UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM10-K

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 20182021

For the Transition Period fromto

Commission File Number:814-00235

Rand Capital Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (716)853-0802

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

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

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 under 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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of RegulationS-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  ☐        No  ☐

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 ofRegulation S-K 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 thisForm 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, anon-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” inRule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicated by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use 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 has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.    ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined inRule 12b-2 of the Act).        Yes  ☐        No  ☒☑

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s outstanding common stock held bynon-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 20182021 was approximately $15,361,100$14,150,000 based upon the closing price as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on such date.

As of March 1, 2019,3, 2022, there were 6,321,9882,581,021 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Corporation’s definitive proxy statement for the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report.

RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR FORM10-K

PART I

PART IItem 1.    

Overview of Our Business

Rand Capital Corporation (“Rand”, “we”, “us” and “our”) was incorporated under the laws of New York in February 1969. ThroughoutWe completed our history, our principal business has been to make venture capital investmentsinitial public offering in early or expansion stage companies, often1971 and operated as an internally managed, closed-end, diversified, management investment company from that time until November 2019.

In November 2019, Rand completed a stock sale transaction (the “Closing”) with East Asset Management (“East”). The transaction consisted of a $25 million investment in upstate New York and regions in close proximity. In accordance with our strategic growth plan, we look for companies with strong leadership that are bringing to market new or unique products, technologies or services and have a high potential for growth. We invest in a mixture of debt and equity instruments. The debt securities typically have an equity componentRand by East, in the form of warrants or options to acquire stock orcash and contributed portfolio assets, in exchange for approximately 8.3 million shares of Rand common stock. Concurrent with the right to convert the debt securities into stock. We established our small business investment company (“SBIC”) in 2002, Rand Capital SBIC, Inc. (“Rand SBIC”), whereby we utilized funds borrowed from the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) combined with our capital to invest in our portfolio companies.

Recent Developments

As previously announced, on January 24, 2019, Rand entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Stock Purchase Agreement”) byClosing, Rand’s management and among Rand, East Asset Management, LLC (“East”), and, solely for purposesstaff became employees of being bound by Sections 7.10 and 10.9(a) and (b) thereof, Rand Capital Management, LLC (“RCM”), a registered investment adviser that has been retained by Rand as its external investment adviser and administrator (the Closing and the retention of RCM as our investment adviser and administrator are collectively referred to herein as the “Transaction”). In connection with a change of control of RCM (the “Adviser Change of Control”), Rand’s shareholders approved a new investment advisory and management agreement (the “Investment Management Agreement”) with RCM at a special meeting of shareholders held on December 16, 2020 (the “Special Meeting”). The terms of the Investment Management Agreement are identical to those contained in the prior investment management agreement that was in effect prior to the Adviser Change of Control (the “Prior Investment Management Agreement”) with RCM continuing to provide investment advisory and management services to Rand. Following approval by Rand’s shareholders at the Special Meeting, Rand, on December 31, 2020, entered into the Investment Management Agreement and a new administration agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) with RCM and terminated the prior administration agreement (the “Prior Administration Agreement”). The terms of the Administration Agreement are identical to those contained in the Prior Administration Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Investment Management Agreement, Rand pays RCM a base management fee and may pay an incentive fee, if specified benchmarks are met.

In connection with the Closing, we also entered into a shareholder agreement by and between Rand and East (the “Shareholder Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, at the closing of the transaction (the “Closing”), East will purchase 8,333,333.33 shares (the “Shares”) of Rand’s common stock, par value $0.10 per share, at a purchase price of $3.00 per Share for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000,000 (the “Stock Purchase”), which consideration is to be paid to Rand partially in cash and partially through the contribution of existing loans and other securities (the “Contributed Assets”). As a condition to Closing, Rand will enter into a Shareholder Agreement, with East (the “Shareholder Agreement”), which provides East withhas the right to designate two or three persons, depending upon the size of Rand’s board of directors (the “Board”),the Board, for nomination for election to the Board.

The Stock Purchase Agreement also contemplates that, at East has the Closing, Rand will enter into an investment advisory and management agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with RCM pursuantright to which RCM will serve as Rand’s external investment adviser. Pursuantdesignate (i) up to two persons if the size of the Board is composed of fewer than seven directors or (ii) up to three persons if the size of the Board is composed of seven or more directors. East’s right to designate persons for nomination for election to the termsBoard under the Shareholder Agreement is the exclusive means by which East may designate or nominate persons for election to the Board. The Board currently consists of five directors, and East has designated Adam S. Gusky and Benjamin E. Godley for nomination to the Board.

After the completion of the Advisory Agreement,Transaction, we are an externally managed, closed-end, diversified management investment company. We have elected to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As a BDC, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements specified in the 1940 Act. For instance, we generally have to invest at least 70% of our total assets in “qualifying assets” and provide managerial assistance to the portfolio companies in which we invest. See “Item 1. Business—Regulations, Business Development Company Regulations.”

Prior to 2021, we made the majority of our investments through our wholly owned subsidiary, Rand will pay RCMCapital SBIC, Inc. (“Rand SBIC”), which operated as a base management feesmall business investment company (“SBIC”) and an incentive fee. At the Closing, Rand will also enter into an administration agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) with RCM pursuant to which RCM will serve as Rand’s administrator.

The transactions contemplatedwas licensed by the Stock Purchase Agreement includingU.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) from 2002 to 2021. Until December 2021, Rand SBIC operated as a BDC. Rand SBIC’s board of directors was comprised of the entrysame directors that make up the board of directors of Rand, a majority of whom are not “interested persons” as defined by the 1940 Act.

In November 2021, Rand SBIC repaid, in full, 100% of its outstanding SBA-guaranteed debentures and surrendered its SBIC license. In connection with the surrender of its SBIC license, Rand SBIC changed its name to Rand Capital Sub, Inc. (“Rand Sub”), withdrew its election to be regulated as a BDC, and merged with and into Rand Capital Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Rand.

In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, (“Annual Report”), unless the Advisory Agreement with RCM (which wecontext otherwise requires, “we”, the “Corporation”, “us”, and “our” refer to as the “Transactions”) are subject to shareholder approval. Rand has agreed to hold a special meeting of shareholders for purposes of obtaining these approvals.Capital Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries.

In connection with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 25, 2019. Rand is in the process of preparing and intends to file in the near future a proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for purposes of seeking to obtain shareholder approvalcompletion of the Transactions.

In the event the Transactions are completed, Rand intends to accelerate its shiftTransaction, we have shifted to an investment strategy focused on higher yielding debt investments to electand elected U.S. Federal tax treatment as a regulated investment company (“RIC”), and in connection with such as of January 1, 2020 on our U.S. Federal tax return for the 2020 tax year. As required for the RIC election, to paywe paid a special dividend to shareholders to distribute all of our accumulated earnings and profits since inception to adopt2019. Rand’s Board of Directors declared a special dividend of $23.7 million, or approximately $1.62 per share, on March 3, 2020. The cash and shares of Rand’s common stock comprising the special dividend were distributed on May 11, 2020 to shareholders. In addition, Rand’s Board of Directors declared a 2020 cash dividend of $1.33 per share on December 21, 2020, which represented over 90% of the investment company taxable income of Rand for 2020.

The Board of Directors declared the following quarterly cash dividends during the year ended December 31, 2021:

In order to qualify to make the RIC election, Rand placed several of its equity investments in newly formed holding companies that facilitate a tax structure that is advantageous to the RIC election. Rand has the following wholly owned blocker companies in place at December 31, 2021: Rand Somerset Holdings Corp., Rand Carolina Skiff Holdings Corp., Rand DSD Holdings Corp., Rand Filterworks Holdings Corp., Rand ITA Holdings Corp., and Rand BMP Swanson Hold Co., LLC (the “Blocker Corps”). These subsidiaries are consolidated using United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for financial reporting purposes.

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

On October 7, 2020, Rand, RCM and certain of their affiliates received exemptive relief from the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to permit Rand to co-invest in portfolio companies with certain other funds, including other BDCs and registered investment companies, managed by RCM and certain of its affiliates in a manner consistent with Rand’s investment objective, positions, policies, strategies and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements, subject to compliance with certain conditions (the “Order”). Pursuant to the Order, Rand is generally permitted to co-invest with affiliated funds if a “required majority” (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of Rand’s independent directors make certain conclusions in connection with a co-investment transaction, including that (1) the terms of the transaction, including the consideration to be paid, are reasonable and fair to Rand and its shareholders and do not involve overreaching in respect to Rand or its shareholders on the part of any person concerned and (2) the transaction is consistent with the interests of Rand’s shareholders and is consistent with Rand’s investment objective and strategies. On March 29, 2021, the SEC granted approval for a new dividend policyexemptive relief order (the “New Order”) that may include regular cash dividendssupersedes the Order and permits the Corporation to shareholders.co-invest with affiliates of RCM and Callodine Group, LLC (“Callodine”) in connection with the completion of the Adviser Change of Control.

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

Our Investment Objectives and Strategy

Our principalinvestment activities are managed by our external investment adviser, RCM. Our investment objective is to achieve long-termgenerate current income and, when possible, complement this current income with capital appreciationappreciation. As a result, the investments made by Rand during 2021were, and the investments to be made by Rand in the future are expected to be made primarily in debt instruments. At times when excess cash is available, we may also invest in high yielding publicly traded equity instruments that provide income through dividends and are relatively more liquid than our private company equity investments based on our equity investments while maintainingavailable cash and projected cash needs.

We expect to co-invest in privately held, lower middle market companies with committed and experienced managements in a currentbroad variety of industries. We seek to invest in early to later stage businesses that have sustainable, differentiated and market-accepted products and have revenue of more than $2 million and a clear path to free cash flow fromor are already generating up to $5 million in EBITDA. We provide funding to companies that need growth or expansion capital or are looking to finance an ownership transition. Geographically, we focus in the eastern and southern United States. We typically are a minority investor and work with other lenders, investment partners and sponsors to source and fund investment opportunities.

Prospectively, our debenture and pass-through equity instrumentstypical investment is expected to fund expenses. Therefore,be in the range of $2 million to $4 million in any one company. The debt we invest in is not expected to be rated by a variety of financial instruments to provide a current return on a portionrating agency and, if it were, would be below investment grade. Because of the investment portfolio. higher risk nature of our investments, we require board observation or informational rights and may require a board seat.

The equity features contained inmaximum size of our investment in one individual portfolio are structuredcompany and the diversification of the overall portfolio holdings is subject to realize capital appreciation over the long-termSEC and typically do not generate current income in the form of dividends or interest.

Our investment strategy is to partner with other investors to invest in small companies that either have a new product, service or technology they are trying to commercialize or are working to accelerate their rate of growth. We define small companies as businesses that may not yet be generating revenue up to companies with $20 million in revenue.IRS regulations.

