10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

______________________________________________________________________________________________

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

þ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2017

or

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Transition Period From ____________ to ___________

Commission File Number 1-5620

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Safeguard Scientifics, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Pennsylvania
(State or other jurisdiction of	23-1609753
incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer ID No.)
170 North Radnor-Chester Road
Suite 200
Radnor, PA	19087
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(610) 293-0600

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  þ    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  þ    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. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  ¨	Accelerated filer  þ	Non-accelerated filer  ¨	Smaller reporting company  ¨
(Do not check if a 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  þ

Number of shares outstanding as of April 25, 2017

Common Stock 20,359,015

SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS, INC.

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
	Page
Item 1 – Financial Statements:
Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) – March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016	3
Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) – Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 and 2016	4
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (unaudited) – Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 and 2016	5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) – Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 and 2016	6
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (unaudited) – Three Months Ended March 31, 2017	7
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)	8
Item 2 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	15
Item 3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	26
Item 4 – Controls and Procedures	26
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1 – Legal Proceedings	26
Item 1A – Risk Factors	26
Item 2 – Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	27
Item 3 – Defaults Upon Senior Securities	27
Item 4 – Mine Safety Disclosures	27
Item 5 – Other Information	27
Item 6 – Exhibits	28
Signatures	29

2

SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited - In thousands, except per share data)

	March 31, 2017			December 31, 2016
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	30,543		$	22,058
Marketable securities	2,376			8,384
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,325			2,109
Total current assets	35,244			32,551
Property and equipment, net	1,789			1,873
Ownership interests in and advances to partner companies	161,625			183,470
Long-term marketable securities	3,047			7,302
Long-term restricted cash equivalents	6,336			6,336
Other assets	121			296
Total Assets	$	208,162		$	231,828
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	230		$	140
Accrued compensation and benefits	1,775			3,498
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	2,017			2,223
Total current liabilities	4,022			5,861
Other long-term liabilities	3,581			3,630
Convertible senior debentures	52,983			52,560
Total Liabilities	60,586			62,051
Commitments and contingencies
Equity:
Preferred stock, $0.10 par value; 1,000 shares authorized	—			—
Common stock, $0.10 par value; 83,333 shares authorized; 21,573 shares issued at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016	2,157			2,157
Additional paid-in capital	815,926			816,016
Treasury stock, at cost; 1,215 and 1,209 shares at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively	(21,123		)	(21,061		)
Accumulated deficit	(649,001		)	(626,904		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(383		)	(431		)
Total Equity	147,576			169,777
Total Liabilities and Equity	$	208,162		$	231,828

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

3

SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited - In thousands, except per share data)

	Three months ended March 31,
	2017			2016
General and administrative expense	$	4,947		$	5,228
Operating loss	(4,947		)	(5,228		)
Other income (loss), net	249			—
Interest income	801			420
Interest expense	(1,198		)	(1,149		)
Equity loss	(17,002		)	(9,495		)
Net loss before income taxes	(22,097		)	(15,452		)
Income tax benefit (expense)	—			—
Net loss	$	(22,097	)	$	(15,452	)
Net loss per share:
Basic	$	(1.08	)	$	(0.76	)
Diluted	$	(1.08	)	$	(0.76	)
Weighted average shares used in computing loss per share:
Basic	20,380			20,448
Diluted	20,380			20,448

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

4

SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(In thousands)

	Three months ended March 31,
	2017			2016
Net loss	$	(22,097	)	$	(15,452	)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Share of other comprehensive loss of equity method investments	(2		)	(10		)
Reclassification adjustment for sale of equity method investments	50			—
Total comprehensive loss	$	(22,049	)	$	(15,462	)

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

5

SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited – In thousands)

	Three months ended March 31,
	2017			2016
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net cash used in operating activities	$	(6,541	)	$	(5,840	)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Proceeds from sales of and distributions from companies	15,753			4,194
Acquisitions of ownership interests in companies	(4,476		)	(17,073		)
Advances and loans to companies	(6,429		)	(7,119		)
Repayment of advances and loans to companies	—			28
Decrease in marketable securities	10,268			26,602
Capital expenditures	—			(22		)
Net cash provided by investing activities	15,116			$	6,610
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Issuance of Company common stock, net	10			—
Tax withholdings related to equity-based awards	(100		)	—
Repurchase of Company common stock	—			(5,445		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(90		)	(5,445		)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents	8,485			(4,675		)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents at beginning of period	28,394			32,838
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents at end of period	$	36,879		$	28,163

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

6

SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(Unaudited – In thousands)

							Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
				Accumulated Deficit						Common Stock			Additional Paid-in Capital			Treasury Stock
	Total									Shares	Amount					Shares		Amount
Balance - December 31, 2016	$	169,777		$	(626,904	)	$	(431	)	21,573	$	2,157	$	816,016		1,209		$	(21,061	)
Net loss	(22,097		)	(22,097		)	—			—	—		—			—		—
Stock options exercised, net of tax withholdings	10			—			—			—	—		(10		)	(1	)	20
Issuance of restricted stock, net of tax withholdings	(57		)	—			—			—	—		25			7		(82		)
Stock-based compensation expense	(105		)	—			—			—	—		(105		)	—		—
Other comprehensive income	48			—			48			—	—		—			—		—
Balance - March 31, 2017	$	147,576		$	(649,001	)	$	(383	)	21,573	$	2,157	$	815,926		1,215		$	(21,123	)

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

7

SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. General

The accompanying unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements of Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. (“Safeguard” or the “Company”) were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and the interim financial statement rules and regulations of the SEC. In the opinion of management, these statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the Consolidated Financial Statements. The interim operating results are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year or for any interim period. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations relating to interim financial statements. The Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q and with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in the Company’s 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Significant Accounting Policies

Restricted Cash Equivalents

Restricted cash equivalents consist of certificates of deposit with various maturity dates. Amounts included in restricted cash equivalents represent those required to be set aside by a contractual agreement with a bank as collateral for a letter of credit. The restriction on the cash will lapse when the related letter of credit expires on March 19, 2019. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents reported within the Consolidated Balance Sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:

	March 31, 2017		December 31, 2016
	(In thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	30,543	$	22,058
Long-term restricted cash equivalents	6,336		6,336
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents	$	36,879	$	28,394

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Evaluation of Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) ("ASU 2014-09"). ASU 2014-09 and related subsequent amendments outlines a single comprehensive model to use to account for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance. For public companies, the guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and any interim periods that fall within that reporting period. For nonpublic companies, the guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted. As the new standard will supersede most existing revenue guidance, it could impact revenue and cost recognition for partner companies. Any change in revenue or cost recognition for partner companies could affect the Company's recognition of its share of the results of its equity method partner companies. The Company has been closely monitoring the FASB activity related to the new standard and has begun work to conclude on specific interpretative issues.

8

SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Ownership Interests in and Advances to Partner Companies

The following summarizes the carrying value of the Company’s ownership interests in and advances to partner companies.   

	March 31, 2017		December 31, 2016
	(Unaudited - In thousands)
Equity Method:
Partner companies	$	131,852	$	154,219
Private equity funds	446		447
	132,298		154,666
Cost Method:
Partner companies	2,687		2,112
Private equity funds	1,400		1,550
	4,087		3,662
Advances to partner companies	25,240		25,142
	$	161,625	$	183,470

In March 2017, the Company sold its interest in partner company Beyond.com back to Beyond.com for $26.0 million. The Company received $15.5 million in cash and a three-year, $10.5 million note for the balance due, which accrues interest at a rate of 9.5% per annum. The receipt of the $15.5 million in cash resulted in a gain of $0.1 million which is included in Equity income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The $10.5 million note is fully reserved and has a carrying value of zero as of March 31, 2017. A gain will be recorded when the note is repaid. Interest is payable annually and interest income is recorded as earned throughout the year.

In the quarter ended March 31, 2017, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $2.7 million related to Pneuron, Inc. which is reflected in Equity income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The impairment was due to a decline in revenue and a lack of new customers. The adjusted carrying value of the Company's interest in Pneuron is $2.5 million at March 31, 2017.

In July 2015, Quantia, Inc. was acquired by Physicians Interactive. The Company received $7.8 million in initial cash proceeds in connection with the transaction in July 2015 and $0.6 million in connection with the expiration of the initial escrow period in July 2016. In January 2017, the Company received an additional $0.6 million in connection with the expiration of the final escrow period resulting in a gain of $0.6 million which is included in Equity income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

In April 2016, the Company received $3.3 million associated with the achievement of the final performance milestone related to the December 2013 sale of ThingWorx, Inc. to PTC, Inc., resulting in a gain of $3.3 million which is included in Equity income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

3. Acquisitions of Ownership Interests in Partner Companies

In March and January 2017, the Company deployed an aggregate of $2.0 million in Cloudmine, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $5.5 million in CloudMine. CloudMine empowers payers, providers, and pharmaceutical organizations to mobilize patient information by building robust applications and driving actionable insights. The Company accounts for its interest in CloudMine under the equity method.

In March and February 2017, the Company funded an aggregate of $4.0 million of convertible bridge loans to InfoBionic, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $14.5 million in InfoBionic. InfoBionic is an emerging digital health company focused on creating patient monitoring solutions for chronic disease management with an initial market focus on cardiac arrhythmias. The Company accounts for its interest in InfoBionic under the equity method.

In March 2017, the Company funded $0.2 million of a bridge loan to Lumesis, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $6.2 million in Lumesis. Lumesis is a financial technology company focused on providing business efficiency, regulatory and data solutions to the municipal bond marketplace. The Company accounts for its interest in Lumesis under the equity method.

In February 2017, the Company funded $0.5 million of a convertible loan to NovaSom, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $22.0 million in NovaSom. NovaSom is a medical device company focused on obstructive sleep apnea, specifically home testing with its FDA-cleared wireless device called AccuSom^® Home Sleep Test. The Company accounts for its interest in NovaSom under the equity method.

9

SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

In January 2017, the Company deployed $2.4 million into Full Measure Education, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $8.6 million in Full Measure. Full Measure designs next-generation, mobile-first technologies for community colleges throughout the United States. The Company accounts for its interest in Full Measure under the equity method.

In January 2017, the Company funded $0.3 million of a convertible bridge loan to Aventura, Inc. to fund wind-down activities. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $6.2 million in Aventura. The adjusted carrying value of the Company's interest in Aventura was $0.0 million at March 31, 2017. The Company accounted for its interest in Aventura under the equity method.

In January 2017, the Company funded $1.0 million of a convertible bridge loan to WebLinc, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $12.0 million in WebLinc. WebLinc is a commerce platform provider for fast growing online retailers. The Company accounts for its interest in WebLinc under the equity method.

4. Fair Value Measurements

The Company categorizes its financial instruments into a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the category level is based on the lowest priority level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument. Financial instruments recorded at fair value on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets are categorized as follows:

Level 1—Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2—Include other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace.

Level 3—Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.

The fair value hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

The following table provides the carrying value and fair value of certain financial assets and liabilities of the Company measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016:

	Carrying Value		Fair Value Measurement at March 31, 2017
			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
	(Unaudited - In thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	30,543	$	30,543	$	—		$	—
Long-term restricted cash equivalents	6,336		6,336		—		—	—
Marketable securities—held-to-maturity:
Certificates of deposit	$	5,423	$	5,423	$	—		$	—
Total marketable securities	$	5,423	$	5,423	$	—		$	—

	Carrying Value		Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2016
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(Unaudited - In thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	22,058	$	22,058	$	—	$	—
Long-term restricted cash equivalents	6,336		6,336		—		—
Marketable securities—held-to-maturity:
Certificates of deposit	$	15,686	$	15,686	$	—	$	—
Total marketable securities	$	15,686	$	15,686	$	—	$	—

As of March 31, 2017, $2.4 million of marketable securities had contractual maturities which were less than one year and $3.0 million of marketable securities had contractual maturities greater than one year. Held-to-maturity securities are carried at amortized cost, which, due to the short-term maturity of these instruments, approximates fair value using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities defined as Level 1 inputs under the fair value hierarchy.

