EX-99.S.1 6 d891929dex99s1.htm EX-S.1 EX-s.1

FORM OF PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT FOR COMMON STOCK OFFERINGS

Exhibit s.1

The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission has been declared effective. This preliminary prospectus supplement is not an offer to sell nor does it seek an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

[FORM OF PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT TO BE USED IN

CONJUNCTION WITH FUTURE SECURITIES OFFERINGS]

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(to Prospectus dated                 , 2015)

[            ] Shares

 

LOGO

Common Stock

We are offering             shares of our common stock. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, under the symbol “HTGC.” The last sale price, as reported on the NYSE on             , was $            per share. The net asset value per share of our common stock at             (the last date prior to the date of this prospectus supplement on which we determined net asset value) was $            .

We are an internally-managed, non-diversified closed-end investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Our investment objective is to maximize our portfolio total return by generating current income from our debt investments and capital appreciation from our equity-related investments.

Please read this prospectus supplement, and the accompanying prospectus, before investing, and keep it for future reference. The prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain important information about us that a prospective investor should know before investing in our common stock. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information about us with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This information is available free of charge by contacting us at 400 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 310, Palo Alto, California 94301, or by telephone by calling collect at (650) 289-3060 or on our website at www.herculestech.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus. The SEC also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains such information.

An investment in our common stock involves risks, including the risk of a total loss of investment. In addition, the companies in which we invest are subject to special risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 11 of the accompanying prospectus and page S- in this prospectus supplement to read about risks that you should consider before investing in our common stock, including the risk of leverage.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

PRICE $     PER SHARE

 

 

 

     Per Share      Total  

Price to Public

   $         $     

Underwriting Discounts and Commissions

   $         $     

Proceeds to us(1)

   $         $     

 

(1) 

Expenses payable by us are estimated to be $             .

The underwriters have an option to purchase up to an additional             shares from us at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions, within 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement to cover overallotments. If the underwriters exercise this option in full, the total public offering price will be $            , the total underwriting discount and commissions (sales load) paid by us will be $            , and total proceeds, before expenses, will be $            .

Delivery of the shares of common stock will be made on or about             , 2015.

The date of this prospectus supplement is             , 2015.

 

S-1


ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized any other person to provide you with different information from that contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, our securities by any person in any jurisdiction where it is unlawful for that person to make such an offer or solicitation or to any person in any jurisdiction to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. The information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is complete and accurate only as of their respective dates, regardless of the time of their delivery or sale of our securities. This prospectus supplement supersedes the accompanying prospectus to the extent it contains information different from or additional to the information in that prospectus.

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of this offering and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information and disclosure. To the extent the information contained in this prospectus supplement differs from the information contained in the accompanying prospectus, the information in this prospectus supplement shall control. You should read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus together with the additional information described under the heading, “Available Information” before investing in our common stock.

 

S-2


TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

Prospectus Supplement

 

     Page

Fees and Expenses

   S-4

Prospectus Supplement Summary

   S-6

Forward-Looking Statements; Market Data

   S-11

Capitalization

   S-13

Use of Proceeds

   S-14

Underwriting

   S-15

Legal Matters

   S-18

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   S-18

Available Information

   S-18

PROSPECTUS

 

     Page  

Summary

     1   

Fees and Expenses

     7   

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

     9   

Risk Factors

     11   

Forward-Looking Statements

     51   

Use of Proceeds

     53   

Price Range of Common Stock and Distributions

     54   

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

     58   

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

     59   

Business

     113   

Portfolio Companies

     126   

Senior Securities

     149   

Management

     152   

Corporate Governance

     158   

Executive Compensation

     168   

Control Persons and Principal Stockholders

     190   

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

     192   

Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations

     193   

Regulation

     202   

Determination of Net Asset Value

     208   

Sales of Common Stock Below Net Asset Value

     212   

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

     217   

Description of Capital Stock

     218   

Description of Our Preferred Stock

     225   

Description of Our Subscription Rights

     227   

Description of Warrants

     229   

Description of Our Debt Securities

     231   

Plan of Distribution

     244   

Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices

     246   

Custodian, Transfer and Dividend Paying Agent and Registrar

     246   

Legal Matters

     246   

Experts

     246   

Available Information

     247   

Index to Financial Statements

     F-1   

 

 

S-3


FEES AND EXPENSES

The following table is intended to assist you in understanding the various costs and expenses that an investor in our securities will bear directly or indirectly. However, we caution you that some of the percentages indicated in the table below are estimates and may vary. The following table and example should not be considered a representation of our future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or less than shown. Except where the context suggests otherwise, whenever this prospectus contains a reference to fees or expenses paid by “you” or “us” or that “we” will pay fees or expenses, stockholders will indirectly bear such fees or expenses as investors in the Company.

