FARMINGTON, CT / ACCESSWIRE / January 13, 2015 / Horizon Technology Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: HRZN) ("Horizon"), a leading specialty finance company that provides capital in the form of secured loans to venture capital backed companies in the technology, life science, healthcare information and services, and cleantech industries, today provided a portfolio update for the fourth quarter of 2014.
"During the fourth quarter, we achieved our highest funding quarter of the year, drawing upon our solid liquidity position and disciplined underwriting to originate high quality deals with strong returns," said Gerald A. Michaud, President of Horizon. "Complementing this success, we experienced high yielding liquidity events, enabling Horizon to continue to provide upside for our shareholders."
Mr. Michaud continued, "Also, in the fourth quarter, we continued to execute on our 2014 strategic initiatives, which included improving our asset quality, maintaining liquidity for planned growth in 2015, and filing our application for an SBIC license. We enter 2015 well-positioned to capitalize on attractive investment opportunities which would grow our portfolio and generate strong yields."
New Loans Funded
Horizon funded new loans in the fourth quarter of 2014 totaling $28.5 million to the following portfolio companies:
- $5.0 million to a new portfolio company, Interleukin Genetics, Inc., a genetics-based personalized health testing company.
- $5.0 million to a new portfolio company, Palatin Technologies, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutics for the treatment of diseases.
- $5.0 million to an existing portfolio company, Systech International, Inc., a global leader in pharma serialization solutions.
- $3.0 million to a new portfolio company, a provider of technology to create and manage secure digital signatures.
- $3.0 million to an existing portfolio company, Recondo Technology, Inc., a software company that develops cloud computing solutions throughout the healthcare revenue cycle.
- $2.5 million to a new portfolio company, Additech, Inc., a technology company that designs, builds and operates a unique at-the-pump automobile engine maintenance system.
- $2.0 million to a new portfolio company in the mobile and social gaming industry.
- $2.0 million to an existing portfolio company, New Haven Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a developer of prescription pharmaceuticals.
- $1.0 million to an existing portfolio company, AccuVein Inc., a developer of vein illumination technology.
Liquidity Events
During the quarter ended December 31, 2014, Horizon experienced liquidity events from five portfolio companies, increasing the total number of portfolio companies with liquidity events to 18 for the year. Liquidity events for Horizon may consist of the sale of warrants and equity in portfolio companies, loan prepayments, sale of owned assets or receipt of success fees.
In October, Construction Software Technologies, Inc. prepaid the outstanding principal balance of $7.7 million on its venture loan, plus interest, final payment and prepayment fee. Horizon received proceeds of approximately $0.5 million pursuant to its exercise and sale of warrants in Construction. Horizon's fully realized internal rate of return on this investment is 16.9%.
In November, SimpleTuition, Inc. prepaid the outstanding principal balance of $2.4 million on its venture loan, plus interest, final payment and prepayment fee. Horizon's current realized internal rate of return on this investment is 12.5%. Horizon continues to hold warrants in SimpleTuition.
In November, Optaros, Inc. prepaid the outstanding principal balance of $1.2 million on its venture loan, plus interest, final payment and prepayment fee. Horizon's fully realized internal rate of return on this investment is 14.0%.
In December, Mitralign, Inc. prepaid the outstanding principal balance of $2.9 million on its venture loan, plus interest, final payment and prepayment fee. Horizon's current realized internal rate of return on this investment is 14.4%. Horizon continues to hold warrants in Mitralign.
In November, Horizon sold its equity ownership in SolarBridge Technologies, Inc. for $2.3 million.
Refinanced Principal Balances, Early Principal Payoffs, and Principal Payments Received
Horizon experienced early pay-offs during the fourth quarter totaling $14.2 million, compared to early pay-offs totaling $19.1 million during the third quarter of 2014. During the fourth quarter Horizon received regularly scheduled principal payments on investments totaling $10.8 million compared to regularly scheduled principal payments totaling $10.5 million during the third quarter of 2014.
Commitments
During the quarter ended December 31, 2014, Horizon closed new loan commitments totaling $37.5 million to 11 companies, compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2014, wherein Horizon closed new loan commitments totaling $33.5 million to eight companies.
Pipeline
As of December 31, 2014, Horizon's unfunded loan approvals and commitments ("Committed Backlog") were $25.7 million to 11 companies, compared to a Committed Backlog of $19.7 million to seven companies as of September 30, 2014. While Horizon's portfolio companies have discretion whether to draw down such commitments, in some cases, the right of a company to draw down its commitment is subject to the portfolio company achieving specific milestones.
About Horizon Technology Finance
Horizon Technology Finance Corporation is a leading specialty finance company that provides capital in the form of secured loans to companies backed by venture capital firms within the technology, life science, healthcare information and services, and cleantech industries. The investment objective of Horizon is to maximize total returns by generating current income from a portfolio of directly originated secured loans as well as capital appreciation from warrants that it receives when making such loans. Headquartered in Farmington, Connecticut, Horizon has regional offices in Walnut Creek, California and Reston, Virginia. Horizon's common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol "HRZN". To learn more, please visit www.horizontechnologyfinancecorp.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements included herein may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements and are not guarantees of future performance, condition or results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Horizon undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement made herein. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release.
CONTACT:
Horizon Technology Finance CorporationChristopher M. Mathieu
Chief Financial Officer
(860) 676-8653
chris@horizontechfinance.com
Investor Relations and Media Contacts:
The IGB GroupMatt Steinberg / Leon Berman
(212) 477-8261 / (212) 477-8438
msteinberg@igbir.com / lberman@igbir.com
SOURCE: Horizon Technology Finance Corporation
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