We have historically made an initialmay engage in various investment of $500,000strategies to $1,000,000 directly in a company through equity or in debt or loan instruments and frequently providefollow-on investments duringachieve our investment tenure. The loanobjectives based on the types of opportunities we discover and debt instruments we acquire generally have a maturity of not more than five years and usually are convertible or have detachable equity warrants. Interest is either paid currently or deferred.the competitive landscape. We fund new investments and operating expenses through existingexpect to focus on current cash balances, proceeds from investment exits, and interest and principal payments fromyields in order to achieve our portfolio companies.income producing goals.

Our Investment Process

Our primary businessThe investment process is making debt and equity investments in small companies that meet some or allcomprised of the following criteria:sourcing and qualifying of investment opportunities, evaluating and negotiating the investment vehicle, due diligence of the business plan, operations and prospects of the prospective investee and follow through investment monitoring, follow on investments and portfolio management.

1) a qualified and experienced management team;

2) a new or unique product or service; and

3) high potential for growth in revenue and cash flow.

Our managementRCM’s investment team identifies investment opportunities through a network of investment referral relationships. Investment proposals may come to RCM or us from other sources, including unsolicited proposals from companies and referrals from accountants, bankers, lawyers and other members of the financial community. We believe that RCM’s and our reputation and experience in the investment community and our experience provide a competitive advantage in originating quality investments.

In a typical private financing, our management teamRCM’s investment committee (the “Investment Committee”) will review, analyze, and confirm, through due diligence, the business plan and operations of the potential portfolio company. Additionally, weRCM will familiarize ourselvesthemselves with the portfolio company’s industry and competition and may conduct reference checks with its customers and suppliers. RCM’s investment committee will then review the deal and if approved, the transaction will be funded by Rand.

Following our initial investment, we may makefollow-on investments in the portfolio company, if needed.Follow-on investments may be made to take advantage of warrants or other preferential rights granted to us to increase or maintain our position in a promising portfolio company or provide additional funds to allow a portfolio company to fully implement its business plans, develop a new line of business or recover from unexpected business problems.Follow-on investments in a portfolio company are evaluated individually and may be subject to SBA restrictions.on an individual basis by RCM’s Investment Committee.

disposition of our portfolio investments can be critical to the realization of maximum total return. We generally expect to dispose of our equity securities through private sales of securities to other investors or through the sale or merger of the portfolio company. We anticipate our debt investments will be repaid with interest and expect tomay realize further appreciation from the warrants or other equity type instruments received in connection with thean investment.

Current Portfolio Companies

For a description of our current portfolio company investments, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial ConditionsCondition and Results of Operations – Composition of the Investment Portfolio.”

Competition

We compete for quality investments with other venture capital firms, individual investors, business development companies, and investment funds (including private equity funds and mezzanine funds), as well as traditional financial services companies such as commercial banks.. We believe we are able to compete with these entities primarily on the basis of RCM’s and our referral network, RCM’s and our investing reputation and experience, ourRCM’s responsive, quick, and efficient investment analysis and decision-making process, and the investment terms we offer, and our willingness to make smaller investments.offer.

For information concerning the competitive risks we face, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”

Employees

AsWe do not have any employees. Our operations are managed by RCM, our investment adviser and administrator. RCM employed a total of five employees at December 31, 2018, we had four employees, unchanged2021.

Rand’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Allen F. “Pete” Grum, retired from 2017.

OrganizationRand and HistoryRCM effective December 1, 2021. Concurrent with Mr. Grum’s departure, Daniel P. Penberthy was appointed to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of Rand. In addition, Margaret Brechtel was appointed to serve as Executive Vice President, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of Rand.

We completedreimburse our initial public offeringadministrator, RCM, for the allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by it in 1971performing its obligations, on behalf of Rand, under the Administration Agreement. For a more detailed discussion of the administration agreement with RCM, see “Administration Agreement.”

Investment Advisory and Management Agreement

RCM serves as an internally managed,closed-end, diversified, managementour investment company. We have elected to be treated as a business development company (“BDC”adviser (the “Adviser”) under the terms of the Investment CompanyManagement Agreement. The Adviser is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”amended. The Adviser manages the investment and reinvestment of our assets and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing:

(i) determines the composition of Rand’s portfolio, the nature and timing of the changes therein and the manner of implementing such changes;

(ii) identifies, evaluates and negotiates the structure of the investments;

(iii) executes, closes, services and monitors the investments;

(iv) determines the securities and other assets that we will purchase, retain or sell;

(v) performs due diligence on prospective portfolio companies and investments;

(vi) provides us with other investment advisory, research and related services that may, from time to time, be required for the investment of our assets; and

(vii) assists us in the valuation of portfolio investments.

The Adviser’s services under the Investment Management Agreement are not exclusive, and it may furnish similar services to other entities. In addition, subject to compliance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the

Adviser is authorized to enter into one or more sub-advisory agreements with other investment advisors (each a “Sub-Advisor”), including for purposes of recommending specific securities or other investments based upon our investment objectives and policies, and working, along with the Adviser, in structuring, negotiating, arranging or effecting the acquisition or disposition of our investments and monitoring our investments. Under the terms of the Investment Management Agreement, the Adviser, and not us, will be responsible for any compensation that is payable to any Sub-Advisor.

About the Investment Process of the Adviser

The Adviser’s principal investment portfolio manager is Daniel P. Penberthy, who manages our investment portfolio on a day-to-day basis. All decisions to acquire or dispose of assets on our behalf are made by the Adviser’s Investment Committee. Each decision must be approved unanimously by the Investment Committee members.

From January 1, 2021 to December 1, 2021 the Investment Committee was comprised of the following six individuals:

From December 2, 2021 to December 31, 2021 the Investment Committee was comprised of the following five individuals:

All potential investment opportunities undergo an initial informal review and each potential investment opportunity that is determined to have merit is then presented and evaluated at Investment Committee meetings in which the members of the Investment Committee discuss the qualities and risks of that potential investment opportunity and the pricing and structure for the investment.

Fees Paid to Adviser

Under the Investment Management Agreement, we pay the Adviser, as compensation for the investment advisory and management services, fees consisting of two components: (i) the Base Management Fee; and (ii) the Incentive Fees.

Base Management Fee

The “Base Management Fee” is calculated at an annual rate of 1.50% of our total assets (other than cash or cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed funds), determined according to procedures duly adopted by the Board.

The Base Management Fee is calculated based on the average value of our total assets (other than cash or cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed funds) at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters.

Incentive Fees

The “Incentive Fees” are comprised of two parts: (1) the Income Based Fee; and (2) the Capital Gains Fee.

Income Based Fee

The “Income Based Fee” is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears based on the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for the immediately preceding calendar quarter and is payable promptly following the filing of our financial statements for such quarter.

Under the Investment Management Agreement, “Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income” is defined as interest income, dividend income and any other income (including any other fees (other than fees for providing managerial assistance), such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees we receive from portfolio companies) we accrue during the relevant calendar quarter, minus the operating expenses for such calendar quarter (including the Base Management Fee, expenses payable under the Administration Agreement, and any interest expense and dividends paid on any issued and outstanding preferred stock, but excluding any portion of Incentive Fee).

Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income includes any accretion of original issue discount, market discount, payment-in-kind interest, payment-in-kind dividends or other types of deferred or accrued income, including in connection with zero coupon securities, that we have recognized in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, (“GAAP”), but have not yet received in cash (collectively, “Accrued Unpaid Income”). AsPre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not include any realized capital gains, realized and unrealized capital losses, or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation.

Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, expressed as a BDCrate of return on the value of our net assets (defined as total assets less indebtedness) at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter, is compared to a “hurdle rate”, expressed as a rate of return on the value of our net assets at the end of the most recently completed calendar quarter, of 1.75% per quarter (7% annualized). We pay the Adviser an Incentive Fee with respect to our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income in each calendar quarter as follows:

(i) no Income Based Fee in any quarter in which the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for such quarter does not exceed the hurdle rate of 1.75% (7.00% annualized);

(ii) 100% of the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for any calendar quarter with respect to that portion of the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for such calendar quarter, if any, that exceeds the hurdle rate of 1.75% (7.00% annualized) but is less than 2.1875% (8.75% annualized); and

(iii) 20% of the amount of the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for any calendar quarter with respect to that portion of the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for such calendar quarter, if any, that exceeds 2.1875% (8.75% annualized).

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

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

For purposes of the calculation of the Income Based Fee, “Cumulative Net Return” is defined as (1) the aggregate net investment income in respect of the relevant Income Based Fee Calculation Period minus (2) any Net Capital Loss, if any, in respect of the relevant Income Based Fee Calculation Period. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap is zero or a negative value, we pay no Income Based Fee to the Adviser for such quarter. If, in

any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter is a positive value but is less than the Income Based Fee that is payable to the Adviser for such quarter (before giving effect to the Incentive Fee Cap) calculated as described above, we pay an Income Based Fee to the Adviser equal to the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter is equal to or greater than the Income Based Fee that is payable to the Adviser for such quarter (before giving effect to the Incentive Fee Cap) calculated as described above, we pay an Income Based Fee to the Adviser equal to the Income Based Fee calculated as described above for such quarter without regard to the Incentive Fee Cap.

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

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

Capital Gains Fee

The “Capital Gains Fee” is determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year (or upon termination of the Investment Management Agreement). Under the terms of the Investment Management Agreement, the Capital Gains Fee is calculated at the end of each applicable year by subtracting (1) the sum of our cumulative aggregate realized capital losses and aggregate unrealized capital depreciation from (2) our cumulative aggregate realized capital gains, in each case calculated from the effective date of the Prior Investment Management Agreement. If this amount is positive at the end of any calendar year, then the Capital Gains Fee for such year is equal to 20% of such amount, less the cumulative aggregate amount of Capital Gains Fees paid in all prior years. If such amount is negative, then there is no Capital Gains Fee payable for that calendar year. If the Investment Management Agreement is terminated as of a date that is not a calendar year end, the termination date shall be treated as though it were a calendar year end for purposes of calculating and paying the Capital Gains Fee.

For purposes of the Capital Gains Fee:

The accreted or amortized cost basis of an investment shall mean, with respect to an investment owned by us as of the effective date of the Prior Investment Management Agreement, the fair value of that investment as set forth in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2019, as filed with the SEC on November 7, 2019, and, with respect to an investment acquired by us subsequent to the effective date of the Prior Investment Management Agreement or the Investment Management Agreement, the accreted or amortized cost basis of such investment as reflected in the our financial statements.

Example 1: Income Based Fee Calculations: *

Alternative 1

Assumptions:

Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 1.25%

Hurdle rate⁽¹⁾ = 1.75%

Base Management Fee⁽²⁾ = 0.375%

Other expenses (legal, accounting, transfer agent, etc.) = 0.20%

Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income (investment income – (Base Management Fee + other expenses)) = 0.675%

Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not exceed the hurdle rate, therefore there is no Income Based Fee is payable for the calendar quarter.

