders. The Company will be taxed as a C corporation and subject to federal and state corporation income taxes for its 2017 and 2018 taxable years. We will not qualify for the 2018 tax year to be treated for federal income tax purposes as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code.

To qualify for RIC tax treatment, we must, among other things, distribute at least 90% of our net ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any. Depending on the level of taxable income earned in a tax year, we may choose to carry forward taxable income in excess of current year distributions into the next tax year and pay a 4% excise tax on such income. Any such carryover taxable income must be distributed through a dividend declared prior to filing the final tax return related to the year which generated such taxable income. We may, in the future, make actual distributions to our stockholders of our net capital gains. We can offer no assurance that we will achieve results that will permit the payment of any cash distributions and, if we issue senior securities, we may be prohibited from making distributions if doing so causes us to fail to maintain the asset coverage ratios stipulated by the 1940 Act or if distributions are limited by the terms of any of our borrowings.

In connection with the transactions with the Partnerships, we adopted an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan (“DRIP”) for our common stockholders. As a result, if we make cash distributions, then stockholders’ cash distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, unless they specifically “opt out” of the dividend reinvestment plan so as to receive cash distributions.

For each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company did not declare any cash dividends on the Company’s common stock.

Sale of Unregistered Securities

There were no sales of unregistered securities during the year ended December 31, 2018.

Stock Performance Graph

This graph compares the return on our common stock with that of the S&P BDC Index and the Russell 2000 Index, for the past five fiscal years. The graph assumes that, on December 31, 2013, a person invested $100 in each of our common stock, the S&P BDC Index and the Russell 2000 Financial Services Index. The graph measures total shareholder return, which takes into account both changes in stock price and dividends. It assumes that dividends paid are reinvested in like securities. Our Company is quoted on the over-the-counter bulletin board through Pink Sheets and are thus not traded on a public exchange.

The graph and other information furnished under this Part II Item 5 of this Form 10-K shall not be deemed to be ‘‘soliciting material’’ or to be ‘‘filed’’ with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C, or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the 1934 Act. The stock price performance included in the above graph is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

During the year ended December 31, 2018, there were no purchases made by or on behalf of the issuer of shares of equity securities.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

1995 Employee & Consultant Incentive Benefit Plan

Our board of directors adopted the 1995 Employee & Consultant Incentive Benefit Plan (“1995 Stock Plan”) on May 3, 1995, and it was subsequently approved by our stockholders. The 1995 Stock Plan provided for the grant of stock options or stock to our employees, directors, and consultants. The 1995 Stock Plan originally provided for the issuance of 3,000,000 shares of which 2,019,014 are issued and outstanding. As of December 31, 2018, there were no outstanding options to purchase any additional shares under the plan as the plan has been cancelled. The 1995 Stock Plan was a plan of Regal One.

Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes thereto and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this report.

Financial Position as of December 31:

Operating Data for the last five fiscal years ended December 31:

Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K.

References herein to “we”, “us” or “our” refer to Princeton Capital Corporation (the “Company” or “Princeton Capital”), unless the context specifically requires otherwise.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this annual report on Form 10-K constitute forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or our future performance or financial condition. Such forward-looking statements may include statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words “may,” “might,” “will,” “intend,” “should,” “could,” “can,” “would,” “expect,” “believe,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “potential,” “plan” or similar words. The forward-looking statements contained in this annual report on Form 10-K involve risks and uncertainties, including statements as to:

We have based the forward-looking statements included in this annual report on Form 10-K on information available to us on the date of this annual report on Form 10-K, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements, and future results could differ materially from historical performance. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by law or Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rule or regulation. You are advised to consult any additional disclosures that we may make directly to you or through reports that we in the future may file with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.

Overview

We are an externally managed, non-diversified, closed-end investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act” or “Investment Company Act”). We originate and invest primarily in private small and lower middle-market companies (typically those with less than $20.0 million of EBITDA) through first lien loans, second lien loans, unsecured loans, unitranche and mezzanine debt financing, often times with a corresponding equity investment. Our investment objective is to maximize the total return to our stockholders in the form of current income and capital appreciation through debt and related equity investments in private small and lower middle-market companies. Until June 9, 2016, we were managed by Princeton Investment Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Princeton Investment Advisors”). From June 9, 2016, the date that the Company’s stockholders approved the investment advisory agreement with Princeton Advisory Group, Inc. (“Princeton Advisory Group”), through December 31, 2017, we were managed by Princeton Advisory Group, who also provided the administrative services necessary for us to operate. Since January 1, 2018, we have been managed by House Hanover, LLC (“House Hanover”).