 

Stockholder Transaction Expenses

  

Sales Load (as a percentage of offering price)

     —    %(1)

Offering Expenses (as a percentage of offering price)

     —    %(2)

Dividend Reinvestment Plan Fees

     —    %(3)
  

 

 

 

Total Stockholder Transaction Expenses (as a percentage of offering price)

     —    %(4)
  

 

 

 

Annual Expenses (as a Percentage of Net Assets Attributable to Common Shares)(11)

  

Operating Expenses

     % (5)(6)

Interest Payments on Borrowed Funds

     % (7)

Fees paid in connection with borrowed funds

     % (8) 

Acquired fund fees and expenses

     % (9)

Total Annual Expenses

     % (10)
  

 

 

 

 

(1) The underwriting discounts and commissions with respect to the shares sold in this offering, which is a one-time fee, is the only sales load paid in connection with this offering.

(2) Amount reflects estimated offering expenses of $             and is based on the offering of             shares at the public offering price of $             per share.
(3) The expenses of the dividend reinvestment plan are included in “Other Expenses.” See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” in the accompanying prospectus.
(4) The prospectus supplement corresponding to each offering will disclose the applicable offering expenses and total stockholder transaction expenses.
(5) “Operating expenses” represent our estimated operating expenses for the year ending December 31, [     ] including income tax expense (benefit) including excise tax, excluding interests and fees on indebtedness. This percentage for the year ended December 31, [     ] was [     ] %. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis and Results of Operations,” “Management,” and “Compensation of Executive Officers and Directors.”
(6) We do not have an investment adviser and are internally managed by our executive officers under the supervision of our Board of Directors. As a result, we do not pay investment advisory fees, but instead we pay the operating costs associated with employing investment management professionals..
(7) “Interest payments on borrowed funds” represents estimated interest payments on borrowed funds for 20[     ] including [     ]. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this prospectus supplement. For purposes of this section, we have computed interest expense assuming that: (i) we maintain no cash or cash equivalents, (ii) borrow for investment purposes an amount equal to % of our total assets ($___ million out of total assets of $ ___ million) and (iii) the annual interest rate, representing interest and credit facility fees and amortization of debt issuance costs, is ___%. Total assets of $___ million assumes full utilization of the $500 million under our shelf registration statement.
(8) “Fees paid in connection with borrowed funds” represents estimated fees paid in connection with borrowed funds for [    ] including [     ]. This percentage for the year ended December 31, [     ] was approximately [     ]%.

 

S-4


(9) For the year ended December 31, [     ], we [did not] have any investments in shares of Acquired Funds that are not consolidated and, as a result, we did not directly or indirectly incur any fees from Acquired Funds.
(10) “Total annual expenses” is the sum of “operating expenses,” “interest payments on borrowed funds” and “fees paid in connection with borrowed funds.”
(11) “Average net assets attributable to common stock” equals the weighted estimated average net assets for [     ] which is $[     ].

Example

The following example demonstrates the projected dollar amount of total cumulative expenses that would be incurred over various periods with respect to a $1,000 hypothetical investment in our common stock, assuming a 5% annual return. These amounts are based upon our payment of annual operating expenses at the levels set forth in the table above and assume no additional leverage.

 

     1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years  

You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5% annual return

   $         $         $         $     

The example and the expenses in the tables above should not be considered a representation of our future expenses, and actual expenses may be greater or lesser than those shown. Moreover, while the example assumes, as required by the applicable rules of the SEC, a 5% annual return, our performance will vary and may result in a return greater or lesser than 5%. In addition, while the example assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value, participants in our dividend reinvestment plan may receive shares valued at the market price in effect at that time. This price may be at, above or below net asset value. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” in the accompanying prospectus for additional information regarding our dividend reinvestment plan.

