Hercules Technology Growth Capital Announces Record Second Quarter 2008 Financial Results and Declares a $0.34 Q3 2008 Dividend

Company Reports Record Revenues of $19.0 Million, Record Originations and Fundings for the Quarter

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTGC), the leading specialty finance company providing venture debt and equity to venture capital and private equity backed technology and life science companies at all stages of development, today announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2008.

“Despite the continued challenges in the broader economy coupled with the continued credit markets concerns, the venture capital industry continues to maintain a relatively stable level of investment this quarter across all stages of development and industry sectors, providing a steady source of new investment opportunities for Hercules to potentially invest in. In addition, the venture capital fundraising activity strengthened in the second quarter showing a remarkable level of resiliency, with over $9.0 billion committed to approximately 70 new funds, according to Thomson Reuters and the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA),” said Manuel Henriquez, CEO of Hercules Technology.

“In terms of Hercules specifically, we continue to vigilantly monitor our credit performance, paying close attention to our existing investment portfolio. In addition, we continue to shift our focus to more mature later stage opportunities given the current business environment, while remaining attentive to any signs of potential issues that may adversely affect our company or a given sector of our portfolio companies.”

“With our team of investment professionals, the majority of which are credit trained, our growing reputation within the venture capital community as a solid long term financial partner coupled with the growing Hercules brand awareness, we continue to experience a strong pipeline of investment opportunities in our target markets. Our solid results in the second quarter, despite an otherwise challenging economic environment, suggest Hercules Technology is doing a good job of taking advantage of those opportunities to meet our portfolio companies’ and venture capitalists’ needs. Our business model and disciplined credit culture have so far protected us from the problems facing many of the banks and specialty finance companies. We intend to maintain that discipline and focus as we move forward, as we navigate the challenges of the current economic landscape through the remainder of 2008.”

“We also expect to announce later during the month of August, our new revolving credit facility for potentially up to $300 million that will provide the ability to add lenders to the credit facility over the term of the facility. The facility is expected to be structured as a two year committed facility, with a one year optional extension. The initial facility is expected to close with a commitment of $50 million and up to possibly $100 million with the addition of one to two potential lenders as we finalize the loan and security agreements. However, until this transaction is fully closed, I would like to remind everyone that it is still a pending transaction,” concluded Henriquez. There can be no assurance as to whether Hercules will execute this facility, or the timing thereof.

During the quarter, Hercules entered into agreements to provide debt financing totaling approximately $236.0 million and funded a total of approximately $154.6 million in debt investments including loan renewals. In addition, Hercules made equity investments totaling approximately $6.4 million during the quarter.

Proceeds from principal repayments were approximately $77.5 million, comprised of normal principal repayments, early repayments and pay downs on working capital lines of credit.

During the second quarter, Hercules recognized approximately $1.9 million of net realized gains from its warrant and equity investments, primarily attributed to the acquisition of Sirtris Pharmaceuticals by GlaxoSmithKline plc.

As of June 30, 2008, Hercules had unfunded debt commitments of approximately $193.0 million to 37 portfolio companies. Since these commitments may expire without being drawn upon, or may include performance milestones, unfunded commitments do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. In addition, the Company executed non-binding term sheets totaling approximately $9.0 million for proposed future commitments. These proposed investments are subject to completion of the Company’s due diligence and final approval process, as well as the negotiation of definitive documentation with the prospective portfolio companies. Not all non-binding term sheets are expected to close and do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.

The fair value of Hercules’ total investment portfolio at quarter-end was approximately $602.1 million, as compared to approximately $416.7 million at the end of the second quarter of 2007.

The fair value of the loan portfolio was approximately $545.1 million compared to a fair value of approximately $390.1 million at the end of the second quarter 2007.

The fair value of the equity portfolio was approximately $32.2 million to 39 companies, compared to a fair value of approximately $11.8 million to companies at the end of the second quarter of 2007.

Hercules held warrant positions in 96 portfolio companies, with a fair value of approximately $24.8 million at June 30, 2008, as compared to approximately $14.7 million fair value at June 30, 2007. This represents a 68% increase in the fair value of the warrant portfolio from June 30, 2007 to June 30, 2008, which includes additional investments and appreciation in value. If exercised, these warrant holdings at June 30, 2008 would allow Hercules to invest approximately $60 million. However, these warrants may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline in value. Accordingly, the Company may not be able to realize gains from our warrant holdings.

The effective yield on our debt investments during the quarter was 14.3% which is higher than the preceding quarter yield of 12.6% due to fee income from acceleration of fees and interest from early loan repayments and loan amendments.

The overall weighted average yield to maturity on the Company’s loan portfolio was higher at 12.67% as of June 30, 2008, compared to 12.64% at March 31, 2008. The weighted average yield to maturity is computed using interest rates in effect at inception of each of the loans, and include amortization of loan facility fees, commitment fees and market premiums or discounts over the expected life of the debt investments, weighted by their respective costs when averaged and based on the assumption that all contractual loan commitments have been fully funded and held to maturity.