10

SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

5. Convertible Debentures

In November 2012, the Company issued $55.0 million principal amount of its 5.25% convertible senior debentures due on May 15, 2018 (the "2018 Debentures"). The 2018 Debentures may be settled in cash or partially in cash upon conversion. Accordingly, the Company separately accounts for the liability and equity components of the 2018 Debentures. The carrying amount of the liability component was determined at the transaction date by measuring the fair value of a similar liability that does not have an associated equity component. The carrying amount of the equity component represented by the embedded conversion option was determined by deducting the fair value of the liability component from the initial proceeds of the 2018 Debentures as a whole. At March 31, 2017, the fair value of the $55.0 million outstanding 2018 Debentures was approximately $56.1 million, based on the midpoint of the bid and ask prices as of such date. At March 31, 2017, the carrying amount of the equity component was $6.4 million, the principal amount of the liability component was $55.0 million, the unamortized discount was $1.6 million, unamortized debt issuance costs were $0.4 million and the net carrying value of the liability component was $53.0 million. The Company is amortizing the excess of the face value of the 2018 Debentures over their carrying value over their term as additional interest expense using the effective interest method and recorded $0.4 million and $0.3 million of such expense for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The effective interest rate on the 2018 Debentures is 8.7%. The Company anticipates refinancing all or a portion of the outstanding 2018 Debentures before the maturity date of May 15, 2018.

6. Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expense was recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows:   

	Three months ended March 31,
	2017			2016
	(Unaudited - In thousands)
General and administrative expense	$	(105	)	$	807
	$	(105	)	$	807

The fair value of the Company’s option awards to employees was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The risk-free rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the end of the quarter in which the grant occurred. The expected term of stock options granted was estimated using the historical exercise behavior of employees. Expected volatility was based on historical volatility measured using weekly price observations of the Company’s common stock for a period equal to the stock option’s expected term.

At March 31, 2017, the Company had outstanding options that vest based on two different types of vesting schedules:

1)	performance-based;
2)	service-based.

Performance-based awards entitle participants to vest in a number of awards determined by achievement by the Company of target capital returns based on net cash proceeds received by the Company on the sale, merger or other exit transaction of certain identified partner companies. Vesting may occur, if at all, once per year. The requisite service periods for the performance-based awards are based on the Company’s estimate of when the performance conditions will be met. Compensation expense is recognized for performance-based awards for which the performance condition is considered probable of achievement. Compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service periods using the straight-line method but is accelerated if capital return targets are achieved earlier than estimated. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company did not issue any performance-based options to employees, no performance-based options vested and no performance-based options were canceled or forfeited. The Company recorded a reduction in compensation expense related to performance-based options of $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and compensation expense of $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The maximum number of unvested options at March 31, 2017 attainable under these grants was 344 thousand shares.

Service-based awards generally vest over four years after the date of grant and expire eight years after the date of grant. Compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service period using the straight-line method. The requisite service period for service-based awards is the period over which the award vests. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company issued 0 thousand and 1 thousand service-based options, respectively, to employees. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, 0 thousand and 8 thousand service-based options, respectively, were canceled or forfeited. The Company recorded compensation expense related to service-based options of $0.0 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.

11

SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Performance-based stock units vest based on achievement by the Company of target capital returns based on net cash proceeds received by the Company on the sale, merger or other exit transaction of certain identified partner companies, as described above related to performance-based awards. Performance-based stock units represent the right to receive shares of the Company’s common stock, on a one-for-one basis. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company did not issue any performance-based stock units to employees, no performance-based stock units vested and no performance-based stock units were canceled or forfeited. Under the terms of the 2016, 2015 and 2014 performance-based awards, once performance-based stock units are fully vested, participants are entitled to receive cash payments based on their initial performance grant values as target capital returns are exceeded. At March 31, 2017, the liability associated with such potential cash payments was $0.0 million.

During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company issued 4 thousand and 5 thousand deferred stock units, respectively, to non-employee directors for annual service grants or fees earned during the preceding quarter. Deferred stock units issued to directors in lieu of directors fees are 100% vested at the grant date; matching deferred stock units equal to 25% of directors’ fees deferred vest one year following the grant date or, if earlier, upon reaching age 65. Deferred stock units are payable in stock on a one-for-one basis. Payments related to the deferred stock units are generally distributable following termination of employment or service, death or permanent disability.

During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company did not issue any restricted stock awards.

Total compensation expense for performance-based stock units, deferred stock units, and restricted stock was $0.1 million and $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

7. Income Taxes

The Company’s consolidated income tax benefit (expense) was $0.0 million for the three months ended March 30, 2017 and 2016. The Company has recorded a valuation allowance to reduce its net deferred tax asset to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized in future years. Accordingly, the benefit of the net operating loss that would have been recognized in the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was offset by changes in the valuation allowance. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company had no material changes in uncertain tax positions.

8. Net Loss Per Share

The calculations of net loss per share were as follows:

	Three months ended March 31,
	2017			2016
	(Unaudited - In thousands, except per share data)
Basic:
Net loss	$	(22,097	)	$	(15,452	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding	20,380			20,448
Net loss per share	$	(1.08	)	$	(0.76	)
Diluted:
Net loss	$	(22,097	)	$	(15,452	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding	20,380			20,448
Net loss per share	$	(1.08	)	$	(0.76	)

Basic and diluted average common shares outstanding for purposes of computing net income (loss) per share includes outstanding common shares and vested deferred stock units (DSUs).

If a consolidated or equity method partner company has dilutive stock options, unvested restricted stock, DSUs or warrants, diluted net income (loss) per share is computed by first deducting the income attributable to the potential exercise of the dilutive securities of the partner company from net income (loss). Any impact is shown as an adjustment to net income (loss) for purposes of calculating diluted net income (loss) per share.

Diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 do not reflect the following potential shares of common stock that would have an anti-dilutive effect or have unsatisfied performance or market conditions:

• At March 31, 2017 and 2016, options to purchase 0.7 million and 1.1 million shares of common stock, respectively, at prices ranging from $9.83 to $19.95 and $7.14 to $19.95, respectively, were excluded from the calculations.

12

SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

• At March 31, 2017 and 2016, unvested restricted stock, performance-based stock units and DSUs convertible into 0.9 million and 0.7 million shares of stock, respectively, were excluded from the calculations.

• At March 31, 2017 and 2016, 3.0 million shares of common stock, representing the effect of the assumed conversion of the 2018 Debentures, were excluded from the calculations.

9. Segment Reporting

The Company operates as one operating segment based upon the similar nature of its technology-driven partner companies, the functional alignment of the organizational structure, and the reports that are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker for the purpose of assessing performance and allocating resources. As of March 31, 2017, the Company held interests in 28 non-consolidated partner companies. The Company’s active partner companies were as follows as of March 31, 2017:

Partner Company	Safeguard Primary Ownership as of March 31, 2017	Accounting Method
AdvantEdge Healthcare Solutions, Inc.	40.1%	Equity
Aktana, Inc.	31.2%	Equity
Apprenda, Inc.	29.4%	Equity
Brickwork	20.3%	Equity
Cask Data, Inc.	31.3%	Equity
CloudMine, Inc.	47.3%	Equity
Clutch Holdings, Inc.	42.8%	Equity
Full Measure Education, Inc.	42.3%	Equity
Good Start Genetics, Inc.	29.6%	Equity
Hoopla Software, Inc.	25.5%	Equity
InfoBionic, Inc.	39.7%	Equity
Lumesis, Inc.	44.1%	Equity
MediaMath, Inc.	20.5%	Equity
meQuilibrium	31.5%	Equity
Moxe Health Corporation	32.4%	Equity
NovaSom, Inc.	31.7%	Equity
Pneuron Corporation	35.4%	Equity
Prognos	35.2%	Equity
Propeller Health, Inc.	24.0%	Equity
QuanticMind, Inc.	23.2%	Equity
Sonobi, Inc.	21.6%	Equity
Spongecell, Inc.	23.0%	Equity
Syapse, Inc.	26.2%	Equity
T-REX Group, Inc.	23.6%	Equity
Transactis, Inc.	24.0%	Equity
Trice Medical, Inc.	27.6%	Equity
WebLinc, Inc.	38.0%	Equity
Zipnosis, Inc.	25.4%	Equity

 As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, all of the Company’s assets were located in the United States.

13

SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

10. Commitments and Contingencies

The Company and its partner companies are involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the current opinion of the Company, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations, however, no assurance can be given as to the outcome of these actions, and one or more adverse rulings could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations or that of its partner companies. The Company records costs associated with legal fees as such services are rendered.

The Company had outstanding guarantees of $3.8 million at March 31, 2017 which related to one of the Company's private equity holdings.

The Company is required to return a portion or all the distributions it received as a general partner of a private equity fund for further distribution to such fund's limited partners (“clawback”). The Company’s ownership in the fund is 19%. The clawback liability is joint and several, such that the Company may be required to fund the clawback for other general partners should they default. The Company believes its potential liability due to the possibility of default by other general partners is remote. The Company was notified by the fund's manager that the fund is being dissolved and $1.0 million of the Company's clawback liability was paid in the first quarter of 2017. The maximum additional clawback liability is $0.3 million which was reflected in Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2017.

In October 2001, the Company entered into an agreement with a former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, to provide for annual payments of $0.65 million per year and certain health care and other benefits for life. The related current liability of $0.8 million was included in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities and the long-term portion of $1.9 million was included in Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2017.

The Company provided a $6.3 million letter of credit expiring on March 19, 2019 to the landlord of CompuCom Systems, Inc.’s Dallas headquarters as required in connection with the sale of CompuCom Systems in 2004. The letter of credit is now secured by cash which is classified as Long-term restricted cash equivalents on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

The Company has agreements with certain employees that provide for severance payments to the employee in the event the employee is terminated without cause or an employee terminates his employment for “good reason.” The maximum aggregate exposure under the agreements was approximately $3.0 million at March 31, 2017.

In June 2011, the Company's former partner company, Advanced BioHealing, Inc. (“ABH”) was acquired by Shire plc (“Shire”).  Prior to the expiration of the escrow period in March 2012, Shire filed a claim against all amounts held in escrow related to the sale based principally upon a United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”) false claims act investigation relating to ABH (the “Investigation”). In connection with the above-referenced investigation, in July 2015 the Company received a Civil Investigation Demand-Documentary Material (“CID”) from the DOJ regarding ABH and Safeguard’s relationship with ABH. Pursuant to the CID, the Company provided the requested materials and information.  To the Company’s knowledge, the CID was related to multiple qui tam (“whistleblower”) actions, one of which was filed in 2014 by an ex-employee of ABH that named the Company and one of the Company’s employees along with other entities and individuals as defendants.  At this time, the DOJ has declined to pursue the qui tam action as it relates to the Company and such Company employee. In addition, in connection with the above matters, the Company and other former equity holders in ABH recently entered into a settlement and release with Shire, which resulted in the release to Shire of all amounts held in escrow related to the sale of ABH.

11. Equity

In July 2015, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the Company, from time to time and depending on market conditions, to repurchase up to $25.0 million of the Company's outstanding common stock. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company repurchased 0.4 million shares at an aggregate cost of $5.4 million with $14.6 million remaining for repurchase under the existing authorization.

14

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

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. (“Safeguard” or “we”), the industries in which we operate and other matters, as well as management's beliefs and assumptions and other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts. These statements include, in particular, statements about our plans, strategies and prospects. For example, when we use words such as “projects,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “will,” “opportunity,” “potential” or “may,” variations of such words or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes, we are making forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Our forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, include, among others, our ability to make good decisions about the deployment of capital, the fact that our partner companies may vary from period to period, our substantial capital requirements and absence of liquidity from our partner company holdings, fluctuations in the market prices of our publicly traded partner company holdings, competition, our inability to obtain maximum value for our partner company holdings, our ability to attract and retain qualified employees, our ability to execute our strategy, market valuations in sectors in which our partner companies operate, our inability to control our partner companies, our need to manage our assets to avoid registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and risks associated with our partner companies and their performance, including the fact that most of our partner companies have a limited history and a history of operating losses, face intense competition and may never be profitable, the effect of economic conditions in the business sectors in which Safeguard's partner companies operate, compliance with government regulation and legal liabilities, all of which are discussed in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in Safeguard's Annual Report on Form 10-K and updated, as applicable, in “Factors that May Affect Future Results” and Item 1A. “Risk Factors” below. Many of these factors are beyond our ability to predict or control. In addition, as a result of these and other factors, our past financial performance should not be relied on as an indication of future performance. All forward-looking statements attributable to us, or to persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this report might not occur.

