10-Q 1 v312103_10q.htm FORM 10-Q

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED March 31, 2012
   
¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
     

 COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 814-00852  

GSV Capital Corp.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
   
Maryland 27-4443543
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   
2965 Woodside Road  
Woodside, CA 94062
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
   
(650) 206-2965
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

  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   x    No   ¨

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer ¨
       
Non-accelerated filer x  (do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company ¨

 

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

 

The number of shares of the issuer’s Common Stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding as of May 7, 2012 was 12,420,100. 

 

1
 

 

GSV CAPITAL CORP.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

        PAGE
         
PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION    
Item 1.   Financial Statements   3
    Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of March 31, 2012 (unaudited) and December 31, 2011   3
    Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and for the period from January 6, 2011 (date of inception) to March 31, 2011   4
    Statements of Changes in Net Assets (unaudited) for the three months ended
March 31, 2012 and for the period from January 6, 2011 (date of inception) to
March 31, 2011
  5
    Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and for the period from January 6, 2011 (date of inception) to March 31, 2011   6
    Schedule of Investments as of March 31, 2012 (unaudited)   7
    Schedule of Investments as of December 31, 2011   10
    Notes to the Financial Statements as of March 31, 2012 (unaudited)   13
Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   23
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk   31
Item 4.   Controls and Procedures   31
         
PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION    
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings   32
Item 1A.   Risk Factors   32
Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds   34
Item 3.   Defaults Upon Senior Securities   34
Item 4.   Reserved   34
Item 5.   Other Information   34
Item 6.   Exhibits   34
    Signatures   35

 

2
 

 

PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION 

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

GSV CAPITAL CORP.

(formerly NeXt Innovation Corp.)

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 

   March 31, 2012   December 31, 2011 
ASSETS  (Unaudited)     
Investments at fair value:          
  Investments in non-control/non-affiliated securities (cost of $76,325,515 and $65,658,866, respectively)  $75,756,910   $64,078,150 
  Investment in United States treasury bill (cost of $0 and $19,999,128, respectively)   -    20,000,044 
  Investments in money market funds (cost of $16,000,000 and $7,000,000, respectively)   16,000,000    7,000,000 
     Total Investments (cost of $92,325,515 and $92,657,994, respectively)   91,756,910    91,078,194 
           
Cash   75,391,344    385,995 
Due from:          
  GSV Asset Management   14,220    13,470 
  Portfolio company   70,145    9,249 
Accrued interest   258,739    158,389 
Prepaid expenses   18,212    92,750 
Deferred offering costs   118,972    56,436 
Dividend receivable   2,786    1,063 
Other assets   59,417    2,696 
Total Assets   167,690,745    91,798,242 
           
LIABILITIES          
Due to:          
  GSV Asset Management   16,524    78,427 
  Other affiliates   5,669    10,782 
Payable for unsettled securities transaction   -    19,999,128 
Accounts payable   316,880    206,357 
Accrued expenses   2,564    300 
Total Liabilities   341,637    20,294,994 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)          
Net Assets  $167,349,108   $71,503,248 
           
NET ASSETS          
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share          
(100,000,000 authorized; 12,420,100 and 5,520,100 issued and outstanding, respectively)  $124,201   $55,201 
Paid-in capital in excess of par   168,887,770    73,027,847 
Accumulated net investment loss   (1,094,002)   - 
Accumulated net realized loss on investments   (256)   - 
Accumulated net unrealized depreciation on investments   (568,605)   (1,579,800)
Net Assets  $167,349,108   $71,503,248 
           
Net Asset Value Per Share  $13.47   $12.95 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.            

 

3
 

 

GSV CAPITAL CORP.

(formerly NeXt Innovation Corp.)

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

   Three months ended
March 31, 2012
  

For the period from January 6, 2011

(date of inception) to

March 31, 2011(1)

 
INVESTMENT INCOME          
Interest income  $112,101   $- 
Dividend income   5,704    - 
Total Investment Income   117,805    - 
           
OPERATING EXPENSES          
Investment management fees   621,926    - 
Costs incurred under administration agreement   345,594    - 
Directors’ fees   42,500    - 
Professional fees   131,845    16,050 
Insurance expense   46,669    - 
Investor relations expense   14,250    - 
Organization expenses   -    94,640 
Other expenses   9,023    118 
Total Operating Expenses   1,211,807    110,808 
           
Net Investment Loss   (1,094,002)   (110,808)
           
Net Realized Loss on Investments   (256)   - 
           
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation on Investments   1,011,195    - 
           
Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting From Operations  $(83,063)  $(110,808)
           
Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting From Operations Per Common Share  $(0.01)  $(1,108.08)
           
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding   9,387,133    100(2)

 

(1)Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation.

             

(2)Weighted average common shares for the period from January 6, 2011 (date of inception) to March 31, 2011 was calculated starting from the issuance of 100 shares on February 28, 2011.

 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.            

 

4
 

 


GSV CAPITAL CORP.
(formerly NeXt Innovation Corp.)
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
(Unaudited)

 

   Three months ended March 31, 2012   For the period from January 6, 2011 (date of inception) to March 31, 2011 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting From Operations          
Net Investment Loss  $(1,094,002)  $(110,808)
Net Realized Loss on Investments   (256)   - 
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation on Investments   1,011,195    - 
Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting From Operations   (83,063)   (110,808)
           
Capital Share Transactions          
Net Proceeds from Common Shares Issued   96,255,000    1,500 
Offering Costs   (326,077)   - 
Net Capital Share Transactions   95,928,923    1,500 
           
Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets   95,845,860    (109,308)
Net Assets at Beginning of Period   71,503,248    - 
Net Assets at End of Period  $167,349,108   $(109,308)
           
Capital Share Activity          
Shares Issued   6,900,000    100 
Shares Outstanding at Beginning of Period   5,520,100    - 
Shares Outstanding at End of Period   12,420,100    100 

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

5
 

                            

GSV CAPITAL CORP.

(formerly NeXt Innovation Corp.)

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

   Three months ended March 31, 2012  

For the period from January 6, 2011

(date of inception) to March 31, 2011(1)

 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities          
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations  $(83,063)  $(110,808)
Adjustments to reconcile net decrease in net assets resulting from          
  operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:          
    Net realized loss on investments   256    - 
    Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments   (1,011,195)   - 
    Purchases of investments in:          
           Non-control/non-affiliated securities   (10,666,649)   - 
           United States treasury bill   (19,999,128)   - 
           Money market funds   (10,000,000)   - 
    Proceeds from sales of investments in:          
           United States treasury bill   19,998,872    - 
           Money market funds   1,000,000    - 
Change in operating assets and liabilities:          
    Due from GSV Asset Management   (750)   - 
    Due from portfolio company   (60,896)   - 
    Accrued interest   (100,350)   - 
    Prepaid expenses   74,538    - 
    Dividend receivable   (1,723)   - 
    Other assets   (56,721)   - 
    Due to GSV Asset Management   (61,903)   570 
    Due to other affiliates   (5,113)   95,225 
    Accounts payable   47,987    9,426 
    Accrued expenses   2,264    69,269 
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities   (20,923,574)   63,682 
           
Cash Flows from Financing Activities          
Net proceeds from common shares issued   96,255,000    1,500 
Offering costs   (326,077)   (63,800)
       Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities   95,928,923    (62,300)
           
Total Increase in Cash Balance   75,005,349    1,382 
Cash Balance at Beginning of Period   385,995    - 
Cash Balance at End of Period  $75,391,344   $1,382 
           
Non-Cash Items          
Increase in deferred offering costs  $(62,536)  $(242,180)
Increase in accrued expenses  $-   $122,093 
Increase in accounts payable  $62,536   $120,087 
Structured notes converted to preferred shares  $674,651   $- 
Warrants exercised for preferred shares  $53,665   $- 

     

           

(1)Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation.

                      

See Notes to the Financial Statements.          

  

6
 

 

GSV Capital Corp.

(formerly NeXt Innovation Corp.)

Schedule of Investments

March 31, 2012

(Unaudited)

 

Portfolio Investments* Headquarters / Industry Shares / Par Amount    Cost   Fair  Value   % of Net Assets
                   
AltEgo, LLC Santa Monica, CA                
Preferred shares, Series B-2 Social Media Online Gaming   500,000 $510,473 $500,000   0.30%
                   
AlwaysOn, LLC (1) Woodside, CA                
Structured note, 10%, due 1/9/2013 and warrant

Social

Media

$250,000   250,000   250,000   0.15%
                   
Bloom Energy Corporation Sunnyvale, CA                
Common shares Fuel Cell Energy   141,389   2,705,118   2,626,335   1.57%
                   
Chegg, Inc. Santa Clara, CA                
Common shares Textbook Rental   774,193   6,003,694   5,999,996   3.58%
Preferred shares, Series F     500,000   4,007,749   4,000,000   2.39%
        Total         10,011,443   9,999,996   5.97%
                   
Control4 Corporation Salt Lake City, UT                
Common shares Home Automation   666,667   1,035,961   1,000,000   0.60%
                   
CUX, Inc. Mechanicsburg, PA                
Preferred shares, Series C Corporate Education   246,305   2,000,000   2,000,000   1.19%
                   
DreamBox Learning, Inc. Bellevue, WA                
Preferred shares, Series A Education Technology   3,579,610   758,017   750,000   0.45%
                   
Dropbox, Inc. San Francisco, CA                
Preferred shares, Series A Online Storage   552,486   5,015,333   4,999,998   2.99%
                   
Facebook, Inc. (2) Palo Alto, CA                
Common shares, Class B Social Networking   350,000   10,472,294   11,200,000   6.69%
                   
Gilt Groupe, Inc. New York, NY                
Common shares

e-Commerce

Flash Sales

  203,100   5,576,979   5,499,250   3.29%
                   
Grockit, Inc. San Francisco, CA                
Preferred shares, Series D

Online Test

Preparation

  2,728,252   2,005,945   2,000,000   1.19%
                   
Groupon, Inc. (3) Chicago, IL                
Common shares Online Deals   80,000   2,128,585   1,367,472   0.82%
                   
Kno, Inc. Santa Clara, CA                
Preferred shares, Series C Digital   440,313   2,262,006   2,250,000   1.34%
Common shares Textbooks   50,000   214,681   205,000   0.12%
        Total         2,476,687   2,455,000   1.46%

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

7
 

  

GSV Capital Corp.