Continued growth of Hercules’ debt investment portfolio contributed to a 43% increase in total investment income to a record of approximately $19.0 million during the second quarter of 2008, as compared to approximately $13.3 million in the second quarter of 2007.

Interest expense and loan fees driven by higher borrowing activities were approximately $3.5 million during the second quarter, an increase of 73%, as compared to approximately $2.0 in the same quarter of the previous year. Hercules had a weighted average debt balance outstanding during the quarter of approximately $180.9 million and a weighted average cost of debt of 7.7% at June 30, 2008. Total operating expenses, excluding interest expense and loan fees, for the second quarter of 2008 were approximately $5.6 million, as compared to approximately $4.0 million for the second quarter of 2007. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase from 35 employees at June 30, 2007 to 43 employees at June 30, 2008, representing an increase of approximately 23%, higher salary and stock-based compensation expense, and higher legal and work-out related expenses.

Net investment income for the second quarter of 2008 was approximately $10.0 million, which represents an increase of 38%, compared to approximately $7.2 million for the second quarter of 2007. Net investment income on 32.8 million basic shares outstanding, was $0.30 per share in the second quarter of 2008, compared to $0.29 per share in the comparable quarter of 2007 on 25.2 million basic shares outstanding. Net realized gain of approximately $1.9 million recognized during the second quarter was primarily attributed to gains on the Company’s warrant and equity positions as a result of the acquisition of Sirtris Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Hercules recorded net unrealized depreciation on investments of approximately $3.5 million during the second quarter of 2008 primarily attributed to unrealized depreciation on the warrant portfolio and on two portfolio companies that were decreased to the estimated fair value, offset by a write-up on one portfolio company loan.

The Company distributed a dividend of $0.34 per share to its shareholders during the quarter, representing an increase of 13% over the comparable period in 2007. This distribution was the eleventh consecutive quarterly dividend paid and brings total distributions to $3.07 per share since its initial public offering in June 2005.

The Board of Directors declared a second quarter dividend of $0.34 per share to be paid in the third quarter, representing an increase of 13% over the comparable period in 2007. The dividend will be payable on September 15, 2008 to shareholders of record as of August 15, 2008. This is the Company’s twelfth consecutive dividend declaration since its initial public offering, and will bring the total cumulative dividend declared to date to $3.41 per share.

For 2008, Hercules currently estimates that it will distribute approximately $1.32 in dividends. This estimate takes into account the Company’s expectations for the performance of its business for 2008, and its estimates of operating income, capital gains, net income and taxable income for 2008. The Company’s actual distributions for 2008 may differ from this estimate. The determination of the tax attributes of the Company's distributions is made annually as of the end of the Company's fiscal year based upon its taxable income for the full year and distributions paid for the full year. Therefore, a determination made on a quarterly basis may not be representative of the actual tax attributes of its distributions for a full year. The tax attributes of its distributions for the year ended December 31, 2007 were paid 100% from ordinary income. If the Company determined the tax attributes of its distributions year-to-date as of June 30, 2008, approximately $0.64 or 100% would be from ordinary income and taxable income spillover from 2007. However, there can be no certainty to shareholders that this determination is representative of what the tax attributes of its 2008 distributions to shareholders will actually be. The actual tax characteristics of dividends distributed to shareholders will be reported to shareholders annually on a Form 1099-DIV.

At June 30, 2008, the Company’s net assets were $401.1 million, with a net asset value per share of $12.21 as compared $12.05 per share at the end of the second quarter of 2007.

The Company ended the second quarter with approximately $13.9 million in cash and cash equivalents.

Hercules currently has $127.7 million available under the SBA program and had approximately $95.1 million outstanding at June 30, 2008, thus permitting additional borrowings of approximately $32.6 million subject to certain credit and regulatory limitations.

At June 30, 2008, Hercules had approximately $118.9 million outstanding under its $134.9 million credit facility, which represented unused capacity of approximately $16.0 million subject to certain credit limitations.

The Company has an exemptive relief from the SEC that allows it to exclude the SBA borrowings from the 1:1 leverage test imposed on BDCs. Based on Hercules’ existing stockholders’ equity and its SEC exemptive relief for borrowings available under the SBA debenture program, the Company has the potential to leverage its balance sheet in excess of $500 million. This figure assumes Hercules is able to renew and expand its existing credit facilities. The Company had approximately $214.0 million in debt outstanding as of June 30, 2008, representing a leverage ratio of approximately 53%.

As of June 30, 2008, grading of the debt portfolio at value, excluding warrants and equity investments, was as follows:

At June 30, 2008, the weighted average loan grade of the portfolio was 2.10 on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being the highest quality, compared with 2.21 as of March 31, 2008. Hercules’ policy is to generally adjust the grading down on its portfolio companies as they approach the need for additional equity capital, or if they are not meeting the company’s financial criteria and their respective business plans.