Business Overview

Safeguard’s charter is to be a nationally recognized leader with respect to entrepreneurship and innovation. Our vision is to provide capital and relevant expertise to fuel the growth of technology-driven businesses in healthcare, financial services and digital media. Throughout this document, we use the term “partner company” to generally refer to those companies in which we have an equity interest and in which we are actively involved, influencing development through board representation and management support, in addition to the influence we exert through our equity ownership. From time to time, in addition to these partner companies, we also hold relatively small equity interests in other enterprises where we do not exert significant influence and do not participate in management activities. In some cases, these interests relate to former partner companies and in some cases these interests relate to entities which may later become partner companies.

Safeguard targets technology-driven businesses in healthcare, financial services and digital media that are capitalizing on the next wave of enabling technologies with a particular focus, at present, on the Internet of Everything, enhanced security and predictive analytics. We strive to create long-term value for our shareholders by helping our partner companies to increase their market penetration, grow revenue and improve cash flow. Safeguard typically deploys between $5 million and $15 million of initial capital and $5 million to $10 million of follow-on funding with a total anticipated deployment of up to $25 million in a company. We will occasionally provide certain early-stage seed round financings in amounts generally up to $1 million to promising young companies with the goal to provide more capital once certain development milestones are achieved.

15

Results of Operations

We operate as one operating segment based upon the similar nature of our technology-driven partner companies, the functional alignment of the organizational structure, and the reports that are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker for the purpose of assessing performance and allocating resources.

There is intense competition in the markets in which our partner companies operate. Additionally, the markets in which these companies operate are characterized by rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards, frequent introduction of new products and services, shifting distribution channels, evolving government regulation, frequently changing intellectual property landscapes and changing customer demands. Their future success depends on each company’s ability to execute its business plan and to adapt to its respective rapidly changing market.

As previously stated, throughout this document, we use the term “partner company” to generally refer to those companies in which we have an economic interest and in which we are actively involved influencing development, usually through board representation in addition to our equity ownership.

The following listing of our partner companies only includes entities which were considered partner companies as of March 31, 2017. Certain entities which may have been partner companies in previous periods are omitted if, as of March 31, 2017, they had been sold or are no longer considered a partner company.

	Safeguard Primary Ownership as of March 31,
Partner Company	2017	2016	Accounting Method
AdvantEdge Healthcare Solutions, Inc.	40.1%	40.1%	Equity
Aktana, Inc.	31.2%	NA	Equity
Apprenda, Inc.	29.4%	29.5%	Equity
Brickwork	20.3%	NA	Equity
Cask Data, Inc.	31.3%	34.2%	Equity
CloudMine, Inc.	47.3%	30.1%	Equity
Clutch Holdings, Inc.	42.8%	38.5%	Equity
Full Measure Education, Inc.	42.3%	36.0%	Equity
Good Start Genetics, Inc.	29.6%	29.6%	Equity
Hoopla Software, Inc.	25.5%	25.6%	Equity
InfoBionic, Inc.	39.7%	39.8%	Equity
Lumesis, Inc.	44.1%	44.4%	Equity
MediaMath, Inc.	20.5%	20.5%	Equity
meQuilibrium	31.5%	31.5%	Equity
Moxe Health Corporation	32.4%	NA	Equity
NovaSom, Inc.	31.7%	31.7%	Equity
Pneuron Corporation	35.4%	35.4%	Equity
Prognos	35.2%	34.5%	Equity
Propeller Health, Inc.	24.0%	24.5%	Equity
QuanticMind, Inc.	23.2%	23.6%	Equity
Sonobi, Inc.	21.6%	22.6%	Equity
Spongecell, Inc.	23.0%	23.0%	Equity
Syapse, Inc.	26.2%	29.2%	Equity
T-REX Group, Inc.	23.6%	NA	Equity
Transactis, Inc.	24.0%	24.3%	Equity
Trice Medical, Inc.	27.6%	27.7%	Equity
WebLinc, Inc.	38.0%	38.0%	Equity
Zipnosis, Inc.	25.4%	26.2%	Equity

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Three months ended March 31, 2017 versus the three months ended March 31, 2016

	Three months ended March 31,
	2017			2016			Variance
	(In thousands)
General and administrative expense	$	(4,947	)	$	(5,228	)	$	281
Other income (loss), net	249			—			249
Interest income	801			420			381
Interest expense	(1,198		)	(1,149		)	(49		)
Equity loss	(17,002		)	(9,495		)	(7,507		)
	$	(22,097	)	$	(15,452	)	$	(6,645	)

General and Administrative Expense. Our general and administrative expenses consist primarily of employee compensation, insurance, travel-related costs, depreciation, office rent and professional services such as consulting, legal, and accounting. General and administrative expense also includes stock-based compensation expense which consists primarily of expense related to grants of stock options, restricted stock and deferred stock units to our employees and directors. General and administrative expense decreased $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the prior year period due to an decrease of $0.9 million in stock-based compensation primarily for performance-based awards which was offset by an increase of $0.6 million in employee costs.

Other Income (Loss), Net. Other income (loss), net increased $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the prior year period. Other income (loss), net for the three months ended March 31, 2017 reflected a $0.4 million gain related to our Penn Mezzanine debt and equity participations which was partially offset by an impairment charge of $0.2 million related to our interest in a legacy private equity fund.

Interest Income. Interest income includes all interest earned on available cash and marketable security balances as well as interest earned on notes receivable from our partner companies. The increase of $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the prior year period was primarily attributable to higher average notes receivable from our partner companies.

Interest Expense. Interest expense is primarily related to our convertible senior debentures.  Interest expense remained relatively consistent compared to the prior year period.

Equity Loss. Equity loss fluctuates with the number of partner companies accounted for under the equity method, our voting ownership percentage in these partner companies and the net results of operations of these partner companies. We recognize our share of losses to the extent we have cost basis in the partner company or outstanding commitments or guarantees. Certain amounts recorded to reflect our share of the income or losses of our partner companies accounted for under the equity method are based on estimates and on unaudited results of operations of those partner companies and may require adjustments in the future when audits of these entities are made final. We report our share of the results of our equity method partner companies on a one quarter lag basis.

Equity loss increased $7.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the prior year period. The components of equity loss for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:

Three months ended March 31, 2017:
Gain on proceeds received from escrow related to sale of Quantia	$	600
Gain on sale of Beyond.com	108
Unrealized dilution loss on the decrease of our percentage ownership in partner companies	(83		)
Loss on impairment of Aventura	(254		)
Loss on impairment of Pneuron	(2,735		)
Share of loss of our equity method partner companies	(14,638		)
	$	(17,002	)

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Three months ended March 31, 2016:
Gain on proceeds received from escrow related to sale of Thingworx	$	3,264
Unrealized dilution gain on the decrease of our percentage ownership in partner companies	211
Share of loss of our equity method partner companies	(12,970		)
	$	(9,495	)

The change in our share of equity loss of our equity method partner companies for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the prior year period was due to an increase in the number of equity method partner companies and losses associated with those partner companies.

Income Tax Benefit (Expense)

Income tax benefit (expense) was $0.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016. We have recorded a valuation allowance to reduce our net deferred tax asset to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized in future years. Accordingly, the benefit of the net operating loss that would have been recognized in the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was offset by changes in the valuation allowance.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We fund our operations with cash on hand as well as proceeds from sales of and distributions from partner companies, private equity funds and marketable securities. In prior periods, we have also used sales of our equity and the issuance of debt as sources of liquidity and may do so in the future. Our ability to generate liquidity from sales of partner companies, sales of marketable securities and from equity and debt issuances has been adversely affected from time to time by adverse circumstances in the U.S. capital markets and other factors.

As of March 31, 2017, we had $30.5 million of cash and cash equivalents and $5.4 million of marketable securities for a total of $35.9 million.

We have outstanding $55.0 million in face amount of our 5.25% convertible senior debentures due on May 15, 2018 (the "2018 Debentures"). Interest on the 2018 Debentures is payable semi-annually. At the debentures holders’ option, the 2018 Debentures are convertible into our common stock prior to November 15, 2017 subject to certain conditions, and at any time after November 15, 2017. The conversion rate of the 2018 Debentures is 55.17 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of debentures, equivalent to a conversion price of approximately $18.13 per share of common stock. The closing price per share of our common stock at March 31, 2017 was $12.70. The 2018 Debentures holders have the right to require us to repurchase the 2018 Debentures if we undergo a fundamental change as defined in the debenture agreement, including the sale of all or substantially all of our common stock or assets, liquidation, or dissolution; a change in control; the delisting of our common stock from the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ Global Market (or any of their respective successors); or a substantial change in the composition of our board of directors as defined in the agreement. On or after November 15, 2016, we may redeem for cash some or all of the debentures, subject to certain conditions. Upon any redemption of the 2018 Debentures, we will pay a redemption price of 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. Upon the conversion of the 2018 Debentures we have the right to settle the conversion in stock, cash or a combination thereof. We anticipate refinancing all or a portion of the outstanding 2018 Debentures before the maturity date of May 15, 2018.

We have provided a $6.3 million letter of credit expiring on March 19, 2019 to the landlord of CompuCom Systems, Inc.’s Dallas headquarters which was required in connection with the sale of CompuCom Systems in 2004. The letter of credit is secured by cash which is classified as Long-term restricted cash equivalents on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The restriction on the cash will lapse when the related letter of credit expires on March 19, 2019.

In July 2015, the Company's Board of Directors authorized us, from time to time and depending on market conditions, to repurchase up to $25.0 million of the Company's outstanding common stock. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we repurchased 0.4 million shares at an aggregate cost of $5.4 million with $14.6 million remaining for repurchase under the existing authorization.

We are required to return a portion or all the distributions we received as a general partner of a private equity fund for further distribution to such fund's limited partners (“clawback”). Our ownership in the fund is 19%. The clawback liability is joint and several, such that we may be required to fund the clawback for other general partners should they default. We believe our potential liability due to the possibility of default by other general partners is remote. We were notified by the fund's manager that the fund is being dissolved and $1.0 million of our clawback liability was paid in the first quarter of 2017. The maximum additional clawback liability is $0.3 million which was reflected in Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2017.

18

In April 2016, Putney, Inc. was acquired by Dechra Pharmaceuticals Plc. We received cash proceeds of $58.2 million in initial cash proceeds in connection with the transaction, excluding $0.4 million which was released from escrow in July 2016 and $0.6 million which will be released following the expiration of the escrow period in April 2017.

The transactions we enter into in pursuit of our strategy could increase or decrease our liquidity at any point in time. As we seek to acquire interests in new partner companies, provide additional funding to existing partner companies, or commit capital to other initiatives, we may be required to expend our cash or incur debt, which will decrease our liquidity. Conversely, as we dispose of our interests in partner companies from time to time, we may receive proceeds from such sales, which could increase our liquidity. From time to time, we are engaged in discussions concerning acquisitions and dispositions which, if consummated, could impact our liquidity, perhaps significantly.

For the reasons we have presented above, we believe our cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2017 and other anticipated internal sources of cash flow will be sufficient to fund our cash requirements for the next 12 months, including interest payments, commitments to our existing partner companies and funds, possible additional funding of existing partner companies and our general corporate requirements. Our acquisition of new partner company interests is always contingent upon our availability of cash to fund such deployments, and our timing of monetization events directly affects our availability of cash.

Analysis of Consolidated Cash Flows

Cash flow activity was as follows:

	Three months ended March 31,
	2017			2016			Variance
	(In thousands)
Net cash used in operating activities	$	(6,541	)	$	(5,840	)	$	(701	)
Net cash provided by investing activities	15,116			6,610			8,506
Net cash used in financing activities	(90		)	(5,445		)	5,355
	$	8,485		$	(4,675	)	$	13,160

Net Cash Used In Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities increased by $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the prior year period. The increase was primarily related to an increase of $0.5 million in cash used for management incentive plan payments.

Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities

Net cash provided by investing activities increased by $8.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the prior year period. The increase primarily related to a $11.6 million increase in proceeds from the sales of and distributions from companies, a $12.6 million decrease in acquisitions of ownership interests in companies and a decrease of $0.7 million in advances and loans to companies, which were partially offset by a $16.3 million decrease in cash proceeds from the net change in marketable securities. Cash proceeds from the sales of and distributions from companies were $15.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 which related primarily to:

• In March 2017, we sold our interest in partner company Beyond.com back to Beyond for $26.0 million. We received $15.5 million in cash and a three-year, $10.5 million note for the balance due, which will accrue interest at a rate of 9.5% per annum.