As a BDC, we must not acquire any assets other than “qualifying assets” specified in the 1940 Act unless, at the time the acquisition is made, at least 70% of our total assets are qualifying assets (with certain limited exceptions). Qualifying assets include investments in “eligible portfolio companies.” Under the relevant SEC rules, the term “eligible portfolio company” includes all private companies, companies whose securities are not listed on a national securities exchange, and certain public companies that have listed their securities on a national securities exchange and have a market capitalization of less than $250 million, in each case organized in the United States.

Corporate History

In order to expedite the ramp-up of our investment activities and further our ability to meet our investment objectives on March 13, 2015, we (i) acquired approximately $11.2 million in cash, $43.5 million in equity and debt investments, and $1.9 million in restricted cash escrow deposits of Capital Point Partners, L.P. (“CPP”) and Capital Point Partners II, L.P. (“CPPII”) (together, the “Partnerships”), and (ii) issued approximately 115.5 million shares of our common stock based on a pre-valuation presumed fair value of $60.9 million and on a price of approximately $0.53 per share. We now seek to invest primarily in private small and lower middle market companies in various industries.

On an annual basis, we intend to elect to be treated for tax purposes as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”). To qualify as a RIC, we must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements. As a RIC, we generally will not have to pay corporate-level taxes on any income we distribute to our stockholders. We did not meet the qualifications of a RIC for the 2017 or 2018 tax years and will be taxed as a corporation under Subchapter C of the Code.

Portfolio Composition and Investment Activity

Portfolio Composition

We originate and invest primarily in private small and lower middle-market companies through first lien loans, second lien loans, unsecured loans, unitranche and mezzanine debt financing, and corresponding equity investments.

At December 31, 2018, the Company had investments in 8 portfolio companies. The total cost and fair value of the total investments were approximately $53.3 million and $38.6 million, respectively. The composition of our investments by asset class as of December 31, 2018 is as follows:

At December 31, 2017, the Company had investments in 9 portfolio companies. The total cost and fair value of the total investments were approximately $52.9 million and $39.0 million, respectively. The composition of our investments by asset class as of December 31, 2017 is as follows:

At December 31, 2018, our weighted average yield based upon cost of our portfolio investments was approximately 9.72% of which approximately 8.73% is current cash interest. At December 31, 2017, our weighted average yield based upon cost of our portfolio investments was approximately 8.89% of which approximately 8.24% is current cash interest.

At December 31, 2018, we held no United States Treasury securities. United States Treasury securities may be purchased and temporarily held in connection with complying with RIC diversification requirements under Subchapter M of the Code. At December 31, 2017, we did not hold United States Treasury securities.

Investment Activity

Our level of investment activity can vary substantially from period to period depending on many factors, including the amount of debt and equity capital to middle market companies, the level of merger and acquisition activity, the general economic environment and the competitive environment for the types of investments we make.

The primary portfolio investment activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 are as follows:

Asset Quality

In addition to various risk management and monitoring tools, our investment advisor used an investment rating system to characterize and monitor the quality of our debt investment portfolio. Equity securities and Treasury Bills are not graded. This debt investment rating system uses a five-level numeric scale. The following is a description of the conditions associated with each investment rating:

The following table shows the investment rankings of our debt investments at fair value as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

Loans and Debt Securities on Non-Accrual Status

We will not accrue interest on loans and debt securities if we have reason to doubt our ability to collect such interest. As of December 31, 2018, we had 3 loans on non-accrual status and as of December 31, 2017, we had 3 loans on non-accrual status.

Results of Operations

An important measure of our financial performance is net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations, which includes net investment income (loss), net realized gain (loss) and net change in unrealized gain (loss). Net investment income (loss) is the difference between our income from interest, dividends, fees and other investment income and our operating expenses including interest on borrowed funds. Net realized gain (loss) on investments is the difference between the proceeds received from dispositions of portfolio investments and their amortized cost. Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments is the net change in the fair value of our investment portfolio.