(formerly NeXt Innovation Corp.)

Schedule of Investments (continued)

March 31, 2012
(Unaudited)
   

 

Portfolio Investments* Headquarters / Industry Shares / Par Amount    Cost   Fair  Value   % of Net Assets
                   
Maven Research, Inc. Scottsdale, AZ                
Preferred shares, Series B Consulting   49,505 $217,206 $200,000   0.12%
                   
PJB Fund LLC (1) (4) San Francisco, CA                
Structured note, 10%, due 8/15/2012 Social Gaming $4,000,000   4,029,259   4,000,000   2.39%
                   
Serious Energy, Inc. Sunnyvale, CA                
Common shares Green Materials   178,095   739,130   712,380   0.43%
                   
SharesPost, Inc. San Bruno, CA                
Preferred shares, Series B Online   1,771,653   2,257,984   2,256,752   1.35%
Common warrants, $0.13 strike price, expire 6/15/2018

Marketplace

(Finance)

  770,934   23,128   9,251   0.01%
        Total         2,281,112   2,266,003   1.36%
                   
Silver Spring Networks, Inc. Redwood City, CA                
Common shares Smart Grid   110,143   1,155,271   1,101,430   0.66%
                   
StormWind, LLC Scottsdale, AZ                
Preferred shares, Series B Electronic   3,279,629   2,019,687   2,000,000   1.19%
                   
The Echo System Corp. (1) New York, NY                
Preferred shares, Series A Social Analytics   512,365   1,436,404   1,639,568   0.98%
Preferred warrants, $0.20 strike price, expire 11/14/2016     68,359   75,988   75,988   0.05%
        Total         1,512,392   1,715,556   1.03%
                   
The rSmart Group, Inc. Scottsdale, AZ                
Preferred shares, Series B

Higher Education

Learning Platform

  1,201,923   1,264,927   1,250,000   0.75%
                   
TrueCar, Inc. Santa Monica, CA                
Common shares

Online

Marketplace (Cars)

  377,358   2,014,863   1,999,997   1.19%
                   
Twitter, Inc. San Francisco, CA                
Common shares

Social

Communication

  735,600   12,321,179   12,113,493   7.24%
                   
ZocDoc Inc. New York, NY                
Preferred shares, Series A

Online Medical

Scheduling

  200,000   3,563,178   3,500,000   2.09%

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

8
 

 

GSV Capital Corp.

(formerly NeXt Innovation Corp.)

Schedule of Investments (continued)

March 31, 2012
(Unaudited)

 

Portfolio Investments* Headquarters / Industry Shares / Par Amount    Cost   Fair  Value   % of Net Assets
                   
ZoomSystems San Francisco, CA                
Preferred shares, Series A

Smart e-tail

(Retail)

  1,250,000   $260,476   $250,000   0.15%
                   
                   
Total Portfolio Investments       $76,325,515 $75,756,910   45.27%
                   
Money Market Funds (1)                  
Fidelity Institutional Money Market Funds                  
Money Market Portfolio     8,000,000   8,000,000   8,000,000   4.78%
Prime Money Market Portfolio     8,000,000   8,000,000   8,000,000   4.78%
    Total Money Market Funds         16,000,000   16,000,000   9.56%
                   
Total Investments       $92,325,515 $91,756,910   54.83%

 

* All portfolio investments are non-control/non-affiliated and non-income producing, unless identified. Equity investments are subject to lock-up restrictions upon their initial public offering.

 

(1) Investment is income producing.

 

(2) On February 1, 2012, Facebook, Inc. filed a registration statement with the SEC in connection with its proposed initial public offering. The Company owns 350,000 shares of Class B common stock of Facebook, Inc., which are presently subject to a lock-up agreement that will expire 181 days after the date of the final prospectus relating to Facebook, Inc.’s initial public offering, if consummated.

(3) On November 8, 2011, Groupon, Inc. priced its initial public offering, selling 35,000,000 shares at a price of $20.00 per share. GSV Capital Corp.’s shares in Groupon are subject to a lock-up agreement that expires on May 1, 2012. At March 31, 2012, GSV Capital Corp. valued Groupon based on its March 30, 2012 closing price, less a discount for the lock-up restriction.

 

(4) Represents a $4 million unsecured promissory note with an interest rate of 10% and maturity date of August 15, 2012 that was issued by PJB Fund LLC that may be repaid, at PJB Fund LLC’s election, either by transfer of a certain number of shares of common stock of Zynga, Inc. or with a cash amount of equivalent value. The amount payable under the note will be equal to the face amount, plus the greater of accrued interest (at a rate of 10%) or a return based on the relative value of Zynga, Inc. To the extent the borrower repays the note in cash, GSV Capital Corp. would have no further direct or indirect interest in Zynga, Inc. On December 15, 2011, Zynga, Inc. priced its initial public offering, selling 100,000,000 shares at a price of $10.00 per share.

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

9
 

 

GSV Capital Corp.

(formerly NeXt Innovation Corp.)

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2011

 

Portfolio Investments* Headquarters / Industry Shares / Par Amount    Cost   Fair  Value   % of Net Assets
                   
Bloom Energy Corporation Sunnyvale, CA                
Common shares Fuel Cell Energy   96,389 $1,815,818 $1,771,335   2.48%
                   
Chegg, Inc. Santa Clara, CA                
Common shares Textbook Rental   774,193   6,003,694   5,999,996   8.39%
                   
Control4 Corporation Salt Lake City, UT                
Common shares Home Automation   666,667   1,034,827   1,000,000   1.40%
                   
DreamBox Learning, Inc. Bellevue, WA                
Preferred shares, Series A Education Technology   3,579,610   757,955   750,000   1.05%
                   
Dropbox, Inc. San Francisco, CA                
Preferred shares, Series A Online Storage   552,486   5,015,333   4,999,998   6.99%
                   
Facebook, Inc. Palo Alto, CA                
Common shares, Class B Social Networking   350,000   10,465,981   10,462,500   14.63%
                   
Gilt Groupe, Inc. New York, NY                
Common shares

e-Commerce

Flash Sales

  203,100   5,576,979   5,499,250   7.69%
                   
Grockit, Inc. San Francisco, CA                
Preferred shares, Series B

Online Test

Preparation

  2,728,252   2,005,945   2,000,000   2.80%
                   
Groupon, Inc. (2) Chicago, IL                
Common shares Online Deals   80,000   2,128,585   1,188,288   1.66%
                   
Kno, Inc. Santa Clara, CA                
Preferred shares, Series C Digital   440,313   2,262,006   2,250,000   3.15%
Common shares Textbooks   50,000   214,303   205,000   0.29%
        Total         2,476,309   2,455,000   3.44%
                   
PJB Fund LLC (1) (3) San Francisco, CA                
Structured note, 10%, due 8/15/2012 Social Gaming $4,000,000   4,029,259   4,000,000   5.59%
                   
Serious Energy, Inc. Sunnyvale, CA                
Common shares Green Materials   178,095   739,130   712,380   1.00%

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

10
 

 

GSV Capital Corp.

(formerly NeXt Innovation Corp.)

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2011

 

Portfolio Investments* Headquarters / Industry Shares / Par Amount    Cost   Fair  Value   % of Net Assets
                   
SharesPost, Inc. San Bruno, CA                
Preferred shares, Series B Online   1,776,970 $2,257,984 $2,256,752   3.16%
Common warrants, $0.13 strike price, expire 6/15/2018

Marketplace

(Finance)

  770,934   23,128   17,731   0.02%
        Total         2,281,112   2,274,483   3.18%
                   
Silver Spring Networks, Inc. Redwood City, CA                
Common shares Smart Grid   110,143   1,153,381   1,101,430   1.54%
                   
StormWind, LLC Scottsdale, AZ                
Preferred shares, Series B Electronic   1,711,111   959,209   946,335   1.32%
Preferred warrants, $0.64 strike price, expire 12/1/2012 Marketing and Business Services   1,568,518   53,665   53,665   0.08%
        Total         1,012,874   1,000,000   1.40%
                   
The Echo System Corp. (1) New York, NY                
Structured note, 6%, due 1/28/2013,
and warrant, $0.20 strike price, expires 11/14/2016
Social Analytics   $500,000   505,823   500,000   0.70%
                   
The rSmart Group, Inc. Scottsdale, AZ                
Preferred shares, Series B

Higher Education

Learning Platform

  480,769   513,311   500,000   0.70%
                   
TrueCar, Inc. Santa Monica, CA                
Common shares

Online

Marketplace (Cars)

  377,358   2,014,551   1,999,997   2.80%
                   
Twitter, Inc. San Francisco, CA                
Common shares

Social

Communication

  735,600   12,304,345   12,113,493   16.94%
                   
ZocDoc Inc. New York, NY                
Preferred shares

Online Medical

Scheduling

  200,000   3,563,178   3,500,000   4.89%
                   
ZoomSystems San Francisco, CA                
Preferred shares, Series A

Smart e-tail

(Retail)

  1,250,000 260,476 250,000   0.35%
                   
Total Portfolio Investments         $65,658,866   $64,078,150   89.62%

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

11
 

 

GSV Capital Corp.

(formerly NeXt Innovation Corp.)