Alternative 2

Assumptions:

Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 2.70%

Hurdle rate⁽¹⁾ = 1.75%

Base Management Fee⁽²⁾ = 0.375%

Other expenses (legal, accounting, transfer agent, etc.) = 0.20%

Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income (investment income – (Base Management Fee + other expenses)) = 2.125%

Income Based Fee (subject to “catch up”)⁽³⁾ = 100.00% × (2.125% – 1.75%) = 0.375%

Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income exceeds the hurdle rate, but does not fully satisfy the “catch-up” provision, therefore the Income Based Fee payable for the calendar quarter is 0.375%.

Alternative 3

Assumptions:

Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 3.50%

Hurdle rate⁽¹⁾ = 1.75%

Base Management Fee⁽²⁾ = 0.375%

Other expenses (legal, accounting, transfer agent, etc.) = 0.20%

Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income (investment income – (Base Management Fee + other expenses)) = 2.925%

Income Based Fee (subject to “catch up”)⁽³⁾ = 100.00% × “catch-up” + (20.00% × (Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income above 2.1875%))

Catch-up = 2.1875% – 1.75% = 0.4375%

Income Based Fee = (100.00% × .4375%) + (20.00% × (2.925% – 2.1875%))

= 0.4375% + (20.00% × 0.7375%)

= 0.4375% + 0.1475%

= 0.585%

Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income exceeds the hurdle rate, and fully satisfies the “catch-up” provision, therefore the Income Based Fee payable for the calendar quarter is 0.585%.

(1) Represents 7.00% annualized hurdle rate.

(2) Represents 1.50% annualized Base Management Fee.

(3) The “catch-up” provision is intended to provide the Adviser with an Income Based Fee of 20.00% on all Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income as if a hurdle rate did not apply when Rand’s Pre-Incentive Net Investment Income exceeds 1.75% in any calendar quarter.

Example 2: Capital Gains Fee Calculations:

Alternative 1

Assumptions:

The Capital Gains Fees, if any, would be calculated as follows:

Alternative 2

Assumptions:

The Capital Gains Fees, if any, would be calculated as follows:

Payment of Expenses

Under the terms of Investment Management Agreement, all investment professionals of the Adviser and its staff, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory services to us, and the compensation of such personnel and the general office and facilities and overhead expenses incurred by the Adviser in maintaining its place of business allocable to these services, are provided, and paid for by the Adviser and not by us. We will bear all other costs and expenses of its operations and transactions, related to the Corporation, including those relating to:

(i) organization;

(ii) calculating our net asset value (including the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firm);

(iii) expenses incurred by the Adviser payable to third parties, including agents, consultants or other advisors, in monitoring financial and legal affairs and in monitoring our investments and performing due diligence on prospective portfolio companies;

(iv) interest payable on debt, if any, incurred to finance our investments;

(v) offerings of our common stock and other securities;

(vi) investment advisory and management fees payable under the Investment Management Agreement, but excluding any fees payable to any Sub-Adviser;

(vii) administration fees payable under the Administration Agreement;

(viii) transfer agent and custodial fees;

(ix) federal and state registration fees;

(x) all costs of registration and listing our shares on any securities exchange;

(xi) federal, state and local taxes;

(xii) directors’ fees and expenses;

(xiii) costs of preparing and filing reports or other documents required by governmental bodies (including the SEC);

(xiv) costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to shareholders, including printing costs;

(xv) our allocable portion of the fidelity bond, directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance, and any other insurance premiums;

(xvi) direct costs and expenses of administration, including independent auditors and outside legal costs; and

(xvii) all other expenses incurred by us or the Adviser in connection with administering our business (including payments under the Administration Agreement based upon our allocable portion of the Adviser’s overhead in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent and the allocable portion of the cost of our chief financial officer and chief compliance officer and their respective staffs (including travel expenses)).

Indemnification under the Investment Management Agreement

The Investment Management Agreement provides that, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of its duties and obligations, the Adviser, its members and their respective officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person affiliated with any of them (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”), are entitled to indemnification from us for any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) incurred by the Indemnified Parties in or by reason of any pending, threatened or completed action, suit, investigation or other proceeding (including an action or suit by or in the right of us or our security holders) arising out of or otherwise based upon the performance of any of the Adviser’s duties or obligations under the Investment Management Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser.

Duration and Termination

The Investment Management Agreement was executed on December 31, 2020 and will remain in effect for two years after this date. Our Board approved the Investment Management Agreement on October 29, 2020 and it was approved by our shareholders at the Special Meeting held on December 16, 2020. Thereafter, the Investment Management Agreement will continue to renew automatically for successive annual periods so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by:

(i) the vote of our Board, or by the vote of shareholders holding a majority of the outstanding voting securities of Rand; and

(ii) the vote of a majority of our independent directors, in either case, in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act.

The Investment Management Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, upon sixty days’ written notice, by: (a) vote of a majority of the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of Rand (as defined in the 1940 Act); or (b) the Adviser. Furthermore, the Investment Management Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment” (as such term is defined for purposes of Section 15(a)(4) of the 1940 Act). See Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors—Our investment adviser and administrator, RCM, has the right to resign on sixty days’ notice, and we may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, resulting in a disruption in our operations that could adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.”

Notwithstanding the termination or expiration of the Investment Management Agreement, the Adviser will be entitled to any amounts owed as payment of the Base Management Fees and the Incentive Fees through the date of termination or expiration.

Administration Agreement

In connection with the Closing, we entered into the Prior Administration Agreement with the Adviser, and on December 31, 2020, concurrent with the execution of the Investment Management Agreement, we entered into the Administration Agreement with the Adviser. Under the terms of the Administration Agreement, the Adviser agreed to perform (or oversee, or arrange for, the performance of) the administrative services necessary for our operations, including, but not limited to, office facilities, equipment, clerical, bookkeeping, finance, accounting, compliance and record keeping services at such office facilities and such other services as the Adviser, subject to review by the Board, will from time to time determine to be necessary or useful to perform its obligations under the Administration Agreement. The Adviser will also, on our behalf, arrange for the services of, and oversee, custodians, depositories, transfer agents, dividend disbursing agents, other shareholder servicing agents, accountants, attorneys, underwriters, brokers and dealers, corporate fiduciaries, insurers, banks, and such other persons in any such other capacity deemed to be necessary or desirable. The Adviser makes reports to our Board regarding the performance of its obligations under the Administration Agreement and furnishes advice and recommendations with respect to such other aspects of our business and affairs as it determines to be desirable.

The Adviser is responsible for our financial and other records that are required to be maintained and prepares all reports and other materials required to be filed with the SEC or any other regulatory authority, including reports to shareholders. In addition, the Adviser assists us in determining and publishing our Net Asset Value (“NAV”), overseeing the preparation and filing of our tax returns, and the preparation and dissemination of reports to shareholders, and generally overseeing the payment of our expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to us by others. The Adviser provides, on our behalf, significant managerial assistance to those portfolio companies to which we are required to complyprovide such assistance.

In full consideration of the provision of the services of the Adviser, we reimburse the Adviser for the costs and expenses incurred by the Adviser in performing its obligations and providing personnel and facilities. Costs and expenses to be paid by us include those relating to: organization; calculating NAV (including the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firm); expenses incurred by the Adviser payable to third parties, including agents, consultants or other advisors, in monitoring our financial and legal affairs and in monitoring our investments and performing due diligence on its prospective portfolio companies; interest payable on debt, if any, incurred to finance our investments; offerings of our common stock and other securities; investment advisory and management fees (other than fees (if any) payable to a sub-advisor retained by the Adviser under the Investment Management Agreement); administration fees; transfer agent and custodial fees; federal and state registration fees; all costs of registration and listing our common stock on any securities exchange; federal, state, local and other taxes; directors’ fees and expenses; costs of preparing and filing reports or other documents required by governmental bodies (including the SEC); costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to shareholders, including printing costs; our allocable portion of the fidelity bond, directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance, and any other insurance premiums; direct costs and expenses of administration, including independent auditors and outside legal costs; and all other expenses incurred by us or the Adviser in connection with certain regulatory requirementsadministering our business, including payments under the Administration Agreement based upon our allocable portion of the Adviser’s overhead in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, and our allocable portion of the cost of the chief financial officer and chief compliance officer and their respective staffs (including travel expenses).

The Administration Agreement was executed on December 31, 2020, the same date as providedthe Investment Management Agreement, and will remain in effect for in the 1940 Acttwo years, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For instance, we generally have to investthereafter will continue automatically for successive annual periods so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least 70% of our total assets in “qualifying assets” and provide managerial assistance to the portfolio companies in which we invest. See “Item 1. Business – Regulations, Business Development Company Regulations.”

We historically made the majority of our investments through Rand SBIC, an SBIC that has been licensedannually by the SBA since 2002. Rand SBIC’s predecessor was organized as a Delaware limited partnership and was converted into a New York corporation in 2008, at which time our operations as a licensed SBIC were continued. Although Rand SBIC had operated as if it were a BDC, it was registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act. In 2012, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) granted an Order of Exemption for Rand with respect to the operations of Rand SBIC and Rand SBIC then filed an election to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. Rand SBIC’s board of directors is comprised of the directors of Rand,Board, including a majority of whom are not “interested persons”the independent directors. The Administration Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of Rand Capital or Rand SBIC.

During 2017 we established a second SBIC subsidiary, Rand Capital SBIC II, L.P. (“Rand SBIC II”), and began making investments through this SBIC subsidiary. During 2018, together with the SBA, we determined that the optimal structure was to revert back to investing in small businesses through our original SBIC, Rand SBIC, and the assets of Rand SBIC II were transferred to Rand SBIC.

(2) have registered a class of its equity securities or have filed a registration statement with the SEC pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”);

(3) operate for the purpose of investing in the securities of certain types of companies, namely immature or emerging companies and businesses suffering or just recovering from financial distress. Generally, a BDC must be primarily engaged in the business of furnishing capital and providing managerial expertise to companies that do not have ready access to capital through conventional financial channels. Such companies are termed “eligible portfolio companies;”

(4) extend significant managerial assistance to such portfolio companies; and

(5) have a majority of “disinterested” directors (as defined in the 1940 Act).

Qualifying Assets

Under the 1940 Act, a BDC may not acquire any asset other than assets of the type listed in Section 55(a) of the 1940 Act, which are referred to as qualifying assets, unless, at the time the acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of their total assets. The 1940 Act prohibits BDCs from investing in certain types of companies, such as brokerage firms, insurance companies, investment banking firms and investment companies.