• In January 2017, we received an additional $0.6 million which was released from escrow related to the 2015 sale of Quantia.

• In March 2017, we received $0.6 million of proceeds from the sale of our remaining Penn Mezzanine participation.

• These cash proceeds were partially offset by payment of a $1.0 million clawback liability in the first quarter of 2017.

Cash proceeds from the sales of and distributions from companies was $4.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 which related primarily to cash received from escrow associated with the sale of our interest in Thingworx.

Net Cash Used In Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities decreased by $5.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the prior year period. The decrease was primarily related to a decrease of $5.4 million in repurchases of our common stock.

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Contractual Cash Obligations and Other Commercial Commitments

There have been no material changes to the contractual cash obligations and other commercial commitments we previously disclosed under Item 7 of Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the SEC on March 3, 2017.

Factors That May Affect Future Results

You should carefully consider the information set forth below. The following risk factors describe situations in which our business, financial condition and/or results of operations could be materially harmed, and the value of our securities may be adversely affected. You should also refer to other information included or incorporated by reference in this report.

Our principal business depends upon our ability to make good decisions regarding the deployment of capital into new or existing partner companies and, ultimately, the performance of our partner companies, which is uncertain.

If we make poor decisions regarding the deployment of capital into new or existing partner companies, our business model will not succeed. Our success as a company ultimately depends on our ability to choose the right partner companies. If our partner companies do not succeed, the value of our assets could be significantly reduced and require substantial impairments or write-offs and our results of operations and the price of our common stock would be adversely affected. The risks relating to our partner companies include:

• most of our partner companies have a history of operating losses and/or limited operating history;

• the intense competition affecting the products and services our partner companies offer could adversely affect their businesses, financial condition, results of operations and prospects for growth;

• the inability to adapt to changing marketplaces;

• the inability to manage growth;

• the need for additional capital to fund their operations, which we may not be able to fund or which may not be available from third parties on acceptable terms, if at all;

• the inability to protect their proprietary rights and/or infringing on the proprietary rights of others;

• that our partner companies could face legal liabilities from claims made against them based upon their operations, products or work;

• the impact of economic downturns on their operations, results and growth prospects;

• the inability to attract and retain qualified personnel;

• the existence of government regulations and legal uncertainties may place financial burdens on the businesses of our partner companies; and

• the inability to plan for and manage catastrophic events.

These and other risks are discussed in detail under the caption “Risks Related to Our Partner Companies” below.

Our partner companies (and the nature of our interests in them) could vary widely from period to period.

As part of our strategy, we continually assess the value to our shareholders of our interests in our partner companies. We also regularly evaluate alternative uses for our capital resources. As a result, depending on market conditions, growth prospects and other key factors, we may at any time:

• change the individual and/or types of partner companies on which we focus;

• sell some or all of our interests in any of our partner companies; or

• otherwise change the nature of our interests in our partner companies.

Therefore, the nature of our holdings could vary significantly from period to period.

Our consolidated financial results also may vary significantly based upon which, if any, of our partner companies are included in our Consolidated Financial Statements.

A significant amount of our deployed capital may be concentrated in partner companies operating in the same or similar industries, limiting the diversification of our capital deployments.

We do not have fixed guidelines for diversification of capital deployments, and our capital deployments could be concentrated in several partner companies that operate in the same or similar industries. This may cause us to be more susceptible to any single economic, regulatory or other occurrence affecting those particular industries than we would otherwise be if our partner companies operated in more diversified industries.

20

Our business model does not rely upon, or plan for, the receipt of operating cash flows from our partner companies. Our partner companies generally provide us with no cash flow from their operations. We rely on cash on hand, liquidity events and our ability to generate cash from capital raising activities to finance our operations.

We need capital to develop new partner company relationships and to fund the capital needs of our existing partner companies. We also need cash to service and repay our outstanding debt, finance our corporate overhead and meet our existing funding commitments. As a result, we have substantial cash requirements. Our partner companies generally provide us with no cash flow from their operations. To the extent our partner companies generate any cash from operations, they generally retain the funds to develop their own businesses. As a result, we must rely on cash on hand, partner company liquidity events and new capital raising activities to meet our cash needs. If we are unable to find ways of monetizing our holdings or raising additional capital on attractive terms, we may face liquidity issues that will require us to curtail our new business efforts, constrain our ability to execute our business strategy and limit our ability to provide financial support to our existing partner companies.

Fluctuations in the price of the common stock of our publicly traded holdings may affect the price of our common stock.

From time to time, we may hold equity interests in companies that are publicly traded. Fluctuations in the market prices of the common stock of publicly traded holdings may affect the price of our common stock. Historically, the market prices of our publicly traded holdings have been highly volatile and subject to fluctuations unrelated or disproportionate to operating performance.

Intense competition from other capital providers for interests in companies could adversely affect our ability to deploy capital and result in higher valuations of partner company interests which could result in lower gains or possibly losses on our partner companies.

We face intense competition from other capital providers as we acquire and develop interests in our partner companies. Some of our competitors have more experience identifying, acquiring and selling companies and have greater financial and management resources, brand name recognition or industry contacts than we have. Competition from other capital providers could adversely affect our ability to deploy capital. In addition, despite making most of our acquisitions at a stage when our partner companies are not publicly traded, we may still pay higher prices for those equity interests because of higher valuations of similar public companies and competition from other acquirers and capital providers, which could result in lower gains or possibly losses.

We may be unable to obtain maximum value for our holdings or to sell our holdings on a timely basis.

We hold significant positions in our partner companies. Consequently, if we were to divest all or part of our holdings in a partner company, we may have to sell our interests at a relative discount to a price which may be received by a seller of a smaller portion. For partner companies with publicly traded stock, we may be unable to sell our holdings at then-quoted market prices. The trading volume and public float in the common stock of a publicly traded partner company may be small relative to our holdings. As a result, any significant open-market divestiture by us of our holdings in such a partner company, if possible at all, would likely have a material adverse effect on the market price of its common stock and on our proceeds from such a divestiture. Additionally, we may not be able to take our partner companies public as a means of monetizing our position or creating shareholder value.

Registration and other requirements under applicable securities laws and contractual restrictions also may adversely affect our ability to dispose of our partner company holdings on a timely basis.

Our success is dependent on our senior management.

Our success is dependent on our senior management team’s ability to execute our strategy. A loss of one or more of the members of our senior management team without adequate replacement could have a material adverse effect on us.

Our business strategy may not be successful if valuations in the market sectors in which our partner companies participate decline.

Our strategy involves creating value for our shareholders by helping our partner companies build value and, if appropriate, accessing the public and private capital markets. Therefore, our success is dependent on the value of our partner companies as determined by the public and private capital markets. Many factors, including reduced market interest, may cause the market value of our partner companies to decline. If valuations in the market sectors in which our partner companies participate decline, their access to the public and private capital markets on terms acceptable to them may be limited.

21

Our partner companies could make business decisions that are not in our best interests or with which we do not agree, which could impair the value of our holdings.

Although we may seek a controlling or influential equity interest and participation in the management of our partner companies, we may not be able to control the significant business decisions of our partner companies. We may have shared control or no control over some of our partner companies. In addition, although we currently own a significant, influential interest in some of our partner companies, we do not maintain a controlling interest in any of our partner companies. Acquisitions of interests in partner companies in which we share or have no control, and the dilution of our interests in or loss of control of partner companies, will involve additional risks that could cause the performance of our interests and our operating results to suffer, including:

• the management of a partner company having economic or business interests or objectives that are different from ours; and

• the partner companies not taking our advice with respect to the financial or operating issues they may encounter.

Our inability to control our partner companies also could prevent us from assisting them, financially or otherwise, or could prevent us from liquidating our interests in them at a time or at a price that is favorable to us. Additionally, our partner companies may not act in ways that are consistent with our business strategy. These factors could hamper our ability to maximize returns on our interests and cause us to incur losses on our interests in these partner companies.

We may have to buy, sell or retain assets when we would otherwise not wish to do so in order to avoid registration under the Investment Company Act.

The Investment Company Act of 1940 regulates companies which are engaged primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading in securities. Under the Investment Company Act, a company may be deemed to be an investment company if it owns investment securities with a value exceeding 40% of the value of its total assets (excluding government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis, unless an exemption or safe harbor applies. We refer to this test as the “40% Test.” Securities issued by companies other than consolidated partner companies are generally considered “investment securities” for purposes of the Investment Company Act, unless other circumstances exist which actively involve the company holding such interests in the management of the underlying company. We are a company that partners with growth-stage companies to build value; we are not engaged primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities. We are in compliance with the 40% Test. Consequently, we do not believe that we are an investment company under the Investment Company Act.

We monitor our compliance with the 40% Test and seek to conduct our business activities to comply with this test. It is not feasible for us to be regulated as an investment company because the Investment Company Act rules are inconsistent with our strategy of actively helping our partner companies in their efforts to build value. In order to continue to comply with the 40% Test, we may need to take various actions which we would otherwise not pursue. For example, we may need to retain a controlling interest in a partner company that we no longer consider strategic, we may not be able to acquire an interest in a company unless we are able to obtain a controlling ownership interest in the company, or we may be limited in the manner or timing in which we sell our interests in a partner company. Our ownership levels also may be affected if our partner companies are acquired by third parties or if our partner companies issue stock which dilutes our ownership interest. The actions we may need to take to address these issues while maintaining compliance with the 40% Test could adversely affect our ability to create and realize value at our partner companies.

Economic disruptions and downturns may have negative repercussions for us.

Events in the United States and international capital markets, debt markets and economies may negatively impact our stock price and our ability to pursue certain tactical and strategic initiatives, such as accessing additional public or private equity or debt financing for us or for our partner companies and selling our interests in partner companies on terms acceptable to us and in time frames consistent with our expectations.

We cannot provide assurance that material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting will not be identified in the future.

We cannot assure you that material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting will not be identified in the future. Any failure to maintain or implement required new or improved controls, or any difficulties we encounter in their implementation, could result in a material weakness, or could result in material misstatements in our Consolidated Financial Statements. These misstatements could result in a restatement of our Consolidated Financial Statements, cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations and/or cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, leading to a decline in our stock price.

22

Risks Related to Our Partner Companies

Most of our partner companies have a history of operating losses and/or limited operating history and may never be profitable.

Most of our partner companies have a history of operating losses and/or limited operating history, have significant historical losses and may never be profitable. Many have incurred substantial costs to develop and market their products, have incurred net losses and cannot fund their cash needs from operations. We expect that the operating expenses of certain of our partner companies will increase substantially in the foreseeable future as they continue to develop products and services, increase sales and marketing efforts, and expand operations.

Our partner companies face intense competition, which could adversely affect their business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects for growth.

There is intense competition in the technology marketplaces, and we expect competition to intensify in the future. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects for growth will be materially adversely affected if our partner companies are not able to compete successfully. Many of the present and potential competitors may have greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources than those of our partner companies. This may place our partner companies at a disadvantage in responding to the offerings of their competitors, technological changes or changes in client requirements. Also, our partner companies may be at a competitive disadvantage because many of their competitors have greater name recognition, more extensive client bases and a broader range of product offerings. In addition, our partner companies may compete against one another.

The success or failure of many of our partner companies is dependent upon the ultimate effectiveness of newly-created technologies, medical devices, financial services, healthcare diagnostics, etc.

Our partner companies’ business strategies are often highly dependent upon the successful launch and commercialization of an innovative technology or device, including, without limitation, technologies or devices used in healthcare, financial services or digital media.  Despite all of our efforts to understand the research and development underlying the innovation or creation of such technologies and devices before we deploy capital into a partner company, sometimes the performance of the technology or device does not match our expectations or those of our partner company. In those situations, it is likely that we will incur a partial or total loss of the capital which we deployed in such partner company.

Our partner companies may fail if they do not adapt to changing marketplaces.

If our partner companies fail to adapt to changes in technology and customer and supplier demands, they may not become or remain profitable. There is no assurance that the products and services of our partner companies will achieve or maintain market penetration or commercial success, or that the businesses of our partner companies will be successful.

The technology marketplaces are characterized by:

• rapidly changing technology;

• evolving industry standards;

• frequent introduction of new products and services;

• shifting distribution channels;

• evolving government regulation;

• frequently changing intellectual property landscapes; and

• changing customer demands.