Revenues

We generate revenue in the form of interest income on debt investments and capital gains and distributions, if any, on investment securities that we may acquire in portfolio companies. Our debt investments typically have a term of five to seven years and bear interest at a fixed or floating rate. Interest on our debt securities is generally payable quarterly. Payments of principal on our debt investments may be amortized over the stated term of the investment, deferred for several years or due entirely at maturity. In some cases, our debt investments may pay interest in-kind, or PIK. Any outstanding principal amount of our debt securities and any accrued but unpaid interest will generally become due at the maturity date. The level of interest income we receive is directly related to the balance of interest-bearing investments multiplied by the weighted average yield of our investments. We expect that the dollar amount of interest and any dividend income that we earn to increase as the size of our investment portfolio increases. In addition, we may generate revenue in the form of prepayment fees, commitment, loan origination, structuring or due diligence fees, fees for providing managerial assistance and possibly consulting fees. These fees will be reorganized as they are earned.

Expenses

Our primary operating expenses include the payment of fees to House Hanover (and to Princeton Advisory Group for the period prior to January 1, 2018) and our allocable portion of overhead expenses under the investment advisory agreements and other operating costs described below. We bear all other out-of-pocket costs and expenses of our operations and transactions, which may include:

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016

Operating Expenses

Total net operating expenses increased from $1,389,927 for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $2,219,101 for the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase is primarily due to an increase in professional fees, administration fees, valuation fees and other general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Total net operating expenses per share increased from $0.012 per share for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $0.018 per share for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Total net operating expenses decreased from $2,743,306 for the year ended December 31, 2016 to $1,389,927 for the year ended December 31, 2017. The decrease is primarily due to a decrease in management fees, professional fees and valuation fees for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Total net operating expenses per share decreased from $0.023 per share for the year ended December 31, 2016 to $0.012 per share for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Net Investment Income (Loss)

Net investment income (after tax) increased from $1,015,554 for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $1,039,563 for the year ended December 31, 2018. This increase is primarily due to an increase in interest income as well as a increase in other income for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Net investment income (after tax) per share increased from $0.008 per share for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $0.009 per share for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Net investment income (loss) (after tax) decreased from a loss of $(498,095) for the year ended December 31, 2016 to income of $1,015,554 for the year ended December 31, 2017. This decrease in a loss was primarily due to a decrease in management fees, professional fees, and valuation fees for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Net investment income (loss) (after tax) per share decreased from a loss of $(0.004) per share for the year ended December 31, 2016 to income of $0.008 per share for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Net Realized Gain (Loss)

We measure realized gains (losses) by the difference between the net proceeds from the repayment or sale and the amortized cost basis of the investment, using the specific identification method, without regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation previously recognized.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, we recognized $108,356 of realized loss in connection with a post-sale contribution to Spencer Enterprises Holdings, LLC for a working capital adjustment.

For the year ended December 31, 2017, we recognized $589,111 of realized gain primarily in connection with the sale of Spencer Enterprises, Inc. preferred stock.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, we recognized $(1,461,887) of realized loss primarily in connection with the restructuring of the investment in Advantis Certified Staffing Solutions, Inc. as well as a loss in connection with the expiration of the Neuralstem, Inc. warrant.

Net Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss)

Net change in unrealized gain (loss) primarily reflects the change in portfolio investment values during the reporting period, including the reversal of previously recorded appreciation or depreciation when gains or losses are realized.

Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments totaled a loss of $(783,795) for the year ended December 31, 2018 primarily in connection with losses of $1,681,611, $903,537, $833,071 on Advantis Certified Staffing Solutions, Inc., Great Value Storage, LLC and Integrated Medical Partners, LLC, respectively, partially offset by gains of $2,535,938, $450,000 and $354,967 on Performance Alloys, Inc., Lone Star Brewery Development, Inc. and PCC SBH Sub, Inc.

Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments totaled a loss of $(4,182,445) for the year ended December 31, 2017 primarily in connection with a loss of $(1,492,923) on Class A preferred membership units in Integrated Medical Partners, LLC, a loss of $(954,726) on the common stock of PCC SBH Sub, Inc., a loss of $(896,779) membership interest – Class A units in Rockfish Holdings, LLC and a loss of $(1,067,615) on the investments held in Advantis Certified Staffing Solutions, Inc., prior to the restructuring.

Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments totaled a loss of $(2,280,862) for the year ended December 31, 2016 primarily in connection with a loss of $(4,499,519) on the membership interest – Class B units in Performance Alloys, Inc. due to restructuring and a loss of $(2,076,000) on the second lien loan to Lone Star Brewery Development, Inc. and offset by a gain of $2,539,275 on the second lien loan to Performance Alloys, Inc. and a gain of $1,904,324 on the investments held in Advantis Certified Staffing Solutions, Inc., prior to the restructuring.

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

We intend to continue to generate cash from future offerings of securities and cash flows from operations, including earnings on investments in our 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. We may, if permitted by regulation, seek various forms of leverage and borrow funds to make investments.

As of December 31, 2018, we had $2,575,620 in cash, and our net assets totaled $41,554,951. We believe that our anticipated cash flows from operations will be adequate to meet our cash needs for our daily operations for at least the next 12 months.

Contractual Obligations

As of December 31, 2018, we did not have any contractual obligations that would trigger the tabular disclosure of contractual obligations under Section 303(a)(5) of Regulation S-K.

We have entered into one contract under which we have material future commitments, the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement, pursuant to which House Hanover serves as our investment adviser. Payments under the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement in future periods will be equal to a percentage of the value of our net assets.

The House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement is terminable by either party without penalty upon written notice by the Company or 60 days’ written notice by Hanover. If this agreement is terminated, the costs we incur under a new agreement may increase. In addition, we will likely incur significant time and expense in locating alternative parties to provide the services we expect to receive under our investment advisory agreement. Any new investment advisory agreement would also be subject to approval by our stockholders.

Distributions

In order to qualify as a RIC and to avoid U.S. federal corporate level income tax on the income we distribute to our stockholders, we are required to distribute at least 90% of our net ordinary income and our net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses, if any, to our stockholders on an annual basis. Additionally, we must distribute an amount at least equal to the sum of 98% of our net ordinary income (during the calendar year) plus 98.2% of our net capital gain income (during each 12-month period ending on October 31) plus any net ordinary income and capital gain net income for preceding years that were not distributed during such years and on which we paid no U.S. federal income tax to avoid a U.S. federal excise tax. To the extent that we have income available, we intend to make quarterly distributions to our stockholders. Our stockholder distributions, if any, will be determined by our board of directors on a quarterly basis. Any distribution to our stockholders will be declared out of assets legally available for distribution. The Company will not meet the requirements to qualify as a RIC for the 2017 or 2018 tax years.

We may not be able to achieve operating results that will allow us to make distributions at a specific level or to increase the amount of our distributions from time to time. In addition, we may be limited in our ability to make distributions due to the asset coverage requirements applicable to us as a BDC under the 1940 Act. If we do not distribute a certain percentage of our income annually, we could suffer adverse tax consequences, including the possible loss of any qualification as a RIC. We cannot assure stockholders that they will receive any distributions.

To the extent our taxable earnings fall below the total amount of our distributions for that fiscal 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 any written disclosure accompanying any stockholder distribution carefully and should not assume that the source of any distribution is our ordinary income or capital gains.

We have adopted an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan for our common stockholders. As a result, if we declare a distribution, the stockholders’ cash distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock unless a stockholder specifically “opts out” of our dividend reinvestment plan. If a stockholder opts out, that stockholder will receive cash distributions. Although distributions paid in the form of additional shares of our common stock will generally be subject to U.S. federal, state and local taxes in the same manner as cash distributions, stockholders participating in our dividend reinvestment plan will not receive any corresponding cash distributions with which to pay any such applicable taxes.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Related Party Transactions

Management Fees

Management fees under the House Hanover Investment Advisory Agreement for the year ended December 31, 2018 were $402,750. As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, management fees of $81,296 and $0, respectively, were payable to House Hanover.

Management fees under the PAG Investment Advisory Agreement for the year ended December 31, 2017 were $407,609. As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, management fees of $19,282 and $94,282, respectively, were payable to Princeton Advisory Group. Management fees under the PAG Investment Advisory Agreement for the year ended December 31, 2016 were $275,569.