Business Act (the “SBA Act”) and SBA regulations. Prior to the surrender of its SBA license in November 2021, Rand SBIC usesused funds borrowed from the SBA that cancould be combined with our own capital to provide loans to, and make equity investments in, businesses that meet the following criteria:

(a) have a tangible net worth not in excess of $19.5 million and average net income after U.S. federal income taxes for the preceding two completed fiscal years not in excess of $6.5 million,million; or

(b) meet size standards set by the SBA that are measured by either annual receipts or number of employees, depending on the industry in which the businesses are primarily engaged.

We will be subject to a 4% nondeductible U.S. federal excise tax on certain undistributed income unless we distribute in a timely manner an amount at least equal to the sum of:

(1) 98% of our ordinary income for each calendar year;

(2) 98.2% of our capital gain net income for the one-year period ending October 31 in that calendar year; and

(3) any income recognized, but not distributed, in preceding years and on which we paid no U.S. federal income tax.

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

(1) meet the Annual Distribution Requirement;

(2) qualify to be regulated as a BDC or be registered as a management investment company under the 1940 Act;

(3) derive in each taxable year at least 90% of gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or other securities or currencies or other income derived with respect to the business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly-traded partnership” (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code); and

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

(a) at least 50% of the value of our assets consists of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. Government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities if such other securities of any one issuer do not represent more than 5% of the value of our assets or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer (which for these purposes includes the equity securities of a “qualified publicly-traded partnership”); and

(b) no more than 25% of the value of our assets is invested in the securities, other than U.S. Government securities or securities of other RICs, (i) of one issuer, (ii) of two or more issuers that are controlled, as determined under applicable tax rules, by us and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or (iii) of one or more “qualified publicly-traded partnerships”.

We may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which we do not receive cash. For example, if we hold debt obligations that have original issue discount (OID) or debt instruments with payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest, we must include in income, each year, a portion of this non-cash income that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether cash is received by us in that taxable year. We may also have to include in income other amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as deferred loan origination fees that are paid after origination of the loan or are paid in non-cash compensation such as warrants or stock. Because any OID income or other amounts accrued will be included in our investment company taxable income for the year of accrual, we may be required to make a distribution to our shareholders in order to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, even though we will not have received any corresponding cash.

As long as we qualify for taxation as a RIC, distributions out of our earnings and profits to shareholders generally will be taxable to shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, either as ordinary income or capital gains, depending upon the nature of the income giving rise to the distribution. The tax consequences to a shareholder attributable to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of our common stock, are complex and will depend on the facts of the shareholder’s unique circumstances.

Item 1A.    Risk Factors

We have listed below the material risk factors applicable to us grouped into the following categories: Risks related to our Business and Structure, Risks related to our Investments, Risks related to our Common Stock and Risks Relating to U.S. Federal Income Tax.

Risks related to our businessBusiness and structureStructure

The COVID-19 pandemic has, and may continue to, negatively affect the operating results, financial conditions or liquidity of our portfolio companies, which may negatively affect our operating results and financial condition.

Beginning in March 2020, the global outbreak of COVID-19 (“coronavirus”) has created significant uncertainty and economic disruption as businesses and federal, state, and local governments take and have taken broad actions to mitigate this public health crisis, including restrictions on travel and the temporary closures of corporate offices, retail stores, and manufacturing facilities and factories across the United States and the wider global community.

As a result, the business, operating results, financial condition and liquidity of our portfolio companies have been, and may continue to be, materially and adversely affected. Specific impacts to the businesses of our portfolio companies include labor shortages, disruptions in the supply chain, delayed or reduced customer orders and sales, and delays in shipments to and from certain countries. The impact to our portfolio companies’ results from coronavirus remains highly uncertain and difficult to predict, and will depend to a large extent on the duration and severity of coronavirus, the effectiveness and utilization of vaccines for coronavirus and its variants, and the actions taken by governmental authorities and other entities to contain coronavirus and its variants and to treat its impacts, all of which are beyond our control. In addition, even if our portfolio companies have availed themselves of financial assistance provided by U.S. federal or state governmental entities to mitigate the impacts of coronavirus, certain of our portfolio companies have experienced, and may continue to experience, liquidity issues, which, in turn, may negatively affect their ability to repay principal and interests on outstanding loans and other debt instruments owed to the Corporation, including resulting in the Corporation having large outstanding interest receivable balances owed to it. Furthermore, certain portfolio companies may not be able to continue as going concerns. As a result of the coronavirus pandemic and its associated impacts on our portfolio companies, we have been, and may in the future be, required to restructure certain of our investments on terms that are less favorable to us to avoid potential bankruptcies and other insolvency issues for our portfolio companies. A substantial negative impact to one or more of our portfolio companies resulting from the coronavirus pandemic could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are dependent upon RCM for our future success.

Our day-to-day investment operations are managed by our investment adviser and administrator, RCM, subject to oversight and supervision by our Board. We no longer have any employees, and, as a result, RCM’s investment team evaluates, negotiates, structures, closes and monitors our investments. We depend on the diligence, skill, investment expertise and network of business contacts of RCM’s investment professionals, and the Investment Committee to source appropriate investments for us. We also depend on members of RCM’s investment team and the Investment Committee to analyze potential investments for us and monitor those investments, and on members of the Investment Committee to make investment decisions for us. Our future success depends on the continued availability of the members of RCM’s investment team and the Investment Committee and the other investment professionals available to RCM. The Corporation does not have any employment agreements with key personnel of RCM, including members of the Investment Committee, and we cannot provide any assurance that unforeseen business, medical, personal or other circumstances would not lead any such individual to terminate his or her relationship with RCM. RCM may need to hire, train, supervise and manage new investment professionals to participate in our investment selection and monitoring process and may not be able to find investment professionals in a timely manner or at all. The loss of a material number of investment professionals to which RCM has access or members of the Investment Committee, could have a material adverse effect on our ability to achieve our investment objectives as well as on our financial condition and results of operations.

RCM has no prior experience managing or acting as an investment adviser for a BDC.

Prior to its entry into the Investment Management Agreement with Rand, RCM was a newly formed entity that had no prior experience managing or acting as an investment adviser for a BDC. The investment philosophy and techniques used by RCM, and in particular its Investment Committee, to manage the Corporation’s investment

activities may differ from the investment philosophy and techniques previously employed by RCM’s investment team in identifying and managing other investments and from those that were previously used by the Corporation when it was internally managed. RCM has focused its investing on behalf of the Corporation on interest-yielding debt securities. In addition, RCM is seeking to source potential investments using its relationships and the business networks of the members of the Investment Committee. However, we can offer no assurance that RCM will be successful with respect to its investment decisions in acting as our investment adviser or that RCM or the Investment Committee will be successful in their attempts to source and originate additional potential transactions that are appropriate for Rand’s investment strategy through the use of existing business networks, and our investment returns could be substantially lower than the returns we have achieved in the past.

Our financial results will depend on ourRCM’s skill to manage and deploy capital effectivelyeffectively.

Our ability to achieve long-term capital appreciation on our existing equity investments while maintainingand to maintain a current cash flow from our debenture and pass-through equity instrumentsdebt investments while shifting our portfolio to contain a greater percentage of interest-yielding debt securities depends on ourRCM’s capability to effectively identify, invest, and manage our capital.

Accomplishing this investment objective effectively will be based on our management team’sRCM’s handling of the investment process, starting with its ability to find investments that offer favorable terms and meet our investment objective. TheyRCM will also haveneed to monitor theour portfolio company’scompanies’ performance and may be called upon to provide managerial assistance. These competing demands on their time may distract them or may slow the rate of investment.investment or the effective deployment of capital.

Even if we areRCM is able to grow and build on our investment portfolio, any failure by RCM to manage the growth of our growthportfolio effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. If weRCM cannot successfully operatemanage our businessinvestment portfolio or implement our investment objective, itobjectives, this could negatively impact our stock price.results of operation and financial condition.

We are subject to risks created by our regulated environmentenvironment.

We are regulated by the SEC as a BDC. The 1940 Act imposes numerous constraints on the operations of BDCs and the SBA.their external advisers. Changes in the laws or regulations that govern BDCs and SBICs could significantly affect our business. Regulations and laws may be changed periodically, and the interpretations of the relevant regulations and laws are also subject to change. Any change in the regulations and laws governing our business could have a material impact on our financial condition and our results of operations. Moreover, the laws and regulations that govern BDCs and SBICs may place conflicting demands on the manner in which we operate, and the resolution of those conflicts may restrict or otherwise adversely affect our operations.

We are subject Furthermore, any failure to risks createdcomply with the requirements imposed on BDCs by borrowing funds from the SBA

Our liabilities include debt instruments issued through1940 Act could cause the SBA which have fixed interest rates. Until and unless we are ableSEC to invest substantially allbring an enforcement action against us and/or expose us to claims of the proceeds from debentures at annualized interest or other rates of return that substantially exceed annualized interest rates that Rand SBIC must pay the SBA, our operating results may be adversely affected which may, in turn, depress the market price of our common stock.private litigants.

In addition, our outstanding $8,750,000 in SBA debentures will reach maturity and become payable between 2022 and 2029. In order to repay our outstanding SBA debentures, we will need to identify sources of additional funding if the proceeds received upon the exits of our investments are insufficient to fund our operations and repay our SBA obligations. We cannot be assured that the proceeds to be received upon the exits from our investments will be sufficient to meet our funding needs or, if such proceeds are insufficient, that we will be able to obtain access to the necessary funding on terms that are acceptable to us.

RCM, acting as our executive officers for the sourcing and selection, structuring, closing, monitoring and valuation of our investments. Our future success depends, to a significant extent, on the continued employment of these officers and their departure could materially adversely affect our ability to implement our business strategy. We do not maintain key man life insurance or employment agreements on the officers.

We operateinvestment adviser, operates in a competitive market for investment opportunitiesopportunities.

We operateRCM, acting as our investment adviser, operates in a competitive market for investment opportunities. We faceRCM faces competition in our investing activities from many entities including other SBICs, private venture capital funds, investment affiliates of large companies, wealthy individuals and other domestic or foreign investors. The competition is not limited to entities that operate in the same general geographical areaareas as we do. Some of our competitors have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments than we do. These characteristics could allow our competitors to consider a wider variety of investments, establish more relationships and offer better pricing and more flexible structuring than we are able to offer. We may lose investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure. If we choose to match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure, we may not be able to achieve acceptable returns on our investments or may bear substantial risk of capital loss. As a regulated BDC, we are also required to disclose quarterly and annually the name and business description of our portfolio companies and the value of their portfolio securities. Most of our competitors are not subject to this disclosure requirement.requirement or similar types of disclosure requirements. This obligation to disclose this information could hinder ourRCM’s ability to invest in potential portfolio companies.companies on our behalf. Additionally, other regulations, current and future, may make us less attractive as a potential investor to a given portfolio company than a private venturefund that is not subject to these regulations.