This example and the expenses in the table above should not be considered a representation of our future expenses as actual expenses (including the cost of debt, and other expenses) may be greater or less than those shown.

 

S-5


PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

This summary highlights some of the information in this prospectus supplement and may not contain all of the information that is important to you. For a more complete understanding of this offering, we encourage you to read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the documents that are referenced in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, together with any accompanying supplements. In this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires, the “Company,” “Hercules Technology Growth Capital,” “Hercules,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiaries.

Our Company

We are a specialty finance company focused on providing senior secured loans to venture capital-backed companies in technology-related industries, including technology, biotechnology, life science and energy and renewables technology, at all stages of development. Our investment objective is to maximize our portfolio total return by generating current income from our debt investments and capital appreciation from our equity-related investments. We are an internally-managed, non-diversified closed-end investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the 1940 Act. We have qualified as and have elected to be treated for tax purposes as a regulated investment company, or RIC, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code.

As of [            ], 20[    ], our total assets were approximately $[        ], of which our investments comprised $[        ] at fair value and $[        ] at cost. Since inception through [            ], 20[    ], we have made debt and equity commitments of approximately $[        ] to our portfolio companies.

We also make investments in qualifying small businesses through two wholly-owned, small business investment company, or SBIC, subsidiaries, Hercules Technology II, L.P., or HT II, and Hercules Technology III, L.P., or HT III. At [            ], 20[    ], we have issued $[        ] in Small Business Administration, or SBA, guaranteed debentures in our SBIC subsidiaries. See “Regulation-Small Business Administration Regulations” in the accompanying prospectus for additional information regarding our SBIC subsidiaries.

 

S-6


As of [    ], 20        , our investment professionals, including Manuel A. Henriquez, our co-founder, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, are currently comprised of [    ] professionals who have, on average, more than [    ] years of experience in venture capital, structured finance, commercial lending or acquisition finance with the types of technology-related companies that we are targeting. We believe that we can leverage the experience and relationships of our management team to successfully identify attractive investment opportunities, underwrite prospective portfolio companies and structure customized financing solutions.

The following chart shows the ownership structure and relationship of certain entities with us.

 

LOGO

Our Market Opportunity

We believe that technology-related companies compete in one of the largest and most rapidly growing sectors of the U.S. economy and that continued growth is supported by ongoing innovation and performance improvements in technology products as well as the adoption of technology across virtually all industries in response to competitive pressures. We believe that an attractive market opportunity exists for a specialty finance company focused primarily on investments in structured debt with warrants in technology-related companies for the following reasons:

 

   

Technology-related companies have generally been underserved by traditional lending sources;

 

   

Unfulfilled demand exists for structured debt financing to technology-related companies as the number of lenders has declined due to the recent financial market turmoil; and

 

S-7


   

Structured debt with warrants products are less dilutive and complement equity financing from venture capital and private equity funds.

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

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

Due to the difficulties described above, we believe traditional lenders are generally refraining from entering the structured debt financing marketplace, instead preferring the risk-reward profile of asset based lending. Traditional lenders generally do not have flexible product offerings that meet the needs of technology-related companies. The financing products offered by traditional lenders typically impose on borrowers many restrictive covenants and conditions, including limiting cash outflows and requiring a significant depository relationship to facilitate rapid liquidation.

Unfulfilled Demand for Structured Debt Financing to Technology-Related Companies. Private debt capital in the form of structured debt financing from specialty finance companies continues to be an important source of funding for technology-related companies. We believe that the level of demand for structured debt financing is a function of the level of annual venture equity investment activity.

We believe that demand for structured debt financing is currently underserved. The venture capital market for the technology-related companies in which we invest has been active and is continuing to show signs of increased investment activity. In addition, lending requirements of traditional lenders have recently become more stringent due to the significant write-offs in the financial services sector, the re-pricing of credit risk in the broadly syndicated market and the financial turmoil affecting the banking system and financial market, which have negatively impacted the debt and equity capital market in the United States and most other markets. At the same time, the venture capital market for the technology-related companies in which we invest has continued to be active. Therefore, to the extent we have capital available, we believe this is an opportune time to be active in the structured lending market for technology-related companies.