In July 2008, the Company’s $3.7 million term note with Agami, a previously graded 3 company, was repaid providing full principal and interest payment.

Also in July, Hercules sold warrants in Epicept, a graded 4 company, providing a realized gain of approximately $232,000, or $0.01 per share expected to be recorded in the third quarter.

Hercules has scheduled its 2008 second quarter financial results conference call for August 7, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. PDT (5:00 p.m. EDT). To listen to the call, please dial (719) 325-4885 or (877) 548-7911 approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. A taped replay will be made available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call and will remain available for one week. To access the replay, please dial (719) 457-0820 or (888) 203-1112 and enter passcode 9240777.

The Hercules financial results conference call will be available via a live webcast on the investor relations section of the Hercules website at http://www.HTGC.com. Access the website 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to download and install any necessary audio software. An archived webcast replay will be available on the website for 90 days.

Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. is a NASDAQ traded specialty finance company providing debt and equity growth capital to technology and life science companies at all stages of development. Founded in December 2003, the company primarily finances privately held companies backed by leading venture capital and private equity firms. Hercules invests in a broad range of ventures active in technology and life science industries and offers a full suite of growth capital products at all levels of the capital structure. The company is headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif. and has additional offices in the Boston, Boulder, San Diego, Columbus and Chicago areas. Providing capital to publicly-traded or privately-held companies backed by leading venture capital and private equity firms involves a high degree of credit risk and may result in potential losses of capital. For more information, please visit www.HTGC.com.

Companies interested in learning more about financing opportunities should contact info@HTGC.com, or call 650.289.3060.

The statements contained in this release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements including, without limitation, the risks, uncertainties and other factors we identify from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although we believe that the assumptions on which these forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of those assumptions could prove to be inaccurate and, as a result, the forward-looking statements based on those assumptions also could be incorrect. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are made as of the date hereof, and Hercules assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements for subsequent events.

HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAPITAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share data)

		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
			2008			2007			2008			2007


	Investment income:
	Interest	$	16,081		$	11,792		$	30,320		$	20,828
	Fees		2,941			1,483			4,302			2,126
	Total investment income		19,022			13,275			34,622			22,954
	Operating expenses:
	Interest		2,914			1,763			4,765			2,449
	Loan fees		564			250			947			516
	General and administrative		2,211			1,714			3,385			3,022
	Employee Compensation:
	Compensation and benefits		2,854			2,015			5,653			3,954
	Stock-based compensation		507			293			901			546
	Total employee compensation		3,361			2,308			6,554			4,500
	Total operating expenses		9,050			6,035			15,651			10,487

	Net investment income		9,972			7,240			18,971			12,467

	Net realized gain (loss) on investments		1,909			(336	)		4,867			(46	)
	Net increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation on investments		(3,523	)		1,366			(4,444	)		2,182

	Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)		(1,614	)		1,030			423			2,136
	Net increase in net assets resulting from operations	$	8,358		$	8,270		$	19,394		$	14,603

	Net investment income before investment gains and losses
	per common share:
	Basic	$	0.30		$	0.29		$	0.58		$	0.52
	Diluted	$	0.30		$	0.29		$	0.58		$	0.51

	Change in net assets per common share:
	Basic	$	0.25		$	0.33		$	0.59		$	0.61
	Diluted	$	0.25		$	0.33		$	0.59		$	0.60

	Weighted average shares outstanding
	Basic		32,832			25,190			32,731			24,037
	Diluted		32,832			25,401			32,731			24,248

HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAPITAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
(in thousands, except per share data)

		June 30, 2008			December 31, 2007
		(unaudited)
	Assets
	Investments:
	Non-affiliate investments (cost of $589,523 and $513,106)	$	597,849		$	525,725
	Affiliate investments (cost of $6,344 and $6,344)		4,247			4,247
	Total investments, at value (cost of $595,867 and $519,450 respectively)		602,096			529,972
	Deferred loan origination revenue		(7,896	)		(6,593	)
	Cash and cash equivalents		13,851			7,856
	Interest receivable		7,911			6,387
	Other assets		6,604			4,321
	Total assets		622,566			541,943

	Liabilities
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		7,534			6,956
	Short-term credit facility		118,900			79,200
	Long-term SBA debentures		95,050			55,050
	Total liabilities		221,484			141,206
	Net assets	$	401,082		$	400,737

	Net assets consist of:
	Common stock, par value	$	33		$	33
	Capital in excess of par value		397,887			393,530
	Deferred stock compensation		(2,558	)		(78	)
	Unrealized appreciation on investments		5,685			10,129
	Accumulated realized gains on investments		5,686			819
	Distributions in excess of investment income		(5,651	)		(3,696	)
	Total net assets	$	401,082		$	400,737

	Shares of common stock outstanding ($0.001 par value, 60,000 authorized)		32,837			32,541

	Net asset value per share	$	12.21		$	12.31

CONTACT:
Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.
Main, 650-289-3060 HT-HN
info@htgc.com
Sally Borg, 650-289-3066
sborg@htgc.com