There are potential conflicts of interest, including the management of other investment funds and accounts by the principals and certain members of the Investment Committee of RCM, which could impact our investment returns.

The principals and certain members of the Investment Committee of RCM manage other funds and accounts, including for entities affiliated with members of the Investment Committee. Accordingly, they have obligations to those investors, the fulfillment of which may not be in the best interests of, or may be adverse to the interests of, us or our shareholders. Although the principals, members of the Investment Committee and other professional staff of RCM are expected to devote as much time to our management as appropriate to enable RCM to perform its duties in accordance with the Investment Management Agreement, the members of the Investment Committee and investment professionals of RCM may have conflicts in allocating their time and services among RCM, on the one hand, and the other managed investment vehicles, on the other hand.

RCM, including members of its Investment Committee, may face conflicts in allocating investment opportunities between us and other investment vehicles affiliated with members of the Investment Committee that have overlapping investment objectives with ours. Although RCM, including members of the Investment Committee, and its affiliates that manage other investment portfolios will endeavor to allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner in accordance with its written allocation policies and procedures, it is possible that, in the future, we may not be given the opportunity to participate in investments made by investment funds managed by RCM or members of the Investment Committee given the requirements or application of such allocation policies and procedures or if such investment is prohibited by law.

RCM and its affiliates, including some of our officers and directors, face conflicts of interest caused by compensation arrangements with us, which could result in actions that are not in the best interests of our shareholders.

RCM and its affiliates will receive fees from us in return for their services, including certain incentive fees based on the performance of our investments. These fees could influence the advice provided to us. Generally, the greater the risk assumed by us with respect to our investments, the greater the potential for growth in our assets and profits, and, correlatively, the fees payable by us to RCM under the terms of the Investment Management Agreement. These compensation arrangements could affect RCM or its affiliates’ judgment with respect to investments made by us, which allows RCM to earn increased asset management fees.

Our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates is restricted.

We are prohibited under the 1940 Act from participating in certain transactions with certain of our affiliates without the prior approval of the “required majority” of our directors as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act

and, in some cases, the SEC. Any person that owns, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of our outstanding voting securities will be our affiliate for purposes of the 1940 Act, and we will generally be prohibited from buying from, or selling to, such affiliate any securities, absent the prior approval of the “required majority” of our directors as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act also prohibits certain “joint” transactions with certain of our affiliates, including other funds or clients advised by RCM or its affiliates, which in certain circumstances could include investments in the same portfolio company (whether at the same or different times to the extent the transaction involves a joint investment), without prior approval of our Board and, in some cases, the SEC. If a person acquires more than 25% of our voting securities, or is otherwise deemed to control, be controlled by, or be under common control with us, we will be prohibited from buying from, or selling to, such person or certain of that person’s affiliates any securities, or entering into prohibited joint transactions with such persons, absent the prior approval of the SEC. For example, given East’s approximately 64% ownership position in our common stock, this prohibition impacts our ability to participate in certain transactions or investments where East is involved, including with respect to certain of the loans and other securities that were contributed to us by East as part of the consideration for East’s purchase of our common stock in the Transaction, to the extent such loans and other securities are also held by East or another one of our affiliates. Similar restrictions limit our ability to transact business with our officers or directors or their affiliates or anyone who is under common control with us. As a result of these restrictions, we may also be prohibited from buying securities from, or selling securities to, any portfolio company that is controlled by a fund managed by either RCM or its affiliates without the prior approval of the SEC, which may limit the scope of investment or disposition opportunities that would otherwise be available to us. The analysis of whether a particular transaction constitutes a joint transaction requires a review of the relevant facts and circumstances then existing.

On October 7, 2020, we, RCM and certain of our affiliates received exemptive relief from the SEC to permit us to co-invest with certain other funds managed by RCM or its affiliates in a manner consistent with the conditions of our exemptive relief. Pursuant to such exemptive relief, we generally are permitted to co-invest with certain of our affiliates if a “required majority” (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of our independent directors make certain conclusions in connection with a co-investment transaction, including that (1) the terms of the transaction, including the consideration to be paid, are reasonable and fair to us and our shareholders and do not involve overreaching of us or our shareholders on the part of any person concerned, (2) the transaction is consistent with the interests of our shareholders and is consistent with our investment objective and strategies, and (3) the investment by our affiliates would not disadvantage us, and our participation would not be on a basis different from or less advantageous than that on which our affiliates are investing. On March 29, 2021, the SEC approved a new exemptive relief order reflecting the new organizational structure of RCM and its affiliates after the Adviser Change of Control. This new exemptive order supersedes our prior exemptive order and permits, subject to compliance with specified conditions, the Corporation to co-invest with funds managed by RCM and its affiliates under RCM’s current ownership structure after the completion of the Adviser Change in Control.

In situations when co-investment with funds managed by RCM or its affiliates is not permitted under the 1940 Act and related rules, existing or future staff guidance, or the terms and conditions of the exemptive relief granted to us by the SEC, RCM and its affiliates will need to decide which client or clients (including the Corporation) will proceed with the investment. Generally, we will not be entitled to make a co-investment in these circumstances and, to the extent that a client (other than the Corporation) is granted the opportunity to proceed with the investment, we will not be permitted to participate in the investment we otherwise may have made.

The fee structure under the Investment Management Agreement may induce RCM to pursue investments and incur leverage, which may not be in the best interests of the shareholders.

Under the terms of the Investment Management Agreement, the Base Management Fee is payable even if the value of our investment portfolio declines. The Base Management Fee is calculated based on the total assets (other than cash or cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed funds), as determined according to procedures duly adopted by the Board. Accordingly, the Base Management Fee is payable regardless of whether the value of Rand’s total assets or investment portfolio has decreased during the then-current quarter and creates an incentive for RCM to incur leverage, which may not be consistent with our shareholders’ interests.

The Incentive Fee payable to RCM is calculated based on a percentage of our return on invested capital. The terms of the Incentive Fee calculation may create an incentive for RCM to make investments on our behalf that are risky or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of such compensation arrangement. Unlike the Base Management Fee, the Income Based Fee is payable only if the hurdle rate is achieved. Because the portfolio earns investment income on gross assets while the hurdle rate is based on net assets, and because the use of leverage increases gross assets without any corresponding increase in net assets, RCM may be incentivized to incur leverage to grow the portfolio, which will tend to enhance returns where our portfolio has positive returns and increase the chances that the hurdle rate is achieved. Conversely, the use of leverage may increase losses where our portfolio has negative returns, which would impair the value of our common stock.

In addition, RCM receives the Incentive Fees based, in part, upon net capital fund.gains realized on our investments under the Capital Gains Fee. Unlike the Income Based Fee, there is no hurdle rate applicable to the Capital Gains Fee. As a result, RCM may have an incentive to invest more capital in investments that are likely to result in capital gains as compared to income producing securities. Such a practice could result in our investing in more speculative equity securities than would otherwise be the case, which could result in higher investment losses, particularly during economic downturns.

RCM may be paid incentive compensation even if we incur a net loss, and we cannot recover any portion of the incentive fee previously paid.

RCM is entitled to incentive compensation under our Investment Management Agreement for each fiscal quarter under the Income Based Fee in an amount equal to a percentage of our pre-incentive fee net investment income, subject to a hurdle rate, a catch-up provision, a cap and a deferral mechanism. For purposes of calculating the Income Based Fee, our pre-incentive fee net investment income excludes realized and unrealized capital losses that we may incur in the fiscal quarter, even if such capital losses result in a net loss for that quarter. Thus, we may be required to pay RCM incentive compensation under the Income Based Fee for a fiscal quarter even if we incur a net loss for that quarter. In addition, if we pay the Capital Gains Fee and thereafter experience additional realized capital losses or unrealized capital losses, we will not be able to recover any portion of the incentive fee previously paid.

RCM’s liability is limited under the Investment Management Agreement and the Administration Agreement, and we are required to indemnify RCM against certain liabilities, which may lead RCM to act in a riskier manner on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.

Under the Investment Management Agreement and the Administration Agreement, RCM does not assume any responsibility to us other than to render the services described in the Investment Management Agreement and Administration Agreement, as applicable, and it is not responsible for any action of our Board in declining to follow RCM’s advice or recommendations. Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement and the Administration Agreement, RCM, its members and their respective officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person affiliated with any of them are not liable to us for their acts under the Investment Management Agreement and Administration Agreement, as applicable, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard in the performance of their duties. We have agreed to indemnify, defend and protect RCM its members and their respective officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person affiliated with any of them with respect to all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses arising out of or otherwise based upon the performance of any of RCM’s duties or obligations under the Investment Management Agreement or Administration Agreement, as applicable, or otherwise as investment adviser or administrator, as applicable, for us, and not arising out of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard in the performance of their duties under the Investment Management Agreement or the Administration Agreement. These protections may lead RCM to act in a riskier manner when acting on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.

Our investment adviser and administrator, RCM, has the right to resign on 60 days’ notice, and we may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, resulting in a disruption in our operations that could adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.

Our investment adviser and administrator, RCM, has the right, under both the Investment Management Agreement and the Administration Agreement, to resign at any time upon not less than 60 days’ written notice, whether we have found a replacement or not. If RCM resigns, we may not be able to find a new investment adviser or administrator or hire internal management with similar expertise and ability to provide the same or equivalent services on acceptable terms within 60 days, or at all. If we are unable to do so quickly, our operations are likely to experience a disruption, our financial condition, business and results of operations are likely to be adversely affected and the market price of our common stock may decline. Even if we are able to retain comparable management, whether internal or external, the integration of such management and their lack of familiarity with our investment objectives may result in additional costs and time delays that may adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.

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

As a BDC, we may not acquire any assets other than “qualifying assets” unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such acquisition, at least 70% of our total assets are qualifying assets.

We believe that most of the investments that we may acquire in the future will constitute qualifying assets. However, we may be precluded from investing in what we believe to be attractive investments if such investments are not qualifying assets for purposes of the 1940 Act. If we do not invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets, we could violate the 1940 Act provisions applicable to BDCs. As a result of such violation, specific rules under the 1940 Act could prevent us, for example, from making follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies (which could result in the dilution of our position) or could require us to dispose of investments at inappropriate times 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.

We may need to raise additional capital to grow.

We may need additional capital to fund new investments and grow. We may access the capital markets periodically to issue equity securities. We are not generally able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share. We may, however, sell our common stock at a price below the then-current net asset value of our common stock if our Board determines that such sale is in the best interests of us and our shareholders, and our shareholders approve, giving us the authority to do so. Although we currently do not have such authorization, we may seek such authorization in the future.