Structured Debt with Warrants Products Complement Equity Financing From Venture Capital and Private Equity Funds. We believe that technology-related companies and their financial sponsors will continue to view structured debt securities as an attractive source of capital because it augments the capital provided by venture capital and private equity funds. We believe that our structured debt with warrants product provides access to growth capital that otherwise may only be available through incremental investments by existing equity investors. As such, we provide portfolio companies and their financial sponsors with an opportunity to diversify their capital

 

S-8


sources. Generally, we believe technology-related companies at all stages of development target a portion of their capital to be debt in an attempt to achieve a higher valuation through internal growth. In addition, because financial sponsor-backed companies have reached a more mature stage prior to reaching a liquidity event, we believe our investments could provide the debt capital needed to grow or recapitalize during the extended period prior to liquidity events.

Our Business Strategy

Our strategy to achieve our investment objective includes the following key elements:

Leverage the Experience and Industry Relationships of Our Management Team and Investment Professionals. We have assembled a team of experienced investment professionals with extensive experience as venture capitalists, commercial lenders and originators of structured debt and equity investments in technology-related companies.

Mitigate Risk of Principal Loss and Build a Portfolio of Equity-Related Securities. We expect that our investments have the potential to produce attractive risk adjusted returns through current income, in the form of interest and fee income, as well as capital appreciation from equity-related securities. We seek to mitigate the risk of loss on our debt investments through the combination of loan principal amortization, cash interest payments, relatively short maturities (generally 12-60 months), security interests in the assets of our portfolio companies, and, on select investments, covenants requiring prospective portfolio companies to have certain amounts of available cash at the time of our investment and the continued support from a venture capital or private equity firm at the time we make our investment.

Provide Customized Financing Complementary to Financial Sponsors’ Capital. We offer a broad range of investment structures and possess expertise and experience to effectively structure and price investments in technology-related companies.

 

S-9


Invest at Various Stages of Development. We provide growth capital to technology-related companies at all stages of development, including select publicly listed companies, and select special opportunity lower middle market companies that require additional capital to fund acquisitions, recapitalization and refinancing, and established-stage companies.

Benefit from Our Efficient Organizational Structure. We believe that our corporate structure enables us to be a long-term partner for our portfolio companies in contrast to traditional investment funds, which typically have a limited life. In addition, because of our access to the equity markets, we believe that we may benefit from a lower cost of capital than that available to private investment funds.

Deal Sourcing Through Our Proprietary Database. We have developed a proprietary and comprehensive structured query language-based (SQL) database system to track various aspects of our investment process including sourcing, originations, transaction monitoring and post-investment performance.

Recent Developments

[Insert description of recent developments at time of offering.]

General Information

Our principal executive offices are located at 400 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 310, Palo Alto, California 94301, and our telephone number is (650) 289-3060. We also have offices in Boston, MA, New York, NY, McLean, VA and Radnor, PA. We maintain a website on the Internet at www.htgc.com. Information contained in our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider that information to be part of this prospectus.

We file annual, quarterly and current periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which we refer to as the Exchange Act. This information is available at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information about the operation of the SEC’s public reference room by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet website, at www.sec.gov, that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, including us, who file documents electronically with the SEC.

 

S-10


SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The matters discussed in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, as well as in future oral and written statements by management of Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc., that are forward-looking statements are based on current management expectations that involve substantial risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. We generally identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “could,” “intends,” “target,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar words. Important assumptions include our ability to originate new investments, achieve certain margins and levels of profitability, the availability of additional capital, and the ability to maintain certain debt to asset ratios and our outlook on the economy and its effect on venture capital. In light of these and other uncertainties, the inclusion of a projection or forward-looking statement in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus should not be regarded as a representation by us that our plans or objectives will be achieved. The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus include statements as to:

 

  our future operating results;

 

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

 

  the impact of investments that we expect to make;

 

  the impact of a protracted decline in the liquidity of credit markets on our business;

 

  our informal relationships with third parties including in the venture capital industry;

 

  the expected market for venture capital investments and our addressable market;

 

  the dependence of our future success on the general economy and its impact on the industries in which we invest;

 

  our ability to access debt markets and equity markets;

 

  the ability of our portfolio companies to achieve their objectives;

 

  our expected financings and investments;

 

  our regulatory structure and tax status;

 

  our ability to operate as a business development company, SBIC and a RIC;

 

  the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital;

 

  the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of our portfolio companies;

 

  the timing, form and amount of any dividend distributions;

 

  the impact of fluctuations in interest rates on our business;

 

  the valuation of any investments in portfolio companies, particularly those having no liquid trading market; and

 

  our ability to recover unrealized losses.