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2011

 

Non-Portfolio Investments Headquarters / Industry Shares / Par Amount    Cost   Fair  Value   % of Net Assets
                   
United States Treasury (1)                  
United States Treasury Bill, 0%, due 1/26/2012   $ 20,000,000 $ 19,999,128 $ 20,000,044   27.97%
                   
Money Market Funds (1)                  
Fidelity Institutional Money Market Funds                  
Money Market Portfolio     3,500,000   3,500,000   3,500,000   4.89%
Prime Money Market Portfolio     3,500,000   3,500,000   3,500,000   4.89%
    Total Money Market Funds         7,000,000   7,000,000   9.78%
                   
Total Investments       $ 92,657,994 $ 91,078,194   127.37%

 

* All portfolio investments are non-control/non-affiliated and non-income producing, unless identified. Equity investments are subject to lock-up restrictions upon their initial public offering.

 

(1) Investment is income producing.

 

(2) On November 8, 2011, Groupon, Inc. priced its initial public offering, selling 35,000,000 shares at a price of $20.00 per share. GSV Capital Corp.’s shares in Groupon are subject to a lock-up agreement that expires on May 1, 2012.

 

(3) Represents a $4 million unsecured promissory note with an interest rate of 10% and maturity date of August 15, 2012 that was issued by PJB Fund LLC that may be repaid, at PJB Fund LLC’s election, either by transfer of a certain number of shares of common stock of Zynga, Inc. or with a cash amount of equivalent value. The amount payable under the note will be equal to the face amount, plus the greater of accrued interest (at a rate of 10%) or a return based on the relative value of Zynga, Inc. To the extent the borrower repays the note in cash, GSV Capital Corp. would have no further direct or indirect interest in Zynga, Inc. On December 15, 2011, Zynga, Inc. priced its initial public offering, selling 100,000,000 shares at a price of $10.00 per share.

 

See Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

12
 

 

GSV CAPITAL CORP.

(formerly NeXt Innovation Corp.)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2012

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 1 — NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Nature of Operations

 

GSV Capital Corp. (formerly NeXt Innovation Corp., the “Company”, “we”, “our” or “GSV Capital”) was formed in September 2010 as a Maryland corporation structured as an externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company. The Company has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Company is managed by GSV Asset Management, LLC (formerly NeXt Asset Management, “GSV Asset Management”).

 

The Company’s date of inception is January 6, 2011, which is the date it commenced its development stage activities. On February 28, 2011, the Company, which had not yet begun investment operations, issued 100 shares which were owned by an officer of the Company who is also a principal of GSV Asset Management. On April 28, 2011, the Company priced its initial public offering, selling 3,335,000 shares at a price of $15.00 per share. The initial public offering closed on May 3, 2011, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $46.5 million. The Company’s shares are currently listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “GSVC”. The Company began its investment operations during the second quarter.

 

The Company’s investment objective is to maximize our portfolio’s total return, principally by seeking capital gains on our equity investments. The Company invests principally in the equity securities of venture capital-backed and rapidly growing emerging companies. The Company may also invest on an opportunistic basis in select publicly-traded equity securities of rapidly growing companies that otherwise meet its investment criteria.

 

On March 28, 2011, the board of directors (the “Board”) of the Company approved Articles of Amendment and Restatement, reflecting a change in the Company’s name from NeXt BDC Capital Corp. to NeXt Innovation Corp., which Articles of Amendment and Restatement became effective upon filing with the State Department of Assessment and Taxation of the State of Maryland on March 29, 2011. Then, on May 26, 2011, the board of directors of the Company approved Articles of Amendment, reflecting a change in the Company’s name from NeXt Innovation Corp. to GSV Capital Corp., which Articles of Amendment became effective upon filing with the State Department of Assessment and Taxation of the State of Maryland on May 26, 2011.

 

On September 26, 2011, the Company priced a secondary offering, selling 2,185,000 of common shares at a price of $14.15 per share, including an exercise in full by the underwriters of their option to purchase an additional 285,000 shares of common stock to cover overallotments. The secondary offering resulted in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $29.6 million.

 

On February 10, 2012, the Company priced a secondary offering, selling 6,900,000 of common shares at a price of $15.00 per share, including an exercise in full by the underwriters of their option to purchase an additional 900,000 shares of common stock to cover overallotments. The secondary offering resulted in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $96.2 million.

 

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The interim financial statements of the Company are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the requirements for reporting on Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, all of which were of a normal recurring nature, considered necessary for the fair presentation of financial statements for the interim period have been included. The results of operations for the current period are not necessarily indicative of results that ultimately may be achieved for any other interim period or for the year ending December 31, 2012. The interim unaudited financial statements and notes hereto should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

13
 

 

In accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933 and Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company does not consolidate portfolio company investments.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements requires the Company to make a number of significant estimates. These include estimates of fair value of certain assets and liabilities and other estimates that affect the reported amounts of certain assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of certain revenues and expenses during the reported period. It is likely that changes in these estimates will occur in the near term. Our estimates are inherently subjective in nature and actual results could differ from our estimates and the differences could be material.

 

Investments

 

The Company applies fair value accounting in accordance with GAAP. The Company generally values its assets on a quarterly basis, or more frequently if required under the 1940 Act. Securities for which market quotations are readily available on an exchange are valued at the closing price of such security on the valuation date; however, if they remain subject to lock-up restrictions they are discounted accordingly. The Company may also obtain quotes with respect to certain of its investments from pricing services or brokers or dealers in order to value assets. When doing so, the Company determines whether the quote obtained is sufficient according to GAAP to determine the fair value of the security. If determined adequate, the Company uses the quote obtained.

 

Securities for which reliable market quotations are not readily available or for which the pricing source does not provide a valuation or methodology or provides a valuation or methodology that, in the judgment of GSV Asset Management, the Board or the Valuation Committee of the Board (the “Valuation Committee”), does not represent fair value, shall each be valued as follows:

 

1.The quarterly valuation process begins with each portfolio company or investment being initially valued by the investment professionals responsible for the portfolio investment;
2.Preliminary valuation conclusions are then documented and discussed with GSV Asset Management senior management;
3.An independent third-party valuation firm is engaged by, or on behalf of, the Valuation Committee to conduct independent appraisals and review management’s preliminary valuations and make their own independent assessment, for all material investments;
4.The Valuation Committee discusses valuations and recommends the fair value of each investment in the portfolio in good faith based on the input of GSV Asset Management and the independent third-party valuation firm; and,
5.The Board then discusses the valuations and determines in good faith the fair value of each investment in the portfolio based upon input of GSV Asset Management, estimates from the independent valuation firm and the recommendations of the Valuation Committee.

 

In making our good faith determination of the fair value of investments, we consider valuation methodologies consistent with industry practice. Valuation methods, among other measures and as applicable, may include comparisons to prices from secondary market transactions and recent venture capital financings, analysis of financial ratios and valuation metrics of the portfolio companies that issued such private equity securities to peer companies that are public, analysis of the portfolio companies’ most recent financial statements and forecasts, and the markets in which the portfolio company does business, and other relevant factors.

 

When an external event such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, the Company will consider the pricing indicated by the external event to corroborate the private equity valuation. Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a readily available market value existed for such investments, and the differences could be material.

 

14
 

 

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value that includes a hierarchy used to classify the inputs used in measuring fair value. The hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels. The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

 

Level 1. Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market that the Company has the ability to access (examples include active exchange-traded equity securities, exchange-traded derivatives, and most U.S. Government and agency securities).

 

Level 2. Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or model inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. Level 2 inputs include the following:

 

a)Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
b)Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets (examples include corporate and municipal bonds, which trade infrequently);
c)Pricing models whose inputs are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability (examples include most over-the-counter derivatives, including foreign exchange forward contracts); and,
d)Pricing models whose inputs are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data through correlation or other means for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

 

Level 3. Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These inputs reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability (examples include certain of our private equity investments).

 

When the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the level within which the fair value measurement is categorized is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. For example, a Level 3 fair value measurement may include inputs that are observable (Levels 1 and 2) and unobservable (Level 3). Therefore gains and losses for such assets and liabilities categorized within the Level 3 table set forth in Note 3 may include changes in fair value that are attributable to both observable inputs (Levels 1 and 2) and unobservable inputs (Level 3).

 

A review of fair value hierarchy classifications is conducted on a quarterly basis. Changes in the observability of valuation inputs may result in a reclassification for certain financial assets or liabilities. Reclassifications impacting Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are reported as transfers in/out of the Level 3 category as of the beginning of the quarter in which the reclassifications occur.

 

Securities Transactions

 

Securities transactions are accounted for on the date the transaction for the purchase or sale of the securities is entered into by the Company (i.e., trade date). Securities transactions outside conventional channels, such as private transactions, are recorded as of the date the Company obtains the right to demand the securities purchased or to collect the proceeds from a sale, and incurs an obligation to pay for securities purchased or to deliver securities sold, respectively.

 

Portfolio Company Investment Classification

 

We are a non-diversified company within the meaning of the 1940 Act. We classify our investments by level of control. As defined in the 1940 Act, control investments are those where there is the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of a company. Control is generally deemed to exist when a company or individual directly or indirectly owns beneficially more than 25% of the voting securities of an investee company. Affiliated investments and affiliated companies are defined by a lesser degree of influence and are deemed to exist when a company or individual directly or indirectly owns, controls or holds the power to vote 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities of another person. At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, no investments were deemed to be control or affiliated investments.

 

15
 

 

Cash

 

The Company places its cash with U.S. Bank, N.A. and First Republic Bank, N.A., and at times, cash held in these accounts may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured limit. The Company also invests a portion of its cash in money market funds, within limitations of the 1940 Act.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company’s revenue recognition policies are as follows:

 

Sales: Gains or losses on the sale of investments are determined using the specific identification method.

 

Interest: Interest income, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is recorded on an accrual basis.

 

Dividends: Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date.

 

Investment Transaction Costs and Escrow Deposits

 

Commissions and other costs associated with an investment transaction, including legal expenses, are included in the cost basis of purchases and deducted from the proceeds of sales. The Company makes certain acquisitions on the secondary market which involves making deposits to escrow accounts until certain conditions are met including the underlying private company’s right of first refusal. If the underlying private company does not exercise its right to first refusal and all other conditions are met, then the funds in the escrow account are delivered to the seller and the account is closed. These transactions are reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as Escrow deposits. At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had $0 in Escrow deposits.