In addition, we may also issue debt securities or borrow from financial institutions in order to obtain such additional capital, up to the maximum amount permitted by the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act permits us to issue debt securities or incur indebtedness only in amounts such that our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% immediately after such issuance or incurrence. Unfavorable economic conditions could increase our funding costs and limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. A reduction in the availability of new capital could limit our ability to grow. In addition, we are required to distribute at least 90% of our net ordinary income and net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses, if any, to our shareholders to maintain our RIC Election. As a result, these earnings may not be available to fund new investments if such distributions are made in cash.

If we are unable to access the capital markets or if we are unable to borrow from financial institutions, we may be unable to grow our business and execute our business strategy fully, and our earnings, if any, could decrease, which could have an adverse effect on the value of our common stock.

We are subject to cyber securitycybersecurity risks and incidents that may adversely affect our operations, the operations of our companyRCM or the companies in which we invest. A failure in our, cyber securityor RCM’s, cybersecurity systems could impair our ability to conduct business and damage our business relationships, compromise or corrupt our confidential information and ultimately negatively impact business, financial condition and operating results.

Our and RCM’s operations are dependent on secure information technology systems for data processing, storage and reporting. Increased cyber securitycybersecurity vulnerabilities, threats and more sophisticated and targeted cyber-attacks pose a risk to the security of our and RCM’s information and the information of our portfolio companies. TheseLike other companies, we or RCM may experience threats to our data and systems, including malware and computer virus attacks, unauthorized access, system failures and disruptions. If one or more of these events occurs, it could potentially jeopardize the confidential, proprietary and other information stored in, or transmitted through, our or RCM’s computer systems and networks, or otherwise cause interruptions or malfunctions in our or RCM’s operations, which could result in damage to our or RCM’s reputation, financial losses, litigation, increased costs or regulatory penalties. Furthermore, if one of these events were to occur at one of our portfolio companies, it could impact their business, financial condition and results of operations, which could negatively impact our investment. In addition, these cyber-attacks could affect our and RCM’s computer network, our website or our other service providers (such as, but not limited to, accountants, lawyers, and transfer agents) and could result in operating disruptions or information misappropriation, which could have a material adverse effect on our business operations and the integrity and availability of our financial information. We have attempted to mitigate these cybersecurity risks by employing a number of processes, procedures and internal controls within our companythe Corporation, but we remain potentially vulnerable to additional known and unknown threats.

investments. In addition, we may not realize the full value of these private investments if we have to liquidate all or a part of our portfolio investment quickly, given the lack of available markets for their sale.    

Economic downturns or recessions may adversely affect our portfolio companies’ financial performance and therefore harm our operating resultsresults.

The United States economy has periodically experienced periods of instability and recessions, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the financial results of the small companies in which we invest could be more acutely affected negatively by this instability and suffer deterioration in operational or financial results. This deterioration may have a negative effect on our financial performance.

Investing in private companies involves a high degree of riskrisk.

We typically invest a substantial portion of our assets in small private companies. These private businesses may be thinly capitalized, unproven companies with risky technologies, products or services, may lack management depth, and may not have attained profitability. Because of the speculative nature and the lack of a public market for these investments, there is significantly greater risk of loss than is the case with securities traded on a public exchange. We expect that some of our investments will become worthless and that some will appear likely to become successful but will never realize their potential. We have historically been risk seeking rather than risk averse in our approach to our investments. Given the incentive compensation components of our arrangement with RCM under the Investment Management Agreement, RCM may have similar incentives to be risk seeking rather than risk averse in making its investment decisions.

Even if our portfolio companies are able to develop commercially viable technologies, products or services, the market for those new technologies, products and services is likely to be highly competitive and rapidly changing. Commercial success is difficult to predict and the marketing efforts of the portfolio companies may not be successful.

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

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

We provide debt and equity capital primarily to small companies, which may present a greater risk of loss than providing debt and equity capital to larger companies.

Our portfolio consists primarily of debt and equity investments in small companies. Compared to larger companies, small companies generally have more limited access to capital and higher funding costs, may be in a

weaker financial position and may need more capital to expand, compete and operate their business. They also typically have fewer administrative resources, which can lead to greater uncertainty in their ability to generate accurate and reliable financial data, including their ability to deliver audited financial statements. In addition, many small companies may be unable to obtain financing from the public capital markets or other traditional sources, such as commercial banks, in part because loans made to these types of companies entail higher risks than loans made to companies that have larger businesses, greater financial resources or are otherwise able to access traditional credit sources on more attractive terms.

A variety of factors may affect the ability of borrowers to make scheduled payments on debt securities or loans, including failure to satisfy financial targets and covenants, a downturn in a borrower’s industry or changes in the economy in general. In addition, investing in small companies in general involves a number of significant risks, including that small companies:

Any of these factors or changes thereto could impair a small company’s financial condition, results of operation, cash flow or result in other adverse events, such as bankruptcy, any of which could limit a borrower’s ability to make scheduled payments on our debt securities. This, in turn, could result in losses in our investments and a decrease in our net interest income and net asset value.

We may have limited access to information about privately held companies in which we invest.

We invest primarily in privately held companies. Generally, little public information exists about these companies, and we are required to rely on the ability of RCM’s investment professionals to obtain adequate information to evaluate the potential returns from investing in these companies. These companies and their financial information are not subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and other rules that govern public companies. If we are unable to uncover all material information about these companies, RCM may not make a fully informed investment decision, and we may lose money on our investment.

Prepayments of our debt investments by our portfolio companies could adversely impact our results of operations and reduce our returns on equity.

We are subject to the risk that investments intended to be held over long periods are, instead, repaid prior to maturity. When this occurs, we will generally reinvest these proceeds in temporary investments that will typically have substantially lower yields than the debt being prepaid, 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 prepay amounts owed by them. Additionally, prepayments could negatively impact our return on equity, which could result in a decline in the market price of our common stock.

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

We invest primarily in debt securities issued by our portfolio companies. In some cases portfolio companies are permitted to have other debt that ranks equal with, or senior to, the debt securities in which we invest. By their terms, such debt instruments may provide that the holders thereof are entitled to receive payment of interest or principal on or before the dates on which we are entitled to receive payments in respect of the debt securities in which we invest. Also, in the event of insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of a portfolio company, holders of debt instruments ranking senior to our investment in that portfolio company would typically be entitled to receive payment in full before we receive any distribution in respect of our investment. After repaying such senior creditors, such portfolio company may not have any remaining assets to use for repaying its obligation to us. In the case of debt ranking equal with debt securities in which we invest, we would have to share on an equal basis any distributions with other creditors holding such debt in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of a portfolio company.

There may be circumstances where our debt investments could be subordinated to claims of other creditors or we could be subject to lender liability claims.

Even though we may have structured certain of our investments as senior loans, if one of our portfolio companies were to go bankrupt, depending on the facts and circumstances, including the size of our investment and the extent to which we actually provided managerial assistance to that portfolio company, a bankruptcy court might recharacterize our debt investment and subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors. In addition, lenders can be subject to lender liability claims for actions taken by them where they become too involved in the borrower’s business or exercise control over the borrower. It is possible that we could become subject to a lender’s liability claim, including as a result of actions taken in rendering significant managerial assistance.

We generally do not control our portfolio companiescompanies.

We do not have an expectation to control the decision making in our portfolio companies, even though we may have a board seat or board observation rights. Because of this, we are subject to the risk that our portfolio companies will make business decisions with which we disagree or will incur risks or otherwise act in ways that do not maximize their value and serve our interests as minority debt and equity holders. Due to the lack of liquidity in our investments in these private companies, we may not be able to dispose of our investment in these portfolio companies as freely as we would like or at a valuation that is appropriate. As a result, a portfolio company may make decisions that would decrease the value of our portfolio holdings.

We typically are a minority shareholdersshareholder in our portfolio companies in which we have made equity investments.

WeIn connection with equity investments, we typically invest as a minority shareholder in our portfolio companies. As a minority shareholder, we are unable to require the company to seek or entertain liquidity events as a way to exit our investments. This may cause us to hold equity investments longer than planned or to seek a sale that may not reflect the full value of our equity investment.

We may not have the funds or ability to makefollow-on investments in our portfolio companiescompanies.

We may not have the funds or ability to make additional investments in our portfolio companies. After our initial investment in a company, we may be asked to participate in another round of financing toby the company. There is no assurance that we will make, or have sufficient funds to make or be permitted to make under the 1940 Act, thesefollow-on investments. Any decision to not make an additional investment in a portfolio company may have a negative impact on the portfolio company in need of the capital and have a negative impact on our ownershipinvestment in the company.

Risks related to our common stockCommon Stock

East exercises significant influence over us in connection with its ownership of our common stock.

East beneficially owns approximately 64% of Rand’s outstanding common stock. As a result, East is able to direct the outcome of any matters submitted for shareholder action, including approval of significant corporate transactions, such as amendments to our governing documents, business combinations, consolidations, and mergers. East has substantial influence on us and could exercise its influence in a manner that conflicts with the interests of other shareholders. The presence of a significant shareholder may also have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire us or for the Board to discourage a third party from seeking to acquire us.

In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Shareholder Agreement, East has the right to designate two or three persons, depending upon the size of the Board, for nomination for election to the Board. East has the right to designate (i) up to two persons if the size of the Board is composed of fewer than seven directors; or (ii) up to three persons if the size of the Board is composed of seven or more directors. Under the terms of the Shareholder Agreement, East has designated Adam S. Gusky and Benjamin E. Godley for nomination for election to the Board. The designation right provided to East under the terms of the Shareholder Agreement provides East with a significant presence on the Board and direct influence on matters presented to the Board, although all directors, whether or not nominated by East, owe fiduciary duties to all shareholders.

Investing in our shares may be inappropriate for an investor’s risk tolerancetolerance.

Our venture capital investments, in accordance with our investment objective and principal strategies, result in a greater than average amount of risk and volatility and may result in loss of principal. Our investments in portfolio companies are highly speculative and aggressive and, therefore, an investment in our shares may not be suitable for investors for whom such risk is inappropriate. Neither our investments nor an investment in our shares constitutes a balanced investment program.

Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock may have an adverse effect on the market price of our securities.

Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock, or the availability of such securities for sale, could adversely affect the prevailing market prices for our common stock.

Our shares often trade at a discount to our net asset valuevalue.

Shares of business development companies may trade at a market price that is less than the net asset value that is attributable to those shares and our shares have often traded at such a discount. This characteristic ofclosed-end investment companies is separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value per share may decline. It is not possible to predict if, or when, our shares will trade at, above, or below net asset value.

we will achieve investment results that will allow us to make a specified level of cash distributions or results in year over year increases in cash distribution amounts. Our ability to pay distributions might be adversely affected by, among other things, the impact of one or more of the risk factors described herein. In addition, the inability to satisfy the asset coverage test applicable to us as a BDC can limit our ability to achieve business success.