Our future success will depend on our partner companies’ ability to adapt to these evolving marketplaces. They may not be able to adequately or economically adapt their products and services, develop new products and services or establish and maintain effective distribution channels for their products and services. If our partner companies are unable to offer competitive products and services or maintain effective distribution channels, they will sell fewer products and services and forego potential revenue, possibly causing them to lose money. In addition, we and our partner companies may not be able to respond to the marketplace changes in an economically efficient manner, and our partner companies may become or remain unprofitable.

Our partner companies may grow rapidly and may be unable to manage their growth.

We expect some of our partner companies to grow rapidly. Rapid growth often places considerable operational, managerial and financial strain on a business. To successfully manage rapid growth, our partner companies must, among other things:

• improve, upgrade and expand their business infrastructures;

• scale up production operations;

23

• develop appropriate financial reporting controls;

• attract and retain qualified personnel; and

• maintain appropriate levels of liquidity.

If our partner companies are unable to manage their growth successfully, their ability to respond effectively to competition and to achieve or maintain profitability will be adversely affected.

Based on our business model, some or all of our partner companies will need to raise additional capital to fund their operations at any given time. We may not be able to fund some or all of such amounts and such amounts may not be available from third parties on acceptable terms, if at all. Further, if our partner companies do raise additional capital, either debt or equity, such capital may rank senior to our interests in such companies.

We cannot be certain that our partner companies will be able to obtain additional financing on favorable terms when needed, if at all. Because our resources and our ability to raise capital are not unlimited, we may not be able to provide partner companies with sufficient capital resources to enable them to reach a cash-flow positive position or a sale of the company, even if we wish to do so. General economic disruptions and downturns may also negatively affect the ability of some of our partner companies to fund their operations from other stockholders and capital sources. We also may fail to accurately project the capital needs of partner companies. If partner companies need capital but are not able to raise capital from us or other outside sources, then they may need to cease or scale back operations. In such event, our interest in any such partner company will become less valuable. If our partner companies raise additional capital, either debt or equity, that ranks senior to the capital we have deployed, such capital may entitle its holders to receive returns of capital before the dates on which we are entitled to receive any return of our deployed capital. Also, in the event of any insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of a partner company, holders of such partner company’s instruments that rank senior to our deployed capital will typically be entitled to receive payment in full before we receive any return of our deployed capital. After returning such senior capital, such partner company may not have any remaining assets to use for returning capital to us, causing us to lose some or all of our deployed capital in such partner company.

Economic disruptions and downturns may negatively affect our partner companies’ plans and their results of operations.

Many of our partner companies are largely dependent upon outside sources of capital to fund their operations. Disruptions in the availability of capital from such sources will negatively affect the ability of such partner companies to pursue their business models and will force such companies to revise their growth and development plans accordingly. Any such changes will, in turn, negatively affect our ability to realize the value of our capital deployments in such partner companies.

In addition, downturns in the economy as well as possible governmental responses to such downturns and/or to specific situations in the economy could affect the business prospects of certain of our partner companies, including, but not limited to, in the following ways: weaknesses in the financial services industries; reduced business and/or consumer spending; and/or systemic changes in the ways the healthcare system operates in the United States.

Some of our partner companies may be unable to protect their proprietary rights and may infringe on the proprietary rights of others.

Our partner companies assert various forms of intellectual property protection. Intellectual property may constitute an important part of partner company assets and competitive strengths. Federal law, most typically copyright, patent, trademark and trade secret laws, generally protects intellectual property rights. Although we expect that our partner companies will take reasonable efforts to protect the rights to their intellectual property, third parties may develop similar intellectual property independently. Moreover, the complexity of international trade secret, copyright, trademark and patent law, coupled with the limited resources of our partner companies and the demands of quick delivery of products and services to market, create a risk that partner company efforts to prevent misappropriation of their technology will prove inadequate.

Some of our partner companies also license intellectual property from third parties and it is possible that they could become subject to infringement actions based upon their use of the intellectual property licensed from those third parties. Our partner companies generally obtain representations as to the origin and ownership of such licensed intellectual property. However, this may not adequately protect them. Any claims against our partner companies’ proprietary rights, with or without merit, could subject the companies to costly litigation and divert their technical and management personnel from other business concerns. If our partner companies incur costly litigation and their personnel are not effectively deployed, the expenses and losses incurred by our partner companies will increase and their profits, if any, will decrease.

Third parties have and may assert infringement or other intellectual property claims against our partner companies based on their patents or other intellectual property claims. Even though we believe our partner companies’ products do not infringe any third party’s patents, they may have to pay substantial damages, possibly including treble damages, if it is ultimately

24

determined that they do. They may have to obtain a license to sell their products if it is determined that their products infringe on another person’s intellectual property. Our partner companies might be prohibited from selling their products before they obtain a license, which, if available at all, may require them to pay substantial royalties. Even if infringement claims against our partner companies are without merit, defending these types of lawsuits takes significant time, is expensive and may divert management attention from other business concerns.

Certain of our partner companies could face legal liabilities from claims made against their operations, products or work.

Because manufacture and sale of certain partner company products entail an inherent risk of product liability, certain partner companies maintain product liability insurance. Although none of our current partner companies have experienced any material losses in this regard, there can be no assurance that they will be able to maintain or acquire adequate product liability insurance in the future and any product liability claim could have a material adverse effect on a partner company’s financial stability, revenues and results of operations. In addition, many of the engagements of our partner companies involve projects that are critical to the operation of their clients’ businesses. If our partner companies fail to meet their contractual obligations, they could be subject to legal liability, which could adversely affect their business, operating results and financial condition. Partner company contracts typically include provisions designed to limit their exposure to legal claims relating to their services and products. However, these provisions may not protect our partner companies or may not be enforceable. Also, some of our partner companies depend on their relationships with their clients and their reputation for high-quality services and integrity to retain and attract clients. As a result, claims made against our partner companies’ work may damage their reputation, which in turn could impact their ability to compete for new work and negatively impact their revenue and profitability.

Our partner companies’ success depends on their ability to attract and retain qualified personnel.

Our partner companies depend upon their ability to attract and retain senior management and key personnel, including trained technical and marketing personnel. Our partner companies also will need to continue to hire additional personnel as they expand. Although our current partner companies have not been the subject of a work stoppage, any future work stoppage could have a material adverse effect on their respective operations. A shortage in the availability of the requisite qualified personnel or work stoppage would limit the ability of our partner companies to grow, to increase sales of their existing products and services, and to launch new products and services.

Government regulations and legal uncertainties may place financial burdens on the businesses of our partner companies.

Failure to comply with applicable requirements of the FDA or comparable regulation in foreign countries can result in fines, recall or seizure of products, total or partial suspension of production, withdrawal of existing product approvals or clearances, refusal to approve or clear new applications or notices and criminal prosecution. Manufacturers of pharmaceuticals and medical diagnostic devices and operators of laboratory facilities are subject to strict federal and state regulation regarding validation and the quality of manufacturing and laboratory facilities. Failure to comply with these quality regulation systems requirements could result in civil or criminal penalties or enforcement proceedings, including the recall of a product or a “cease distribution” order. The enactment of any additional laws or regulations that affect healthcare insurance policy and reimbursement (including Medicare reimbursement) could negatively affect some of our partner companies. If Medicare or private payers change the rates at which our partner companies or their customers are reimbursed by insurance providers for their products, such changes could adversely impact our partner companies.

Some of our partner companies may be subject to significant environmental, health and safety regulation.

Some of our partner companies may be subject to licensing and regulation under federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment and human health and safety, including laws and regulations relating to the handling, transportation and disposal of medical specimens, infectious and hazardous waste and radioactive materials, as well as to the safety and health of manufacturing and laboratory employees. In addition, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has established extensive requirements relating to workplace safety. Compliance with such regulations could increase operating costs at certain of our partner companies, and the failure to comply could negatively affect the operations and results of some of our partner companies.

Catastrophic events may disrupt our partner companies’ businesses.

Some of our partner companies are highly automated businesses and rely on their network infrastructure, various software applications and many internal technology systems and data networks for their customer support, development, sales and marketing and accounting and finance functions. Further, some of our partner companies provide services to their customers from data center facilities in multiple locations. Some of these data centers are operated by third parties, and the partner companies have limited control over those facilities. A disruption or failure of these systems or data centers in the event of a natural disaster, telecommunications failure, power outage, cyber-attack, war, terrorist attack or other catastrophic event

25

could cause system interruptions, reputational harm, delays in product development, breaches of data security and loss of critical data. Such an event could also prevent the partner companies from fulfilling customer orders or maintaining certain service level requirements, particularly in respect of their SaaS offerings. While certain of our partner companies have developed certain disaster recovery plans and maintain backup systems to reduce the potentially adverse effect of such events, a catastrophic event that resulted in the destruction or disruption of any of their data centers or their critical business or information technology systems could severely affect their ability to conduct normal business operations and, as a result, their business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected.

We cannot provide assurance that our partner companies’ disaster recovery plans will address all of the issues they may encounter in the event of a disaster or other unanticipated issue, and their business interruption insurance may not adequately compensate them for losses that may occur from any of the foregoing. In the event that a natural disaster, terrorist attack or other catastrophic event were to destroy any part of their facilities or interrupt their operations for any extended period of time, or if harsh weather or health conditions prevent them from delivering products in a timely manner, their business, financial condition and operating results could be adversely affected.

Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There have been no material changes to the information we previously disclosed under Item 7A of Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the SEC on March 3, 2017.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2017 are functioning effectively to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure. A controls system cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the controls system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.

(b) Change in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

No change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.Legal Proceedings

None.  

Item 1A.Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in our risk factors from the information set forth above under the heading “Factors That May Affect Future Results” and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

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

The following table provides information about purchases of equity securities by the Company and affiliated purchasers of the Company, during the quarter ended March 31, 2017, which equity securities are registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"):

Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased (a)	Average Price Paid Per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan (b)	Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plan (b)
January 1, 2017 - January 31, 2017	188	$	13.3375	—	$	14,636,135
February 1, 2017 - February 28, 2017	188	$	12.8500	—	$	14,636,135
March 1, 2017 - March 31, 2017	7,538	$	12.5461	—	$	14,636,135
Total	7,914	$	12.5722	—

(a) During the first quarter of 2017, the Company repurchased an aggregate of 8 thousand shares of its common stock initially issued as restricted stock awards to employees and subsequently withheld from employees to satisfy the statutory withholding tax liability upon the vesting of such restricted stock awards.

(b) In July 2015, our Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase shares of its outstanding common stock with an aggregate value of up to $25.0 million.  These repurchases may be made in open market or privately negotiated transactions, including under plans complying with Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act, based on market conditions, stock price, and other factors.  The share repurchase program does not obligate the Company to acquire any specific number of shares.

Item 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5.Other Information

None.

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Item 6.  Exhibits

(a) Exhibits.

The following is a list of exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K to be filed as part of this Report. For exhibits that previously have been filed, the Registrant incorporates those exhibits herein by reference. Documents which are incorporated by reference to filings by parties other than the Registrant are identified in a footnote to this table.

Exhibit Number	Description
31.1 †	Certification of Stephen T. Zarrilli pursuant to Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
31.2 †	Certification of Jeffrey B. McGroarty pursuant to Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
32.1 ‡	Certification of Stephen T. Zarrilli pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2 ‡	Certification of Jeffrey B. McGroarty pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101	The following materials from Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language); (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited); (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited); (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (unaudited); (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited); (v) Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (unaudited); and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).

† Filed herewith

‡ Furnished herewith

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements 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.

		SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS, INC.
Date:	April 27, 2017	/s/    Stephen T. Zarrilli
		Stephen T. Zarrilli
		President and Chief Executive Officer
Date:	April 27, 2017	/s/    Jeffrey B. McGroarty
		Jeffrey B. McGroarty
		Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

29

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Stephen T. Zarrilli, certify that:

1.	I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Safeguard Scientifics, Inc.;
2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
	a.	designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
	b.	designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
	c.	evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
	d.	disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
	a.	all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
	b.	any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

		SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS, INC.
Date:	April 27, 2017	/s/ Stephen T. Zarrilli
		Stephen T. Zarrilli
		President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Jeffrey B. McGroarty, certify that:

1.	I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Safeguard Scientifics, Inc.;
2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
	a.	designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
	b.	designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
	c.	evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
	d.	disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
	a.	all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
	b.	any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

		SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS, INC.
Date:	April 27, 2017	/s/ Jeffrey B. McGroarty
		Jeffrey B. McGroarty
		Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906

of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. (“Safeguard”) on Form 10-Q for the three months endedMarch 31, 2017 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Stephen T. Zarrilli, President and Chief Executive Officer of Safeguard, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1.	The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, (15 U.S.C. 78m(a)); and
2.	The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Safeguard.

		SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS, INC.
Date:	April 27, 2017	/s/ Stephen T. Zarrilli
		Stephen T. Zarrilli
		President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906

of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. (“Safeguard”) on Form 10-Q for the three months endedMarch 31, 2017 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Jeffrey B. McGroarty, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Safeguard, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1.	The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, (15 U.S.C. 78m(a)); and
2.	The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Safeguard.

		SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS, INC.
Date:	April 27, 2017	/s/ Jeffrey B. McGroarty
		Jeffrey B. McGroarty
		Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

XML

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Apr. 25, 2017
Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000086115
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		20,359,015
Trading Symbol	SFE

XML

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 30,543	$ 22,058
Marketable securities	2,376	8,384
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,325	2,109
Total current assets	35,244	32,551
Property and equipment, net	1,789	1,873
Ownership interests in and advances to partner companies	161,625	183,470
Long-term marketable securities	3,047	7,302
Long-term restricted cash equivalents	6,336	6,336
Other assets	121	296
Total Assets	208,162	231,828
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	230	140
Accrued compensation and benefits	1,775	3,498
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	2,017	2,223
Total current liabilities	4,022	5,861
Other long-term liabilities	3,581	3,630
Convertible senior debentures	52,983	52,560
Total Liabilities	60,586	62,051
Commitments and contingencies
Equity:
Preferred stock, $0.10 par value; 1,000 shares authorized	0	0
Common stock, $0.10 par value; 83,333 shares authorized; 21,573 shares issued at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016	2,157	2,157
Additional paid-in capital	815,926	816,016
Treasury stock, at cost; 1,215 and 1,209 shares at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively	(21,123)	(21,061)
Accumulated deficit	(649,001)	(626,904)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(383)	(431)
Total Equity	147,576	169,777
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 208,162	$ 231,828

XML

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares shares in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000	1,000
Common stock, par value	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Common stock, shares authorized	83,333	83,333
Common stock, shares issued	21,573	21,573
Treasury stock	1,215	1,209

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
General and administrative expense	$ 4,947	$ 5,228
Operating loss	(4,947)	(5,228)
Other income (loss), net	249	0
Interest income	801	420
Interest expense	(1,198)	(1,149)
Equity loss	(17,002)	(9,495)
Net loss before income taxes	(22,097)	(15,452)
Income tax benefit (expense)	0	0
Net loss	$ (22,097)	$ (15,452)
Net loss per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (1.08)	$ (0.76)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (1.08)	$ (0.76)
Weighted average shares used in computing loss per share:
Basic (in shares)	20,380	20,448
Diluted (in shares)	20,380	20,448

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net cash used in operating activities	$ (6,541)	$ (5,840)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Proceeds from sales of and distributions from companies	15,753	4,194
Acquisitions of ownership interests in companies	(4,476)	(17,073)
Advances and loans to companies	(6,429)	(7,119)
Repayment of advances and loans to companies	0	28
Decrease in marketable securities	10,268	26,602
Capital expenditures	0	(22)
Net cash provided by investing activities	15,116	6,610
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Issuance of Company common stock, net	10	0
Tax withholdings related to equity-based awards	(100)	0
Repurchase of Company common stock	0	(5,445)
Net cash used in financing activities	(90)	(5,445)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents	8,485	(4,675)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents at beginning of period	28,394	32,838
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents at end of period	$ 36,879	$ 28,163

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY - 3 months ended Mar. 31, 2017 - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Accumulated Deficit	AOCI Attributable to Parent	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Treasury Stock
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 169,777	$ (626,904)	$ (431)	$ 2,157	$ 816,016	$ (21,061)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016				21,573
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016						1,209
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss	(22,097)	(22,097)
Stock options exercised, net of tax withholdings	10				(10)	$ 20
Stock options exercised, net of tax withholdings (in shares)						(1)
Issuance of restricted stock, net of tax withholdings	(57)				25	$ (82)
Issuance of restricted stock, net of tax withholdings (in shares)						7
Stock-based compensation expense	(105)				(105)
Other comprehensive income	48		48
Balance at Mar. 31, 2017	$ 147,576	$ (649,001)	$ (383)	$ 2,157	$ 815,926	$ (21,123)
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2017				21,573
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2017						1,215

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Statement - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (22,097)	$ (15,452)
Share of other comprehensive loss of equity method investments	(2)	(10)
Reclassification adjustment for sale of equity method investments	50	0
Total comprehensive loss	$ (22,049)	$ (15,462)

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General

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

General

General

The accompanying unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements of Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. (“Safeguard” or the “Company”) were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and the interim financial statement rules and regulations of the SEC. In the opinion of management, these statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the Consolidated Financial Statements. The interim operating results are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year or for any interim period. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations relating to interim financial statements. The Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q and with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in the Company’s 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Significant Accounting Policies

Restricted Cash Equivalents

Restricted cash equivalents consist of certificates of deposit with various maturity dates. Amounts included in restricted cash equivalents represent those required to be set aside by a contractual agreement with a bank as collateral for a letter of credit. The restriction on the cash will lapse when the related letter of credit expires on March 19, 2019. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents reported within the Consolidated Balance Sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:

	March 31, 2017		December 31, 2016
	(In thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	30,543	$	22,058
Long-term restricted cash equivalents	6,336		6,336
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents	$	36,879	$	28,394

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Evaluation of Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) ("ASU 2014-09"). ASU 2014-09 and related subsequent amendments outlines a single comprehensive model to use to account for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance. For public companies, the guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and any interim periods that fall within that reporting period. For nonpublic companies, the guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted. As the new standard will supersede most existing revenue guidance, it could impact revenue and cost recognition for partner companies. Any change in revenue or cost recognition for partner companies could affect the Company's recognition of its share of the results of its equity method partner companies. The Company has been closely monitoring the FASB activity related to the new standard and has begun work to conclude on specific interpretative issues.

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Ownership Interests in and Advances to Partner Companies and Funds

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Schedule of Investments [Abstract]

Ownership Interests in and Advances to Partner Companies

Ownership Interests in and Advances to Partner Companies

The following summarizes the carrying value of the Company’s ownership interests in and advances to partner companies.   

	March 31, 2017		December 31, 2016
	(Unaudited - In thousands)
Equity Method:
Partner companies	$	131,852	$	154,219
Private equity funds	446		447
	132,298		154,666
Cost Method:
Partner companies	2,687		2,112
Private equity funds	1,400		1,550
	4,087		3,662
Advances to partner companies	25,240		25,142
	$	161,625	$	183,470

In March 2017, the Company sold its interest in partner company Beyond.com back to Beyond.com for $26.0 million. The Company received $15.5 million in cash and a three-year, $10.5 million note for the balance due, which accrues interest at a rate of 9.5% per annum. The receipt of the $15.5 million in cash resulted in a gain of $0.1 million which is included in Equity income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The $10.5 million note is fully reserved and has a carrying value of zero as of March 31, 2017. A gain will be recorded when the note is repaid. Interest is payable annually and interest income is recorded as earned throughout the year.

In the quarter ended March 31, 2017, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $2.7 million related to Pneuron, Inc. which is reflected in Equity income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The impairment was due to a decline in revenue and a lack of new customers. The adjusted carrying value of the Company's interest in Pneuron is $2.5 million at March 31, 2017.

In July 2015, Quantia, Inc. was acquired by Physicians Interactive. The Company received $7.8 million in initial cash proceeds in connection with the transaction in July 2015 and $0.6 million in connection with the expiration of the initial escrow period in July 2016. In January 2017, the Company received an additional $0.6 million in connection with the expiration of the final escrow period resulting in a gain of $0.6 million which is included in Equity income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

In April 2016, the Company received $3.3 million associated with the achievement of the final performance milestone related to the December 2013 sale of ThingWorx, Inc. to PTC, Inc., resulting in a gain of $3.3 million which is included in Equity income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

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Acquisitions of Ownership Interests in Partner Companies and Funds

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Acquisitions of Ownership Interests in Partner Companies

Acquisitions of Ownership Interests in Partner Companies

In March and January 2017, the Company deployed an aggregate of $2.0 million in Cloudmine, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $5.5 million in CloudMine. CloudMine empowers payers, providers, and pharmaceutical organizations to mobilize patient information by building robust applications and driving actionable insights. The Company accounts for its interest in CloudMine under the equity method.

In March and February 2017, the Company funded an aggregate of $4.0 million of convertible bridge loans to InfoBionic, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $14.5 million in InfoBionic. InfoBionic is an emerging digital health company focused on creating patient monitoring solutions for chronic disease management with an initial market focus on cardiac arrhythmias. The Company accounts for its interest in InfoBionic under the equity method.

In March 2017, the Company funded $0.2 million of a bridge loan to Lumesis, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $6.2 million in Lumesis. Lumesis is a financial technology company focused on providing business efficiency, regulatory and data solutions to the municipal bond marketplace. The Company accounts for its interest in Lumesis under the equity method.

In February 2017, the Company funded $0.5 million of a convertible loan to NovaSom, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $22.0 million in NovaSom. NovaSom is a medical device company focused on obstructive sleep apnea, specifically home testing with its FDA-cleared wireless device called AccuSom^® Home Sleep Test. The Company accounts for its interest in NovaSom under the equity method.

In January 2017, the Company deployed $2.4 million into Full Measure Education, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $8.6 million in Full Measure. Full Measure designs next-generation, mobile-first technologies for community colleges throughout the United States. The Company accounts for its interest in Full Measure under the equity method.

In January 2017, the Company funded $0.3 million of a convertible bridge loan to Aventura, Inc. to fund wind-down activities. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $6.2 million in Aventura. The adjusted carrying value of the Company's interest in Aventura was $0.0 million at March 31, 2017. The Company accounted for its interest in Aventura under the equity method.

In January 2017, the Company funded $1.0 million of a convertible bridge loan to WebLinc, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $12.0 million in WebLinc. WebLinc is a commerce platform provider for fast growing online retailers. The Company accounts for its interest in WebLinc under the equity method.

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Fair Value Measurements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

The Company categorizes its financial instruments into a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the category level is based on the lowest priority level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument. Financial instruments recorded at fair value on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets are categorized as follows:

Level 1—Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2—Include other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace.

Level 3—Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.

The fair value hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

The following table provides the carrying value and fair value of certain financial assets and liabilities of the Company measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016:

	Carrying Value		Fair Value Measurement at March 31, 2017
			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
	(Unaudited - In thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	30,543	$	30,543	$	—		$	—
Long-term restricted cash equivalents	6,336		6,336		—		—	—
Marketable securities—held-to-maturity:
Certificates of deposit	$	5,423	$	5,423	$	—		$	—
Total marketable securities	$	5,423	$	5,423	$	—		$	—

	Carrying Value		Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2016
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(Unaudited - In thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	22,058	$	22,058	$	—	$	—
Long-term restricted cash equivalents	6,336		6,336		—		—
Marketable securities—held-to-maturity:
Certificates of deposit	$	15,686	$	15,686	$	—	$	—
Total marketable securities	$	15,686	$	15,686	$	—	$	—

As of March 31, 2017, $2.4 million of marketable securities had contractual maturities which were less than one year and $3.0 million of marketable securities had contractual maturities greater than one year. Held-to-maturity securities are carried at amortized cost, which, due to the short-term maturity of these instruments, approximates fair value using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities defined as Level 1 inputs under the fair value hierarchy.