 

Payable for Unsettled Securities Transaction

 

Payable for unsettled securities transaction relates to the purchase of the United States Treasury Bill that was unsettled at December 31, 2011 and settled in January 2012.

 

Unrealized Appreciation or Depreciation on Investments

 

Unrealized appreciation or depreciation is calculated as the difference between the fair value of the investment and the cost basis of such investment.

 

U.S. Federal and State Income Taxes

 

The Company intends to elect to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and intends to operate in a manner so as to qualify for the tax treatment applicable to RICs. In order to qualify as a RIC, among other things, the Company is required to distribute to its stockholders on a timely basis at least 90% of investment company taxable income, as defined by the Code, for each year. So long as the Company maintains its status as a RIC, it generally will not pay corporate-level U.S. federal and state income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that it distributes at least annually to its stockholders as dividends. Rather, any tax liability related to income earned by the Company will represent obligations of the Company’s investors and will not be reflected in the financial statements of the Company.

 

The Company evaluates tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing its financial statements to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. The Company recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position has met the “more-likely-than-not” threshold. The Company classifies penalties and interest associated with income taxes, if any, as income tax expense. Conclusions regarding tax positions are subject to review and may be adjusted at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, ongoing analyses of tax laws, regulations and interpretations thereof. The Company did not have any unrecognized tax benefits as of the period presented herein. The Company identified its major tax jurisdictions as U.S. federal and California, and is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will change materially in the next 12 months.

 

16
 

 

Organization and Offering Costs

 

Organization costs include costs relating to the formation and incorporation of the business. These costs were expensed as incurred. For the period from January 6, 2011 (date of inception) to March 31, 2011, the Company has incurred and expensed organization costs of $94,640. The Company did not incur organization costs for the three months ended March 31, 2012.

 

Offering costs include legal fees and other costs pertaining to the public offerings. As of March 31, 2012, $118,972 of offering costs were deferred which are related to our shelf offering and $326,077 of offering costs were offset against capital proceeds from the secondary offering on February 10, 2012. As of March 31, 2011, these costs were deferred and were offset against capital proceeds from the initial public offering on April 28, 2011. As of December 31, 2011, $56,436 of offering costs were deferred which were related to our offering on February 10, 2012.

  

Per Share Information

 

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share is calculated using the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period presented. Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share are the same since there are no potentially dilutive securities outstanding.

 

Capital Accounts

 

Certain capital accounts including undistributed net investment income, accumulated net realized gain or loss, net unrealized appreciation or depreciation, and paid-in capital in excess of par, are adjusted, at least annually, for permanent differences between book and tax. In addition, the character of income and gains to be distributed is determined in accordance with income tax regulations that may differ from GAAP. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets relating to permanent difference be reclassified between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on the net assets or net asset value per share and are intended to enable the Company’s stockholders to determine the amount of accumulated and undistributed earnings they potentially could receive in the future and on which they could be taxed. For the period from January 6, 2011 (date of inception) to December 31, 2011, the net investment loss of $2,033,864 was determined to be a permanent difference and reduced paid-in capital in excess of par in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

 

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance clarifying how to measure and disclose fair value. This guidance amends the application of the “highest and best use” concept to be used only in the measurement of fair value of nonfinancial assets, clarifies that the measurement of the fair value of equity-classified financial instruments should be performed from the perspective of a market participant who holds the instrument as an asset, clarifies that an entity that manages a group of financial assets and liabilities on the basis of its net risk exposure can measure those financial instruments on the basis of its net exposure to those risks, and clarifies when premiums and discounts should be taken into account when measuring fair value. The fair value disclosure requirements also were amended. The amended guidance is to be applied prospectively. For public entities, the guidance is effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

NOTE 2 — RELATED PARTY ARRANGEMENTS

 

Investment Advisory Agreement

 

The Company entered into an investment advisory agreement with GSV Asset Management (the “Advisory Agreement”) in connection with its initial public offering. Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, GSV Asset Management will be paid a base annual fee of 2% of gross assets, and an annual incentive fee equal to the lesser of (i) 20% of the Company’s realized capital gains during each calendar year, if any, calculated on an investment-by-investment basis, subject to a non-compounded preferred return, or “hurdle,” and a “catch-up” feature, and (ii) 20% of the Company’s realized capital gains, if any, on a cumulative basis from inception through the end of each calendar year, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid incentive fees. For the period from the close of the initial public offering through and including December 31, 2011, the fee was payable monthly in arrears, and was calculated based on the initial value of the Company’s assets upon the closing of the public offering. For the three months ended March 31, 2012, GSV Asset Management earned $621,926 in base fees and $0 in incentive fees. For the period from January 6, 2011 (date of inception) to March 31, 2011, no services were performed by GSV Asset Management, and no fees were paid or accrued.

 

17
 

 

As of March 31, 2012, the Company was due $14,220 from GSV Asset Management for reimbursement of travel-related expenses paid for by the Company that were the responsibility of GSV Asset Management, and is included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

As of March 31, 2012, the Company owed certain officers and directors $5,669 for reimbursements of other expenses. The Company owed GSV Asset Management $16,524 for reimbursements of travel-related expenses. These are included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

As of December 31, 2011, the Company was due $13,470 from GSV Asset Management for reimbursement of travel-related expenses paid for by the Company that were the responsibility of GSV Asset Management, and is included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

As of December 31, 2011, the Company owed certain officers and directors $10,782 for reimbursements of travel-related and other expenses. The Company owed GSV Asset Management $78,427 for management fees and reimbursements of travel-related and other expenses. These are included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

Administration Agreement

 

The Company entered into an administration agreement with GSV Capital Service Company (the “Administration Agreement”) to provide administrative services, including furnishing the Company with office facilities, equipment, clerical, bookkeeping, record keeping services and other administrative services, in connection with its initial public offering and ongoing operations. The Company reimburses GSV Capital Service Company an allocable portion of overhead and other expenses in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement. There was $345,594 in such costs incurred under the Administration Agreement for the three months ended March 31, 2012. There were no costs incurred under the Administration Agreement for the period from January 6, 2011 (date of inception) to March 31, 2011.

 

License Agreement

 

The Company entered into a license agreement with GSV Asset Management pursuant to which GSV Asset Management has agreed to grant the Company a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the name ‘‘GSV.’’ Under this agreement, the Company has the right to use the GSV name for so long as the Advisory Agreement with GSV Asset Management is in effect. Other than with respect to this limited license, the Company has no legal right to the ‘‘GSV’’ name.

 

NOTE 3 — PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE

 

At March 31, 2012, the Company had 29 investments in 25 portfolio companies. The total cost and fair value of the 29 positions were $76,325,515 and $75,756,910, respectively. At December 31, 2011, the Company had 24 investments in 21 portfolio companies. The total cost and fair value of the 24 positions were $65,658,866 and $64,078,150, respectively. The composition of our investments as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

   March 31, 2012 (Unaudited)   December 31, 2011 
   Cost   Fair Value   Cost   Fair Value 
Common Stock  $44,367,755   $43,825,353   $43,451,594   $42,053,669 
Preferred Stock   27,579,385    27,596,318    17,595,397    17,453,085 
Structured Note   4,279,259    4,250,000    4,535,082    4,500,000 
Warrants   99,116    85,239    76,793    71,396 
Total Portfolio Investments   76,325,515    75,756,910    65,658,866    64,078,150 
                     
Non-Portfolio Investments   16,000,000    16,000,000    26,999,128    27,000,044 
Total Investments  $92,325,515   $91,756,910   $92,657,994   $91,078,194 

 

18
 

 

The table below presents the valuation techniques and the nature of significant inputs used to determine the fair values of our Levels 2 and 3 investments as of March 31, 2012.

 

Asset Fair Value Valuation Techniques Unobservable inputs Range

Common stock

in public company

$ 1,367,472 Market approach Discount for lack of marketability 7%

Common stock

in private companies

$ 42,457,881 Market approach Precedent transactions N/A

Preferred stock

in private companies

$ 27,596,318 Market approach Precedent transactions N/A
Structured notes $ 4,250,000 Income approach Expected return 10%
Warrants $ 85,239 Option pricing model Term to expiration* See below
Stock price* See below
Volatility* See below

 

* The Echo System Corp. warrants have an estimated term of 4.6 years, a stock price of $3.20 and a volatility of 40%, and the SharesPost, Inc. warrants have an estimated term of 2.3 years, a stock price of $0.10 and a volatility of 35%.

 

The significant unobservable input used in the fair value of the common stock in public companies is the discount for lack of marketability. A higher discount results in a lower value, all else equal. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value of the warrants are the term to expiration, stock price and volatility. A higher stock price and a longer time to expiration result in higher values, all else equal.

 

The fair values of our investments disaggregated into the three levels of the fair value hierarchy based upon the lowest level of significant input used in the valuation as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

As of March 31, 2012 (Unaudited)

 

  Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Securities
(Level 1)
   Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
   Total 
Common Stock  $-   $1,367,472   $42,457,881   $43,825,353 
Preferred Stock   -    -    27,596,318    27,596,318 
Money Market Funds   16,000,000    -    -    16,000,000 
Structured Note   -    -    4,250,000    4,250,000 
Warrants   -    -    85,239    85,239 
Total Investments  $16,000,000   $1,367,472   $74,389,438   $91,756,910 

 

As of December 31, 2011

 

  Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Securities
(Level 1)
   Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
   Total 
Common Stock  $-   $1,188,288   $40,865,381   $42,053,669 
U.S. Treasury Bill   20,000,044    -    -    20,000,044 
Preferred Stock   -    -    17,453,085    17,453,085 
Money Market Funds   7,000,000    -    -    7,000,000 
Structured Note   -    -    4,500,000    4,500,000 
Warrants   -    -    71,396    71,396 
Total Investments  $27,000,044   $1,188,288   $62,889,862   $91,078,194 

 

 

19
 

 

The aggregate values of Level 3 portfolio investments changed during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and the period from January 6, 2011 (date of inception) to December 31, 2011 as follows:

 

  Three months ended March 31, 2012 (Unaudited) 
   Common Stock    Preferred Stock    Structured Note    Warrants    Total 
Fair value as of December 31, 2011  $40,865,381   $17,453,085   $4,500,000   $71,396   $62,889,862 
Purchases of investments   916,161    9,249,921    500,567    -    10,666,649 
Exercises, conversions and assignments (1)   -    734,067    (756,390)   22,323    - 
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in earnings   676,339    159,245    5,823    (8,480)   832,927 
Fair value as of March 31, 2012  $42,457,881   $27,596,318   $4,250,000   $85,239   $74,389,438 
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on Level 3 investments still held as of
March 31, 2012
  $676,339   $159,245   $-   $(8,480)  $827,104 

  

(1) During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company converted its structured notes to preferred shares in The Echo System Corp. and exercised its warrants for preferred shares in StormWind, LLC. A portion of The Echo System Corp. structured notes attributable to the warrants was reclassified during the same period.