Historically, Rand has focusedpay distributions. All distributions will be paid at the discretion of our Board and will depend on a total return strategyour earnings, our financial condition, maintenance of our RIC status, compliance with applicable BDC regulations and state corporate law requirements and such other factors as our Board may deem relevant from time to time. We cannot assure shareholders that involved seeking long-term capital appreciation on its equity investments, while maintaining a current cash flow from debt investments and pass-through equity instruments to fund expenses. Rand has observed that this total return strategy has become disfavored among investors resulting in an increasingly larger spread between the share price for the Common Stock and our Net Asset Value (NAV) per share. If the Transactions are not completed, we will pay distributions on our common stock in the future.

When we make distributions, we are required to determine the extent to which such distributions are paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits. Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of an investor’s basis in our stock and, assuming that an investor holds our stock as a capital asset, thereafter as a capital gain. Generally, a non-taxable return of capital will reduce an investor’s basis in our stock for federal tax purposes, which will result in higher tax liability when the stock is sold. Shareholders should read any written disclosure accompanying a distribution carefully and should not engage an external investment adviserassume that the source of any distribution is our ordinary income or gains.

In connection with our RIC Election, we will be subject to manage our investment strategy and will remain, for the time being, an internally managed BDC that is likely to continue the same legacy total return strategy. Therefore,corporate-level income tax if we are unable to completesatisfy certain RIC qualification requirements under Subchapter M of the Transactions,Code or do not satisfy the annual distribution requirement.

No assurance can be given that we may continuewill be able to operatequalify for and maintain RIC status, and we will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax if we are unable to qualify as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. In order to satisfy the requirements for RIC tax treatment, we must meet the following annual distribution, income source and asset diversification requirements to be relieved of federal taxes on income and gains distributed to our businessshareholders.

UnderIf we fail to satisfy certain circumstances, a termination fee may be payable by Rand upon terminationRIC qualification requirements under Subchapter M of the Stock Purchase Agreement.

The Stock Purchase Agreement providesCode or to meet the annual distribution requirement for any reason and are subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax, the payment by Rand of a termination fee of up to $750,000 ifresulting corporate taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the Stock Purchase Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances. Given our financial condition and amount of cashincome available for distribution and cash equivalents on hand, paymentthe amount of the termination fee in an amount up to $750,000our distributions, if any. Such a failure would likely have a material adverse effect on us and our financial condition and on our ability to make any significant new investments orfollow-on investments in the near future.

The Stock Purchase Agreement contains restrictions limiting our ability to pursue alternatives to theTransactions.

The Stock Purchase Agreement contains provisions that limit our ability to actively solicit, discuss or negotiate competing third-party proposals for strategic transactions. These provisions, which are typical for transactions of this type, and include the termination fee payable under certain circumstances, might discourage a competing acquirer that might have an interest in acquiring all or a significant part of Rand from considering or proposing a transaction even if it were prepared to pay consideration with a higher price than that to be paid by East in the Stock Purchase Agreement or might result in a potential competing acquirer proposing to pay a lower price to acquire Rand than it might otherwise have proposed to pay without Rand’s requirement to pay the termination fee in order to terminate the Stock Purchase Agreement to accept a superior proposal.shareholders.

The failureIn connection with our RIC Election, we may have difficulty paying required distributions to shareholders if we recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income.

In connection with our RIC Election, we are required to distribute annually at least 90% of satisfyour ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses to maintain our eligibility for RIC tax treatment. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we include in taxable income certain amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as contracted payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest, which represents contractual interest added to the closing conditions underloan balance and due at the Stock Purchase Agreement, including receipt of shareholder approvals, will result in the Transactions not being completed.

The Transactions are subject to closing conditions, including certain approvals of shareholders and approvalend of the SBA, which, if not satisfied, will prevent the Transactions from being completed.loan term. The closing condition requiring shareholder approvalsincreases in loan balances as a result of contracted PIK arrangements are included in income in advance of receiving cash payment and are separately identified on our consolidated statements of cash flows. We also may not be waived under applicable law and must be satisfied for the Transactionsrequired to be completed. In addition to the required approvals from the shareholders, the Transactions are subject to a number ofinclude in income certain other conditions, some of which are beyond our direct control. We cannot predict when the conditions set forth in the Stock Purchase Agreement will be satisfied or if they will be satisfied at all.

The Company will be subject to operational uncertainties and contractual restrictions while the Transactions are pending.

Uncertainty about the effect of the Transactions may have an adverse effect on Rand while the Transactions are pending. These uncertainties may impair Rand’s ability to retain key personnel until the Transactions are consummated and could cause thoseamounts that deal with Rand to seek to change their existing relationships with Rand. In addition, the Stock Purchase Agreement imposes limitations on Rand with respect to actions that it can take while the Transactions are pending, which may result in us not pursuing or being unable to pursue certain business opportunities that may arise prior to the completion of the Transactions.

If the Transactions do not close, the Companywe will not benefit from the expenses incurredreceive in furtherance of the Transactions.cash.

If the Transactions are not completed, Rand will have incurred substantial expenses for which no ultimate benefit will have been received. Rand has incurred, and will continue to incur,out-of-pocket expensesAny warrants that we receive in connection with our debt investments will generally be valued as part of the Transactionsnegotiation process with the particular portfolio company. As a result, a portion of the aggregate purchase price for investment banking, legalthe debt investments and accounting fees and other expenses, much of whichwarrants will be incurred even ifallocated to the Transactions are not completed.warrants that we receive. This will generally result in our debt instruments having original issue discount (“OID”) for tax purposes, which we must recognize as ordinary income as such original issue discount accrues regardless of whether we have received any corresponding payment of such interest. Other features of debt instruments that we hold may also cause such instruments to generate original issue discount.

Since in certain cases we may recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income, we could have difficulty meeting the requirement to distribute at least 90% of our ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses to maintain our eligibility for RIC tax treatment. Accordingly, we may have to use cash on hand or sell some of our assets, raise additional equity capital or reduce new investment originations to meet these distribution requirements. If we complete the Transactions, we will face risks associated with the terms and structure of the Transactions.

If the Transactionsdo not have sufficient cash on hand or are completed, there are risks arisingunable to obtain cash from the terms and structure of the Transactions, including the following:

Item 1B.    Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable.

Item 2.    Properties

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

We currently lease office space in Buffalo, New York for our corporate headquarters. We believe that these leased facilities are adequate to support our current staff and expected future needs.

Part II

Our common stock (“Common Stock”) is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “RAND.”

Shareholders of Record

On March 1, 2022, we had a total of approximately 1,089 shareholders, which included 54 record holders of our common stock, and an estimated 1,035 holders with shares beneficially owned in nominee name or under clearinghouse positions of brokerage firms or banks.

Dividends

We have historically notelected U.S. federal tax treatment as a RIC as of January 1, 2020 on our U.S. Federal tax return for the 2020 tax year. In order to qualify as a RIC, among other things, we are required to meet certain source of income and asset diversification requirements and timely distribute to our shareholders at least 90% of our investment company taxable income, as defined by the Code (as defined below), for each tax year. If we make the requisite distributions to our shareholders, this will generally relieve us from any requirement to pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes with respect to all income distributed to our shareholders.

Our dividends, if any, are determined by our Board of Directors. Rand’s Board declared a special dividend of $23.7 million, or approximately $1.62 per share, on March 3, 2020. The cash and shares of Rand’s common stock comprising the special dividend were distributed on May 11, 2020 to shareholders.

In addition, our Board declared a 2020 cash dividend of $1.33 per share on December 21, 2020. The 2020 cash dividend was paid anyon January 19, 2021 to shareholders of record as of December 31, 2020. The cash dividend represented over 90% of estimated investment company taxable income of Rand for 2020.

The Board of Directors declared the following quarterly cash dividends to shareholders. Unlessduring the transactions contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement are completed, we have no present intention of paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securitiesyear ended December 31, 2021:

Share Repurchase Program

Shareholders of Record

On March 1, 2019, we had a total of approximately 908 shareholders, which included 77 record holders of our Common Stock and an estimated 831 holders with shares beneficially owned in nominee name or under clearinghouse positions of brokerage firms or banks.

Our old peer group was comprised of the following companies:

Equus Total Return, Inc. (NYSE: EQS)Harvest Capital Credit Corporation (NasdaqGM: HCAP)

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc. (NasdaqGS: SVVC)

GSV Capital Corp. (NasdaqCM: GSVC)

180 DegreeGreat Elm Capital Corp. (NasdaqGM: TURN)GECC)

The Old Peer Group was comprised of the following companies:

Capital Southwest Corporation (NasdaqGS: CSWC)

Firsthand Technology Value Fund,Investcorp Credit Management BDC Inc. (NasdaqGS: SVVC)ICMB)

GSV Capital Corp. (NasdaqCM: GSVC)

180 Degree Capital Corp. (NasdaqGM: TURN)Portman Ridge Financial Corp (NasdaqGS: PTMN)

We selected the New Peer Groupnew peer group because it is our beliefwe believe that the four issuers included in thethis group are organized and have investment objectives that are similar to ours, as they are each an externally managed BDC that pays a regular cash dividend, and among the publicly traded companies, they are relatively similar in size to us. We removed Harvest Capital Southwest was removedCredit Corporation from our peer group to reflect the change in their business strategy.because they merged with Portman Ridge Financial Corp. during 2021.

The performance graph information provided above will not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or “filed” with the SEC or subject to Regulations 14A or 14C, or to the liabilities of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act, unless in the future we specifically request that the information be treated as soliciting material or specifically incorporate it by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or the Exchange Act.

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

Overview

Currently, weWe are an internallyexternally managed investment company that lends to and invests in small companies often concurrentlylower middle market companies. At times, we also invest in high yielding publicly traded equity securities. Our investment objective is to generate current income and when also possible, capital appreciation, by targeting investment opportunities with other investors. favorable risk-adjusted returns. Our investment activities are managed by our investment adviser, Rand Capital Management, LLC (“RCM”).

We have elected to be treatedregulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As a BDC, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. We have historicallyrequirements specified in the 1940 Act. Prior to 2020, we made the majority of our investments through our wholly-ownedwholly owned subsidiary, Rand Capital SBIC, Inc. (“Rand SBIC”), which operatesoperated as a small business investment company (“SBIC”) and hashad been licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) since 2002. In November 2021, Rand SBIC was approved for an additional $6.0 millionrepaid its $11,000,000 in new SBA leverage commitments during 2018.

Our principal investment objective has historically been to achieve long-term capital appreciation on our equity investments while maintaining a current cash flow from our debenture and pass-through equity instruments to fund our operating expenses. Therefore, we invest in a variety of financial instruments to provide a current return on a portion of the investment portfolio. The equity features contained in our investment portfolio are structured to realize capital appreciation over the long-term and typically do not generate current income in the form of dividends or interest.