Management fees under the PIA Investment Advisory Agreement for the year ended December 31, 2016 were $365,805. On October 18, 2017, as part of a settlement agreement, $216,559 of previously accrued management fees due to Princeton Investment Advisors were reversed. These are reflected as management fee waiver on the statement of operations.

Incentive Fees

The Company is not obligated to pay Princeton Advisory Group or House Hanover an incentive fee.

There were no incentive fees earned by Princeton Investment Advisors for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Other Related Party Transactions

On March 30, 2016, the Company, as Borrower, entered into a Term Loan in the amount of $1,500,000 with Sema4, Inc. and Princeton Advisory Group, as Lenders in order to purchase certain assets to attempt to qualify as a RIC. Sema4, Inc. committed $1,000,000 and Princeton Advisory Group committed $500,000. The loan was repaid in full with interest at a rate of 10.0% per annum on April 8, 2016. Sema4, Inc. is owned by Mark DiSalvo, the Company’s Interim President, Interim Chief Executive Officer, and a director of the Company, and is the general partner of CPP and CPPII, which own approximately 87% and 9% of our common stock, respectively. Princeton Advisory Group is wholly owned by Munish Sood, a former Director, the former President, and former CEO of the Company.

As disclosed in the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 30, 2016, on June 28, 2016, the Company, as Borrower, entered into a Term Loan in the amount of $390,000 with Munish Sood, as Lender, in order to purchase certain assets to qualify as a RIC. The board of directors of the Company, by unanimous written consent, authorized and approved that the Company enter into the Loan Agreement. The loan was repaid in full with interest at a rate of 10.0% per annum on July 11, 2016.

As disclosed in the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 16, 2016, on September 12, 2016, the Company, as a Borrower, entered into a Term Loan in the amount of $225,000 with Munish Sood, as Lender, in order to fund capital to one of its portfolio companies, Rockfish Seafood Grill, Inc. The board of directors of the Company, by unanimous written consent, authorized and approved that the Company enter into the Loan Agreement. The loan will bear interest at a rate of 10.0% per annum and matures on December 12, 2016. As disclosed in the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 27, 2016, on October 21, 2016, Munish Sood lent an additional $140,000 under this Term Loan. On March 29, 2017, Munish Sood, in order to purchase certain assets to attempt to qualify as a RIC, lent an additional $450,000 under this Term Loan and extended the maturity date to June 30, 2017. On April 10, 2017, the Company made a principal and interest payment totaling $450,984 on this Term Loan. The loan was repaid in full with interest on July 17, 2017.

As disclosed in the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 5, 2016, on September 29, 2016 the Company, as Borrower, entered into a Term Loan in the amount of $470,000 with Munish Sood, as Lender, in order to purchase certain assets to attempt to qualify as a RIC. The board of directors of the Company, by unanimous written consent, authorized and approved that the Company enter into the Loan Agreement. The loan was repaid in full with interest at a rate of 10.0% per annum on October 7, 2016.

On June 28, 2017, Munish Sood made a non-interest bearing short term loan to Advantis Certified Staffing Solutions, Inc., one of the Company’s portfolio companies, in the amount of $89,225 for a short term working capital need. The loan was repaid without interest on July 5, 2017.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2 of the financial statements for a description of recent accounting pronouncements, if any, including the expected dates of adoption and the anticipated impact on the financial statements.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of our financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) requires management 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. In addition to the discussion below, our significant accounting policies are further described in the notes to the financial statements.

Valuation of Portfolio Investments

As a BDC, we generally invest in illiquid loans and securities including debt and equity securities of middle-market companies. Under procedures established by our board of directors, we value investments for which market quotations are readily available at such market quotations. We obtain these market values from an independent pricing service or at the mean between the bid and ask prices obtained from at least two brokers or dealers (if available, otherwise by a principal market maker or a primary market dealer). Debt and equity securities that are not publicly traded or whose market prices are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors. Such determination of fair values may involve subjective judgments and estimates, although we engage independent valuation providers to review the valuation of each portfolio investment that does not have a readily available market quotation at least twice annually. Investments purchased within 60 days of maturity are valued at cost plus accreted discount, or minus amortized premium, which approximate fair value. With respect to unquoted securities, our board of directors, together with our independent valuation advisors, values each investment considering, among other measures, discounted cash flow models, comparisons of financial ratios of peer companies that are public and other factors.