 

  From January 6, 2011 (date of inception) to December 31, 2011 
   Common Stock    Preferred Stock    Structured Note    Warrants    Total 
Fair value as of January 6, 2011  $-   $-   $-   $-   $- 
Purchases of investments   43,451,594    17,595,397    4,535,082    76,793    65,658,866 
Change in unrealized depreciation included in earnings   (1,397,925)   (142,312)   (35,082)   (5,397)   (1,580,716)
Transfer to Level 2   (1,188,288)   -    -    -    (1,188,288)
Fair value as of December 31, 2011  $40,865,381   $17,453,085   $4,500,000   $71,396   $62,889,862 
Change in unrealized depreciation on Level 3 investments still held as of December 31, 2011  $(457,628)  $(142,312)  $(35,082)  $(5,397)  $(640,419)

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2012, there were no transfers between levels. As of March 31, 2012, there was a significant change in unrealized appreciation related to our investment in Facebook, Inc. Facebook, Inc. filed its registration statement for an initial public offering and in accordance with our valuation policy, secondary market transactions were considered in determining fair value. Our shares in Groupon, Inc. are presently subject to a lock-up agreement that expires on May 1, 2012. The fair value for Groupon was estimated using the close price on a public exchange as of the valuation date, adjusted for a discount due to lack of marketability of 7% that was primarily based on the market price of publicly traded put options with a similar term as the lock-up as of March 31, 2012.

 

During the period from January 6, 2011 (date of inception) to December 31, 2011, there was one transfer from Level 3 to Level 2 related to our investment in Groupon, Inc. Due to its public offering in November 2011, observable inputs became available for our valuation as of December 31, 2011. The fair value for Groupon was estimated using the close price on a public exchange as of the valuation date, adjusted for a discount due to lack of marketability of 28% that was primarily based on the market price of publicly traded put options with a similar term as the lock-up as of December 31, 2011.

 

NOTE 4 — EQUITY OFFERINGS AND RELATED EXPENSES

 

We issued 5,520,100 shares of our common stock during the period from January 6, 2011 (date of inception) to December 31, 2011. We issued 6,900,000 shares of our common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2012. The proceeds raised, the related underwriting fees, the offering expenses and the prices at which these shares were issued are as follows:

 

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Issuances of
Common Stock
  Number of Shares   Gross Proceeds Raised   Underwriting Fees   Offering Expenses   Offering Price 
February 28, 2011   100   $1,500   $-   $-   $15.00 
April 28, 2011   3,335,000    50,025,000    3,501,750    527,166(1)   15.00 
September 27, 2011   2,185,000    30,917,750    1,267,300    531,122(2)   14.15 
February 10, 2012   6,900,000    103,500,000    7,245,000    326,077    15.00 

 

(1) Includes $3,585 of offering expenses that were accrued as of September 30, 2011.
(2) Amount was reduced by $18,878 after actual expenses for the offering were determined as of December 31, 2011.

 

NOTE 5 — NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS PER COMMON SHARE

 

The following information sets forth the computation of net decrease in net assets resulting from operations per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and the period from January 6, 2011 (date of inception) to March 31, 2011.

 

   Three months ended March 31, 2012   For the period from January 6, 2011
(date of inception) to March 31, 2011
 
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations  $(83,063)  $(110,808)
Weighted average common shares (1)   9,387,133    100(1)
Basic and diluted earnings per common share  $(0.01)  $(1,108.08)

 

(1) Weighted average common shares for the period from January 6, 2011 (date of inception) to March 31, 2011 was calculated starting from the issuance of 100 shares on February 28, 2011.

 

NOTE 6 — LEGAL CONTINGENCIES

 

The Company is currently not subject to any material legal proceedings, nor, to our knowledge, is any material legal proceeding threatened against us. From time to time, we may be a party to certain legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, including proceedings relating to the enforcement of our rights under contracts with our portfolio companies. While the outcome of these legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not expect that these proceedings will have a material effect upon our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

NOTE 7 — FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Three months ended March 31, 2012

  

For the period from January 6, 2011

(date of inceptions) to December 31, 2011

 
Per Share Data:          
Net asset value at beginning of period  $12.95   $- 
Issuance of common shares   1.14(3)   14.67(4)
Underwriters’ discount   (0.58)(2)   (0.86)(2)
Offering costs   (0.03)(2)   (0.19)(2)
Net investment loss   (0.12)(1)   (0.37)(2)
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   0.11(5)   (0.30)(2)
Net asset value at end of period  $13.47   $12.95 
           
Per share market value at end of period  $18.70   $13.95 
Total return based on market value   34.05%(6)   (7.00)%(7)
Total return based on net asset value   4.02%(6)   (13.67)%(7)
Shares outstanding at end of period   12,420,100    5,520,100 
           
Ratio / Supplemental Data:          
Net assets at end of period  $167,349,108   $71,503,248 
Average net assets  $104,913,980   $44,532,523 
Annualized ratio of gross operating expenses to average net assets (8)   4.63%   5.01%
Annualized ratio of net operating expenses to average net assets (8)   4.63%   5.01%
Annualized ratio of net investment income to average net assets (8)   (4.18)%   (4.64)%

 

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(1) Based on weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period.
(2) Based on shares outstanding at end of period.
(3) Issuance of common shares for the three months ended March 31, 2012 is based on the change in net asset value from the secondary offering on February 10, 2012.
(4) Issuance of common shares for the period from January 6, 2011 (date of inception) to December 31, 2011 is based on the weighted average offering price for the shares issued during the period.
(5) Includes the impact of the different share amounts as a result of calculating certain per share data based on the weighted average basic shares outstanding during the period and certain per share data based on the shares outstanding as of a period end or transaction date.
(6) Total return based on market value is based on the change in market price per share between the opening and ending market values per share in the period. Total return based on net asset value is based upon the change in net asset value per share between the opening and ending net asset values per share and the issuance of common shares in the period. The total returns are not annualized.
(7) Total return based on market value is based on the change in market price per share assuming an investment at the initial public offering price of $15.00 per share. Total return based on net asset value is based upon the change in net asset value per share between the opening and ending net asset values per share and the issuance of common shares in the period. The total returns are not annualized.
(8) Financial Highlights for periods of less than one year are annualized and the ratios of operating expenses to average net assets and net investment loss to average net assets are adjusted accordingly.  Non-recurring expenses were not annualized.  For the period from January 6, 2011 (date of inception) to December 31, 2011, the Company incurred $198,831 of Organizational Expenses, which were deemed to be non-recurring. Average net assets for the period from January 6, 2011 (date of inception) to December 31, 2011, were calculated starting from the issuance of 100 shares on February 28, 2011.

 

NOTE 8 — INCOME TAX

 

The Company will elect to be treated for federal income tax purposes as a RIC. As a RIC, the Company generally will not pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any net ordinary income or capital gains that the Company distributes to its stockholders as dividends. In addition to meeting other requirements, the Company must generally distribute at least 90% of its investment company taxable income to qualify for the special treatment accorded to a RIC and maintain its RIC status. As part of maintaining RIC status, undistributed taxable income (subject to a 4% excise tax) pertaining to a given fiscal year may be distributed up to 12 months subsequent to the end of that fiscal year, provided such dividends are declared prior to the later of (1) the fifteenth day of the ninth month following the close of that fiscal year or (2) the extended due date for filing the federal income tax return for that fiscal year.

 

NOTE 9 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Subsequent to March 31, 2012, the Company closed on investments of $45.4 million, plus transaction costs as follows:

 

The Company closed on an investment of $1,143,800, plus transaction costs, in Bloom Energy Corporation, a fuel cell energy company, on April 4, 2012.

 

The Company closed on an investment of $9,999,996, plus transaction costs, in Violin Memory, Inc., a flash memory company, on April 11, 2012.

 

The Company closed on an investment of $4,000,000, plus transaction costs in Top Hat, Inc., an internet commerce company, on April 13, 2012.

 

The Company closed on investments of $2,369,500, $1,277,500 and $350,000, plus transaction costs in Control4 Corporation, a smart home automation company, on April 18, 20102, April 19, 2012 and April 20, 2012, respectively.

 

The Company closed on an investment of $2,999,998, plus transaction costs in Global Education Learning (Holdings) Ltd., an education technology company, on April 19, 2012.

 

The Company closed on investments of $5,312,492, $4,875,010 and $7,312,498, plus transaction costs in Twitter, Inc., a social communication company, on April 25, 2012, April 27, 2012, and April 30, 2012, respectively.

 

The Company closed on an investment of $3,800,000, plus transaction costs in Silver Spring Networks, Inc., a smart grid company, on May 1, 2012.

 

The Company closed on an investment of $1,969,996, plus transaction costs in Fullbridge, Inc., a business education company, on May 4, 2012.