 

S-11


For a discussion of factors that could cause our actual results to differ from forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, please see the discussion under “Risk Factors” in both this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. The forward-looking statements contained herein are excluded from the safe harbor protection provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933.

Industry and Market Data

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain third-party estimates and data regarding valuations of venture capital-backed companies. This data was reported by Dow Jones VentureSource, an independent venture capital industry research company which we refer to as VentureSource. VentureSource is commonly relied upon as an information source in the venture capital industry. Although we have not independently verified any such data, we believe that the industry information contained in such releases and data tables and included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is reliable.

We have compiled certain industry estimates presented in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus from internally generated information and data. While we believe our estimates are reliable, they have not been verified by any independent sources. The estimates are based on a number of assumptions, including increasing investment in venture capital and private equity-backed companies. Actual results may differ from projections and estimates, and this market may not grow at the rates projected, or at all. If this market fails to grow at projected rates, our business and the market price of our common stock could be materially adversely affected.

 

S-12


CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth (i) our actual capitalization as of             , and (ii) our capitalization as adjusted to reflect the effects of the sale of              shares of our common stock in this offering (assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ overallotment option) at an assumed public offering price of $             per share (based on the last reported sales price of our common stock on                 , 20     ), and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. You should read this table together with “Use of Proceeds” and our statement of assets and liabilities included elsewhere in this prospectus supplement.

 

     As of  
(in thousands)    Actual      As Adjusted  for
this
Offering(1)
 

Cash and cash equivalents

   $         $     

Debt:

     

Wells Facility

   $ —         $ —     

Union Bank Facility

     —           —     

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     

Long-term SBA debentures

     

Convertible Senior Notes

     

2019 Notes

     

2024 Notes

     

2017 Asset-Backed Notes

     

2021 Asset-Backed Notes

     

Total debt

   $         $     

Stockholders’ equity:

     

Common stock, par value $0.001 per share; [                ] shares authorized; [                ] shares issued and outstanding, on an actual basis; [                ] shares issued and outstanding on an as adjusted basis

   $         $     

Capital in excess of par value

     

Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

     )         )   

Accumulated realized gains (losses) on investments

     

Undistributed net investment income

     

Total stockholders’ equity

     

Total capitalization

     

 

(1) Does not include the underwriters’ overallotment option.

 

S-13


USE OF PROCEEDS

The net proceeds from the sale of             shares of our common stock in this offering will be $             (or $             if the over-allotment is exercised in full) after deducting estimated offering expenses of approximately $             payable by us. A $             increase (decrease) in the assumed offering price per share would increase (decrease) net proceeds to us from this offering by $             million, assuming the number of shares offered by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement remains the same. Any additional proceeds to us resulting from an increase in the public offering price or the number of shares offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement will be used by us as described below.

We expect to use the net proceeds from this offering to fund investments in debt and equity securities in accordance with our investment objective and for other general corporate purposes.

We intend to seek to invest the net proceeds received in this offering as promptly as practicable after receipt thereof consistent with our investment objective. We anticipate that substantially all of the net proceeds from any offering of our securities will be used as described above within three to six months, depending on market conditions. We anticipate that the remainder will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, including potential payments or distributions to shareholders. Pending such use, we will invest a portion of the net proceeds of this offering in short-term investments, such as cash and cash equivalents, which we expect will earn yields substantially lower than the interest income that we anticipate receiving in respect of investments in accordance with our investment objective.

 

S-14


UNDERWRITING

are acting as joint bookrunning managers of the offering and as representatives of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus supplement, each underwriter named below has agreed to purchase the number of shares set forth opposite the underwriter’s name.

 

Underwriter

  

Number

of Shares

  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Total

  

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the shares included in this offering are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and to other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to purchase all the shares (other than those covered by the over-allotment option described below) if they purchase any of the shares.