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Convertible Debentures and Credit Arrangements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Convertible Debentures and Credit Arrangements

Convertible Debentures

In November 2012, the Company issued $55.0 million principal amount of its 5.25% convertible senior debentures due on May 15, 2018 (the "2018 Debentures"). The 2018 Debentures may be settled in cash or partially in cash upon conversion. Accordingly, the Company separately accounts for the liability and equity components of the 2018 Debentures. The carrying amount of the liability component was determined at the transaction date by measuring the fair value of a similar liability that does not have an associated equity component. The carrying amount of the equity component represented by the embedded conversion option was determined by deducting the fair value of the liability component from the initial proceeds of the 2018 Debentures as a whole. At March 31, 2017, the fair value of the $55.0 million outstanding 2018 Debentures was approximately $56.1 million, based on the midpoint of the bid and ask prices as of such date. At March 31, 2017, the carrying amount of the equity component was $6.4 million, the principal amount of the liability component was $55.0 million, the unamortized discount was $1.6 million, unamortized debt issuance costs were $0.4 million and the net carrying value of the liability component was $53.0 million. The Company is amortizing the excess of the face value of the 2018 Debentures over their carrying value over their term as additional interest expense using the effective interest method and recorded $0.4 million and $0.3 million of such expense for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The effective interest rate on the 2018 Debentures is 8.7%. The Company anticipates refinancing all or a portion of the outstanding 2018 Debentures before the maturity date of May 15, 2018.

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Stock-Based Compensation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expense was recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows:   

	Three months ended March 31,
	2017			2016
	(Unaudited - In thousands)
General and administrative expense	$	(105	)	$	807
	$	(105	)	$	807

The fair value of the Company’s option awards to employees was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The risk-free rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the end of the quarter in which the grant occurred. The expected term of stock options granted was estimated using the historical exercise behavior of employees. Expected volatility was based on historical volatility measured using weekly price observations of the Company’s common stock for a period equal to the stock option’s expected term.

At March 31, 2017, the Company had outstanding options that vest based on two different types of vesting schedules:

1)	performance-based;
2)	service-based.

Performance-based awards entitle participants to vest in a number of awards determined by achievement by the Company of target capital returns based on net cash proceeds received by the Company on the sale, merger or other exit transaction of certain identified partner companies. Vesting may occur, if at all, once per year. The requisite service periods for the performance-based awards are based on the Company’s estimate of when the performance conditions will be met. Compensation expense is recognized for performance-based awards for which the performance condition is considered probable of achievement. Compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service periods using the straight-line method but is accelerated if capital return targets are achieved earlier than estimated. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company did not issue any performance-based options to employees, no performance-based options vested and no performance-based options were canceled or forfeited. The Company recorded a reduction in compensation expense related to performance-based options of $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and compensation expense of $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The maximum number of unvested options at March 31, 2017 attainable under these grants was 344 thousand shares.

Service-based awards generally vest over four years after the date of grant and expire eight years after the date of grant. Compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service period using the straight-line method. The requisite service period for service-based awards is the period over which the award vests. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company issued 0 thousand and 1 thousand service-based options, respectively, to employees. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, 0 thousand and 8 thousand service-based options, respectively, were canceled or forfeited. The Company recorded compensation expense related to service-based options of $0.0 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.

Performance-based stock units vest based on achievement by the Company of target capital returns based on net cash proceeds received by the Company on the sale, merger or other exit transaction of certain identified partner companies, as described above related to performance-based awards. Performance-based stock units represent the right to receive shares of the Company’s common stock, on a one-for-one basis. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company did not issue any performance-based stock units to employees, no performance-based stock units vested and no performance-based stock units were canceled or forfeited. Under the terms of the 2016, 2015 and 2014 performance-based awards, once performance-based stock units are fully vested, participants are entitled to receive cash payments based on their initial performance grant values as target capital returns are exceeded. At March 31, 2017, the liability associated with such potential cash payments was $0.0 million.

During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company issued 4 thousand and 5 thousand deferred stock units, respectively, to non-employee directors for annual service grants or fees earned during the preceding quarter. Deferred stock units issued to directors in lieu of directors fees are 100% vested at the grant date; matching deferred stock units equal to 25% of directors’ fees deferred vest one year following the grant date or, if earlier, upon reaching age 65. Deferred stock units are payable in stock on a one-for-one basis. Payments related to the deferred stock units are generally distributable following termination of employment or service, death or permanent disability.

During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company did not issue any restricted stock awards.

Total compensation expense for performance-based stock units, deferred stock units, and restricted stock was $0.1 million and $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

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Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

The Company’s consolidated income tax benefit (expense) was $0.0 million for the three months ended March 30, 2017 and 2016. The Company has recorded a valuation allowance to reduce its net deferred tax asset to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized in future years. Accordingly, the benefit of the net operating loss that would have been recognized in the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was offset by changes in the valuation allowance. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company had no material changes in uncertain tax positions.

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Net Income (Loss) Per Share

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

Net Loss Per Share

The calculations of net loss per share were as follows:

	Three months ended March 31,
	2017			2016
	(Unaudited - In thousands, except per share data)
Basic:
Net loss	$	(22,097	)	$	(15,452	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding	20,380			20,448
Net loss per share	$	(1.08	)	$	(0.76	)
Diluted:
Net loss	$	(22,097	)	$	(15,452	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding	20,380			20,448
Net loss per share	$	(1.08	)	$	(0.76	)

Basic and diluted average common shares outstanding for purposes of computing net income (loss) per share includes outstanding common shares and vested deferred stock units (DSUs).

If a consolidated or equity method partner company has dilutive stock options, unvested restricted stock, DSUs or warrants, diluted net income (loss) per share is computed by first deducting the income attributable to the potential exercise of the dilutive securities of the partner company from net income (loss). Any impact is shown as an adjustment to net income (loss) for purposes of calculating diluted net income (loss) per share.

Diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 do not reflect the following potential shares of common stock that would have an anti-dilutive effect or have unsatisfied performance or market conditions:

• At March 31, 2017 and 2016, options to purchase 0.7 million and 1.1 million shares of common stock, respectively, at prices ranging from $9.83 to $19.95 and $7.14 to $19.95, respectively, were excluded from the calculations.

• At March 31, 2017 and 2016, unvested restricted stock, performance-based stock units and DSUs convertible into 0.9 million and 0.7 million shares of stock, respectively, were excluded from the calculations.

• At March 31, 2017 and 2016, 3.0 million shares of common stock, representing the effect of the assumed conversion of the 2018 Debentures, were excluded from the calculations.

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Segment Reporting

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting

The Company operates as one operating segment based upon the similar nature of its technology-driven partner companies, the functional alignment of the organizational structure, and the reports that are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker for the purpose of assessing performance and allocating resources. As of March 31, 2017, the Company held interests in 28 non-consolidated partner companies. The Company’s active partner companies were as follows as of March 31, 2017:

Partner Company	Safeguard Primary Ownership as of March 31, 2017	Accounting Method
AdvantEdge Healthcare Solutions, Inc.	40.1%	Equity
Aktana, Inc.	31.2%	Equity
Apprenda, Inc.	29.4%	Equity
Brickwork	20.3%	Equity
Cask Data, Inc.	31.3%	Equity
CloudMine, Inc.	47.3%	Equity
Clutch Holdings, Inc.	42.8%	Equity
Full Measure Education, Inc.	42.3%	Equity
Good Start Genetics, Inc.	29.6%	Equity
Hoopla Software, Inc.	25.5%	Equity
InfoBionic, Inc.	39.7%	Equity
Lumesis, Inc.	44.1%	Equity
MediaMath, Inc.	20.5%	Equity
meQuilibrium	31.5%	Equity
Moxe Health Corporation	32.4%	Equity
NovaSom, Inc.	31.7%	Equity
Pneuron Corporation	35.4%	Equity
Prognos	35.2%	Equity
Propeller Health, Inc.	24.0%	Equity
QuanticMind, Inc.	23.2%	Equity
Sonobi, Inc.	21.6%	Equity
Spongecell, Inc.	23.0%	Equity
Syapse, Inc.	26.2%	Equity
T-REX Group, Inc.	23.6%	Equity
Transactis, Inc.	24.0%	Equity
Trice Medical, Inc.	27.6%	Equity
WebLinc, Inc.	38.0%	Equity
Zipnosis, Inc.	25.4%	Equity

 As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, all of the Company’s assets were located in the United States.

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Commitments and Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies

The Company and its partner companies are involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the current opinion of the Company, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations, however, no assurance can be given as to the outcome of these actions, and one or more adverse rulings could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations or that of its partner companies. The Company records costs associated with legal fees as such services are rendered.

The Company had outstanding guarantees of $3.8 million at March 31, 2017 which related to one of the Company's private equity holdings.

The Company is required to return a portion or all the distributions it received as a general partner of a private equity fund for further distribution to such fund's limited partners (“clawback”). The Company’s ownership in the fund is 19%. The clawback liability is joint and several, such that the Company may be required to fund the clawback for other general partners should they default. The Company believes its potential liability due to the possibility of default by other general partners is remote. The Company was notified by the fund's manager that the fund is being dissolved and $1.0 million of the Company's clawback liability was paid in the first quarter of 2017. The maximum additional clawback liability is $0.3 million which was reflected in Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2017.

In October 2001, the Company entered into an agreement with a former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, to provide for annual payments of $0.65 million per year and certain health care and other benefits for life. The related current liability of $0.8 million was included in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities and the long-term portion of $1.9 million was included in Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2017.

The Company provided a $6.3 million letter of credit expiring on March 19, 2019 to the landlord of CompuCom Systems, Inc.’s Dallas headquarters as required in connection with the sale of CompuCom Systems in 2004. The letter of credit is now secured by cash which is classified as Long-term restricted cash equivalents on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

The Company has agreements with certain employees that provide for severance payments to the employee in the event the employee is terminated without cause or an employee terminates his employment for “good reason.” The maximum aggregate exposure under the agreements was approximately $3.0 million at March 31, 2017.

In June 2011, the Company's former partner company, Advanced BioHealing, Inc. (“ABH”) was acquired by Shire plc (“Shire”).  Prior to the expiration of the escrow period in March 2012, Shire filed a claim against all amounts held in escrow related to the sale based principally upon a United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”) false claims act investigation relating to ABH (the “Investigation”). In connection with the above-referenced investigation, in July 2015 the Company received a Civil Investigation Demand-Documentary Material (“CID”) from the DOJ regarding ABH and Safeguard’s relationship with ABH. Pursuant to the CID, the Company provided the requested materials and information.  To the Company’s knowledge, the CID was related to multiple qui tam (“whistleblower”) actions, one of which was filed in 2014 by an ex-employee of ABH that named the Company and one of the Company’s employees along with other entities and individuals as defendants.  At this time, the DOJ has declined to pursue the qui tam action as it relates to the Company and such Company employee. In addition, in connection with the above matters, the Company and other former equity holders in ABH recently entered into a settlement and release with Shire, which resulted in the release to Shire of all amounts held in escrow related to the sale of ABH.

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Equity

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Equity [Abstract]

Equity

Equity

In July 2015, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the Company, from time to time and depending on market conditions, to repurchase up to $25.0 million of the Company's outstanding common stock. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company repurchased 0.4 million shares at an aggregate cost of $5.4 million with $14.6 million remaining for repurchase under the existing authorization.

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General General (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Restricted Cash Equivalents

Restricted Cash Equivalents

Restricted cash equivalents consist of certificates of deposit with various maturity dates. Amounts included in restricted cash equivalents represent those required to be set aside by a contractual agreement with a bank as collateral for a letter of credit. The restriction on the cash will lapse when the related letter of credit expires on March 19, 2019.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Evaluation of Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) ("ASU 2014-09"). ASU 2014-09 and related subsequent amendments outlines a single comprehensive model to use to account for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance. For public companies, the guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and any interim periods that fall within that reporting period. For nonpublic companies, the guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted. As the new standard will supersede most existing revenue guidance, it could impact revenue and cost recognition for partner companies. Any change in revenue or cost recognition for partner companies could affect the Company's recognition of its share of the results of its equity method partner companies. The Company has been closely monitoring the FASB activity related to the new standard and has begun work to conclude on specific interpretative issues.

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General General (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents reported within the Consolidated Balance Sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:

	March 31, 2017		December 31, 2016
	(In thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	30,543	$	22,058
Long-term restricted cash equivalents	6,336		6,336
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents	$	36,879	$	28,394

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Ownership Interests in and Advances to Partner Companies and Funds (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Schedule of Investments [Abstract]

Ownership Interests in and Advances to Partner Companies and Private Equity Funds

The following summarizes the carrying value of the Company’s ownership interests in and advances to partner companies.   