 

The Company is presently in the final stages of negotiations with a handful of private company investments that it anticipates entering into within the next 30 to 60 days, subject to applicable closing conditions. These equity investments may be made through the secondary market and involve making deposits in escrow accounts until certain conditions are met. Moreover, each underlying issuer has the right to terminate the deal before such conditions are satisfied. Pursuant to the terms of our agreements with each of these prospective issuers, at such time that these conditions are satisfied, the escrow accounts will close, and our equity investments will be effectuated.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about GSV Capital, our current and prospective portfolio investments, our industry, our beliefs, and our assumptions. Words such as ‘‘anticipates,’’ ‘‘expects,’’ ‘‘intends,’’ ‘‘plans,’’ ‘‘will,’’ ‘‘may,’’ ‘‘continue,’’ ‘‘believes,’’ ‘‘seeks,’’ ‘‘estimates,’’ ‘‘would,’’ ‘‘could,’’ ‘‘should,’’ ‘‘targets,’’ ‘‘projects,’’ and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

 

The forward looking statements contained in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q involve risks and uncertainties, including statements as to:

 

·our future operating results;
·our business prospects and the prospects of our portfolio companies;
·the impact of investments that we expect to make;
·our contractual arrangements and relationships with third parties;
·the dependence of our future success on the general economy and its impact on the industries in which we invest;
·the ability of our portfolio companies to achieve their objectives;
·our expected financings and investments;
·the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital; and
·the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of our portfolio companies.

 

These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements, including without limitation:

 

·an economic downturn could impair our portfolio companies’ ability to continue to operate, which could lead to the loss of some or all of our equity investments in such portfolio companies,
·an economic downturn could disproportionately impact the market sectors in which a significant portion of our portfolio is concentrated, causing us to suffer losses in our portfolio,
·an inability to access the equity markets could impair our investment activities,
·interest rate volatility could adversely affect our results, particularly if we opt to use leverage as part of our investment strategy, and
·the risks, uncertainties and other factors we identify in ‘‘Risk Factors’’ and elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q and in our filings with the SEC.

 

Although we believe that the assumptions on which these forward-looking statements are based 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 inaccurate. In light of these and other uncertainties, the inclusion of a projection or forward-looking statement in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q should not be regarded as a representation by us that our plans and objectives will be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include those described or identified in ‘‘Risk Factors’’ and elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

 

The following analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the related notes included in the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

 

Overview

 

We are an externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the 1940 Act. Our investment objective is to maximize our portfolio’s total return, principally by seeking capital gains on our equity and equity-related investments. We invest principally in the equity securities of rapidly growing venture capital-backed emerging companies. We acquire our investments through secondary marketplaces for private companies, negotiations with selling stockholders and direct investments with prospective portfolio companies. We may also invest on an opportunistic basis in select publicly-traded equity securities or certain non-U.S. companies that otherwise meet our investment criteria. Our investment activities are managed by GSV Asset Management, and GSV Capital Service Company provides the administrative services necessary for us to operate.

 

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Our investment philosophy is premised on a disciplined approach of identifying high-growth emerging companies across several key industry themes which may include, among others, social media, mobility, cloud computing, software-as-a-service, green technology and education technology. Our investment adviser’s investment decisions are based on a disciplined analysis of available information regarding each potential portfolio company’s business operations, focusing on the company’s growth potential, the quality of recurring revenues and cash flow and cost structures, as well as an understanding of key market fundamentals. Many of the companies that our investment adviser evaluates have financial backing from top tier venture capital funds or other financial or strategic sponsors.

 

We seek to deploy capital primarily in the form of non-controlling equity and equity-related investments, including common stock, warrants, preferred stock and similar forms of senior equity, which may or may not be convertible into a portfolio company’s common equity, and convertible debt securities with a significant equity component. We anticipate that substantially all of the net proceeds of our follow-on offering, which closed in February 2012, will be used for the above purposes within six to 12 months, depending on the availability of investment opportunities that are consistent with our investment objectives and market conditions.

 

We seek to create a low-turnover portfolio that we expect will initially include investments in 25 to 35 companies representing a broad range of investment themes. As of March 31, 2012, we have completed investments in 25 companies for aggregate consideration of approximately $75.5 million (exclusive of transaction fees and costs), or 43.8% of the net proceeds from our initial public offering and subsequent follow-on offerings. We expect that the total number of portfolio companies in which we are invested will increase as our equity capital base grows.

 

On April 28, 2011, we priced our initial public offering of 3,335,000 shares of our common stock at the offering price of $15.00 per share. The initial public offering closed on May 3, 2011, resulting in net proceeds to GSV Capital Corp. of approximately $46.5 million. On September 26, 2011, we priced a follow-on offering of 2,185,000 shares of our common stock at an offering price $14.15 per share. The follow-on offering included the full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase an additional 285,000 shares of our common stock, resulting in net proceeds to GSV Capital Corp. of approximately $29.6 million. On February 10, 2012, we priced a follow-on offering of 6,900,000 shares of our common stock at an offering price of $15.00 per share. The follow-on offering included the full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase an additional 900,000 share of our common stock, resulting in net proceeds to GSV Capital Corp. of approximately $96.2 million. Our shares are currently listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol ‘‘GSVC’’.

 

Investments

 

The fair value of our investments can be expected to fluctuate in future periods due to changes in our investments and changes in the fair value of the investments. The investments made during the three months ended March 31, 2012 include:

 

We closed on an investment of $100,000, plus transaction costs, in AlwaysOn, LLC, a social media company, on January 10, 2012.

 

We closed on an investment of $200,000, plus transaction costs, in Maven Research, Inc., a global knowledge marketplace, on February 28, 2012.

 

We closed on an investment of $500,000, plus transaction costs, in AltEgo, LLC, an avatar technology and games developer, on February 29, 2012.

 

We closed on an investment of $4,000,000, plus transaction costs, in Chegg, Inc., an online textbook rental company, on March 7, 2012.

 

We closed on an investment of $150,000, plus transaction costs, in AlwaysOn, LLC, a social media company, on March 9, 2012.

 

We closed on an investment of $250,000, plus transaction costs, in The Echo System Corp., a social analytics company, on March 21, 2012.

 

We closed on an investment of $1,000,000, plus transaction costs, in StormWind, an electronic marketing and business services platform, on March 23, 2012.

 

We closed on an investment of $855,000, plus transaction costs, in Bloom Energy Corporation, a fuel cell energy company, on March 28, 2012.

 

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We closed on an investment of $2,000,000, plus transaction costs, in CUX, Inc., a corporate education company, on March 29, 2012.

 

We closed on an investment of $750,000, plus transaction costs, in The Echo System Corp., a social media company, on March 30, 2012.

 

We closed on an investment of $750,000, plus transaction costs, in The rSmart Group, Inc., a higher education learning platform, on March 30, 2012.

 

The fair value, as of March 31, 2012, of all of our portfolio investments was $75,756,910. In addition, we held $16,000,000 in two money market funds as of March 31, 2012. We also held $75,391,344 in unrestricted cash on March 31, 2012.

 

Results of Operations

 

Comparison of the three months ended March 31, 2012 and the period from January 6, 2011(date of inception) to March 31, 2011

 

As January 6, 2011 was our date of inception and April 28, 2011 was the date of our initial public offering, the period from January 6, 2011 to March 31, 2011 is not a directly comparable period to the three months ended March 31, 2012.

 

Investment Income

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2012, we had investment income of $117,805, or $0.01 per share, which consisted of $112,101 of interest income from our portfolio investments and $5,704 of dividend income from our money market investments.

 

We did not have investment income for the period from January 6, 2011 (date of inception) to March 31, 2011, given that we had not yet at that time completed our initial public offering.

 

Operating Expenses

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2012, we had $1,211,807 in total operating expenses consisting primarily of investment management fees and administration fees, in addition to legal, audit and consulting fees. The investment advisory fee for the three months ended March 31, 2012, was $621,926, representing the base fee as provided in our investment advisory agreement. Costs incurred under our administration agreement for the three months ended March 31, 2012, were $345,594. Professional fees, consisting of legal, valuation, audit and consulting fees, were approximately $131,845 for the three months ended March 31, 2012.

 

For the period from January 6, 2011 (date of inception) to March 31, 2011, we had $110,808 in total operating expenses, consisting primarily of organization expenses and professional fees relating to our initial public offering. Organizational expenses for the period from January 6, 2011 (date of inception) to March 31, 2011 were $94,640. Professional fees, consisting of legal, audit and consulting fees, were approximately $16,050 for the period from January 6, 2011 (date of inception) to March 31, 2011.

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2012, we had a net change in unrealized appreciation of $1,011,195, or $0.11 per share. The change in unrealized appreciation is primarily a result of an increase in the fair value of our investment in Facebook, Inc. Net investment loss was $1,094,002, or $0.12 per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2012, resulting primarily from operating expenses incurred during the quarter. Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations was $83,063, or $0.01 per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2012, which reflects the extent of operating expenses incurred during the quarter.

 

For the period from January 6, 2011 (date of inception) to March 31, 2011, we had a net investment loss and net decrease in net assets resulting from operations of $110,808, or $1,108.08 per share.

 

The per share figures noted above are based on a weighted-average of 9,387,133 and 100 shares outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and for the period from January 6, 2011 (date of inception) to March 31, 2011, respectively.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

At March 31, 2012, we had investments in 25 portfolio companies with costs totaling $76,325,515, two money market funds totaling $16,000,000 and cash in the amount of $75,391,344.

 

On February 10, 2012, we priced a follow-on offering of 6,900,000 shares of our common stock at an offering price of $15.00 per share. The follow-on offering included the full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase an additional 900,000 share of our common stock, resulting in net proceeds to GSV Capital Corp. of approximately $96.2 million. Our shares are currently listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol ‘‘GSVC’’.

 

Our primary use of cash is to make investments and to pay our operating expenses. We used substantially all of the proceeds of the offerings to invest in portfolio companies as of March 31, 2012, except for amounts retained for purposes of funding our ongoing expenses.

 

Our current policy is to maintain cash reserves in an amount sufficient to pay our operating expenses, including investment management fees, incentive fees and costs incurred under the administration agreement, for approximately two years. For a description of the investment advisory and administration services we receive, see ‘‘Related Party Transactions and Certain Relationships’’. We incurred approximately $621,926 in investment management fees and $345,594 in costs incurred under the administration agreement for the three months ended March 31, 2012.