When an external event such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, our board of directors uses the pricing indicated by the external event to corroborate and/or assist us in our valuation. Because there is not a readily available market for substantially all of the investments in our portfolio, we value our portfolio investments at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors using a documented valuation policy and a consistently applied valuation process. Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of our investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a readily available market value existed for such investments, and the differences could be material.

With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available, our board of directors undertakes a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:

Revenue Recognition

Realized gain (loss) on the sale of investments is the difference between the proceeds received from dispositions of portfolio investments and their stated costs. Realized gains or losses on the sale of investments are calculated using the specific identification method.

Interest income, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is recorded on an accrual basis to the extent that we expect to collect such amounts. For loans and debt securities with contractual PIK interest, which represents contractual interest accrued and added to the loan balance that generally becomes due at maturity, we do not accrue PIK interest if the portfolio company valuation indicates that such PIK interest is not collectible. Generally, we will not accrue interest on loans and debt securities if we have reason to doubt our ability to collect such interest. Loan origination fees, original issue discount and market discount or premium are capitalized, and we then accrete or amortize such amounts using the effective interest method as interest income. Upon the prepayment of a loan or debt security, any unamortized loan origination is recorded as interest income. We record prepayment premiums on loans and debt securities as interest income.

Dividend income, if any, will be recognized on the ex-dividend date.

Generally, when a payment default occurs on a loan in the portfolio, or if the Company otherwise believes that borrower will not be able to make contractual interest payments, the Company may place the loan on non-accrual status and cease recognizing interest income on the loan until all principal and interest is current through payment, or until a restructuring occurs, and the interest income is deemed to be collectible. The Company may make exceptions to this policy if a loan has sufficient collateral value, is in the process of collection or is viewed to be able to pay all amounts due if the loan were to be collected on through an investment in or sale of the business, the sale of the assets of the business, or some portion or combination thereof.

Recent Developments

Portfolio Activity

Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are subject to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates. Changes in interest rates may affect both our cost of funding and our interest income from portfolio investments and cash and cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2018, all of our debt investments in our portfolio bore interest at a fixed rate. We had 1 debt investment which bore interest at a variable rate during the quarter, but was paid in full prior to the end of the quarter, representing approximately $1,000,000 and $1,000,000 in debt at fair value and cost, respectively. The variable interest rate is based on the US Prime Rate.

To illustrate the potential impact of a change in the underlying interest rate on our net investment income, we have assumed a 1%, 2%, and 3% increase along with a 1%, 2%, and 3% decrease in the underlying US Prime Rate, and no other changes in our portfolio as of December 31, 2018. The below table illustrates the effect such assumed rate changes would have on an annual basis.

This analysis does not adjust for changes in the credit quality, size and composition of our portfolio, and other business developments that could affect the net increase or decrease in net assets resulting from operations. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that actual results would not differ materially from the results under this analysis.

Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Index to Financial Statements

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Stockholders

Princeton Capital Corporation

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of Princeton Capital Corporation (the "Company"), including the schedules of investments, as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related statements of operations, changes in net assets and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The financial highlights for the year ended December 31, 2014 were audited by another independent registered public accounting firm whose report, dated April 15, 2015, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included verification by confirmation of securities as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, by correspondence with the portfolio companies and custodians, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2015.

/s/ WithumSmith+Brown, PC

Whippany, New Jersey

April 16, 2019

PRINCETON CAPITAL CORPORATION

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

See notes to financial statements. 

PRINCETON CAPITAL CORPORATION

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

See notes to financial statements.

PRINCETON CAPITAL CORPORATION

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

See notes to financial statements.

PRINCETON CAPITAL CORPORATION

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

See notes to financial statements.

PRINCETON CAPITAL CORPORATION

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS as of December 31, 2018

See notes to financial statements.

PRINCETON CAPITAL CORPORATION

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS as of December 31, 2018 (Continued)

See notes to financial statements.

PRINCETON CAPITAL CORPORATION

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS as of December 31, 2018 (Continued)

The following tables show the fair value of our portfolio of investments (excluding U.S. Treasury Bills) by geography and industry as of December 31, 2018.