	March 31, 2017		December 31, 2016
	(Unaudited - In thousands)
Equity Method:
Partner companies	$	131,852	$	154,219
Private equity funds	446		447
	132,298		154,666
Cost Method:
Partner companies	2,687		2,112
Private equity funds	1,400		1,550
	4,087		3,662
Advances to partner companies	25,240		25,142
	$	161,625	$	183,470

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Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Carrying Value and Fair Value of Certain Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis

The following table provides the carrying value and fair value of certain financial assets and liabilities of the Company measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016:

	Carrying Value		Fair Value Measurement at March 31, 2017
			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
	(Unaudited - In thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	30,543	$	30,543	$	—		$	—
Long-term restricted cash equivalents	6,336		6,336		—		—	—
Marketable securities—held-to-maturity:
Certificates of deposit	$	5,423	$	5,423	$	—		$	—
Total marketable securities	$	5,423	$	5,423	$	—		$	—

	Carrying Value		Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2016
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(Unaudited - In thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	22,058	$	22,058	$	—	$	—
Long-term restricted cash equivalents	6,336		6,336		—		—
Marketable securities—held-to-maturity:
Certificates of deposit	$	15,686	$	15,686	$	—	$	—
Total marketable securities	$	15,686	$	15,686	$	—	$	—

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Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

Stock-based compensation expense was recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows:   

	Three months ended March 31,
	2017			2016
	(Unaudited - In thousands)
General and administrative expense	$	(105	)	$	807
	$	(105	)	$	807

Types of Vesting Schedules

At March 31, 2017, the Company had outstanding options that vest based on two different types of vesting schedules:

1)	performance-based;
2)	service-based.

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Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Calculations of Net Loss Per Share

The calculations of net loss per share were as follows:

	Three months ended March 31,
	2017			2016
	(Unaudited - In thousands, except per share data)
Basic:
Net loss	$	(22,097	)	$	(15,452	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding	20,380			20,448
Net loss per share	$	(1.08	)	$	(0.76	)
Diluted:
Net loss	$	(22,097	)	$	(15,452	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding	20,380			20,448
Net loss per share	$	(1.08	)	$	(0.76	)

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Segment Reporting (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Active Partner Companies by Segment

The Company’s active partner companies were as follows as of March 31, 2017:

Partner Company	Safeguard Primary Ownership as of March 31, 2017	Accounting Method
AdvantEdge Healthcare Solutions, Inc.	40.1%	Equity
Aktana, Inc.	31.2%	Equity
Apprenda, Inc.	29.4%	Equity
Brickwork	20.3%	Equity
Cask Data, Inc.	31.3%	Equity
CloudMine, Inc.	47.3%	Equity
Clutch Holdings, Inc.	42.8%	Equity
Full Measure Education, Inc.	42.3%	Equity
Good Start Genetics, Inc.	29.6%	Equity
Hoopla Software, Inc.	25.5%	Equity
InfoBionic, Inc.	39.7%	Equity
Lumesis, Inc.	44.1%	Equity
MediaMath, Inc.	20.5%	Equity
meQuilibrium	31.5%	Equity
Moxe Health Corporation	32.4%	Equity
NovaSom, Inc.	31.7%	Equity
Pneuron Corporation	35.4%	Equity
Prognos	35.2%	Equity
Propeller Health, Inc.	24.0%	Equity
QuanticMind, Inc.	23.2%	Equity
Sonobi, Inc.	21.6%	Equity
Spongecell, Inc.	23.0%	Equity
Syapse, Inc.	26.2%	Equity
T-REX Group, Inc.	23.6%	Equity
Transactis, Inc.	24.0%	Equity
Trice Medical, Inc.	27.6%	Equity
WebLinc, Inc.	38.0%	Equity
Zipnosis, Inc.	25.4%	Equity

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General Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 30,543	$ 22,058
Long-term restricted cash equivalents	6,336	6,336
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents	$ 36,879	$ 28,394	$ 28,163	$ 32,838

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Ownership Interests in and Advances to Partner Companies and Funds - Carrying Value (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates [Line Items]
Equity method investments	$ 132,298	$ 154,666
Cost method investments	4,087	3,662
Advances to partner companies	25,240	25,142
Investments in and advance to affiliates, subsidiaries, associates, and joint ventures	161,625	183,470
Partner companies
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates [Line Items]
Equity method investments	131,852	154,219
Cost method investments	2,687	2,112
Private equity funds
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates [Line Items]
Equity method investments	446	447
Cost method investments	$ 1,400	$ 1,550

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Ownership Interests in and Advances to Partner Companies and Funds - Narrative (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended					3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Jan. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Apr. 30, 2016	Jul. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 03, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investment [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of business						$ 15,753	$ 4,194
Equity method investments	$ 132,298					132,298			$ 154,666
Pneuron
Investment [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges						2,700
Equity method investments	2,500					2,500
Beyond.com, Inc
Investment [Line Items]
Consideration received per transaction	26,000
Proceeds from sale of business	$ 15,500
Term of note receivable (in years)	3 years
Amount of consideration received	$ 10,500
Interest rate on note receivable								9.50%
Gain on sale of business						100
Quantia, Inc.
Investment [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of business		$ 600	$ 600		$ 7,800
Gain on sale of business						$ 600
Thing Worx, Inc.
Investment [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of business				$ 3,300
Gain on sale of business							$ 3,300

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Acquisitions of Ownership Interests in Partner Companies and Funds (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		22 Months Ended	23 Months Ended	24 Months Ended	29 Months Ended	33 Months Ended	59 Months Ended	66 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Payments to acquire equity method investments	$ 4,476	$ 17,073
Equity method investments	132,298		$ 154,666	$ 154,666	$ 154,666	$ 154,666	$ 154,666	$ 154,666	$ 154,666
CloudMine
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Payments to acquire equity method investments	2,000		$ 5,500
InfoBionic
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Payments to acquire equity method investments							$ 14,500
Convertible bridge loan	4,000
Lumesis, Inc.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Payments to acquire equity method investments								$ 6,200
Convertible bridge loan	200
Novasom, Inc.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Payments to acquire equity method investments									$ 22,000
Convertible bridge loan	500
Full Measure
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Payments to acquire equity method investments	2,400				$ 8,600
Aventura
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Payments to acquire equity method investments				$ 6,200
Equity method investments	0
Convertible bridge loan	300
WebLinc
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Payments to acquire equity method investments	$ 1,000					$ 12,000

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Fair Value Measurements - Carrying Value and Fair Value of Certain Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term restricted cash equivalents	$ 6,336	$ 6,336
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	30,543	22,058
Long-term restricted cash equivalents	6,336	6,336
Total marketable securities	5,423	15,686
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Certificates of deposit
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total marketable securities	5,423	15,686
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	30,543	22,058
Long-term restricted cash equivalents	6,336	6,336
Total marketable securities	5,423	15,686
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Long-term restricted cash equivalents	0	0
Total marketable securities	0	0
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Long-term restricted cash equivalents	0	0
Total marketable securities	0	0
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Certificates of deposit | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total marketable securities	5,423	15,686
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Certificates of deposit | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total marketable securities	0	0
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Certificates of deposit | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total marketable securities	$ 0	$ 0

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Fair Value Measurements - Narrative (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Marketable securities, current	$ 2,376	$ 8,384
Marketable securities, non current	$ 3,047	$ 7,302

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Convertible Debentures and Credit Arrangements - Convertible Senior Debentures Narrative (Detail) - Convertible Senior Debentures due 2018 - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Nov. 30, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate face value of convertible senior debentures	$ 55,000,000		$ 55,000,000.0
Interest rate on debentures			5.25%
Fair value of debentures outstanding	56,100,000
Gross carrying amount of equity component	6,400,000
Unamortized discount	1,600,000
Deferred finance costs, noncurrent, net	400,000
Carrying value of liability component	53,000,000
Amortization of debt discount (premium)	$ 400,000	$ 300,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, effective percentage	8.70%

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Convertible Debentures and Credit Arrangements - Credit Arrangements Narrative (Detail) - Credit Arrangements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum aggregate amount of revolving credit facility in the form of borrowings, guarantees and issuances of letters of credit (subject to a $20 million sublimit)	$ 25,000,000.0
After Amendment
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility maturity date	Dec. 19, 2016
Landlord Of Compu Com Systems Incs Dallas Headquarters
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letter of credit under the credit facility	$ 6,300,000
Letter of credit expiration date	Mar. 19, 2019

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Stock-Based Compensation - Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ (105)	$ 807
General And Administrative Expenses
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ (105)	$ 807

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Stock-Based Compensation - Narrative (Detail) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) vesting_type yr shares	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) shares
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of award vesting types | vesting_type	2
Cash liability for performance-based units | $	$ 0.0
Performance Shares
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense | $	$ 0.2	$ 0.2
Stock-based compensation, maximum number of unvested shares (in shares) | shares	344,000
Service Based Award
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options, forfeitures in period (in shares) | shares	0	8,000
Stock-based compensation expense | $	$ 0.0	$ 0.0
Vesting period (in years)	4 years
Expiration period (in years)	8 years
Options issued (in shares) | shares	0	1,000
Deferred Stock Units
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of shares vested in lieu of directors fees at the grant date	100.00%
Portion of Director fees matched to deferred stock units	25.00%
Vesting period of deferred stock (in years)	1 year
Minimum age required for meeting directors fees deferred vest criteria | yr	65
Deferred Stock Units | Director
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares issued to non-employee individual (in shares) | shares	4,000	5,000
Deferred stock units, performance-based stock units and restricted stock
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense | $	$ 0.1	$ 0.6

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Income Taxes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax benefit (expense)	$ 0	$ 0

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Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Calculations of Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Basic:
Net income (loss)	$ (22,097)	$ (15,452)
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	20,380	20,448
Net income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ (1.08)	$ (0.76)
Diluted:
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	20,380	20,448
Net income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ (1.08)	$ (0.76)

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Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Narrative (Detail) - $ / shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Stock Options
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Share of common stock excluded from diluted net loss per share calculation (in shares)	0.7	1.1
Shares of common stock at prices ranging, lower limit (in dollars per share)	$ 9.83	$ 7.14
Shares of common stock at prices ranging, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$ 19.95	$ 19.95
Deferred stock units, performance-based stock units and restricted stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Share of common stock excluded from diluted net loss per share calculation (in shares)	0.9	0.7
Convertible Senior Debentures due 2018
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Share of common stock excluded from diluted net loss per share calculation (in shares)	3.0	3.0

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Segment Reporting - Narrative (Detail)	Mar. 31, 2017 nonconsolidated_partner_company
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Non-consolidated partner companies	28

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Segment Reporting - Active Partner Companies by Segment (Detail)	Mar. 31, 2017
AdvantEdge Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	40.10%
Apprenda
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	29.40%
BrickWork
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	20.30%
Cask Data
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	31.30%
CloudMine
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	47.30%
Clutch Holdings, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	42.80%
Full Measure
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	42.30%
Hoopla Software, Inc.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	25.50%
Lumesis, Inc.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	44.10%
MediaMath, Inc.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	20.50%
Moxe Health
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	32.40%
Pneuron
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	35.40%
Prognos
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	35.20%
QuanticMind, Inc.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	23.20%
Sonobi
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	21.60%
Spongecell
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	23.00%
T-REX Group, Inc.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	23.60%
Transactis
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	24.00%
WebLinc
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	38.00%
Healthcare | Aktana, Inc.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	31.20%
Healthcare | Good Start Genetics, Inc.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	29.60%
Healthcare | InfoBionic
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	39.70%
Healthcare | meQuilibrium
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	31.50%
Healthcare | Novasom, Inc.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	31.70%
Healthcare | Propeller
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	24.00%
Healthcare | Syapse, Inc.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	26.20%
Healthcare | Trice
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	27.60%
Healthcare | Zipnosis
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	25.40%

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Commitments and Contingencies (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2001	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Commitment Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Accrued expenses		$ 2,017	$ 2,223
Other long-term liabilities		3,581	$ 3,630
Annual payments	$ 650
Employee Severance
Commitment Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Maximum severance payments		3,000
Letter of credit
Commitment Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Letter of credit under the credit facility		6,300
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
Commitment Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Liability to former chairman and chief executive officer, current		800
Other long-term liabilities
Commitment Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Liability to former chairman and chief executive officer, non-current		1,900
Clawback Liability
Commitment Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Other long-term liabilities		$ 300
Company's ownership in the funds		19.00%
Clawback Liability Paid		$ 1,000
Private equity funds
Commitment Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Company outstanding guarantees		$ 3,800

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Equity (Details) - Common Stock - USD ($) shares in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2015
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount			$ 25,000,000.0
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)	0.4
Stock repurchased during period, value	$ 5,400,000
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount		$ 14,600,000