 

As of March 31, 2012, the fair value of our portfolio investments was equal to the cost of the investments, net of unrealized depreciation representing transaction costs and any fair value adjustments. Four of our investments, Echo, Facebook, Groupon and SharesPost, had fair value adjustments. In March 2012, Echo had a Series A financing round which was determined to be the best indication of value and was used to determine fair value. Given Facebook’s filing for an initial public offering and the significant activity on secondary markets, the recent secondary market transactions were considered to determine fair value. Groupon conducted an IPO on November 4, 2011. Our shares in Groupon are presently subject to a lock-up agreement that expires on May 1, 2012. The fair value for Groupon was estimated using the close price on a public exchange as of the valuation date, adjusted for a discount due to lack of marketability of 7% that was primarily based on the market price of publicly traded put options with a similar term as the lock-up as of March 31, 2012. Our investment in SharesPost includes Series B preferred shares and warrants. After our investment in SharesPost in July 2011, SharesPost held a subsequent financing for Series B preferred shares, which did not include warrants. Accordingly, only our investment in preferred shares was adjusted due to the subsequent financing. The fair value of our investments can be expected to fluctuate in future periods due to changes in our investments and changes in the fair value of the investments.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

As of March 31, 2012, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements, including any risk management of commodity pricing or other hedging practices. However, we may employ hedging and other risk management techniques in the future.

 

Distribution Policy

 

The timing and amount of our dividends, if any, will be determined by our board of directors. Any dividends to our stockholders will be declared out of assets legally available for distribution. We intend to focus on making capital gains-based investments from which we will derive primarily capital gains. As a consequence, we do not anticipate that we will pay dividends on a quarterly basis or become a predictable distributor of dividends, and we expect that our dividends, if any, will be much less consistent than the dividends of other business development companies that primarily make debt investments. However, if there are earnings or realized capital gains to be distributed, we intend to declare and pay a dividend at least annually.

 

We intend to elect to be treated, and intend to qualify annually thereafter, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, beginning with our 2011 taxable year. To obtain and maintain RIC tax treatment, we must, among other things, distribute at least 90% of our ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any, for each taxable year. In addition, in order to avoid certain excise taxes imposed on RICs, we currently intend to distribute during each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of our ordinary income for the calendar year, (2) 98.2% of our capital gains in excess of capital losses for the one-year period ending on October 31 of the calendar year and (3) any ordinary income and net capital gains for preceding years that were not distributed during such years. Although we currently intend to distribute realized net capital gains (i.e., net long-term capital gains in excess of net short-term capital losses), if any, at least annually, we may in the future decide to retain such capital gains for investment but designate the retained net capital gain as a “deemed distribution.” If this happens, you will be treated as if you received an actual distribution of the capital gains we retain and reinvested the net after-tax proceeds in us. You also may be eligible to claim a tax credit (or, in certain circumstances, a tax refund) equal to your allocable share of the tax we paid on the capital gains deemed distributed to you. See ‘‘Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.’’ There is no assurance that we will achieve results that will permit the payment of any cash distributions and, to the extent that we issue senior securities, we will be prohibited from making distributions if doing so causes us to fail to maintain the asset coverage ratios stipulated by the 1940 Act or if distributions are limited by the terms of any of our borrowings.

 

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Our current intention is to make any distributions out of assets legally available therefrom in additional shares of our common stock under our dividend reinvestment plan, unless you elect to receive your dividends and/or long-term capital gains distributions in cash. Under the dividend reinvestment plan, if a stockholder owns shares of common stock registered in its own name, the stockholder will have all cash distributions (net of any withholding) automatically reinvested in additional shares of common stock unless the stockholder opts out of our dividend reinvestment plan by delivering a written notice to our dividend paying agent prior to the record date of the next dividend or distribution. See ‘‘Dividend Reinvestment Plan.’’ Any distributions reinvested under the plan will nevertheless remain taxable to the U.S. stockholder, although no cash distribution has been made. As a result, if you do not elect to opt out of the dividend reinvestment plan, you will be required to pay applicable federal, state and local taxes on any reinvested dividends even though you will not receive a corresponding cash distribution. In addition, reinvested dividends have the effect of increasing our gross assets, which may correspondingly increase the management fee payable to our investment adviser. If you hold shares in the name of a broker or financial intermediary, you should contact the broker or financial intermediary regarding your election to receive distributions in cash.

 

Borrowings

 

We had no borrowings outstanding as of March 31, 2012.

 

Related Party Transactions

 

We entered into an investment advisory agreement with GSV Asset Management (the ‘‘Advisory Agreement’’) in connection with our initial public offering. Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, GSV Asset Management will be paid a base annual fee of 2.00% of gross assets, and an annual incentive fee equal to the lesser of (i) 20% of the GSV Capital’s realized capital gains during each calendar year, if any, calculated on an investment-by-investment basis, subject to a non-compounded preferred return, or ‘‘hurdle,’’ and a ‘‘catch-up’’ feature, and (ii) 20% of the GSV Capital’s realized capital gains, if any, on a cumulative basis from inception through the end of each calendar year, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid incentive fees. GSV Asset Management earned $621,926 in base fees and $0 in incentive fees for the three months ended March 31, 2012.

 

As of March 31, 2012, we were owed $14,220 from GSV Asset Management for reimbursement of travel-related expenses paid for by us that were the responsibility of GSV Asset Management.

 

In addition as of March 31, 2012, we owed GSV Asset Management $16,524 for reimbursement of travel-related and other expenses. We owed certain officers and directors $5,669 in reimbursements for travel-related and other expenses.

 

We entered into an Administration Agreement with GSV Capital Service Company (the ‘‘Administration Agreement’’) to provide administrative services, including furnishing us with office facilities, equipment, clerical, bookkeeping services and other administrative services, in connection with our initial public offering. We reimburse GSV Capital Service Company an allocable portion of overhead and other expenses in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement. There were $345,594 in such costs incurred under the Administration Agreement for the three months ended March 31, 2012.

 

We also adopted a Code of Ethics which applies to, among others, our senior officers, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as well as all of our officers, directors and employees. Our Code of Ethics requires that all employees and directors avoid any conflict, or the appearance of a conflict, between an individual’s personal interests and our interests. Pursuant to our Code of Ethics, each employee and director must disclose any conflicts of interest, or actions or relationships that might give rise to a conflict, to our Chief Compliance Officer. Our board of directors is charged with approving any waivers under our Code of Ethics. As required by the NASDAQ corporate governance listing standards, the Audit Committee of our board of directors is also required to review and approve any transactions with related parties (as such term is defined in Item 404 of Regulation S-K).

 

In April 2012, in connection with our investment in Top Hat, Inc., Cherry Tree & Associates, LLC, an investment banking firm, received a fee of approximately $259,000 for its representation of Top Hat, Inc. Mark Moe, who is the brother of our Chief Executive Officer, Michael Moe, presently serves as a Managing Director of Cherry Tree & Associates, LLC, and may therefore be deemed to have an indirect material interest in such transaction.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies

 

Valuation of Investments at Fair Value

 

We carry our investments at fair value, as determined in good faith by our board of directors, in accordance with GAAP. Fair value is the price that one would receive upon selling an investment or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date in the principal or most advantageous market for the investment or liability. GAAP emphasizes that valuation techniques should maximize the use of observable market inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from sources independent of the entity and should not be limited to information that is only available to the entity making the fair value determination, or to a small group of users. Observable market inputs should be readily available to participants in that market. In addition, observable market inputs should include a level of transparency that is reliable and verifiable.

 

GAAP fair value measurement guidance classifies the inputs used to measure these fair values into the following hierarchy:

 

Level 1. Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market that we have the ability to access.

 

Level 2. Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or model inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. Level 2 inputs include the following:

 

a)Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
b)Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets;
c)Pricing models whose inputs are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and
d)Pricing models whose inputs are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data through correlation or other means for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

 

Level 3. Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These inputs reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability.

 

An asset’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

 

Securities that are publicly traded are generally valued at the close price on the valuation date; however, if they remain subject to lock-up restrictions they are discounted accordingly. Securities that are not publicly traded or for which there are no readily available market quotations are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors.

 

In connection with that determination, portfolio company valuations are prepared using the most currently available data. As appropriate, we obtain updates on each portfolio company’s financial performance, including information such as economic and industry trends, new product development, and other operational issues.

 

In making our good faith determination of the fair value of investments, we consider valuation methodologies consistent with industry practice, including but not limited to (i) publicly available information regarding the valuation of the securities based on recent sales in comparable transactions of private companies, (ii) when management believes there are comparable companies that are publicly traded, a review of these publicly traded companies and applicable market multiples of their equity securities and, (iii) an income approach that estimates value based on the expectation of future cash flows that an asset or business will generate.

 

We engage independent valuation firms to perform valuations of our investments that are not publicly traded or for which there are no readily available market quotations. We also engage independent valuation firms to perform valuations of any securities that trade on private secondary markets, but are not otherwise publicly traded, where there is a lack of appreciable trading or a wide disparity in recently reported trades. We consider the independent valuations, among other factors, in making our fair value determinations.

 

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U.S. Federal and State Income Taxes

 

The Company intends to elect to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and intends to operate in a manner so as to qualify for the tax treatment applicable to RICs. In order to qualify as a RIC, among other things, the Company is required to distribute to its stockholders on a timely basis at least 90% of investment company taxable income, as defined by the Code, for each year. So long as the Company maintains its status as a RIC, it generally will not pay corporate-level U.S. federal and state income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that it distributes at least annually to its stockholders as dividends. Rather, any tax liability related to income earned by the Company will represent obligations of the Company’s investors and will not be reflected in the financial statements of the Company.