The underwriters propose to offer some of the shares directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and some of the shares to dealers at the public offering price less a concession not to exceed $             per share. If all of the shares are not sold at the initial offering price, the representatives may change the public offering price and the other selling terms. The representatives have advised us that the underwriters do not intend to confirm sales to discretionary accounts.

We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase from us up to             additional shares of common stock at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. The underwriters may exercise the option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, in connection with this offering. To the extent the option is exercised, each underwriter must purchase a number of additional shares approximately proportionate to that underwriter’s initial purchase commitment.

We, our officers and directors have agreed with the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions, not to issue, sell, dispose of or hedge any of our common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock during the period from the date of this prospectus supplement continuing through the date days after the date of this prospectus supplement, except with the prior written consent of .

The     -day restricted period described in the preceding paragraph will be automatically extended if: (1) during the last 17 days of the     -day restricted period we issue an earnings release or announce material news or a material event; or (2) prior to the expiration of the     -day restricted period, we announce that we will release earnings results during the 15-day period following the last day of the     -day period, in which case the restrictions described in the preceding paragraph will continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release of the announcement of the material news or material event.

Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “HTGC”.

The following table shows the underwriting discounts and commissions that we are to pay to the underwriters in connection with this offering. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full

 

S-15


exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase from us additional shares of common stock. This offering will conform with the requirements set forth in Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Rule 2310. In compliance with such requirements, the underwriting discounts and commissions in connection with the sale of securities will not exceed 8% of gross proceeds of this offering.

 

     Paid by Hercules Technology
Growth Capital, Inc.
 
     No Exercise      Full Exercise  

Per share

   $         $     

Total

   $         $     

In connection with the offering, one or more of the underwriters may purchase and sell shares of common stock in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve syndicate sales of common stock in excess of the number of shares to be purchased by the underwriters in the offering, which creates a syndicate short position. “Covered” short sales are sales of shares made in an amount up to the number of shares represented by the underwriters’ over-allotment option. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered syndicate short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the over-allotment option. Transactions to close out the covered syndicate short involve either purchases of the common stock in the open market after the distribution has been completed or the exercise of the over-allotment option. The underwriters may also make “naked” short sales of shares in excess of the over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares of common stock in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of bids for or purchases of shares in the open market while the offering is in progress.

The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the representatives repurchase shares originally sold by that syndicate member in order to cover syndicate short positions or make stabilizing purchases.

Any of these activities may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the common stock. They may also cause the price of the common stock to be higher than the price that would otherwise exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on the NYSE or in the over-the-counter market, or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.

We estimate that our portion of the total expenses of this offering will be $            .

The underwriters have performed investment banking and advisory services for us and our affiliates from time to time for which they have received customary fees and expenses. The underwriters may, from time to time, engage in transactions with and perform services for us and our affiliates in the ordinary course of their business. Each of the underwriters acted as underwriters in our initial public offering.

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the websites maintained by one or more of the underwriters. Other than the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in electronic format, the information on any such underwriter’s website is not part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The representatives may agree to allocate a number of shares to underwriters for sale to their online brokerage account holders. The representatives will allocate shares to underwriters that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations. In addition, shares may be sold by the underwriters to securities dealers who resell shares to online brokerage account holders.

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.

 

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In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers and may at any time hold long and short positions in such securities and instruments. Such investment and securities activities may involve securities and instruments of ours.

The principal business address of             is             ,             ,             .

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters with respect to the validity of the shares of common stock we are offering will be passed upon for us by Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP, Washington, D.C. Certain legal matters related to the offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by .

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 20[    ] and 20[    ] and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 20[    ] and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) as of December 31, 20[    ] included in this prospectus supplement have been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form N-2, together with all amendments and related exhibits, under the Securities Act, with respect to our shares of common stock offered by this prospectus supplement. The registration statement contains additional information about us and our shares of common stock being offered by this prospectus supplement.

We file annual, quarterly and current periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which we refer to as the Exchange Act. This information is available at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information about the operation of the SEC’s public reference room by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet website, at http://www.sec.gov, that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, including us, who file documents electronically with the SEC.

 

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