Segmented Information Segment (loss) income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment operating income	$ 1,708	$ 1,558		$ 3,428	$ 3,213
Net investment income	1,010	864		1,648	2,032
Net realized gains (losses)	132	(1)		397	(1)
(Loss) gain on change in fair value of equity investments	(421)	0		744	0
Loss on change in fair value of limited liability investments, at fair value	(525)	(1,713)		(1,461)	(1,659)
Amortization of intangible assets	254	272		509	546
Accretion Expense	0	212		0	212
Interest expense not allocated to segments	1,844	1,549		3,561	3,048
Other income and expenses not allocated to segments, net	(3,213)	(2,932)		(5,625)	(5,295)
Loss on change in fair value of debt	(142)	(2,702)		(1,061)	(4,591)
Gain on disposal of subsidiary	17	0	$ 0	17	0	$ 0
Equity in net (loss) income of investee	(385)	(145)		(284)	2,240
Loss from continuing operations before income tax expense	(4,072)	(8,192)		(6,422)	(8,708)
Income tax expense	190	1,255		444	1,524
Loss from continuing operations	(4,262)	(9,447)		(6,866)	(10,232)
Net change in unrealized loss on private company investments	(155)	(1,512)		(155)	(1,265)
Reportable Subsegments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment operating income	1,090	686		1,936	1,423
Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment operating income	$ 618	$ 872		$ 1,492	$ 1,790