 

The Company evaluates tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing its financial statements to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. The Company recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position has met the “more-likely-than-not” threshold. The Company classifies penalties and interest associated with income taxes, if any, as income tax expense. Conclusions regarding tax positions are subject to review and may be adjusted at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, ongoing analyses of tax laws, regulations and interpretations thereof. The Company did not have any unrecognized tax benefits as of the period presented herein. The Company identified its major tax jurisdictions as U.S. federal and California, and is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will change materially in the next 12 months.

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

 

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (‘‘FASB’’) issued guidance clarifying how to measure and disclose fair value. This guidance amends the application of the ‘‘highest and best use’’ concept to be used only in the measurement of fair value of nonfinancial assets, clarifies that the measurement of the fair value of equity-classified financial instruments should be performed from the perspective of a market participant who holds the instrument as an asset, clarifies that an entity that manages a group of financial assets and liabilities on the basis of its net risk exposure can measure those financial instruments on the basis of its net exposure to those risks, and clarifies when premiums and discounts should be taken into account when measuring fair value. The fair value disclosure requirements also were amended. This accounting standard is effective prospectively for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Recent Developments

 

Subsequent to March 31, 2012, the Company closed on investments of $45.4 million, plus transaction costs as follows:

 

The Company closed on an investment of $1,143,800, plus transaction costs, in Bloom Energy Corporation, a fuel cell energy company, on April 4, 2012.

 

The Company closed on an investment of $9,999,996, plus transaction costs, in Violin Memory, Inc., a flash memory company, on April 11, 2012.

 

The Company closed on an investment of $4,000,000, plus transaction costs in Top Hat, Inc., an internet commerce company, on April 13, 2012.

 

The Company closed on investments of $2,369,500, $1,277,500 and $350,000, plus transaction costs in Control4 Corporation, a smart home automation company, on April 18, 20102, April 19, 2012 and April 20, 2012, respectively.

 

The Company closed on an investment of $2,999,998, plus transaction costs in Global Education Learning (Holdings) Ltd., an education technology company, on April 19, 2012.

 

The Company closed on investments of $5,312,492, $4,875,010 and $7,312,498, plus transaction costs in Twitter, Inc., a social communication company, on April 25, 2012, April 27, 2012, and April 30, 2012, respectively.

 

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The Company closed on an investment of $3,800,000, plus transaction costs in Silver Spring Networks, Inc., a smart grid company, on May 1, 2012.

 

The Company closed on an investment of $1,969,996, plus transaction costs in Fullbridge, Inc., a business education company, on May 4, 2012.

 

The Company is presently in the final stages of negotiations with a handful of private company investments that it anticipates entering into within the next 30 to 60 days, subject to applicable closing conditions. These equity investments may be made through the secondary market and involve making deposits in escrow accounts until certain conditions are met. Moreover, each underlying issuer has the right to terminate the deal before such conditions are satisfied. Pursuant to the terms of our agreements with each of these prospective issuers, at such time that these conditions are satisfied, the escrow accounts will close, and our equity investments will be effectuated.

 

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Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

We are subject to financial market risks, which could include, to the extent we utilize leverage, changes in interest rates. As we invest primarily in equity rather than debt instruments, we would not expect fluctuations in interest rates to directly impact our return on our portfolio investments, although any significant change in market interest rates could potentially have an indirect effect on the business, financial condition and results of operations of the portfolio companies in which we invest.

 

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

 

As of March 31, 2012, we, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective and provided reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our periodic SEC filings is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. However, in evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of such possible controls and procedures.

 

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II: OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

None of us, our investment adviser or administrator, is currently subject to any material legal proceedings, nor, to our knowledge, is any material legal proceeding threatened against us, or against our investment adviser or administrator. From time to time, we, our investment adviser or administrator, may be a party to certain legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, including proceedings relating to the enforcement of our rights under contracts with our portfolio companies. While the outcome of these legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not expect that these proceedings will have a material effect upon our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, which could materially affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results. With the exception of the risk factors set forth below, there have been no material changes during the three months ended March 31, 2012 to the risk factors discussed in Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. 

 

Risks Related To Our Investments

 

There are significant potential conflicts of interest, which could impact our investment returns and limit the flexibility of our investment policies.

 

We have entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with GSV Asset Management. GSV Asset Management is controlled by Michael T. Moe, our president, chief executive officer and chairman of our board of directors and Stephen D. Bard, our chief financial officer, chief compliance officer, treasurer and corporate secretary. Messrs. Moe and Bard, as principals of GSV Asset Management, collectively manage the business and internal affairs of GSV Asset Management. In addition, GSV Capital Service Company provides us with office facilities and administrative services pursuant to an Administration Agreement. Mr. Moe is the managing member of and controls GSV Capital Service Company. While there is no limit on the total amount of expenses we may be required to reimburse to GSV Capital Service Company, our administrator will only charge us for the actual expenses it incurs on our behalf, or our allocable portion thereof, without any profit to GSV Capital Service Company.

 

In addition, our executive officers and directors, and the principals of our investment adviser, GSV Asset Management, serve or may serve as officers and directors of entities that operate in a line of business similar to our own, including new entities that may be formed in the future. Accordingly, they may have obligations to investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which might not be in the best interests of us or our stockholders, such as, for example, the management of GSV X Fund by GSV Asset Management.

 

While the investment focus of each of these entities may be different from our investment objective, it is likely that new investment opportunities that meet our investment objective will come to the attention of one of these entities, or new entities that will likely be formed in the future in connection with another investment advisory client or program, and, if so, such opportunity might not be offered, or otherwise made available, to us. However, our executive officers, directors and investment adviser intend to treat us in a fair and equitable manner consistent with their applicable duties under law so that we will not be disadvantaged in relation to any other particular client. In addition, while GSV Asset Management anticipates that it will from time to time identify investment opportunities that are appropriate for both GSV Capital and the other funds that are currently or in the future may be managed by GSV Asset Management, to the extent it does identify such opportunities, GSV Asset Management has established an allocation policy to ensure that GSV Capital has priority over such other funds. Our board of directors will monitor on a quarterly basis any such allocation of investment opportunities between GSV Capital and any such other funds.

 

GSV Asset Management is the owner of the ‘‘GSV’’ name and marks, which we are permitted to use pursuant to a non-exclusive license agreement between us and GSV Asset Management. GSV Asset Management and its principals also use and may permit other entities to use the ‘‘GSV’’ name and marks in connection with businesses and activities unrelated to our operations. The use of the ‘‘GSV’’ name and marks in connection with businesses and activities unrelated to our operations may not be in the best interest of us or our stockholder and may result in actual or perceived conflicts of interest.

 

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In the ordinary course of business, we may enter into transactions with portfolio companies that may be considered related party transactions. In order to ensure that we do not engage in any prohibited transactions with any persons affiliated with us, we have implemented certain written policies and procedures whereby our executive officers screen each of our transactions for any possible affiliations between the proposed portfolio investment, us, companies controlled by us and our executive officers and directors. We will not enter into any agreements unless and until we are satisfied that doing so will not raise concerns under the 1940 Act or, if such concerns exist, we have taken appropriate actions to seek board review and approval or exemptive relief for such transaction. Our board of directors will review these procedures on an annual basis.

 

We have also adopted a Code of Ethics which applies to, among others, our senior officers, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as well as all of our officers, directors and employees. Our officers and directors also remain subject to the fiduciary obligations imposed by both the 1940 Act and applicable state corporate law. Our Code of Ethics requires that all employees and directors avoid any conflict, or the appearance of a conflict, between an individual’s personal interests and our interests. Pursuant to our Code of Ethics, each employee and director must disclose any conflicts of interest, or actions or relationships that might give rise to a conflict, to our chief compliance officer. Our board of directors is charged with approving any waivers under our Code of Ethics. As required by the NASDAQ corporate governance listing standards, the Audit Committee of our board of directors is also required to review and approve any transactions with related parties, as such term is defined in Item 404 of Regulation S-K. In accordance with Item 404, related parties generally include our directors and executive officers, any nominees for director, any immediate family member of a director or executive officer or nominee for director, and any other person sharing the household of such director, executive officer or nominee for director.

 

Finally, we pay GSV Capital Service Company our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by GSV Capital Service Company in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including a portion of the rent and the compensation of our chief financial officer and chief compliance officer and any administrative support personnel, which creates conflicts of interest that our board of directors must monitor.

 

Risks Related to Our Common Stock

 

Investors in any future offerings may incur immediate and substantial dilution.

 

Commissions and discounts payable to any underwriters, together with our organizational expense and other expenses of any future offering, may reduce the net proceeds of any such offering available for us to invest. As of March 31, 2012 our net asset value was $167,349,108, or $13.47 per share. Depending upon the public offering price, and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and the related offering expenses payable by us, in connection with any future offering, investors in any such offering may be subject to an immediate and substantial dilution.

 

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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosure

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

The following exhibits are filed as part of this report or hereby incorporated by reference to exhibits previously filed with the SEC:

 

3.1   Articles of Amendment and Restatement*
     
3.2   Articles of Amendment**
     
3.3   Bylaws*
     
4.1   Form of Common Stock Certificate*
     
10.1   Form of Dividend Reinvestment Plan*
     
10.2   Investment Advisory Agreement by and between Registrant and GSV Asset Management, LLC (f/k/a NeXt Asset Management, LLC) *
     
10.3   Administration Agreement by and between Registrant and GSV Capital Service Company, LLC (f/k/a NeXt Innovation Service Company, LLC)*
     
10.4   Form of Indemnification Agreement by and between Registrant and each of its directors*
     
10.5   Form of Custody Agreement by and between Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association*
     
10.6   Form of Trademark License Agreement by and between Registrant and GSV Asset Management, LLC**
     
31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
31.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
     
32.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

______________

 * Previously filed in connection with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-171578) filed on March 30, 2011.

** Previously filed in connection with Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 814-00852) filed on June 1, 2011.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

  GSV CAPITAL CORP.
   
Date: May 7, 2012  By:  /s/ Michael T. Moe
    Michael T. Moe
Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors
(Principal Executive Officer)

 

   
Date: May 7, 2012  By:  /s/ Stephen D. Bard
    Stephen D. Bard
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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