We have historically made initial investments of $500,000 to $1,000,000 directly in companies through equity or in debt or loan instruments and frequently providedfollow-on investments during our investment tenure. The debt instruments generally have a maturity of not more than five years and usually have detachable equity warrants. Interest may be paid currently or deferred, based on the investment structure negotiated.

source of income and asset diversification requirements. As a RIC, we generally will not be subject to corporate level U.S. federal tax purposes. This will enable the pass through ofincome taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains if we annually distribute to our shareholders at least 90% of our ordinary net income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any. Accordingly, our Board of Directors has initiated a regular quarterly cash dividend. As of December 31, 2021, we believe we are in compliance with these RIC requirements.

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

The Rand Board of Directors declared a 2020 cash dividend of $1.33 per share on December 21, 2020 that was paid on January 19, 2021 to shareholders of record as of December 31, 2020. The 2020 cash dividend represented over 90% of our investment company taxable income for 2020.

The Rand Board of Directors declared the following quarterly cash dividends during the year ended December 31, 2021:

We intend to co-invest, subject to the conditions included in the exemptive relief order we received from the SEC, with certain of our affiliates. See “SEC Exemptive Order” below. We believe that such co-investments may afford us additional investment opportunities and an ability to achieve greater diversification.

SEC Exemptive Order

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

On March 29, 2021, the SEC approved a new exemptive relief order (the “New Order”) reflecting the new organizational structure of RCM and its affiliates after the Adviser Change of Control. This New Order supersedes the Order and permits, subject to compliance with specified conditions, the Corporation to co-invest with funds managed by RCM and its affiliates under RCM’s current ownership structure after the completion of the Adviser Change in Control.

Outlook

Rand’s strategy is to grow its investment income to shareholders without payment of corporate-level U.S. federaldrive net income tax by Rand.

2018 Portfolio and Investment Activity

We believe the change in net asset value over time is the leading valuation metric of our performance. Exits from our portfolio holdings are the key driver of growth in net asset value over time.

Outlook

At the end of 2018, we had $4.0 million in cash equivalents available for future investments and expenses, a decrease from $6.3 millionexpenses.

Our portfolio at December 31, 2021 was comprised of 46% interest yielding debt instruments compared with 41% at the end of 2017.2020, improving our portfolio yield and net interest income. The decreaseannualized weighted average yield of the portfolio was primarily due12.3% at the end of 2021 compared with 12.7% at the end of 2020.

Rand plans to $2.5 millionleverage its assets, which are not unencumbered after repayment of the SBA debt, to provide greater liquidity for further investments originated during 2018into higher yielding investments. It also plans to use its publicly traded equity investments as well as funding ongoing operating expenses.available liquidity and capital for prospective opportunities that will provide higher yields.

We received SBA approval during 2018COVID-19 Update

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, our investment adviser, RCM, has continued to engage in active discussions with the management teams of the companies within our portfolio regarding actions taken by those portfolio companies with respect to the safety and welfare of their employees and their processes for an additional $6.0 millionadapting to a new work environments post-COVID-19. RCM has informed us about the impact of COVID-19 on the businesses of our portfolio companies, and the potential impact of disruptions in leveragethe supply chain, and the actions these portfolio companies have taken, and are taking, to adapt to changes in demand, both increased and decreased, depending upon the portfolio company. While we drew down $750,000do not know what the ultimate long-term impact of that leverage as of December 31, 2018the COVID -19 pandemic will be on our portfolio companies, RCM is actively monitoring our portfolio companies, their liquidity and an additional $2,250,000 in January 2019.operational status.

Trends and Opportunities

We believe the combination of cash on hand, highly liquid publicly traded BDC stocks, proceeds from portfolio exits, SBA leverage, and prospective investment income provide sufficient capital for us to continuethe liquidity that will enable us to add new investments to our

Critical Accounting Policies

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, which require the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities. For a summary of all significant accounting policies, including critical accounting policies, see Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report.

The increasing complexity of the business environment and applicable authoritative accounting guidance requirerequires us to monitor our accounting policies and procedures. We have two critical accounting policies that require the use of significant judgment. The following summary of critical accounting policies is intended to enhance a reader’s ability to assess our financial condition and results of operations and the potential volatility due to changes in estimates.

Valuation of Investments

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

Investments are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by managementRCM and approved by our Board of Directors.Board. We invest in loan, debt, and equity instruments and there is no single standard for determining fair value of these investments. As a result, determining fair value requires that judgment be applied to the specific facts and circumstances of each portfolio company while employing a consistent valuation process. We analyze and value each investment quarterly and record unrealized depreciation for an investment that we believe has become impaired, including where collection of a loan or realization of the recorded value of an equity security is doubtful. Conversely, we will record unrealized appreciation if we believe that an underlying portfolio company has appreciated in value and, therefore, its equity security has also appreciated in value. These estimated fair values may differ from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the investments existed and these differences could be material if our assumptions and judgments differ from results of actual liquidation events.

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

We utilize several approaches to determine the fair value of an investment. The main approaches are:

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

Level 1:     Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, used in our valuation at the measurement date.

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

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

Financial assets are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value.

Any changesappreciation or depreciation in estimatedvalue that result in estimating fair value are recorded innet on the statementStatement of operationsOperations as “Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments.”

Under the valuation policy, we value unrestricted publicly traded companies, categorized as Level 1 investments, at the average closing bid price for the last three trading days of the reporting period. ThereAt December 31, 2021, 78% of our investments were noLevel 3 investments and 22% were Level 1 or Level 2 investments as ofinvestments. At December 31, 2018.2020, 92% of the our investments were Level 3 and 8% were held in Level 1 investments.

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

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

Equity Securities

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

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

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

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

For recent investments, we generally rely on the cost basis, which is deemed to represent fair value, unless other fair market value inputs are identified causing us to depart from this basis.

Loans and Debt Securities

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of our loan and debt securities are the financial and operational performance of the portfolio company, similar debt with similar terms with other portfolio

For recent investments, we generally rely on the cost basis, which is deemed to represent the fair value, unless other fair market value inputs are identified causing us to depart from this basis.

Revenue Recognition

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

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

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

We may receive distributions from portfolio companies that are limited liability companies or corporations. These distributions are classified as dividend income on the consolidated statement of operations. Dividend income is recognized on an accrual basis when it can be reasonably estimated.

We hold preferred equity securities that may contain cumulative dividend provisions. Cumulative dividends are recorded as dividend income when they are declared and deemed a contractual obligation. Any dividends in arrears are added to the balance of the preferred equity investment. The actual collection of these dividends in arrears may be deferred until such time as the preferred security is redeemed.

Composition of the Investment Portfolio

Our financial condition is dependent on the success of our portfolio holdings, which are investments in small companies. The following summarizes our investment portfolio at the year ends indicated.

NM – Not meaningful

Our total investments at fair value, as estimated by management and approved by theour Board of Directors, approximated 110%106% of net assets at December 31, 20182021 and 101%87% of net assets at December 31, 2017.2020.

Our investment objective is to maximize total return to our shareholders with current income and, capital appreciation, when possible. As a result, we are focused on investing in higher yielding debt instruments and related equity investments in privately held, lower middle market companies with a committed and experienced management team in a broad variety of industries. We may invest in publicly traded shares of other business development companies that provide income through dividends and have more liquidity that our private company equity investments.

The change in investments, at cost, during the year ended December 31, 2018,2021, is comprised of the following:

Our top five portfolio companies represented 39%47% of total assets at December 31, 2018:2021:

Our top five portfolio companies represented 37%33% of total assets at December 31, 2017:2020:

Below is the geographic breakdown of our investments using fair value as of December 31, 2021 and 2020:

Results of Operations

Investment Income

Our principal investment objective is to achieve long-term capital appreciation on our equity investments while maintaining a current cash flow from our debenture and pass-through equity instruments to fund expenses. Therefore, we invest in a variety of financial instruments to provide a current return on a portion of the investment portfolio.

Comparison of the years ended December 31, 20182021 and 20172020

Investment income increased 45%, or $652,172, from $1,454,782 forwas received, on a current basis, during the year ended December 31, 2017 to $2,106,954 for the year ended December 31, 2018. The total investment income that is received on a current basis for the year ended December 31, 2018 is received2021 from 929 portfolio companies. This contrasts withis an increase from the 1123 portfolio companies generating current investment income for the year ended December 31, 2017.    2020. This increase can be attributed to our increased focus on investing in higher yielding debt investments.

Interest from portfolio companies –— Interest from portfolio companies was approximately 30%23% higher duringfor the year ended December 31, 20182021 versus the same period in 20172020 due to the fact that we have originated more income-producing debt investments induring the last year.twelve months. The new debt instruments were originated from KnowledgeVision Systems,BMP Swanson Holdco, LLC (Swanson), Caitec, Inc. (Knowledgevision)(Caitec), Tech 2000,DSD Operating, LLC (DSD), ITA Acquisition, LLC (ITA), Nailbiter, Inc. (Tech 2000), Genicon Inc. (Genicon)(Nailbiter) and several other portfolio companies.Seybert’s Billiards Corporation (Seybert’s). In addition, during 2018 the Empire Genomics loans were modified and resulted in a recording of interest that had previously not been accrued ofincome was higher due to an approximately $91,000. This amount was capitalized into the loan balance as part of the debt modification and isnon-recurring.    

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

Interest from other investments - The$88,000 increase in interest from other investments was primarily due to higher average cash balancesOID income during the year ended December 31, 2018 versus2021 due to a first quarter 2021 loan payoff.

Interest from other investments — The decrease in interest from other investments is due to lower average cash balances and lower interest rates during the year ended December 31, 2017.2021 versus the same period in 2020.

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

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

The income associated with the amortization of financing fees was $41,872$87,018 and $24,091$29,188 for the years ended December 31, 20182021 and 2017,2020, respectively. The financingDuring the year ended December 31, 2021, we recognized a one-time fee income basedof $30,000 in conjunction with the repayment of the Microcision loan instrument and $25,500 in other one-time fees associated with the loan monitoring and application fees. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we recognized a one-time pre-payment fee of $91,423 on the existing portfolio is expected to be approximately $46,000 in 2019, $21,000 in 2020repayment of the Andretti debt instrument and $6,000 in 2021.a one-time pre-payment fee of $4,500 on the repayment of the Open Exchange debt instrument.

Fees paid forThe board service at the portfolio companiesfees were $2,000$14,096 and $1,000$0 for the years ended December 31, 20182021 and 2017,2020, respectively.

In addition, we recorded aone-time debt modification fee of approximately $142,000 from Empire Genomics which was capitalized into the Empire Genomics loan balances as part of the debt modification.

Comparison of the years ended December 31, 20172020 and 20162019