FARMINGTON, Conn. and BOSTON, Nov. 18, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 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, announced today it has closed a new $5.5 million venture loan facility to Skyword Inc. ("Skyword"), a leading content marketing software and services company.  Skyword will use the proceeds of the venture loan for working capital purposes.

"Skyword represents a strong addition to our high-quality technology loan portfolio," stated Gerald A. Michaud, President of Horizon. "Skyword's proprietary content marketing platform has been validated by the market as shown by Skyword's impressive customer base of leading brands and media companies. Our growth capital will support Skyword's drive to expand domestically and internationally."

Tom Gerace, CEO and Founder of Skyword, stated, "With their significant experience in lending to technology companies, Horizon quickly structured and closed a financing solution tailored to our specific needs and stage of development. Horizon's venture loan facility strengthens our ability to capitalize on exciting domestic and international growth opportunities, as we continue to help global brands tell their stories."     

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.

About Skyword

Skyword moves marketing leaders and those who create content for them forward. By embracing a sustainable, scalable approach to original storytelling, Skyword liberates brands from ineffective marketing practices and inspires them to create deeper connections with their audiences. The Skyword Platform makes it easy to produce, optimize, and promote content at any scale to create meaningful, lasting relationships. Skyword also provides access to a community of thousands of freelance writers and videographers, an editorial team, and program managers who help move clients' content marketing programs to new levels of creative excellence. Skyword is a privately held company headquartered in Boston, Mass., with offices in Miami, Fla., Palo Alto, California, and New York, N.Y. The company's technology center is located in Pittsburgh, Pa. Investors include Cox Media Group, Allen & Company, Progress Ventures, and American Public Media Group.

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.

Contacts:

Horizon Technology Finance 

Christopher M. Mathieu  

Chief Financial Officer  

(860) 676-8653    

chris@horizontechfinance.com 



Investor Relations and Media Contact:

The IGB Group

Leon Berman

(212) 477-8438

lberman@igbir.com

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